Good riddance 2020

COVID-19 chaos, soaring puppy prices, shoot day disruption and field trial cancellations — David Tomlinson reflects on a year to forget

ONE OLD STORY THAT made me smile recently was that of the editor of the Sun, inviting the paper’s astrologer into his office to give him the sack, saying: “No doubt you saw this coming...”

Though by this time last year, COVID-19 had made its impact in Wuhan — a Chinese city that most of us had never heard of — I don’t think anyone anticipated the impact the disease would have on the world in 2020. I’m sure that we all will be delighted to see the end of this blighted year and hope that 2021 will be much better. It won’t be difficult.

There can be no aspect of life that wasn’t affected by COVID-19 and the world of dogs was certainly no exception. Remarkably, Crufts was squeezed in before lockdown started. It was won by a British-bred wirehaired dachshund called Maisie. Crufts was almost the last dog show of the year. The Kennel Club, displaying a mixture of caution and optimism, has scheduled Crufts 2021 for 15 to 18 July. Assuming it goes ahead, it will be the first time the world’s biggest dog show has been held in the summer.

I’m sure that most dogs enjoyed the first lockdown as it meant that owners were able to spend more time with them. Walking the dog became a great excuse to get out for exercise and fresh air. Many trainee gundogs no doubt had far more time devoted to them than would normally have been the case, as they had their retrieving skills honed and polished in anticipation of the season ahead. The fact that for many of them the season never materialised was a major blow.