Marco Galli (Lisander) Italy

THE DAYS EVENTS AT WENTWORTH CASTLE

You meet the small village of Stainborough the journey’s last steep incline. The road was edged with daffodils leading you towards the entrance gate. Many have commented of the wonderful views. The well kept lawns, the quaint derelict Church sitting near to the Castle is surrounded by an high old stone wall, which brings to mind thoughts of ‘day’s gone by’.

The day started with a mad dash to the Castle to erect the Club direction signs and lay down a ground sheet to catch all the trimming waste. Then dashed back to have a shower and collect Jan. When we arrived at the venue, some people were already relaxing drinking coffee. Les Stocks and his sister Sue from Allbrooks were unloading their grooming equipment, an Electrically assisted table (which we used for the demonstration), blow dryers, etc.  Coffee, tea and biscuits were the first order of the day to welcome the members and guests attending. It is an easy route to this venue and pretty much central for North and South. Members arrived from Scotland, Wales, London, Hull, Lincoln, to name but a few.

Marco was introduced by our Chairman Mr. Ralph Holmes to the 61 people who were in attendance.

Marco began with his own short introduction. To all of you, thank you for being here today. I apologize for being nervous, and for my bad pronunciation. I have distributed copies of this short speech, so that you can understand me better.

I am Marco Galli, I am 41 years old, and have been breeding Russian Black Terriers for ten years under the name ‘Lisander’.

I first saw these dogs in 1989 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, during the World Dog Show. It was love at first sight, a feeling I still remember today. About a year later I was able to import my first male and female dogs, Cerkas and Asta, and one of Asta’s daughters today lives happily in England. When I got to know and understand these dogs I appreciated the Russian Black Terrier even more. I can see many dear friends in the audience, so perhaps I have been able to transmit some of this love to you!

In these ten years, my dogs have won four World championships, five International championships, three European Championships and about fifteen Italian championships. I have honestly received great joy and great satisfaction from my Russian Black!

As many of you already know this is a very young breed, recognized in Russia since 1956 and by the F.C.I. since 1974. That is perhaps why we still see dogs that are not very true to type. Nonetheless, there have been many changes over the last few years. The best opportunity to see the work done by various breeders are the World and European Shows, where it is possible to admire really beautiful dogs. On a personal note, in 1994 I imported my first dogs from Russia, and it is one of these dogs who is now contributing to the rise in number of Russian Black Terriers in your country.

Now, let me mention grooming, the most important subject today. Until 1994 my dogs were groomed by Giampola Vignola, whom many of you know well. Following my first trip to Russia to see the Eurasia Show, I noticed that these dogs were groomed differently in their homeland. The coat was shorter, and the line echoed the terrier cut. On my return home I began grooming my dogs myself, and now, although I do not consider myself to be a professional, I have noticed that the dogs I groom stand out in Italian and European show rings. I am often asked how coarse must the coat of our Russian Black Terrier be? Frankly I do not know the answer to that. The Russian Black Terrier must not have a coat of an Airedale nor that of a Kerry Blue. Our CHERNU’S coat must have a good texture and be thick, not curly and must be well groomed. In other words he must have a ‘worked coat’.

I will now conclude my short speech, and continue by working on the dog. Thank you for coming, the President and Board of the Italian Tchiorny Terrier Club would also like to extend their warmest regards and the Italian Club would like to present you with a small token. Thank you for your attention, let us begin. 

Marco Galli.

Marco explained he had completely groomed Zolo two day’s earlier. Zolo walked in and was introduced then put on the table. Marco began to brush and prepare Zolo showing everyone how a dog should be prepared before entering the show ring . The dog looked fantastic. Members of the audience were invited to go over him and look at the presentation. The first to examine was Mr. Ian Sladon. He told me he was very impressed with the puppy and the trimming. Others followed, all could not get over the way the youngster took every thing in his stride, a true Ambassador of the breed.

Asta’s was then introduced, she strode up to the table and jumped on. She had been bathed and some of the shearing, (head and ears) had been carried out by Marco two days prior.

Marco began brushing her then scissor trimming, explaining what he was doing and why. It was very enlightening, members kept up a barrage of questions which were all answered well by Marco. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and very informative.

When Asta was completed again everyone was invited to look at the trimming and presentation. Whilst the people inspected his work Marco continued to answer the many questions which followed.

Marco then presented the gifts he had brought for everyone on this special day.

A gift from the Italian Tchiorny Terrier Club. This was a badge depicting an RBT. Head Study. Marco then presented his own personal gift, one per couple, they were copies of two beautiful drawings he had commissioned of his Russian male Moskvorechie Antey and his beautiful Grushenka. The gifts were truly thoughtful gestures which delighted everyone.

