Crufts

[CorvusCorax]

Was he happy? Was it him that the handler handled the teeth, not the judge? There was no wag. I think the hair just detracts from a nice little dog. (although I thought he looked stroppy). The yorkie I did say to oh I couldn’t see it doing much ratting, but at least it’s hair wasn’t cut in such a way to make it look as though the head grew out of the kidneys.

I thought he looked happy enough, certainly happier than, for example, the greyhound and the collie, both of which I thought were pretty subdued. I show my dog's teeth to the judge all the time, always have done, it's not unusual.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Might be controversial but I think the showing of any Braccy dogs should be immediately banned at any level, including local shows. Boxers, bulldogs, boston terriers, pugs, shih tzus, frenchies, pekingnese, KC spaniels etc etc. It's the only way to tackle it. Perhaps bring in that the dogs must have approved soft palettes from a select few centrally licensed vets?

Can't speak for the other breeds here are two working line boxers at my club that show as well. Check out the Atibox WM videos. Hardly unable to breathe.

 

[KEK]

I absolutely love watching FB at crufts. Sooooo exciting and the standard was unbelievable this year. Its great the way they are allowed to protect their wrists/carpus from hyperextension using wrapping- we aren't allowed to run our dogs with anything on here. I suspect they get less injuries with FB than agility.
Was a bit disappointed seeing a high profile agility person continue to run their (elderly) dog after a really nasty fall without even stopping to check she was OK in the British Open. The fall was horrible- dog did a complete somersault and landed on her neck.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Can't speak for the other breeds here are two working line boxers at my club that show as well. Check out the Atibox WM videos. Hardly unable to breathe.

Short nosed breed, you have to hit them all unfortunately as social pressure has a lot to say for getting things done. If you unfairly penalise a few then they will put pressure on those responsible for the ban to be better.. may not necessarily work in this context but it does in many others.. I don't think you can say, when they (boxers as a breed) are predisposed to breathing problems, that some braccy breeds are okay and some aren't, unfortunately it has to be a flat rule for all.

 

[Clodagh]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1502783947071238147

Omg. Was it sniffing the ground or stopping for air? Poor little beggar.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I am not making light of the state of the Peke, but this meme posted in reply to the above twitter post did make me chuckle.

 

[some show]

Such a strange looking little bod. The KC breed standard says: 'Length and volume of coat should neither impair the activity of the dog nor obscure the shapeliness of body. Excessive coat must be heavily penalised.' Don't think it could have been more excessive! The group judge was a Peke breeder though and he obviously wasn't impressed.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Short nosed breed, you have to hit them all unfortunately as social pressure has a lot to say for getting things done. If you unfairly penalise a few then they will put pressure on those responsible for the ban to be better.. may not necessarily work in this context but it does in many others.. I don't think you can say, when they (boxers as a breed) are predisposed to breathing problems, that some braccy breeds are okay and some aren't, unfortunately it has to be a flat rule for all.

That's fine, as long as everyone is happy with the fact that the people that I know who's boxers are fit for function and can work will then probably take their ball off the pitch and go and play for another team (show in Europe etc or just stick to working trials) and you've lost good examples and health breeding stock from the gene pool. Poor dogs will still get bred for the pet market, which is the main thing fuelling how dogs LOOK rather than their temperament or working ability.
Showing has almost become an irrelevance these days IMO.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

That's fine, as long as everyone is happy with the fact that the people that I know who's boxers are fit for function and can work will then probably take their ball off the pitch and go and play for another team (show in Europe etc or just stick to working trials) and you've lost good examples and health breeding stock from the gene pool. Poor dogs will still get bred for the pet market, which is the main thing fuelling how dogs LOOK rather than their temperament or working ability.
Showing has almost become an irrelevance these days IMO.

Good point, well made.
I am not that clued up on dog showing to be honest, from an insiders POV anyway. I am just tired with seeing awful animals keep being bred and rewarded. I feel the same way about it as I do with over-dished Arabs, Spidey legged warmbloods and obese natives.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I thought the bloodhounds eyes looked awful.

I didn't say they'd got it totally right. But far less skin folds round the face and neck, which has to be an improvement. With regard to the handler showing the teeth, I always showed my own dogs teeth, apart from the health risk in my view of a judge touching every mouth, some judges could be quite rough, covering dogs nose etc, so I would far rather do it myself.

 

[Clodagh]

I didn't say they'd got it totally right. But far less skin folds round the face and neck, which has to be an improvement. With regard to the handler showing the teeth, I always showed my own dogs teeth, apart from the health risk in my view of a judge touching every mouth, some judges could be quite rough, covering dogs nose etc, so I would far rather do it myself.

I don’t normally watch showing but I am glad to hear the bloodhounds are making progress.
I always assumed the judge did the teeth, much as I can see it would be preferable to do them yourself. So it’s good that you can do.

