United Kingdom Review 2012

by Kerry L Rushby

In 2012, the dog showing world was turned upside down with the Kennel Club taking action on having vet health checks on the listed high profile breeds. At Crufts in March 2012, six of the breeds listed in the High Profile Breeds, failed the vet checks and were not permitted to participate in group competition. Understandably, this caused a huge upset across the sport and rumor said to have dog shows boycotted and enthusiasts give up the love of the sport because of the reasoning behind the vet checks. On a positive note, the Canine Alliance group, set up in the UK has received tremendous support and a very strong panel of committee people who are there to drive the group and maintain a reasonable negotiation with the Kennel Club about how this can be solved in the future. Regular meetings for the CA and the KC are continuing and progress on this for the future will be announced.

The Kennel Clubs end of year report reads that at the end of the first year of vet health examinations for Best of Breed winners from the 14 high profile breeds, the figures show that of the 345 examinations that took place in the year (Including the last show of the Year, LKA), 330 dogs were passed fit to gain the BOB award and compete in their respective group, with only 15 examinations resulting in the dog being failed on the day. This represents a 96% pass rate and is an indication of the overall standard of health presented from the dogs involved. Owners and exhibitors of the dogs who have won in the high profile breeds at the shows during the year have come forward to have their dogs health checked by the vet, prior to group judging. However, six potential exhibitors chose not to have the vet health check and not claim their Best of Breed award.

In July 2012, the Chinese Crested which was one of the listed High Profile Breeds, have now been removed with immediate effect. The reasoning for them being listed was due to the concerns about the shaving of some dogs for exhibition. The General Committee is now satisfied that this issue is no longer of sufficient concern for the breed to remain on the HPB list and was removed immediately. Great to hear that four breeds have achieved 100% pass rate during the year, a further six recording only 1 failure across the breed during the year.

Meanwhile, The Kennel Club have encouraged seminars with the breeds involved for the Judges, Breeders and veterinary profession and has already shown good progress which is evident in the show ring now.

Falling entries

In the UK, we are very fortunate to have wet weather rings for the shows outside, and of course excellent buildings for shows that are done inside. However during 2012, the UK was hit by some treacherous weather and significantly, this affected the attendance of some of the major championship shows. One of the worst hit shows for the year was Blackpool in June. The three day show began on Friday and exhibitors attended the show in the early morning. It was difficult to understand how a month worth of rain had fell in the few hours of that morning in the North Westregion of the UK. Although the society and committee did the best they could to enable people to still show their dogs, all breeds were judged, the groups were judged and after the first day exhibition, it was decided by the officers and committee that for the safety of the public, the show was to be cancelled for the next two days. All awards from the first day were carried, however the entered exhibitors of the next two days could not be judged even though their entry fees were paid in advance. A press release from the Secretary informed exhibitors that the entry fees will not be reimbursed for exhibitors, but a solution for the next years show will be discussed and we will be informed. The offer for the 2013 show has informed last years none judged exhibitors that reduced entry fees are available and subsequent entries with the same dog into the show are free of charge.

Of the exhibitors who were judged on the day, are now asking why they cannot have reduced fee for struggling to park, get through the mud and rain, cold and wet weather during the stormy day. Others feel that at least these dogs were judged and they paid their money and took the chances.

Another factor of falling entries is for exhibitors calling for the KC to introduce a Champions class. Many feel that Champions dominate the Open class and dogs which are on 1 or 2 CCs cannot claim that top award to declare them Champions for getting past the top winning Champions that stand before them. The KC feel that this will change the show scene radically and serious thought and discussion will have to take place before any decision is made. Once again this thought has split the views and opinions of the dog showing enthusiasts and whichever decision (if any) is made, will not favor everyone involved.

Of the 38 General and Group listed Ch. Shows available during 2012, records have it that more than 20 different breeds have taken Best in Show at these shows. Completing 2012 as Top Dog all breeds UK was the Crufts Reserve Best in Show winner 2011, Ch. Soletrader Peek A Boo, owned and bred by Gavin and Sara Robertson and co owned with Wendy Doherty. ‘Jilly’ shot to fame in 2011 when taking the RBIS spot at Crufts under Paulo Dondina from Italy and she has continued to dominate the ring with her exuberant ring presence, effortless movement and correct breed type. Jilly will make her last appearance at Crufts this coming March before taking out some well earned retirement from the ring. Other multiple Best in Show winning dogs from the year also include Lee Cox and Tom Isherwood’s Toy Poodle, Ch. Vanitonia You’ll See ‘Graham’ Runner Up Top Dog All Breeds for 2012, multiple group and BIS winner and Club specialty winner, Graham recently won Best Toy Poodle at the annual Poodle of the Year event, and bowed out in fashion with a lap of honor, as Lee and Tom announced his retirement from the ring. Breaking records in 2012 and a breed which originates from the UK, the Gordon Setter – Pete and Chris Sandiford’s Sh Ch. Hernwood Talladega Racer JW ShCM, handled by Claire Lewis. This was the first time that any Gordon Setter in the UK took an All Breeds Best in Show.

Good things came at Crufts when the Lhasa Apso, Ch. Zentarr Elizabeth, owned by Margaret Anderson won her way to Best in Show selected by top UK judge Frank Kane. Elizabeth is the second Lhasa Apso to win the top spot, the first being Jean Blyth’s Ch. Saxonsprings Hackensack, handled by Geoff Corish, who will this year be the decider of the Crufts Best in Show winner.

The forthcoming show season is now upon us here in the UK. The changes to DEFRA’s importation of dogs law has seen a huge increase of overseas dogs coming into the UK for the improvement of breeding programs for breeders throughout the UK. Lets hope that as a nation we can all work together with breeders, breed clubs, the KC and the Canine Alliance and work together to support the sport we all love and enjoy – Pedigree Dogs.

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Posted by admin on Jan 21 2013. Filed under Featured, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.