Pedigree Dogs – In Great Shape !

Paul | blog | June 1, 2011

This years Crufts Best In Show (BIS) Jim Irvine’s Flat-coated Retriever Sh Ch Vbos The Kentuckian, AKA Jet has retired from the show ring at the tender age of nine years and nine months.

I’m sure the huge numbers of people that tuned into the above event were amazed to think that a dog kept in such superb condition was in fact a veteran in Dog Show terms.

As we all know it’s quite easy to tar something’s all with the same brush, but I think that Jet stands out as an example to those that think that all Pedigree Dogs are damaged / diseased.

In all walks of life you will get people that misrepresent certain groups, and it’s easy for the anti people to highlight these, but in my opinion there are more positives,(Jet just being one small example), that Pedigree Dogs as a whole are in good shape, and an even healthier future to look forward to.

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Crufts and the BVA / BSAVA

Paul | blog | March 25, 2011

Following on from my blog the other day re Crufts and the RSPCA, The British Small Animals Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) have also issued a joint statement in relation to the Neapolitan Mastiffs and certain other breeds shown at this years Crufts.

The difference though is that they see the Kennel Clubs action whereby from next year all Best Of Breed winners from the high-profile breeds will be subject to veterinary inspection prior to competing in groups and before a champion title is confirmed, as a major step in the right direction. They are pleased that the matter will be very much in the hands of the veterinary profession to determine whether there are any clinical conditions present which may be causing suffering, and that dogs like this in the future will not make it into the ring and will no longer be seen as desirable or good examples of the breed.

It is recognised in these breeds that it may take generations / decades to breed out the undesirable traits, but with the right people behind the cause, these changes in the world of pedigree dogs will happen.

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Crufts 2011 and Pedigree Dogs (.ie)

Paul | blog | March 14, 2011

OK – So Crufts is over for another year…

I must say, I really enjoyed the TV coverage on More4 (As per my Blog on Friday)

There were some clear messages being sent out. Educating the potential puppy buyer to do their research on the breed and breeder before even thinking of making a purchase.

Health of our dogs through correct breeding programmes etc was also to the fore.

I think that the Kennel Club’s Caroline Kisko continued to do a sterling job, and kept making reference to their most informative website.

Before I started this blog, I had a look at Jemima Harrison’s blog over the last few days. Jemima I’m sure you all know was the person behind the programme Pedigree Dogs Exposed.
The general feel from the last few days entries are quite positive, with some good reports in various breeds, like the Clumber Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla and Basset, some OK news from the Dalmatians but not so good in relation to the Neapolitan Mastiff and English Setter, where the Best Of Breed had a co-efficient of inbreeding (COI) higher than a brother and sister mating
The Kennel Club also launched their Mate Select at this years Crufts which is another huge step in the right direction towards producing healthier litters in the future (More on this in an upcoming blog)
Personally I was delighted with the amount of times that Pedigree Dogs was mentioned by Frank Kane and the other panellists…..if only I could get them to ad the .ie at the end !!

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Crufts – Please sir can I have some More4 !

Paul | blog | March 11, 2011

The opening Day of Crufts 2011 has come and gone.

Not being there this year, I had to be content with the TV coverage, and from going on what I heard re last years coverage, I wasn’t relishing the idea.

Last year was the first attempt that the dfs sponsored dog show was covered by More4, and I suppose after all the controversy re the BBC standing down after the Pedigree Dogs Exposed programme, they were treading on egg shells, and the actual judging of dogs got very minimal coverage.

Last nights 2 hour show that covered the Gundog Group, was a celebration about all things dog, and was a great mix of pedigree dogs, and non pedigree dogs, with the climax being the group judging, and analysis afterwards by Frank Kane and the team.

Secretary of the Kennel Club (London) Caroline Kisko was also on hand pushing people to their very informative website regarding what type of dog suits your family lifestyle etc, as well as breed rescue, and revealed breed rescues in the UK re homed more dogs in Britain than the likes of Battersea etc, all done on very little funding

Crufts is the highlight of dog showing every year, and it’s fantastic that More4 have given 4 x 2 hour programmes to cover the event, and for it to be used to great effect by the people involved, to promote all that is good in the world of dogs today.

Please sir can I have some More4 !!!!

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Want to show at Crufts next year ??

Seamus | blog | March 10, 2010

If you missed out on showing at Crufts this year, and want to be part of the biggest Dog Show in the World next time it comes around…here’s a list of qualifying shows that you can enter that could be your passport to the same…

The following IKC Shows are the Crufts Qualifiers for 2011

GROUPS 1 & 2 – Belgian Shepherd Dog Club Of Ireland – 29th May 2010

GROUP 3 – All Terrier Association – 14th August 2010

GROUPS 4, 6 & 10 – Hound Association Of Ireland – 14th August 2010

GROUP 5 – Munster Spitz & Primitive Breeds Association – 5th June 2010

GROUPS 7 & 8 – Black Red Or Golden Cocker Club Of Ireland – 22nd August 2010

GROUP 9 – Irish Toy/Companion Dog Society – 22nd May 2010

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Crufts 11th March – 14th March 2010

Nedine | blog | March 2, 2010

Hi Everyone, Crufts dog show is upon us again, and since it is not being broadcast on Free TV, here is a link that you can stream live footage straight to your computer…Enjoy, and the best of Luck to all the Irish Exhibitors…www.dfscrufts.tv

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