Crufts

lostinrates

meritaten wrote: »

I wouldnt go - The Kennel Club standards for 'Breeds' are ruining them!
Take British Bulldogs for example - They were bred for Bull Baiting and then Bear Baiting - could any of the breed these days do that? not the wheezy, lumbering examples I've seen. If you look at old paintings of Bulldogs they look more like Staffys or Pitbulls - Muscular Athletic dogs in prime condition. The Breed Standards are shameful - These 'modern' dogs are pitiful - a prime example of man wanting to 'exaggerate' features he finds pleasing - to the extent they become a disfigurement.

It's true that we have health issues to tackle, and personally I shout from within for changes.

Fwiw, it's not unknown, and it's returning to popularity amoung some breeders to both work and show dogs, or to return to working lines, so some of the dogs you see in the ring both show and work to some degree. Certainly, I know in one of the breeds I own their is a big divide between working and showing 'types' but one of the most successful show dogs about ATM works too.

pawsies

meritaten wrote: »

Why? I can see many examples while sitting in my vets waiting room. There will be GSDs with Hip Dysplasia, Wheezy asthmatic sounding Bulldogs, Boxers with similar breathing problems and some having to have dental surgery because their jaws are seriously out of alignment. These are 'Pedigree' dogs - mutts dont seem to have the same probs. Some problems are breed specific and the vets and even the breeders will tell you about those!

You don't have to be so close-minded. 'Mutts' for what it's worth can have the same problems so there's no guarantee.

You are assuming ALL breeders at Crufts don't care about their dog's wellbeing while in fact many do, hence why they have health tests and conform to standards. Of course there will be the odd one that shouldn't be shown as it has too many health problems and that breeder should be banned tbh but tarring all with the same brush is harsh.

con1888

In my hunt for Logan I came across probably 7 BYB's to every reputable breeder

thorsoak

meritaten wrote: »

Why? I can see many examples while sitting in my vets waiting room. There will be GSDs with Hip Dysplasia, Wheezy asthmatic sounding Bulldogs, Boxers with similar breathing problems and some having to have dental surgery because their jaws are seriously out of alignment. These are 'Pedigree' dogs - mutts dont seem to have the same probs. Some problems are breed specific and the vets and even the breeders will tell you about those!

90% of the "pedigree" dogs that you see in the vet's waiting room will be those bred by backyard breeders - who think "ooh yes - my dog's a pedigree - let's find another pedigree and get some money from the pups"!

Good breeders will have their dogs not just health-tested, they will have screened their dogs for the inherent breed problems - they willl know what they are and will pay out hundreds (£250 for hip scoring, another £120 for elbow scoring plus another £35 for eye testing - required annually-if not genetically clear for a labrador for example).

I own two beautiful labs, they come from the same kennels although they do not carry the same lines - but I've decided not to breed from them, even though their hip and elbow scores are excellent and both are genetically clear of eye problems - because (1) the b-1-tch is a little on the small side and (2) because of my age (I'll be 70 next year) I am not in a situation where I wish to keep another puppy and (3) might not be able to take back any puppy resulting from such a litter if a problem were to arise at any time in the lifetime of any puppy from such a litter.

That's what responsible owners who do show their dogs do. They breed only when they have a GOOD example of the breed, and when they themselves want to have a puppy.


PS: hope to go to Crufts on two days next year - Gun dogs and pastoral !!

con1888

thorsoak wrote: »

90% of the "pedigree" dogs that you see in the vet's waiting room will be those bred by backyard breeders - who think "ooh yes - my dog's a pedigree - let's find another pedigree and get some money from the pups"!

Good breeders will have their dogs not just health-tested, they will have screened their dogs for the inherent breed problems - they willl know what they are and will pay out hundreds (£250 for hip scoring, another £120 for elbow scoring plus another £35 for eye testing - required annually-if not genetically clear for a labrador for example).

I own two beautiful labs, they come from the same kennels although they do not carry the same lines - but I've decided not to breed from them, even though their hip and elbow scores are excellent and both are genetically clear of eye problems - because (1) the !!!!! is a little on the small side and (2) because of my age (I'll be 70 next year) I am not in a situation where I wish to keep another puppy and (3) might not be able to take back any puppy resulting from such a litter if a problem were to arise at any time in the lifetime of any puppy from such a litter.

That's what responsible owners who do show their dogs do. They breed only when they have a GOOD example of the breed, and when they themselves want to have a puppy.

Summed it up perfectly. I'm not against breeding at all...I against back yard breeders though. I could have got a GSD for as little as £300, my pup was more than double that, had a few people say I was 'crazy' ( not dog people) but to me it's not crazy, you pay for quality. Of course proper breeders still make some money but no where near as much as some people believe, like you have mentioned, they pay out a lot to begin with to make sure their dog is suitable to breed with.

Frugalista

meritaten wrote: »

Why? I can see many examples while sitting in my vets waiting room. There will be GSDs with Hip Dysplasia, Wheezy asthmatic sounding Bulldogs, Boxers with similar breathing problems and some having to have dental surgery because their jaws are seriously out of alignment. These are 'Pedigree' dogs - mutts dont seem to have the same probs. Some problems are breed specific and the vets and even the breeders will tell you about those!

And you will see plenty of similar hereditary problems (and more) in any doctors waiting room!!

Of course you will see sick animals in a vets waiting room :doh::wall:

Frugalista

thorsoak wrote: »

90% of the "pedigree" dogs that you see in the vet's waiting room will be those bred by backyard breeders - who think "ooh yes - my dog's a pedigree - let's find another pedigree and get some money from the pups"!

Good breeders will have their dogs not just health-tested, they will have screened their dogs for the inherent breed problems - they willl know what they are and will pay out hundreds (£250 for hip scoring, another £120 for elbow scoring plus another £35 for eye testing - required annually-if not genetically clear for a labrador for example).

I own two beautiful labs, they come from the same kennels although they do not carry the same lines - but I've decided not to breed from them, even though their hip and elbow scores are excellent and both are genetically clear of eye problems - because (1) the b-1-tch is a little on the small side and (2) because of my age (I'll be 70 next year) I am not in a situation where I wish to keep another puppy and (3) might not be able to take back any puppy resulting from such a litter if a problem were to arise at any time in the lifetime of any puppy from such a litter.

That's what responsible owners who do show their dogs do. They breed only when they have a GOOD example of the breed, and when they themselves want to have a puppy.


PS: hope to go to Crufts on two days next year - Gun dogs and pastoral !!

Excellent post - though I fear it will fall on deaf ears .

I will also be there on pastoral day (haven't missed a single Crufts for over 30 years ) - so if con manages to get there too, maybe we could have a mini meet. I know where we can get free coffee .

con1888

Hopefully will manage it If so will be sure to be there for pastoral day. Will update nearer the time of course but counting on a doggy loving friend coming with, here's hoping

Wellyboots6

I am hoping to go along as I have never been to anything like that before, should be interesting!

Oh, and Con.... more pictures!!

Frugalista

Those of you who are travelling long distances - it may be worth getting in touch with your local canine society as quite a few of them organise coaches for the different days. Scotland is particularly good for this.

That way you would cut the travelling costs; be able to relax/sleep for most of the journey and get to meet plenty of hopeful exhibitors and their dogs en route. The only downside (depending on your viewpoint) is that if someone on your coach wins Best of Breed you have to stay until after the group has been judged.

It's a great, cost effective way to get there and to make lots of new contacts involved in the show world.