Cranstal Salukis - Paul and Ann Shimmin

Our interest in dog shows started with the purchase of an OES by Paul as a wedding present for me in 1966. Prospectblue Micawber was joined a year later by Crookrise Pansy, a black and white pointer. Neither of these dogs were ever shown in the U.K. but we did show them on the Island, with quite some success for novices, and were of course bitten by the showing bug.

On the death of Dougal (the OES) at 12 years of age we could not face the thought of coping with that amount of coat again and we had also seen, and become fascinated with salukis at a championship show that we had managed to visit whilst on holiday in 1975.

Photo: Esso Gunnesson
TAMLA SHADY LADY OF CRANSTAL (Freya) as a puppy
& HEKLA ROYAL AMULET OF CRANSTAL (Rif) at 2 years

By 1980 we were getting across to the grand total of about 3 championship shows per year and managed to Stud Book both salukis. We were delighted. We bought in a ML Dachs in 1980 (Ridgeview Glamour Girl of Cranstal) who provided us with a lot of fun - and a litter of pups in 1982. An enchanting little personality Erin was never campaigned in the U.K. but had two consecutive BIS wins on the Island - and ruled the house and salukis in her own inimitable manner, firmly convinced that she was a saluki.

Hekla Royal Amulet of Cranstal (Rif), a gold and white saluki dog , was brought to the Island in 1977 to keep Suki (the pointer) company in her old age - and we anticipated that life would settle back into its old routine.

We were unaware, although we had been warned, of just what a culture shock your first saluki can be! However within a very short time we were totally hooked and Rif was joined by Tamla Shady Lady of Cranstal (Freya) in 1979. Freya was the foundation bitch of the Cranstal line.
Ridgeview Glamour Girl of Cranstal with her litter
Photo: Steve Wright MRCVS
Ridgeview Glamour Girl of Cranstal (Erin) with her one and only litter!

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