Newsletter December 11, 2017

The Irish Kennel Club Judges Conference

The Irish Kennel Club Judges Conference was held on Sunday 19th November 2017 in the Moran’s Red Cow Hotel, Dublin.

The Judges Conference was hosted by The I.K.C. Judges Committee with the support of the I.K.C. Board of Directors & the guest speaker was Mr Christofer Habig from Germany. There was a great attendance of over 200 on the day.

Master of ceremonies for the day Mr John R. Walsh Chairman of I.K.C. Judges Committee began by introducing Mrs Evelyn Hurley (Vice President I.K.C.) & Mrs Rita McCarry Beattie (Chairperson of I.K.C. Board of Directors) who welcomed attendees to the conference. This was followed by Mr J.R. Walsh introducing Mr Habig.

Mr Habig’s talk ‘Towards a new “corps d’esprit” Fighting Transformation by Bringing Craftsmanship & Breed Type Back on Stage’ covered all aspects of judging & the interaction with exhibitors was a very interesting straight-forward address which went down very well with all in attendance.

A questions & answers forum was held with three prominent Irish Judges on the panel; Mr Michael Leonard, Mr John J. Walsh & Mrs Anne Cuthbert. The questions for the panel where submitted by those in attendance prior to the event. The quality of questions & answers from panel made this session very interesting.

In the afternoon, there was a presentation on the ‘Essence of the Irish Native Breeds’. Mr Nick White spoke on Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier, Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Irish Terrier & Kerry Beagle. Mr Ross Delmar spoke on the Kerry Blue Terrier, Mr Jim Behan spoke on Irish Wolfhound & Ms Trudy Walsh spoke on Irish Setters & Irish Red & White Setters. Mr Jimmy Hogan spoke on Irish Water Spaniels. Everyone in attendance received a copy of the ‘Essence of the Irish Native Breeds’ booklet. The ‘Essence of the Irish Native Breeds’ is an initiative by The Irish Breeds Society in conjunction with the Breed Clubs they have produced a booklet which attempts to explain ‘TYPE’ in each of the Irish Native Breeds.

The I.K.C. Judges Committee can be commended on providing such an interesting insight to the attitude and aspect of Judging.