I must start the notes this week with the sad news of the passing of the breed’s Record Holder CH / AM CH Kunniakas Kovu ShCM or as he was known to his friends and family – “AJ”. He was of course owned and bred by the Byrne family (and later also in the name of Melissa Chonos with whom he stayed during his year in the US) but lived with Lucy & Ian and the boys. Our condolences to them all. A full account of his life has been written by the family which will hopefully appear in this issue and there really is nothing I can add to it except to say it was a privilege to be competing alongside him at the time. (Though thankfully I only had bitches at the time!!).

Darlington still gives classes for our breed and this year there was an entry of 3 for judge Mrs S Hewart-Chambers. She found her Best Dog & BOB in Greaves’ Ch & Ir Ch Kunniakas Look No Further For Whittimere with Best Bitch going to the Littlejohns’ Puulatva Wee Lassie Wae Arcuilean. Reserve Best Bitch was litter sister Ch Puulatva Minnie The Minx Wae Arcuilean also owned by the Littlejohns.