CLUB COMMITTEE MEMBERS
DONNA RIDGEWELL (Rescue & Rehoming)
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DAWN HENSHAW
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REBECCA HENSHAW (BHC)
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Jenna Henshaw
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chris bergin
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helen emery
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laura noble
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ann-marie taylor
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June 2021 - In memoriam
We are sorry to report the sad and sudden loss of Miss Jean Lanning, not only a Founder Member and Club President since 2016 but also a good friend who was the inspiration for the creation of our Breed Club, she will be greatly missed.
Jean who was 90 years old had a wealth of knowledge and experience within the dog show world having, as we understand it, started showing dogs herself as a young woman back in 1946, both she and her family were best known for their Clausentum Great Danes but they did have other breeds over the years. Having seen our unrecognised breed in the show ring around the Companion Dog Shows in the UK and having awarded Best in Show to a particular male WSSD who was at that time being shown regularly around those type of shows, Jean approached his owners to enquire who the breeder was and that is when she tracked me down and encouraged me with some great force and conviction (I will say) to push forward for breed recognition. I had met Jean some years ago chatting ringside and prior to that when I had shown my homebred Great Dane under her at Crufts, I remember her giving out some good advice then, she was a genuinely lovely, thoughtful lady. Other members on our Committee also knew Jean so would have their individual stories too. Jean had told us that she had judged the WSSD a few times on the continent and took a shine to them and their correct conformation and felt adamant that they remain that way and not be permitted to become over angulated like some of their ancestors. I share her written words of wisdom with me when we were submitting the required UK ‘Interim Breed Standard’
“ Two things to keep in mind. Hindquarters. Important that people don't get the idea they have to be ‘over’ angulated. That is part of the problem that has lead to the problems with the G.S.D.s Also colour. There is no such thing as a’pure white dog. Most white dogs (specially on a bright sunny day) will show some biscuit shading. I mention this,as you may find the’new’ judges for your breed, (often fault judges) will read this wrongly and be looking for ‘pure white’,.”
Jean who was 90 years old had a wealth of knowledge and experience within the dog show world having, as we understand it, started showing dogs herself as a young woman back in 1946, both she and her family were best known for their Clausentum Great Danes but they did have other breeds over the years. Having seen our unrecognised breed in the show ring around the Companion Dog Shows in the UK and having awarded Best in Show to a particular male WSSD who was at that time being shown regularly around those type of shows, Jean approached his owners to enquire who the breeder was and that is when she tracked me down and encouraged me with some great force and conviction (I will say) to push forward for breed recognition. I had met Jean some years ago chatting ringside and prior to that when I had shown my homebred Great Dane under her at Crufts, I remember her giving out some good advice then, she was a genuinely lovely, thoughtful lady. Other members on our Committee also knew Jean so would have their individual stories too. Jean had told us that she had judged the WSSD a few times on the continent and took a shine to them and their correct conformation and felt adamant that they remain that way and not be permitted to become over angulated like some of their ancestors. I share her written words of wisdom with me when we were submitting the required UK ‘Interim Breed Standard’
“ Two things to keep in mind. Hindquarters. Important that people don't get the idea they have to be ‘over’ angulated. That is part of the problem that has lead to the problems with the G.S.D.s Also colour. There is no such thing as a’pure white dog. Most white dogs (specially on a bright sunny day) will show some biscuit shading. I mention this,as you may find the’new’ judges for your breed, (often fault judges) will read this wrongly and be looking for ‘pure white’,.”
Our breed club will continue to strive to do our best for our beloved breed, and Jean’s words of wisdom will remain with us moving forward, our main aim being to breed for the best health and temperament.
Sue R.
Sue R.
