The Northern Portuguese Podengo Association’s
First Seminar More than 50 delegates attended the
Northern Portuguese Podengo Association’s first breed specific Seminar, on the 30th October, concurrently
with the last day of Midland Counties Championship Show.
The speaker for the day, and Principle Assessor for the Hands
- On Assessment, was the world-wide renowned judge, President of the Portuguese Kennel Club, Vice President of the NPPA, owner
and breeder of Portuguese Podengos via her Vale Negro kennel, Carla Molinari.
She gave an extremely interesting and informative talk
on the history of the Podengo. The breed type can be traced back to Egyptian times, and to the Middle East, through Italy
and the Balearic Islands, to the Iberian Peninsular, of which Portugal is, of course, part. It was very clear throughout,
that the Podengo, and its ancestors, were always used as hunters, as is the case today – although she emphasised how
well they also make excellent family pets.
The History aspect having been completed, Carla, then, went on to provide
her audience with an in depth look at the Breed Standard. With the use of an abundance of canine photographs, she illustrated
the various aspects of the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, via a screen projected presentation. This took approximately one and
a half hours, but the entire audience was transfixed on the subject, such was the interesting nature of the talk.
This was followed by a workshop where four breed specialists, accompanied by a varied selection of dogs,
were able to discuss some of the points raised by Carla in her talk, with small groups of delegates.
The workshop continued
until lunch time, when soup and sandwiches were the order of the day.
At this point, those delegates who were not involved with
the Hands - On Assessment, in the afternoon, had the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Carla’s book*, which,
covered all of the content of her presentation, before leaving, either for home, or to watch some of the judging at the Championship
Show.
The
afternoon, then, moved on to the Hands - On Assessment, for aspiring judges of the Portuguese Podengo, with the three Assessors
for the day, Carla, Eileen Segui and Lesley Tomlinson. Unfortunately, Eileen suffered an accident, on commencement
of the assessment process, which necessitated hospital treatment, and the Association was extremely grateful that Mr. Andrew
Brace was available and willing to step into the role at short notice. We all wish Eileen a speedy recovery.
The Association
is also most appreciative of the hard work put in by five Dog Handlers – Antonia, Jazmin, Jasmin, John and George –
in keeping their charges on their toes, for a long time, while delegates deliberated in placing the dogs.
During the day,
all were able to purchase items Podengo from the NPPA breed stall, which did quite brisk business.
The Seminar was the first major event,
organised by the Northern Portuguese Podengo Association, on this scale, and the feed back, from the great majority of delegates,
was one of extremely high praise.
If you were unable to attend this Seminar, please keep an eye out for the announcement
of the Association’s second Seminar.
