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Information & Events
A history of the Dumfriesshire Otterhounds is due to be published in a new book called Last Man Standing. Written by Robert Thorne from articles accumulated by the Bell-Irving family.
More information can be found here. Last Man Standing Book
Anybody wishing to order a copy then please contact Robin Bell-Irving by the 15 April 2021. Order details are on the PDF link above.
The club held a committee meeting in late January 2021. All committee members were present for the zoom meeting. Our Chairman called the meeting to discuss the possibility of holding our Open Show and AGM in April 2021.
The club secretary pointed out that the Kennel Club are not granting show licenses for April 2021 and that Baginton Village Hall hadn’t been booked. The Open Show was postponed until April 2022. The committee then discussed holding an AGM either via Zoom or Teams. After much discussion the AGM is also to be postponed. The clubs treasurer reported that the annual accounts had been finalised and sent for audit. Should any member require a copy then please email Jane. Her email address is on the relevant page.
The committee are to meet again in June 2021 to discuss the possibility of holding the Championship Show and AGM in September 2021. The license for this show has been applied for. Baginton Village Hall is available subject to any local government restrictions. The club secretary is confirming the availability of judges.
On closing the meeting our chairman wished to thank all members for their understanding.
07 February 2021
Time to think about photos of your hounds once again. The closing date for photos is 30th September 2020. Photos of your hounds and any four legged friends but no humans.
Mainly landscape photos, but if you have a special photo it can be used by putting two in one month.
Photos should be close to 300 resolution or 2mb. Photos depicting the seasons, amusing ones or just adorable. If you aren’t sure of their size, just send several.
Please email them to helenhacking@gmail.com
Do include photos of beloved hounds no longer with us. They are always special and need to be remembered.
Happy Snapping
We are pleased to invite you to an online webinar on Sunday 12 July at 6pm. This event will be run on Microsoft Teams (full invitation and joining instructions to follow in due course) and will update you on the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) following the results of the independent review recommendations.
We anticipate that the event will last a maximum of two hours and cover the detail of the BEC’s role, including details of any changes made as a result of the review. Jeff Horswell will deliver a PowerPoint presentation and there will be an opportunity to submit questions on the day.
For those who attended the previous event in July 2018 we would encourage you to join us again as there have been a number of changes introduced since. You will be able to view the webinar from a PC, laptop or tablet and the event will be recorded for those unable to join us on the day.
In the meantime if you have any specific issues you would like us to cover or questions you would like answered please let me know via email by Friday 3 July.
Vera Lyons
Club Secretary
Posted Thursday 25 June 2020
On Thursday 14 May 2020 The Kennel Club issued the below:
The safety and security of competitors, spectators, volunteers and staff at Kennel Club events continues to be of paramount importance. In light of the continued restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kennel Club has taken the decision with regret to extend its strong recommendation that clubs and societies cancel forthcoming events until the end of September and that serious consideration should be given to events due to be held after this date.
With this in mind the club has regrettably decided to cancel our Championship Show on 20 September 2020.
Vera Lyons
Hon Secretary
The clubs annual Single Breed Open Show is being held on Sunday 5 April 2020. It will be at the usual venue, Baginton Village Hall, Frances Road, Baginton, Coventry, CV8 3AA
The show will open at 09:30 and judging will commence at 10:30.
Further details and entries can be made Here
Lunch will be served as soon as judging has finished. Please order lunch and send your completed form to Vera Lyons. Lunch Booking Form Payment for lunch can be sent to the clubs bank account:
Sort Code 51-81-34 Account number 93821042
Please quote your name & lunch with your payment.
The clubs Annual General Meeting will commence as soon as lunch has finished.
The 2020 Otterhound club calendar is now available from Helen Hacking. Helens contact details are on the committee page. Priced at only £10.50.
Why not take a preview of the calendar here
A big thank you to all who attended the Clubs annual Championship Show. As usual this was held at Baginton Village Hall on Sunday 29 September 2019.
Here is the Judges CRITIQUE The club would like to thank Judith Ashworth for judging.
