Leich, Leich, Koops & Skilton’s, Ch Forstal’s Kaliznik won Best Working Group at Manchester this year.

This was also the year that we saw the first American Show Import being brought into the British Show Ring. Dave Killilea, a newcomer to the breed, imported American Champion Solocha’s Southern Legacy, a striking red, and campaigned him throughout 1999 until he won his crown, the same year. Afterwards he sold the dog, (known as Beannie), to Susan Livingstone & Georgie Lawrence and Mr Killilea then left the breed.

He did exceptionally well this year winning all the following Group placings;
Working & Pastoral Breeds Of Wales,
Best Working Group and Reserve Best In Show
Three Counties, Working Group 2,
Darlington, Best Working Group & Reserve Best In Show
Driffield, Best Working Group

However, although Beannie had many fans, he also had many who disliked him and strongly felt that the American Show Dog was not where the breed should be going in the UK. Many were worried that this would split the breed in two, working type and show type. This difference of opinion still continues today. Beannie, of course, is oblivious to all the controversy he sparked and having sired several litters, his bloodlines are continuing in the UK.

1999 was also the year that the Kennel Club removed several breeds from the Working Group and gave them a Group of their own, known as Pastoral. The Siberian Husky remained in the Working Group. Of course, this now meant that Best Of Breeds who went forward to compete in the Working and Pastoral Groups, had fewer dogs to compete against and therefore a better chance of winning or being placed. Before this, the Working Group had been the largest which is what prompted the Kennel Club to make these changes.

With the return of Border Union, we now had a total of 25 Shows where CC’s were allocated to the breed.
Judges: 17 Breed Specialists; 8 All Rounders; 1 Foreign Judge
There were 2 Breed Specialist’s awarding CC’s for the first time this year, Mark Theaker (Huskidoo) and Sue Timon (Karasta)
There were 8 Champions crowned in 1999 (Total 70)