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The new fees will vary in accordance with the number of breeding bitches so as to reflect the size and scale of the operation, as recommended by the working group. To that end the appropriate fee bands will be as follows: in the case of a dog breeding establishment at which six to 18 eligible bitches are kept, €400; for 19 to 30 bitches, €800; for 31 to 100 bitches, €1,600; for 101 to 200 bitches, €3,000; and a further €1,600 for each 100 bitches thereafter. The fee will be payable to the local authority and the moneys raised are intended to cover the costs of regulation and inspection. Any remaining balance will be spent on dog control in general. The fees can be hardly considered excessive when set against the income stream from the number of breeding bitches. For example, a premises with 12 breeding bitches might conservatively be expected to produce nine litters per annum of six pups each, resulting in 54 pups. A search on the Internet will show a healthy range of prices…

Yesterday was Independence Day in the US, and we are sure all our American friends celebrated in style. The committee of  the ILKA were also celebrating the excellent entry of over 1100 dogs they had received for their Championship Show held in the National Show centre, Cloghran, Co Dublin. The ILKA committee had invited a  good mix of both overseas judges and well known Irish judges. The good-sized  rings were well laid out and the centre piece was a beautifully decorated Best in Show ring. There was ample space for tenting, which was quickly filled up. Now it's nearly obligatory for Irish dog show exhibitors to have their tent for grooming etc. Unfortunately, the weather proved the forecasters right and was very mixed, starting dry but chilly, then getting warm but with heavy showers of rain and gusty winds, the changing weather proved too much for some exhibitors and they requested the respective breeds to move indoors for judging, It was very nice to see a new face judgin…

We are delighted to announce that Pedigreedogs.ie will be attending this years Pet Expo as an exhibitor Now in its 4th year, Pet Expo 2010 returns to the RDS, Dublin, as a 3-day consumer show open to the animal loving public with a wider variety of pets, pet products, service providers, entertainers, clubs and organisations that cater to pets. Pet Expo 2010 will be taking place on Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th July 2010. Please feel free to swing by on any of the days for a chat, and for more information in relation to our web site.

We are told to vaccinate our dogs and cats every year. This is not necessary, but it can be harmful. After years of writing to the British government and the government's licensing authority (the Veterinary Medicines Directorate), Canine Health Concern and over 100 vets/pet owners called for the withdrawal of one-year dog and cat vaccines. Annual shots are unnecessary, and they are causing harm. Who says so? (more…)

Tramore Racecourse was the venue to-day for Deise All Breed Championship Show. The morning started with some heavy rain showers but by the time judging began the sun was starting to shine and this super summer sunshine continued all day. Despite the sun there was a chilly wind at times which made the day enjoyable for man and dog. The rings were laid out on the tarmac but the surrounding grassy area were used as tenting areas so the show had a very homely pleasant feeling as exhibitors and their dogs could relax. The show also had an excellent restaurant and the ice-cream van did a roaring business Best in show judge to-day was Limerick man Mr Jimmy Byrne, very well know in Staffordshire Bull Terriers where for many year he has exhibited his dogs under the Lackyle affix. To-day Deise entry was just under 1100 and when Mr Byrne entered the BIS to make the final decisions, he had 10 top class dogs to choose from. When Mr Byrne awarded the big rosette it was to newcomer to top hon…

Kilkenny All Breed Dog Show was held in the Hub Centre just outside the town of Kilkenny to-day. Although all outdoor, the rings were laid out on tarmac. They were spacious with ample room between them for people to set up their chairs, tables etc. Just as judging was about to begin, there was a light shower of rain, but the black cloud cleared quickly and lovely summer weather followed, but still a nice wind was around to keep man and dog nicely refreshed. The Hub is an excellent centre, with both outdoor and indoor facilities with an good restaurant and bar. To-day at the Hub too there was a market with a host of stalls selling everything from tools to toys, cosmetics etc. It was a nice diversion for dog show folk and some good bargains were to be had. Also the market attracted some local Kilkenny folk to visit the dog show too, so all  in all the day was a relaxed affair, enjoyed by all. Best in Show was judged in the large indoor ring, beautifully laid out surrounded…

Good luck to everyone that is exhibiting at the above show today being held at The Hub in Kilkenny We will be at the Dachshund ring all day if you want to swing by and say hello. All the best Paul Barry Pedigreedogs.ie

Yesterday seen the start of competition re the 2010 World Dog Show in Denmark, with 19354 dogs entered, its amazing to think of so many top class dogs gathered in one place Herning which is in the north of Jutland..... www.worlddogshow2010.dk Entries for the show have come from all over Europe the US, South America and even further a field. A good number of Irish exhibitors have travelled with dogs over to the show. Some folk have already been exhibiting at other shows in Sweden last week-end and are now enjoying a few well earned relaxing days before what should be 4 very hectic and exciting days at the World show. As well as regular dog showing activities the Danish Kennel Club are putting on a host of dog related activities and performances. There will be a super display of heel- work to music in the centre ring, so really something to keep everyone entertained. Good luck to all the Irish exhibitors attending.