Sad news, that Rose Whitcomb, one of the most stalwart Mink Hunters of our time has now sadly left us for a hunting heaven.
May the words of Liz Chislett – Milne, a family member, now sum up Rose’s commitment to our Hunting World.
“Our family are sad to inform the Hunting Community that today Rose Whitcomb passed over the Rainbow Bridge at the ripe old age of 87.
She gave her life to Hunting as a multi award winning breeder of pure bred Otterhounds and long term Master of the Ytne Minkhounds. She was a legend.
Ground breaking, she was the first female to enter Hunt Service at the age of 16 by starting at the Meynell Kennels at Sudbury.
A celebration of her long life will be held at Romsey Crematorium on Friday 18th October 2019 at 3.15pm Tweed and Breeches to be the order of the day”.
Rest in peace Rose and may your Hounds in heaven continue to bring you pure joy.
The Clubs Championship Show is being held on Sunday 29 September at Baginton Village Hall, CV8 3AA.
The show schedule is available HERE
Paper entries will close on Saturday 31 August and online entries will close on Saturday 14 September.
The lunch menu is now available HERE. Please complete your form and return to the Club Secretary by Friday 14 September.
Updated 29 July 2019
A big thank you to all who attended the Clubs annual Open Show. As usual this was held at Baginton Village Hall on Sunday 07 April 2019
Here is the Stakes Class Judges Critique Otterhound Club Stakes Critique 07 04 19 The club would like to thank David Knights for judging this class.
Here is Ann Paton’s Open Show Critique Otterhound Club Open Show 7th April 2019 The club would like to thank Ann for judging this year.
Updated 01 May 2019
The Chairman and committee would like to pay tribute to Poul Seier-Sorensen (our Club President and Founder Member) who sadly lost his fight with cancer this week.
Poul was the best friend an Otterhound could have and was therefore an exceptional president. He spent so many years helping the Club in many different ways; he welcomed new members and dispensed valuable advice to new owners on numerous occasions. He was a warm and astute man, supporting as many of the club events over the years that he could and we were so thankful he gave of his time so willingly. He was held in high regard not only in our Club but all who knew him, including many people from abroad.
It was so nice to see Poul judging at our 40th Anniversary Champ show in September 2018 and it was obvious to those that knew him he really enjoyed himself.
We must remember all the happy memories spent with Poul and celebrate his life and love of Otterhounds.
Posted Monday 18 March 2019
A big thank you to all those who made the clubs visit to Discover Dogs at Crufts a big success . Especially to Ian and Daryl Brotchie for all their hard work. The club stand won Best Booth in the Hound Group.
Who spotted Flo on the sofa with Supervet Professor Noel Fitzpatrick and Clare Baldwin?
Posted Tuesday 12 March 2019
It’s nearly time for Crufts at Birmingham NEC. The club will again have a presence in Discover Dogs. This year we are on stand H28 in Hall 3/3A.
The hounds would love to see you there from Thursday 07 March onwards.
The clubs annual Single Breed Open Show is being held on Sunday 7 April 2019. It will be at the usual venue, Baginton Village Hall, Frances Road, Baginton, Coventry, CV8 3AA
The show will open at 09:30 and judging will commence at 10:30.
Further details and entries can be made Here
Lunch will be served as soon as judging has finished. The Open Show Food Menu 7th April 2019 Order today deadline extended.
The clubs Annual General Meeting will commence as soon as lunch has finished.
Updated Monday 18 March 2018
The club 2019 calendar is now available. Please visit the merchandise page Here for more details on ordering or to take a preview. NOW SOLD OUT
Here is the report from Mr Robin Bell-Irving who judged our Stakes Classes at our Championship Show.
Robin has also added:
“Will you please pass on to the Otterhound Club my best wishes and thanks.”
“I hope that I might be able to come down again soon and not leave it such a time gap between visits. It is great to see so many enthusiastic folk around with the Otterhound’s interest at heart. I enjoyed my evening before at Mollington and having the chance to meet so many people over the two visits.”
