Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: May 2016

A BIT OF OLD ENGLAND!

The Annual Puppy Show was held at the Colne Valley Beagle kennels on the 28^th May. Actually it was a joint Puppy Show with the Holme Valley Beagles on a mild sunny day, just right for the job.

I have explained puppy shows before but basically the puppies born last year are now a year old and have been ‘ walked’ or looked after for a year in a normal household so that they get the benefit of a wider experience of life than is available at the kennels. It also helps them to revert to a life of domestic bliss in a new home, or the one they came from, when their hunting days are over. Returning to the kennels in Spring to join the pack they are judged at the Puppy Show as potential working hounds, for conformation and so on, by experienced judges from other packs. The winning foster carers, or puppy walkers, are rewarded for their success with a silver trophy for the year.

(For those who don't realise it, if you click on an image they all enlarge into an 'album' to flick through)

Non-participants basking.

Early arrivals.

It looks as though one of the 2016 puppies has found a ‘Walker’

And another.

Three 2016 puppies probably awaiting new temporary homes.

A lucky one on a new lead that will last forever.

2015 puppy contestants.

‘Top men’ – the Judges.

Another ‘top person’ in the hunting world who will present the awards. .

Some judging in progress .

Generally speaking hunt bred beagles do not have the look of Show beagles as their bloodlines have been carefully developed over generations to perform with stamina over particular types of country, without physical limitations or weird enhanced characteristics like some breeds of Show dogs. Nor are they shown in the same pampered way on the end of a leash at the CVB Puppy Show with constant fiddling with tails and posture. Nor, as Show dog judges seem to enthusiastically enjoy, have I ever seen a hound judge groping testicles. No, hounds perform freely in the ring encouraged with bits of biscuit to run about or stand on the ‘flags’ and look adoringly or maybe imploringly at the huntsman and create the impression of an attentive well proportioned athlete with enthusiasm and a bright eye. But then I am no expert!

A link below to a bit of video.

A short video of showing.

“I’ll have a small one with just that much gin please”

Watching can be a bit tense.

It doesn’t seem two minutes since the tall lad in the middle was a small boy tagging on and asking all sorts of penetrating questions as well as displaying a knowledge well beyond his years – and mine!

These ‘Bakers’ look tempting!

Cohttps://youtu.be/UIM24Sflkwgpyright image

Proud foster parents all the way from Ullswater in the Lake District with their prize winner.

He’s just heard he is Show Champion. Well I think that is why he is smiling!

Love life in Ryedale it says, with a Holcombe Harriers badge, and a couple more I can’t distinguish.

Champion Vulcan with his proud walkers and the H. H. Martin Cup

Hasty, a Holme Valley Beagle puppy, won the 'Best Opposite Sex' which, with hounds being strictly defined as one sex or the other, means that if a dog hound has won the championship then the next best is - Er, well, a Bitch, thus winning the Judith Milner Cup

Bramble won the Best working hound from the 2015 entry winning the Nicholson Memorial Trophy with her proud Walker who walked her before she spent a full season in the pack.

Our honorary builder awaiting a presentation while being acclaimed for his significant industry at the kennels.

Having walked Beeswing, a hound that the Huntsman considered the best working hound of last season, the Terry Jagger Memorial trophy was presented. Presumably the distinction is that while the previous trophy was for a newly entered hound, this one could be for any hound of any age.

Judging over

The tables in the buffet tent groaned with contributions of a wide variety, which was obviously greatly appreciated. (In this case it is only fair to say he has a large and growing family to feed).

A CVB Past Master - Ever the charmer.

'Dog tired'.

Anticipating things to come. Beagles always live in gastronomic hope.

Clearly eating when both hands are full is going to be too much of a challenge.

‘This one’s coming home with me.’

A stack of delicious beef butties and a big jar of onions was discovered – but no knife. Butties can be a teacake containing anything – cheese buttie, fish buttie, chip buttie, but in this case roast beef. And for those unfamiliar with a teacake, in this neck of the woods soft bread buns of that size are teacakes. And one doesn’t usually bother to cut them up to eat them either - as beautifully demonstrated.

And the scones with cream and a strawberry on top were an absolute delight.

I subtitled this post 'A BIT OF OLD ENGLAND' at the beginning. I just wonder how long we will be able to keep these traditional bits of Old England alive.

Monday 30 May 2016

COLNE VALLEY BEAGLES AND HOLME VALLEY BEAGLES PUPPY SHOW

A short video of showing.