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RBT CLUB EventsYear 2003This Page Contains the following;Crufts RBT Club Discover Dogs Booth MarchGrooming Day 27th April - Mr Peter Dugdill (Tiggis)International Day 25th August - Dr Tatiana Zlobina
Crufts Discover Dogs
Booth March 2003
It’s all over, our feet and throats are just starting to get back to normal. Would we do it again? YES. But let us go back to the beginning. As anyone who has ever been to Crufts with another breed of dog knows, you rush around as many stalls as you can, before your girl is in the ring, or after your boy has been in, and before you have to set off home. In 1999, we did just that. We raced around the Discover Dogs stand to find the “new breed” our friend had told us about. Later (2002) we discovered the lady we had spoken to was Janet Huxley. Also in 2002 we took our new Russian girl Aaliyah, home after doing a lot of research. We wanted to become as active in this breed as possible, so when Jan said she was looking for help on the Discover Dogs stand at Crufts, we volunteered for the five days (one to set up and four to work). Not knowing what this all entailed, remember we had run around the stands once, and that was early in the morning. The place we were supposed to be staying had let us down, so a quick phone call to a friend took us to mid Wales. She thought she lived about an hour away from the NEC, but we discovered on the Wednesday that the journeys were going to take us over 2 ½ hours each way, on good days when the traffic was light!!. Wednesday the 5th of March, we set off at 10.30 am, getting to the NEC at 1 pm. I gave the instructions and Steve put my plan in to life. There were a few changes along the way, Steve also has a good eye for design and between the two of us we managed to get the stall the way we wanted. A problem occurred when we were putting up a Russian flag. Which way did it go up? We are from Scotland! I phoned Tom Huxley, “Hi Tom, its Naomi, which way does the Russian flag go up? Tom; don’t you know? You have a Russian! He joked. Me- I know but I just can’t think. Tom, neither can I, I will call you back in a couple off minutes. (It’s great to put someone on the spot like that! sorry Tom) While waiting for Tom’s call which took him just a couple of minutes, I asked a security guard, she asked a fireman, and they gave us the information. Meanwhile Tom called me back also with the answer. Jan had warned us to take lots of sticky tape and blue tack, but nothing would stick up!! The ladies setting up the Rottweiller stand told us where we could get sticky pads and off Steve ran. We left the NEC at 6 pm, getting back to Wales at 10.15, after crawling through the rush hour traffic. Thursday, we got up at 4 am, left Wales at 5.30 am. We didn’t get into the NEC until after 8 am. As we walked to the stand we both kept our fingers crossed that it would still look the same, and it did. A quick cuppa and the public started to arrive as well as the other fantastic members that were on the stand, as it wasn’t just Steve and I that would be working. The booth got busier and busier; all the members hardly had a chance to grab a breath never mind a cuppa. Many photos were taken by members of the public, all fascinated by this breed which most had never seen or heard of before. There is always method in my madness; I had asked Steve to wear his kilt, as I knew the stand would get noticed with a kilted man in it, and I think it worked. One American lady asked “is anything worn under your kilt” Steve replied “no it’s all in working order” She did laugh. The dogs were great, being asked to stand, sit, cuddles and pats I must admit I was slightly apprehensive as our girl has never met so many people or children before; there was no need to worry. We had taken over 100 breed standard sheets per day with us which Jan and Tom
H had printed, but the members had run out of them after Steve and I left at 3
pm, and we left at the right time. As we made our way to the bus stop Steve was
asked by the BBC producer if he would like to take part in the opening scenes
for Crufts that evening, she couldn’t promise it would be on, but I said he
would (poor Steve). He had to walk into the main entrance with Aaliyah.
Friday, a fight through the traffic but we arrived at 7 am, by now we were getting tired all the travelling and very little sleep. Our feet were pleading for a rest, but it couldn’t be as busy as Thursday! Ha, ha!!! Unfortunately there were very few of us on the stand, but we all did our best, around mid day the three of us working were busy talking to little groups of people (Tom Rigby had given me his mobile number as he was at Crufts that day, “call me or text “help” if you need me”, but I didn’t want to spoil his day so didn’t take him up on his kind offer, which I wish now I had). We were each giving our own little talks, answering questions and giving our opinions on this breed, I turned my head to see a mass of eyes staring back at me, I suddenly knew how a rabbit feels when caught in a cars headlights. I don’t know when they all arrived, we were mobbed I glanced over at the others and they to were surrounded too. Everyone had a captive audience; it was great. We left at 2 pm, when other members of the club came to take our place. Again the dogs were fantastic. All the dogs taking it all in there stride, perfect representatives of the breed. The journey back to Wales took forever (after 10 pm as there had been a bad accident) and I learned later that we were not the only ones that had problems getting home. Saturday, again arriving at 7 am, we had been warned, Saturday is busy, and it really was. Our feet were screaming for a rest but the show must go on, more dogs more club members, and a lot more public, more photos and questions, more cuddles, more pats, more items dropping off the stand walls, quickly being stuck back in to place. Our throats were beginning to take the strain but I do like a good gossip!! I think we all do. We met many interested and interesting people to chat to.