The club would also like to thank all who attended our 40th Anniversary celebrations, the Friday and Saturday organised by Judith Ashworth and the championship show on the Sunday which included a great meal prepared by Daryl and Ian Brotchie, a memorable weekend, thank you to all.
The clubs Championship Show starts at 09:30 on Sunday 30 September. Judging will begin at 10:00. This year we welcome Mr. Poul Seier-Sorensen and judging the stakes classes will be Mr. Robin Bell-Irving.
The event is being held at Baginton Village Hall, Francis Road, Baginton, CV8 3AA
Further details can be found Here
Buffet Lunch £6.00 per head (£7 on the day subject to availability) but best to pre-book to ensure availability.
Home cooked quiches, salads, cold meats, sausage rolls, pork pie, honey roast chicken etc., also included is a choice of 3 puddings all on a first come first served basis. Vegetarians & Gluten free catered for. Booking via the Secretary, Vera, or the Treasurer, Jane.
The clubs 40th Anniversary celebrations are fast approaching. These are being held on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September at Anita’s, The Yews, Mollington, OX17 1AZ. Full details can be found on the links below.
Otterhound Club 40th Anniversary 40th Anniversary Programme
‘It is now time to be thinking about photos for the 2019 Otterhound Calendar. Requirements for the photos are the usual which are shown below:
PHOTOS MUST ALL BE: Landscape size only
Of Otterhounds, which can be with their 4 legged friends, but totally without humans!
Of the highest RESOLUTION possible.
Most phone cameras are now good enough for this. I know i phones from 5 upwards and Samsung Galaxys now have cameras which can be adjusted to the correct setting. If you aren’t used to changing the settings on your phone, it won’t take long to work it out. It is easy to see on your laptop the resolution of photos when you download them from your camera.
Please send photos to: helenhacking@gmail.com, which I keep just for the calendar, but please also send me an email to : helenhacking@btinternet.com, which is the email I mainly use and it will alert me to check for photos
The Otterhound Club held its annual open show on Sunday 8th April 2018.
The judge Sue Finnett’s critique can be found Here
The new 2018 club calendar has arrived. These are available from our Rescue Coordinator, Helen Hacking or Club Secretary, Vera Lyons.
Take a sneak preview by clicking on the link Club Calendar 2018
Why not contact Vera Lyons for your copy or if yours hasn’t arrived?
Telephone: 01356 623319
Email: veralyons@btinternet.com
On Sunday 24 September the club held its annual Championship Show at Baginton Hall, Francis Road, Baginton, CV8 3AA.
The judges show critique can be found here
The judges stakes report can be found here
On Sunday 02 April 2017 the club held its annual Open Show being held at Baginton Village Hall.
The judges report is available on the link below:
otterhound-club-open-show-2nd-April-2017
The following article is taken from the Otterhound Club Spring newsletter and is courtesy of Ian and Daryl Brotchie.
Crufts/ Discover Dogs March 2017
The Discover Dogs Stand was up and running bright and early on Thursday 9th March until Sunday 12th March. We had various different hounds in attendance over the period and all were extremely well behaved – thanks must go to all those owners who brought their beautiful hounds along to meet and greet their adoring public. The show hounds were also having a very busy time and congratulations must go to all the winners. How could you ever be a loser if you take home an Otterhound!
On the Discover Dogs Stand we tried to show the versatility of Otterhounds in various guises: –
- Ivy the Search and Rescue Hound
- George the Military Mascot
- Richard, our Chairman’s, Pack Hounds
- Show Hounds
- And of course, the family pets
- Characteristics and Health
- Grooming
- History of the Otterhound
- General information including numbers of hounds etc.
We tried each day to have at least one young hound and, of course, they all had their regular rest periods, meal breaks and walks. We thought it would be good experience for the young hound to be with another experienced hound to show them the ropes.
