Notice Board
The Kennel Club Press Office did their job well and the press release headed English Setter Risks Extinction for the first time was over the top but it caught the eye of the National Papers, local news stations and the BBC. Local breeders were bombarded with requests from local radio stations to talk and BBC Breakfast featured Fran Grimsdell (of course she answered the question in a reassured sensible way and was helped by some of the canine variety Tattersetts).
Well let’s look at the facts (which the press release also cited). The English Setter joins another twenty four breeds on the Kennel Club's Vulnerable Native Breeds (VNB) list. A breed is deemed at risk when less than 300 puppies are registered in a year. English Setters numbered 234 registrations last year a 33% decline on 2010. There has been a decline of almost two thirds in the number of English Setters to-day compared to ten years ago. The PR seems to be so certain that people are moving into buying Designer Dogs and in some instances maybe this is so. The Telegraph put in a pro British native breeds piece in which KC Secretary Caroline Kisko also blamed the trend for status dogs. The Guardian Pass Notes column also was horrified that people were deserting the Native British breeds so attractive in every way for breeds they felt had little appeal.
One reason for the lack of English Setter puppies is that most well known English Setter breeders have strong lists of prospective buyers but only a limited number of puppies to fulfill their orders with sometimes small litters or bitches missing. Another reason is the English Setter is not the dog for every family home and most breeders are very responsible and careful to whom they sell. This reflects in the fact why very few of the breed need to be re-homed. Jenny Penna runs a very good Rescue service and is fortunately not overwhelmed. A salient point is VNB's do not lose CCs of which we have been doing of late. This is good because if the ideal English Setter purchaser wanted to go to a show and see the breed, with no class's there would be no dogs to look at. The latest to lose CCs is Blackpool which always drew a good entry and serviced a part of the country that is isolated. I wonder if the Canine Activities Dept that works out the Breeds CC allocation have gone to check breeds that are moving near NVB status and held back removing the CCs until they have the full years figures. Not in the case though of English Setters but maybe they will now. The KC can move fast at times.
At the Kennel Club the Health & Breeder Services Dept compile the Breed Registration lists from the KC Data Base. Now we may have a change of Stud Book Bands. English Setters were Band D and now might go down to Band C or lower and this has a change for KCSB Qualifications and also for the number of 'hands’ on dogs for the Judges of A3 & B & C lists. This means more work for the overworked Joint ES Breed Clubs Joint Judges Committee and because they have to save money due to the current financial climate more work for the Clubs underpaid club officials.
Valerie Foss
President English Setter Association
The 2012 show diary is now available by clicking Show Scene/Show Diary. There are still several dates and judges to input. Should you know of any additional judges, dates of shows or do notice any mistakes please contact me at cransett@hotmail.com and these will be added or rectified.
There are no C.C.'s available for English Setters at the East of England Championship Show but these will be re-instated in 2013. It is not known at present if there will be classes available without C.C.'s in 2012.
Due to Kate moving in the last year it has transpired that several of the Yearbook advertisers have sent their copy to Kate's old address. It may be that some of the adverts may not have been forwarded to the new address. Therefore Kate has asked could you please check her website (www.caspellwynd.com) to see if your advertising has been received. Kate has also extended the copy date for acceptance of advertising until 25th January 2012. The proof reading facility unfortunately has to be discontinued due to timing issue's, delays in postage and print run availability. Include S.A.E. if you wish for your photo to be returned.
Contact Kate for further information. Please note that Kate Thomson's address and telephone number has changed. Details and advertising should be sent to:-
Kate Thomson, ESA Yearbook
2 Sarazen Court
Livingston
Scotland EH54 8SW
Tel: 01506 444842
email at englishsetteryearbook@googlemail.com
The Joint English Setter Clubs Health Committee have decided to make available a Forum for discussion of all health matters or relevant topics for the wellbeing of English Setters. Any one wishing to use the forum can use the following link www.englishsetter.proboards.com
Before being able to access the forum you must register. Once on the forum you need to create a new account. The register contains the following:-
1. User Name
2. Password
3. Confirm Password
4. Email Address
5. Confirm Email Address
6. Date of Birth
7. Gender
8. Captcha (just list letters and numbers provided in box below)
9. Agree to terms
10. Create account.
The list above looks quite daunting but is simple to complete. Once registered please remember your user name and password for future use.
Congratulations go to Neil and Jill Kelly who are celebrating the fact that they now hold a new breed record. Their late Sh.Ch. Upperwood Paper Pearl for Richecca (Pearl) now holds the title with six Show Champions from the same Dam. This record was previously held jointly by Jane Dennis (Mariglen) and Fran Grimsdell (Tattersett) with five Show Champions.
Judges Education Programme
The Judges Education programme has been compiled and agreed by all English Setter Breed Clubs and is aimed at potential Judges aspiring to qualify for the joint breed club Judging List.The breed specific seminars are designed to assess each candidates understanding of the breed and their skills to judge English Setters.
For further details go to About Club/Seminars where you will be able to download all information.
THE PACK AND THE ALPHA-PAIR ARE BACK!
The Second Moon Map Chronicle:
D’Arcy Wolf-shadow
More Magical Adventures of an English Setter Pack
by Nina Green
Proceeds to ESA/Rescue
Details of publication click this link 'Moon Map 2'
The English Setter Association in conjunction with the Kennel Club have registered the 'Suntop' affix and enabled it to be safeguarded for the next 50 years.
M.E.S.S. :- Dogs - Maggie White, Bitches - Steve Collier, Referee Anne Green
E.S.S. of Scotland. :- Dogs - Lesley Simpson Bitches - Sue Bryant, Referee Morag Jarvis
Setter & Pointer :- Ellen Loynd
S.E.S.S. :- Dogs - Ruth Martin, Bitches - Dom Goutorbe, Referee - Sue Bryant
N.E.S.S. :- Dogs - Rosemary Davies, Bitches - George M Burton, Referee - Howard Stubbington
Material on the ESA web site may be printed or copied for personal use only.
Under no circumstances should it be reproduced without the permission of the ESA.
Updated June 2010: Copyright © 2010 [The English Setter Association]. All rights reserved.