Sunday, our feet were throbbing stumps and our throats were croaky, we were joined by a full team of members and five dogs, and we needed everyone. Crufts was a mass of visitors, and like the last three days, by about 1 o'clock the heat in the hall was horrendous, but the dogs didn’t put a paw wrong, all behaving themselves implacably. After three days the questions become the same but we tried to make our opinions on the RBT as interesting as possible, both for the public and ourselves. We left at 3 pm, leaving Janet to dismantle the stand; we didn’t relish that job as we know how it was all put up. I don't know if there were any breed standards left, but I think we must have handed out over 500 High lights over the four days: 1; Ron Carter came along with Vladimir (the president of the Russian BT club
in Russia) He had photos taken with three dogs; we were all pleased at that.
2; A Kennel Club rep told a member of our team that we had the busiest
stand ! 3; Our breed were also filmed by Two Japanese film crews, an American
film crew and Australian film crew, there are also hundreds of photos of RBT’s
now floating around the world. The comment that
will stick in my mind was not said to me, but I heard it... A man asked how much
one of our dogs cost, when told, he then offered the lady member of the club (I
think it was Chris) the price she had just quoted, for her dog. When she quite
rightly told the man “my dog is a member of my family and NOT for sale", and if
he had the money to go and buy a dog of his own. Here's hoping he never does.
I am very sorry that I am useless with names and can’t remember everyone
who worked so hard on the stall, please forgive me, I do remember there was,
Bear, Balloo, Aaliyah (well she was there with us), Ryker, Tealc, Lulu, Ash,
Anaya, and a fully grown male Akita spy in the booth pen with Tealc,
(photo Barry Hockenhull with Tealc & Akita) Note from Steve, I must let you know about Naomi’s “blond” moment, my wife has an IQ of 145 but I sometimes wonder. By Sunday her mouth was working on its own as her brain was shutting down, she wrote a name tag for a member who had come along with his boy unexpectedly. As she handed him the name badge she said “have I spelt your name correctly” This wouldn’t be so funny but the person who she wrote it for was Tom Rigby, and she was only writing his Christian name! It gave Tom and me a laugh. We were kept so busy that we came home with money, you men will agree with me, that when a woman wants to spend she will do it, So I say a big thank you to Janet Huxley for saving me money by keeping my wife busy on the stand (the profit at Crufts will be down this year)... It is now Wednesday and we are fully recovered, Steve is back to work and Aaliyah has just woken up after a three day sleep. My poor washing machine hasn’t stopped since Monday morning and our feet are back to normal. So will we do it again, we still say, YES. Many thanks to the club for letting Steve and I work on the stand, and again I say THANK YOU to all the people and dogs that joined us. Hope to see you at a show. All the best, Naomi and Steve Thomson. E-mail www.glenvarlock@hotmail.com
Grooming Day 27th April 2003
Invited Guest
It was a lovely day Forty members/guests with approx 12 RBT’s attending plus a gorgeous 8 yrs old Newfoundland ‘Trouper’ who works as a search dog, proudly owned by Paul & Chris Tedder. Vice Chairman Ron Carter as always greets everyone and guides them into the hall for tea/coffee, which was served by his wife Kay Carter-Simms, Patsy Gilmour and David Franks. (David has kindly taken on the task as Breed Club Historian). Ron Carter gave opening remarks and welcomed everyone followed by Tom Huxley, who had set up the large screen to present the first of the two videos on the breed. The video from Russia gave the members/guests an insight of the RBT in the home and in the show ring.
Invited guest Peter Dugdill (Tiggis) owner/breeder of Top RBT 2002 was introduced. Peter had brought his young male 'Coal' to demonstrate trimming techniques. Peter beforehand had trimmed one side of his dog, he talked through what he had so far achieved. ‘Coal’ was then turned around so that people could see the un-trimmed view. Peter proceeded to groom with shears and scissors. Questions were fired to Peter and Tom Huxley throughout the demonstration. Each of these speakers as exhibitors has their own personal type of presentation and trimming technique, their different views complimented the day’s questions. Both agreed, grooming is presenting the dog to its best advantage. Peter reinstated to members the process of cleaning the ears regularly, by gently pulling out the hair in the ear canal, keeping hair short between the pads of the feet-knot free, all the basics which must be performed on a regular basis for this breed.
A delicious buffet lunch followed, which Kay Carter-Simms had prepared, with Patsy and David. During this period the second of the two videos was shown, a 'Grooming' video again from Russia. Both the videos shown are available (June) from the club breed stall coordinator Jean McDonald-Ulliott.
After lunch, grooming tables were set
up by eager owners who were keen to scissor certain points of their dog which
they had especially come to gain more knowledge on. Some came to learn basics.
Help was at hand, from Linda Newton, Marion Ferguson-Ireland, Jan Favell-Raper,
together with Peter and Tom Huxley. Others came purely
to meet the breed.
