News

In August 2010 a litter of UK beagles produced two puppies suffering from Musladin-Leuke Syndrome which was previously called Chinese Beagle Syndrome. MLS is a hereditary disorder which is unique to beagles and had previously only been reported sporadically in the UK. Recently a DNA test became available from a lab in California which was used to confirm this case. The condition is thought to be at an incidence of 2-3% in the population and both parents have to carry the defective gene to produce affected offspring who have physical deformities. A website has been set up to provide more information on the disease and how beagles can be tested to see if they carry the gene www.salenko.co.uk/MLS

Please read the information and also the advice given about not being hasty in future breeding programmes about discarding carrier beagles. The test can be used to ensure we reduce the gene slowly whilst retaining the breeds character and other good health.

Our new Championship Show venue for 2011 will be Brodsworth Miners Welfare Hall, Welfare Road, Woodlands, Doncaster DN6 7PP. Incidentally, Brodsworth Miners Welfare Hall was the venue for the club's very first championship show way back in October 1965. Full details of the show can be found on the site's committee and history page.

There is excellent parking, the hall has high ceilings, lots of light and is very airy. The hall size is fantastic and it gives us scope for a very spacious show ring, loads of room for the comfort of our exhibitors and even more importantly lots of cage room for our beagles. Also at the back of the hall there is plenty of room for a dining area which will be situated next to the kitchen so we are still able to offer you our usual high standard of home made refreshments and excellent lunches which we are proudly famous for. In our opinion the indoor facilities are so good that we have decided to hold the show indoors and if the weather is good the double doors on both sides of the hall can be opened out wide giving an even more airy feel to the show.

Directions to the venue are easy, as an example, from the North leave the A1 signed A638 Doncaster onto a dual carriageway. After approx. 2 miles you go through the shopping centre of Woodlands Village, in a very short distance turn left into Welfare Road which is signposted for Adwick Leisure Centre, we will also have direction signs out. The Welfare Hall entrance is approx. 50 yds on the left. (Do not continue to follow signs for the Leisure Centre).

I was wondering do any of you out there remember our first championship show 45 years ago? If so I would love to hear from you with your reminiscences and photos if possible so please don't hesitate to contact me by email roddwood@virginmedia.com or telephone 01942 239042.

Have been reading the Beagle Assoc. newsletter so for anyone who doesn’t receive it there is an interesting article by Vet. Sam Goldberg our Vice Chair & Breed Health Coordinator regarding greedy beagles and what can be very dangerous for them to consume. I knew about chocolate, grapes, raisins and chewing gum but I didn’t realise onions in any form can be dangerous and also a lesser known problem is cocoa mulch, so Sam says check bark chippings and such like when revamping your borders as this can be tasty to Beagles and is toxic. Thanks Sam for the advice, there is always something to learn and look out for when caring for our mischievous hounds.

At our February show a surprise presentation was made to Eric Jones in appreciation of over 22 years service as our Club's Treasurer.

It was difficult thinking of suitable gifts to mark so many years service to the club but we eventually settled on a print taken from a picture of Eric's last litter of puppies and a glass crystal beagle mounted and engraved, also a bouquet of flowers for Eric's wife Julie.

Although Eric retired from the post of treasurer last year he has not totally escaped as he remains with us as a member of the committee and also Eric is one of the club's Honorary Vice Presidents.

Despite a very windy and rainy day spirits were high and the magnificent sum of £1307.99 was raised for our two appointed charities for this year The S.R.M. fund at The Animal Health Trust and Pendleside Hospice, Burnley. For more information and pictures see B.B.Q. page. I hope the weather for next year's event will be kinder to us.