 

[blackcob]

I’ve found more judges are asking the handler to show the bite, I think some show societies asked them to do so last year from an infection control perspective and it seems to be sticking around. I had to show teeth on Saturday, as did the BoB for the group judge.

 

[Clodagh]

I’ve found more judges are asking the handler to show the bite, I think some show societies asked them to do so last year from an infection control perspective and it seems to be sticking around. I had to show teeth on Saturday, as did the BoB for the group judge.

So, how did you get on? Did you take the mini shark?

 

[blackcob]

Shark dog won post graduate dog, giving me the very bizarre experience of being in the challenge at Crufts. It’s also pushed him up into limit next time out, eek. He did a day on Discover Dogs too and conducted himself admirably



It was an epic day as my friend who I’d travelled with won best of breed with his bezzie mate, so we were there very late talking her down from the ceiling and cheerleading them in the group. She did a fantastic job and the commentary for the breed was charming.

 

[CorvusCorax]

His little dickie bow

 

[blackcob]

Can’t meet the public without the Belgian dickie bow ? I think he’s just about forgiven me…

 

[Cortez]

Can’t meet the public without the Belgian dickie bow ? I think he’s just about forgiven me…

More info please: what is he (other than charming and chic)?

 

[blackcob]

More info please: what is he (other than charming and chic)?

He is a schipperke ? The one you may have seen in the group is unusual for being gold, most are little black pointy sharky things.

 

[Cortez]

Oh a Schipperke! I LOVE them; when I was contemplating getting a show dog it was these that I was interested in (didn't in the end, have rescue jobbies instead). He is lovely.

 

[Clodagh]

He is a schipperke ? The one you may have seen in the group is unusual for being gold, most are little black pointy sharky things.

View attachment 89002

Has anyone told him he’s small? That stare! ?

 

[satinbaze]

In relation to showing teeth, when shows started up again post lockdown the KC requested that handlers show the teeth rather than the judge getting close up to the handler. I think some handlers have continued to show teeth.

 

[some show]

@blackcob He is absolutely beautiful! What a characterful face too!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1502767042608381952

Omg ? That’s just horrible. Poor dog.

They’ll continue doing so as long as judges keep saying they look better.

I’d have thought, given the negative press this year, it would have been an ideal opportunity to choose a more moderate example and send a clear message to breeders, but sadly it seems they’ll just carry on encouraging the deformities of the breed

Totally depressing.

Apparently french bulldogs have taken over from labs as they breed with the highest registrations

That makes me so sad. Why on earth would someone want a dog that they know is going to have health issues? Surely the last thing you want for your pet. I was interested to see vet nurses on the Paul O’Grady show saying how terrible it was (prepping a brachycephalic dog for a soft palette operation) and how ‘people just don’t realise’. Crufts would be the right place to educate people and the KC (of zero use in terms of improving health from what I’ve seen) really need to step up.

 

[CorvusCorax]

In relation to showing teeth, when shows started up again post lockdown the KC requested that handlers show the teeth rather than the judge getting close up to the handler. I think some handlers have continued to show teeth.

We've almost always shown teeth ourselves as MM says. The judge might hunker down for a look and use a pen or finger.
And there's never been all that hands on stuff either TBH!!

 

[P3LH]

FYI we inherited a peke when I was small and he was nothing like what you see now and that was only thirty odd years ago. He has a coat more like w cavalier, a short bit notable muzzle and was a bit more like a snub nosed Tibetan spaniel. He was fit and healthy, made old bones and once mated an in season, off lead, golden retriever in the park by accident - I dread to think of there were progeny.

I did love chatting to some breeders and owners on DD stands that really are ensuring their breeds stay fit n healthy. Sold on Lancashire heelers and smooth fox terriers again, and Tibetan spaniel again - and fell in love with hovvawarts if I ever want another big dog. Found it interesting chatting to some of the STANDARD dachshund people of whom those I spoke with were really strong in views about breeding for shorter backs and how the standards have much less trouble than the minis as are more in proportion - the standard longs were lovely snd not too long or low, could have stolen them all.

Still - I did say to OH I found this year, on the whole, depressing.

 

[some show]

I'm not a dachsy person but I really liked the standard wire-haired BOB, he was lovely.

 

[ester]

He is a schipperke ? The one you may have seen in the group is unusual for being gold, most are little black pointy sharky things.

View attachment 89002

he has CC's floofy's intimidating eyes in a smaller package. . .

 

[CorvusCorax]

he has CC's floofy's intimidating eyes in a smaller package. . .

It's called the Hard Stare ?

 

[Moobli]

He is a schipperke ? The one you may have seen in the group is unusual for being gold, most are little black pointy sharky things.

View attachment 89002

ooh I like him Like a mini GSD ?

 

[Moobli]

My favourite was the Sibe but the Flattie did show himself off very well, beautiful dog. The border collie was very pretty but I can’t agree when Frank Kane uses terms such as workmanlike and fit for function ?
The police dog display is my favourite part of Crufts and I enjoyed clips of the agility too.