Silent workers on the day, Tom Rigby (brought homemade quiches), Shirley Hockenhull, copied the handouts for the day and Louise Dugdill always on hand to help. Main quote for the day, ‘if you scissor too close- do not worry the RBT hair grows quickly’! From the RBT Club thank you one and all, we hope you enjoyed the event.
Than you Peter it was a successful day with approximately 40 members & guests on the day. Mrs Janet Huxley-Hon Secretary.
*****
International
Day 25th August - Dr Tatiana Zlobina
52 RBT's entered. with 80 members/guests attending The days events were as follows; 10-30 am Coffee/Tea 11 am Introduction Video of the Breed.
The classification was as follows baby class -up to 6 months D/B Puppy 6-12 months D/B 12-18 months D/B 18 months – 2 yrs D/B over 2 years D/B Other activities on the Day- The Good Citizens - Search Rescue Display and a chance to test if your dog has the attributes - Working Display - Grooming - plus lots more activities on the Day.
Dr Tatiana M. Zlobina, Moscow My BRT Holiday in South Yorkshire ‘I have been acquainted for several years with English kinologists, enthusiasts of the Black Russian Terrier -- a truly Russian breed -- and have made friends with many of them. Until now I met them in Moscow, and we sent E-mail messages and letters to each other, from which I learned about the problems and projects of my friends concerning further development and selection of our Russian breed in the UK. I regularly received information from the BRT club about the success of the British BRT's at various dog shows and photographs of these dogs and their puppies. I was always happy to hear about the achievements of my English colleagues and grieved with them about their occasional failures. This year the committee of English club BRT has invited me to the annual holiday in Southern Yorkshire. On the event of this holiday, I had an opportunity to get acquainted with the state-of-the art personally, it was magnificent! Very pleasant impression was made on me by numerous and very amicable collective of the club. There are about 250 dogs registered in the club. Of that, I saw more than 50 dogs, and they demonstrated an amazingly rapid progress of our native breed in the UK. The British BRT club has a relatively small number of imported breeders from various countries, Russia inclusive. I was glad to find that the quality of the selected breed obtained in the kennels under the British BRT club is stable and rapidly improves. Some people had travelled a long way to meet friends and to discuss the important questions, to show the dogs and to see others. The organization of this holiday beat magnificent. Has pleased aspiration of the English colleagues to learn (find out) as it is possible more about modern lines of development and selection of this breed in Russia. It was pleasant to hear, that the English breeders and owners of the BRT wanted to hear the true opinion of the Russian breeder regarding the quality and progress of the English livestock of dogs of this breed who are interested. The British BRT club has several top quality dogs. In general, the dogs are varying in type and dimensions. However, the British breeders continually produce dogs with a good anatomy, correct (excellent) texture of coats.... and excellent movements. The kennels involved in the selection of this breed for 6--8 years have already gained excellent results, also… in other European countries at international dog shows. It is a pity that the Great Britain, a great kinological country respected by the whole kinological world, has not yet solved the purely formal problem of permitting the National Champion title to be awarded to the best representatives of the BRT bred in the UK. I am grateful to our hosts for the opportunity to be present and to be invited to assess the dogs at this splendid RBT Club (UK) dog show. It was a magnificent holiday’……….. Best wishes to you all, Tatiana www.tatiana@igem.ru Dear Tatiana, thank you on behalf of the club and members, we thoroughly enjoyed your company and expertise. Janet Huxley ***Also at the International day was the CANTECH Search & Rescue Team Hi Janet, Just to say thanks for a lovely day - the weather was just fine for the dogs and the canopy came down just before any rain :-) The area for the demonstration was ideal and our dogs worked well. We 'did' nine RBTs altogether (raising £9 for our funds) and there were some that left it too late, wanting to go in the ring first before having a go. The winner of Most Promising was MIRA —Robroyd Bronya at Ferngold owner Susan Wilson and if she were to move to Lincolnshire then she would be welcome to join our unit - just a nice balance of control from the handler and willingness on the part of the dog. We will investigate the possibilities in her area but Carlisle is covered by SARDA and their dog searchers have to be Mountain Rescuers first and then train a dog. Chris had a good time making lots of contacts and had lots of cuddles from puppies and older dogs. See you soon - BTW, when is the next club event?? Regards, Paul Tedder. Yet .another fantastic year. Possibly you would like to read the full events for this year 2003 why not join the club and you will receive our Club Newsletter which is printed twice a year and posted out to all members in July and December.
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They did it twice. I phone
around my family and told them to set the video’s... 7.30 pm, BBC 2, Crufts
started. And two minutes into the program there was the back of a blue Thomson
tartan kilt and a Russian Black Terrier. What a buzz. That evening I spoke to
Jan (she had seen it also) and I think she was as pleased as we were. I do hope
you all saw it.
<—Photo Pat Trinick
with Lulu -Pat Dog
letting
the public know that our dogs as well as this Akita get on well with any breed.
If I have forgotten to mention any ones lovely dog please also forgive me, my
brain had shut down by Saturday evening.
Peter Dugdill (Tiggis)