On what must have been one of the hottest days in Cork this year the Irish Kennel Cub affiliated, Munster Agricultural Society All Breed Open Dog Show, was hosted Yesterday on the last day of their 3 day event The Cork Summer Show, at Greenfields, Ballincollig, Co. Cork 3 large rings were laid on by the organizing committee for the exhibitors and dogs, whom entered under experienced judges, June Bollard and Carla Bollard-O'Callaghan from Cork and John Coffey from Killarney June Bollard was centre stage when the nine group winners came into the best in show ring, and top dog on the day was awarded to Tim Herlihy's whippet Keilbar Dreamer, a result that pleased the sizeable crowd that had gathered around the rings throughout the day I am sure that the committee are extremely happy with the overall results, on this their first show for many years held under IKC rules, and I am sure that next years show will be an even bigger success, if today's standards are anything to go by.

The sun really shone down at the National Show Centre yesterday for Swords & District Canine Society All breed Championship show generously sponsored by Royal Canin. A very big compliment must be paid to the hard working committee headed by Secretary Philip Behan for having the spacious rings so well laid out and the venue looking spectacularly smart and very welcoming for the judging panel, practically all from overseas. Although this year "Swords" was not an International show it stilll attracted an entry with over 1600 dogs   -  a superb achievement. By 4.30 it was time to call for Best In Show. The judge for this was Mr D Smith from the UK. He had a wonderful line up of the 10 group-winning dogs. Mr Smith quickly shortlisted his favourite 4 dogs and then placed in BIS top spot, the already multi BIS-winning Border Collie, representing group 1 to-day, Sh Ch/GB Sh Ch Tonkory Move Over To Huntley AnCh'08/JCH/CW'08. Owned by Mr/Mrs D Connolly and Mrs K Gregory. For res B…

Whilst continuing to read Two Suitcases & A Dog by Finnbar Mac Eoin (Sunday's Blog) I discovered that an Irish man was one of the founding members of the RSPCA. "It was Richard Martin, 1754-1834, born in Dublin, died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, one of the founding members of the RSPCA. Martin was a barrister and also a member of parliament for Galway in 1822. It was Martin who introduced the legislation to the House of Commons for the protection of animals. He had brought many prosecutions before the courts, but the first and most famous was a case against Bill Burns for his mistreatment of a Donkey. The magistrates were reluctant to charge Burns as the evidence was only hearsay, but Martin was having none of that, so he went and got the donkey and brought him into the courtroom to show the judges the scars. Burns was duly fined and this set the precedent for what is today international law. At the head office of the RSPCA in Horsham, West Sussex, the original painting o…

Stroll around, relax and enjoy the magnificent atmosphere of Cork Summer Show. There are a vast range of Activities for Children to Enjoy such as Face Paining, Clowns, Balloon Modelling, Bouncy Castles, Fun Fair, School Art Competitions, and of course loads of animals. There is something for everyone at Cork summer Show. A perfect day out for all the family. This is family-orientated entertainment at its Best. Lots of Giveaways such as Food hampers, Beauty hampers, Spa treatments, Jewellery vouchers, Clothes vouchers, Garden strimmers,  and much more...

Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland North) needs your vote this week as it goes head to head with other Lottery-funded projects from across the UK in the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2010. SARDA(IN) is one of only 10 projects to make it through in the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category of The National Lottery Awards, which are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. All the projects in the running have already received Lottery funding and the Awards celebrate how they have put that money to good use. Dog-lovers are being urged to show their support by casting a vote to help SARDA(IN) make it through to the final stage. (more…)

Two Suitcases & A Dog I am just back from a fabulous weeks holiday in Provence. This was my first trip to France after many years of putting it off. Our first port of call was the beautiful village of Lourmarin, which in is Provence. One morning while my wife Josephine was on her way back from the bakery, she spotted a lovely Irish Terrier being walked in her direction. She addressed the lovely lady in her broken French and discovered that she was in fact from New Zealand, and found out that she was married to an Irish Man from Mallow Co. Cork, and that they had been living in France for many years and were now based in Lacoste. Shortly afterwards we both went in search of the Irish Terrier, and as the village was so small we quickly found him. Caron then called her husband Finn and we all met for a coffee in the village square. It transpired that he was a writer and had recently self published the book "Two Suitcases & A Dog" I read the first four chapte…

Or Free when you set up a direct debit to provide monthly support to the DSPCA. Dogs ONLY At the Following Maxi Zoo Stores Tallaght - Sat 12th June - 10am - 5pm Naas - Sun 13th June - 12pm - 6pm Midleton - Sat 17th July - 10am - 5pm Ballincollig - Sun 18th July - 12pm - 6pm