During the luncheon Marco very kindly suggested that after lunch he would be willing to trim the heads of the dogs which had accompanied their owners (Marco is a workaholic). He trimmed three dogs, to their owners delight.

It was yet another wonderful gathering of ‘true family membership’, of sincere and genuine RBT fancier’s. May days like this continue.

A Special Thanks to my dear friend Marco, it was ‘you’, who made it a day to remember for all who attended, To all the people who sent thank you letters, they were very much appreciated and have been passed on to Marco.

2nd International Day

23rd Sept 2000

The RBT Club- '2nd International Day' was held at Wentworth Castle on the South Lawn in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. There were gazebos/tents placed around the large ring, with Breed Stall sales and Tombola, the coffee/tea room was indoors overlooking the South Lawn. The finishing touch was the weather. it was good for the dogs, sunny and warm with a slight breeze. Around eighty people attended, with 36 RBT's entered.

 Our guest Olga Vorobjeva (Russian Dynastii -RBT's) Moscow was invited by the club to assess the RBT's here in the UK. (Olga V. has possibly the best RBT's in the world). We were also pleased to have another International visitor with us, Sanita Klavin from Latvia who had just brought an adult Champion RBT male into the UK. for one of our members.

  During the morning session Olga V. explained to RBT owners which parts of their dog needed more hair off or the area to leave and gain length. All members gratefully received her comments. Whilst this was happening other dogs were being groomed by volunteer’s.

Olga assessing the RBT's.

  Assessment of the RBT began after lunch, the RBT’s were called into the ring by our Chairman Mr Ralph Holmes in chronological class order D/B, beginning with baby class D/B aged between 3-6 months. This was a delight to see, there were nine present.  Olga Vorobieva began assessing the RBT presented individually before her. Sanita Klavin was of course brought into the fold to help. Olga V. dictated her critique to Sanita, who wrote this in Russian, which she handed to Olga Humphrey club member/translator. Olga H. then translated and wrote the assessments in English of each RBT. In every class the dogs and owners concluded with a lap of honour before they left the ring, to the applauds of Olga V. and the spectators.
Each assessment was signed by Olga V. and given directly to the owner by club member Mr Ian Sladden. Afterwards gifts were presented from the club to Olga V. Sanita and Olga H. Throughout the day Steve Halifax, club photographer was kept busy and a group photograph was taken of most of the owners and dogs present on the day.

To finish the daytime events there was a Working demonstration by Linda Newton with her RBT and GSD.

The evening Dinner/Dance was held in the Blue Room at the Castle. Chairman of the club Mr Ralph Holmes gave a short speech welcoming the forty-six people. Our President Mr Thomas Huxley and committee member Mr Danny Gilmour presented Olga Vorobieva with a gift from the Club, Russian Black Terrier Statue.

The day's events proved to be a success; many people left with warm thoughts and a little more knowledge of the Russian Black Terrier.

  To everyone who attended, ‘you’ made the day very special.

 Janet Huxley. Hon Secretary

from Olga Vorobijeva - Russkoi Dinnastii BRT's -Moscow

Greetings to all the RBT fanciers in Great Britain!

I was very pleased to accept the invitation of the English RBT Club. It's really nice to know that the breed I love is also admired so far from Russia.

I've been in this breed for many years - quite successfully, I hope. I was certainly excited to be invited and take part in your Club, to make a lot of new acquaintances and to meet your lovely Black Terriers.

The dogs I saw at the show astonished me with their good temperament and rearing quality. As we all know, the Black Terrier is a big and heavy dog, so it takes quite a long time to rear one.

I'm glad that you do manage to raise such great dogs sometimes in spite of the strict quarantine. I would also like to underline that the young generation of your Black Terriers did impress me: they are correctly built, they have good heads, excellent coat and wonderful temperament.

In the same time I can't help mentioning some faults:

- dogs should be higher at the withers (I mean dogs, not bitches);

- some dogs have wrong body proportions because of the incorrect loin length: the loin must be the same length as the croup and twice as long as the chest (2:1:1 proportion);

- weak ligaments that lead to turned out feet (forelegs) and hind legs too close behind;

- inexact grooming.

I would like to thank all the people who organized this marvellous celebration. Meeting so many wonderful people was a real joy for me. I will never forget my special visit to Great Britain. Thanks to all of you.

I wish good luck to those who have decided to make a show career for their dogs. There is a long and not an easy way to go but it is definitely worth it.

Good luck.  Yours sincerely,

Olga Vorobjeva-Russkoi Dinnastii