On one particular day, all the hounds decided to have a siesta and a little boy passing was heard to comment “Hey Mum, look at all the big, hairy, stuffed dogs!” The Mum was laughing so much she couldn’t answer the child before one of the hounds heard something and let out a wonderful howl. The little boy jumped out of his skin at the sound and then they all stood up and started. The little boy, having got over his shock, shouted to his Mum above the din “that’s cool Mum, can we get some of ‘em?”
Peace restored and the little boy spent ages stroking the hounds – I don’t think he will ever forget his first meeting with an Otterhound!
Another interesting tale:–
A woman came up to the stand and said “I hear they smell terribly.” We duly proffered two Otterhounds and suggested she have a sniff and judge for herself – which she did. She appeared extremely surprised; we said it’s a bit like people if they’re not kept clean or they perhaps lived with a lot of other dogs they might smell, but no more than any dog living in those circumstances. However, they do have the name ‘mud magnet’ attributed to them.
Whilst setting up the stand on the Wednesday afternoon, we were asked by someone if they could borrow our dog. Apparently, they needed to set their camera lens and needed a dog in the back of a Jeep – Heather duly posed very regally for their camera!
One question we always seem to get asked is “Why are they called Otterhounds?” The clue is in the name, which caused much hilarity on both sides.
We were extremely fortunate that Noel Fiztpatrick and Iwan Thomas visited the Stand on the Friday and drew an enormous crowd. He was mugged by Heather and loved by Flo but his enthusiasm for the breed appeared so genuine. He spent a considerable time filming with hounds, considering his busy and schedule and Helen answered all his questions with eloquence. This had a huge knock-on effect the next morning. EVERYONE had watched Noel on the TV and wanted to come and see the Otterhounds. I am afraid we caused quite a bottleneck in the walkway as everyone was craning their necks to get a glimpse of an Otterhound! Our thanks go to the Kennel Club and of course Noel Fitzpatrick and Iwan Thomas who proved so knowledgeable in all aspects of our wonderful hounds.
All the hounds who served on the stand over the four days were extremely well mannered and patient with their adoring public. The owners were kept on their toes and quizzed hard by the public on many aspects of finding, buying, rearing, training and showing Otterhounds. The public were amazed how rare they were and most people fell in love at first sight. Some needed to be appraised they are ‘mud magnets’ and do have a tendency to bring the garden into the house – the estate agents might describe this as an asset but I think every Otterhound should come with a steam mop!!
We must thank Rae Ganna who steered us through our first attempt at organizing Discover Dogs – without her help and advice the job would have been more difficult. She and John kindly dismantled the display, carefully weaving their way through the crowds with all the equipment – no easy task with two hounds to cope with! Helen, Tom, Mandy, Jane and Adrian were also so helpful. Our thanks also to other club members who brought their wonderful hounds on the stand and remained great support throughout the days:-
- Sarah and Graham Hewitt
- Chris and Julia Neale
- Jennifer and Brendan Baldwin
- Fi Beazer-Dimond and Lillian Jones
It was so nice other club members visited to offer support and renew acquaintances with neighboring stands. We had some nice emails on our return for which we were very grateful. If anyone is interested in helping at any of these events please get in touch with us.
The hounds and their humans had a great time at The BBC CountryFile Live 2016 show held at Blenheim Palace.
Flo and Henry Icon and Ida
Kess meeting his public Heather, Kess and Flo meet Peter Pervis
Helen Hacking with Peter Pervis Daisy taking lunch
Held on Sunday 04 September 2016 the club Fun Day was a great success. A big thank you goes out to Super Dog Indie, Trip Hazard and of course Lucy Heath for their patience while teaching our hounds.
Lucy demonstrated Heel Work to Music with both Indie and Trip Hazard and then it was down to our hounds to try. They all did extremely well on their first attempt.
Will we see Otterhounds competing in Heel Work to Music soon?
The Otterhound Club’s annual championship show was held on Sunday 25 2016 September at Baginton Village Hall.
The judges report can be found on the links below:
THE OTTERHOUND CLUB JUDGES LISTS & CRITERIA 2017
The link below show the judges who have been passed by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in the breed and whom the society would support.
THE OTTERHOUND CLUB JUDGES LISTS Revised 2017
