On the 24th of Oct I flew out to the USA for the Alaskan Malamute Club of America (Reginal/National Specialty) which was held in Gettysburg PA. This trip was not only to meet the dogs/breeders I have only ever read about, but as a learning tool to further my knowledge of this amazing breed and the issues which occur.
 
I have to say this trip was invaluable, taking classes in Breeders ed, History, Canine Repro and Puppy Care/First Aid. I sat by the side of the conformation ring, learning off seasoned Breeders about finer points of movement/construction of a Malamute.
 
Then there was the Etiquette of there style of handling and grooming a dog, which was really something to sit up and pay attention too! I got to meet some world famous Malamutes and I can definitely say they are better in the flesh, pictures just don't do these dogs Justice.
 
I would like to thank all the Breeders/Exhibitors for sharing there knowledge.
With a special thanks to Joyce Delay, Kristy Taylor, Ronda Allen, Barb White, Bonnie Martine, Karen Taylor, Tex Peel and Lynda and Andrea Ste Jhourre for making us feel so welcome!
 

 
At the Alaskan Malamute Club Champ show (26th Sep) Under Breed Specialist Mrs J Broadberry (Hyteton)
Indy takes 3rd in Mid Limit Dog class

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I as everyone else in this Breed are more than aware of the health issues which unfortunately seem to be getting worse, together with the AHT (Animal Health Trust) I have been distributing DNA tests for HC (hereditary cataracts), these samples are very important in moving forward in this research.
Then hopefully once they have isolated these genes they will be able to provide testing so we  can make informed decisions in our breeding programmes very much like the long coat gene test has empowered many breeders to avoid those issues.

For more information please feel free to email myself or click on the link below to support them in there research,
after all it will benefit us all in the long run.
www.aht.org.uk
 

At the Welsh Kennel Club Show (22nd) Under Judge Mrs E Cartledge Flash continues his month in style taking 1st in Puppy Dog then 1st in Junior Dog both classes having large entry of 10!

Kura then in a massive class of 19 in Post Graduate Bitch takes 3rd, which is a amazing achievement.

At Blackpool Championship Show (28th June) Flash takes VHC in one of the strongest Puppy Dog Classes this season (12 Entries) under Breed Specialist Mrs Barbara Stanier (Arctictrek).

Flash on the Move Both Pictures kindly taken by Lockhart Photography.
 

At Three Counties Championship Show (15th June) Flash takes 2nd in a very Strong Puppy Dog Class
under Judge Mr Jeff Luscott.
 

At Ashfield Canine Society (13th June) Flash takes Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed under Judge Melvyn Hardy (Amhard), then taking WG4 and PWG3 under John Bond, all of this at 9 and a half months old, also at same show Indy won his Post Graduate Class a good day for the Boys!

Both Pictures kindly taken by Lockhart Photography.
    

At The Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom Open Show (31st May),
under Judge Mrs Brunette Greenland (Rajarani) Flash and his Brother did the Double in Puppy Dog (6 entries,Arbee (Tailfly To The Runner)
winning the class and Flash coming 2nd, then in Junior Dog (11 entries) Arbee won the class again and Flash took 3rd quite an achievement for these young pups of only 9 months!
 
Arbee owned by Julie Whyman (Tailfly) and Shown/Handled by Kris Hunter (Tuvaurat) then took RBPISS!
Later on that day Kura (out of coat!) and in a very strong entry of 11 in Yearling Bitch, Won her Class... as you can imagine we are over the moon with these results, I only hope we can continue to do the Breeders of all 3 of our Malamutes proud!

Flash 9 Months Old

Kura 18 months on the move

 

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At Scottish Kennel Club Show (17th May), under Breed specialist Mr JJ Broadberry,
Indy in a very strong Class of 6 Dogs took VHC in Junior Dog.
 
 
Indy in the line up Picture by Mark Squires (Thank you!)

 

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Birmingham National Championship Dog Show (9th May) under Breed Specialist Ms Sue Ellis,
Flash took 1st in Minor Puppy Dog, then Won the Challenge for Best Puppy Dog, out of a staggering 14 Puppies.
We would just like to take this opportunity to thank Sue for thinking so highly of our boy.
All this at his first Championship show and to top the day he is now Qualified for Crufts 2010,
which Means all Malamutes at Katabatic are now Crufts qualified.
 

Flash at the table with Judge Ms Sue Ellis
Picture by Mark Squires (Thank you!)
 

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The start of the Month got off with a BANG at Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society Dog Show
(2nd May).
Flash won BPIB and Kura took 1st in Post Graduate under Judge Mr J Richie (Dykebar/Hollibell).
Then, in the BPIS ring, Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower) shortlisted our boy Flash, down to the last 10 which in itself is quite an acheivement out of over 30 puppies.
 

Another Amazing month for Katabatic, at Essex and Herts Border (April 5th), Flash takes 1st in Junior in a large, strong class and BPIB! Then at the same show Kura took 2nd in Open! 
 

Flash at 6 months of age. Picture by John D Jackson.