The second All Breed Ch Show of the Cork  Canine Festival week-end, the Cork & District Show took place at its usual venue Inniscarra Community Centre yesterday. Most exhibitors stayed over for  yesterdays show and coincidently 2  of the 4 highest placed dog from Saturday won their respected Groups again.     Yesterdays BIS judge was Mr D Kavanagh,  awarded another BIS  following on his Saturdays triump too the Group 8 winner the American Cocker Spaniel, AmCh/GBCh/Ch San Jo’s Born To Party  An Ch ‘07/’08, CW 08/09′08 ‘07 CW 08 ,09  owned Mrs M & Miss M Boardman. Res BIS was awarded to the locally based and US bred Old English Sheepdog and Group 1 winner Ch/AmCh Lambluv's Live The Dream  AN.CH.09.CW.09.EU.W.09  owned by Mr & Mrs C Hastings. Awarded  3rd place was the  Group 5 winner the Siberian Husky Ch/ Int Ch Leorient Artic Blue Lady An Ch '09CW'10  owned by Mr J  Duggan . And standing again in the 4th place, was the Beagle and the winner of Group 6 , …

It was very nice for exhibitors involved with breeds in Group 5 to have 2 shows  yesterday. At the Munster Spitz & Primitive Breeds Ch Show BIS judge Mr C Hastings awarded the big rosette to Mr S Carroll & Mr J Newman's Pomeranian Belliver Unexpected Connection Res BIS to the Siberian Husky CH & INT CH Leorient Artic Blue Lady An Ch'09 owned by Mr J Duggan. 3rd place to the US import American Akita Ch Danti's Living Legend by Stecal Am Ch '09 AOM owned by Mr K, MissF & C Mr D Venezia, Bevis & Miele. And in 4 th place to the recendly imported from Norway Keeshound owned Mr & Mrs B Carroll's Artic Best Kept Secret. Congratulations to all the very proud and happy owners, spcecial congrats to Sean & James, with yet again another BIS winning Pomeranian.

"The helpline has been busy and the numbers of new owners seeking help with their new puppies seems to be increasing. Sadly this doesn’t reflect too well on some of the breeders, who often seem unable or unwilling to help and simply refer the hapless and worried owners to the helplines. Some vets too continue to show their ignorance of the breed by giving bad advice and making things worse for the dogs rather than better. "One choice case was of a first-time breeder who had one puppy whose eyes had opened but at four weeks had progressively closed and clearly needed tacking. Their vet agreed but pronounced that the puppy needed to be ten weeks old before they would tack. However the case would be that after ten weeks of discomfort this poor puppy would need more than a simple tack. "Luckily, the breeder was put in touch with a Shar-Pei-friendly vet via the stud’s owners and a simple tack done immediately has now led to a happy puppy with no sight problems at all. It woul…

We are delighted to announce that Pedigreedogs.ie will be attending this years Pet Expo as an exhibitor Now in its 4th year, Pet Expo 2010 returns to the RDS, Dublin, as a 3-day consumer show open to the animal loving public with a wider variety of pets, pet products, service providers, entertainers, clubs and organisations that cater to pets. Pet Expo 2010 will be taking place on Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th July 2010. Please feel free to swing by on any of the days for a chat, and for more information in relation to our web site.

ANDREW BRACE, one of the UK’s top all-round judges, has been warned and fined £300 over the nature of his judging of Border collies at Blackpool last year. Following the judging, many people watched the video of Mr Brace on YouTube, and many more commented on an apparent lack of interest in the exhibits. Several complaints were lodged with the Kennel Club. At its meeting in February, the General Committee considered these objections and subsequently upheld them. The Committee said it ‘was particularly disturbed by Mr brace’s cursory nature of examination of exhibits and his disinterested, detached and offhand manner towards exhibitors.’ He was found to be in breach of Regulation F9 - failing to maintain and abide by the highest standards in accordance with KC Rules and regulations and the Code of Best Practice for Judges

Cork Canine Festival 2010 - Saturday June 5th (11am - 5:30pm) Being held at the Cork Co-Operative Marts New Venue & Conference Centre, Corrin near Fermoy The festival is being promoted by : Munster Canine Association Hon. Secretary - Kay Marret & Group 9 Spitz & Primitive Breeds Association Hon. Secretary - Andrew Mulcahy Have A Wonderful Family Day At The Dogs! One charge of €10 for car park and all the family See over 160 dog breeds at the Munster Canine All Breeds Championship Show & the Spitz and Primitive Breeds Association Championship Show - Dog entertainment events will take place at the venue - Have you a performing dog? Would you like your dog to perform at this festival? Check out our site.www.corkcaninefestival.com - Trade stands offering specialised canine equipment - Main Group Judging starting at 2pm Best in Show at 5:30pm(approx)

We had Hibernian All Breed Championship Show {under IKC rules} yesterday in the National Show Center, Cloghran. The show was laid out nicely, indoors and out doors, with ample sized rings for most breeds. The sun shone most of the day and temperatures were a little warmer than of late, so it was good to see the tents popping up again around the rings and folk enjoying out door picnics and relaxing, and feeling the sun on their backs. Hopefully yesterday good weather will be the start of a trend for good weather for our shows for the up-coming summer season. The Best in show judge was the ever charming Mr Michael Forte, who found two new dogs to high honors to place BIS and res BIS. The big rosette for BIS was awarded to the winner of Group 2 the Doberman Pincher Tuwos Ferando Torres {owned by Miss SR & Messers B&JO Rourke & Henderson} and handled by Billy Henderson. Res BIS was awarded to the Group 7 winner, the Irish Setter Glennara Coer De Lion owned by Ms Barty K…