Anyone Watching Crufts?

[Cazgar]

I used to show,breed, & work German pointers.
I miss it, but have to admit, Crufts now & the whole showing thing is detrimental to a lot of breeds

 

[Flubberlump]

I agree, there are so many people who are only interested in breeding dogs to win ribbons, with no thought about the health of the breed. Some of the standards have been changed with this in mind though, like for British Bulldogs. I used to work with dogs, and met so many breeders like that. They're not all bad though, I know other breeders who think the world of their dogs, like I'm sure you do.

 

[Cazgar]

I have no doubt they love their dogs.
The kennel club say they're going to do something about the exaggerations in some breeds.
This year at Crufts some dogs have been eliminated from competing because of health issues, so that at least is something.

I'm proud to say all the pups I bred have been fit for purpose, & able to do the job they were intended to do.

 

[Flubberlump]

That is definitely something, I think it's great that the health issues have come to light and have been recognised by the kennel club.
I understand the reasons for the standards, and some beautiful dogs are the result, it only becomes a problem when things go too far and the standard causes health problems. There are some very worthy winners though. The health of the dog is something that they take into consideration now though, so things are changing.

Do you still keep German Pointers?

 

[Cazgar]

Unfortunately no.
I lost my last one 2 years ago at the age of 14 & as I'm of a certain age it wouldn't be fair for me to have another as they're such an active breed although mine loved to curl up on the sofa most of the time, however out on walks they'd be specks in the distance

 

[Flubberlump]

Oh I'm sorry. I know a few people with pointers, they're so full of character! I've looked after a few as well, I used to work in a quarantine kennels.

I love working breeds. They're just so intelligent. My inlaws have a springer, and he's exactly the same on walks. They live not far from Aberdeen, so the dogs get long walks in the forest. The springer will disappear so you can't see or hear him, and then you'll hear him bark from miles away. It's eerie because it echoes around you. One whistle and he's back at your side within seconds though.

I haven't had a dog since I was a child. It wouldn't be fair to have one now as my partner and I both work long hours. I can't wait for the day circumstances change and I can start thinking about it though. I have my heart set on a border collie, they're 'my breed' as they say.

 

[Cazgar]

I do miss them, each one had a character all their own
One especially used to love my mother & seemd to understand her disability.
Like you with your border collie, my pointers were "my" breed.
Having grown up with toy dogs(my mother used to breed & show them)
I wanted a "real" dog & German pointers were it, I used to love watching them work.
I live by Formby pinewoods, it's natural trust land, hundreds of acres of pine forest & beach to walk them in, I was fit then lol
My girls from right to left
Chloe, Katie, Sasha & Leah

 

[Flubberlump]

They're beautiful bet they enjoyed those walks! I love pictures like that, with the whole 'gang'. My old bosses used to breed Rottweilers, and they had a photo of all 8 of them on the wall in their office, pride of place above the desk. You can even see their individual personalities in the photo.

It amazes me sometimes how animals tune into illness and disability. I know someone who's cats yowl to warn others before he has a seizure, truly incredible.

It's so funny that you should use the term 'real dogs', I use that term all the time! Some people love toy dogs because they're small and cuddly, but I always say that I prefer 'real dogs' lol. Glad I'm not the only one.

 

[Cazgar]

The first dog I remember was a Gsd, then a pyrenean, then mother went with toys, she had a kennel over over 50 of them.
I still remember the yapping, so it was a proper dog for me after that.
I love all dogs but the ones I wanted to live with were proper dogs, although I'm looking forward to walking my friends cocker/poodle cross once she's old enough

 

[Flubberlump]

My dog was a good old Heinz 57. The first breed I remember being aware of was a yellow lab, then a rottweiler, then an alsatian. I'm the same, I love all dogs, but I personally would rather have a proper dog. Although I'd possibly make an exception for a dachshund, they're personalities are hilarious. Very entertaining.

I can relate to the yapping. I used to walk into a kennel block full of yorkies, westies, jack russells, and other small dogs every morning when they wanted to be let out and to be fed. My ears have only just recovered lol! It was certainly easier on the ears walking into the block of bigger dogs! Or the cattery haha.

I walk my friends' springer puppy sometimes, I find it very therapeutic. I'm lucky to live in the countryside.

 

[Cazgar]

I wanted the Irish Water Spaniel to get BIS, but then I'm biased towards gundogs, the Newfie was lovely too

 

[fluttermoth]

I thought the Lhasa Apso would win, even though I wanted the Borzoi to get it (sighthounds are 'my thing' )!

Some very nice dogs this year; it does look (*crosses fingers*) that they're working more towards getting rid of some of the worst of the inbred deformities. Let's hope so anyway.

I noticed how different the show greyhound is to my ex racer; I think we should work harder at 'restoring' breeds to more as they were when they were actually working, rather than just being bred for looks.

Cazgar, your GSPs were beautiful, lovely dogs.

 

[Flubberlump]

Aww I haven't watched any yet, got it recorded though, it's ready and waiting I agree about the show/working dogs. That's exactly what's happened with many breeds, like springer spaniels, cocker spaniels and British bulldogs. The show dogs are totally different to the working ones. IMO, the working dogs look better, but that's just me. Can't be said for all working breeds though, like GSPs, Rottweilers and Siberian huskies. They're all still beautiful and as nature intended.

Edit: and border collies of course.

 

[moochy13]

my grandad had 2 bulldogs, a male that was bred from a show winning male, and a girl who he took as she was too old to breed from or something. the male, Winston obviously, was mega, but my grandad knew he took on a puppy with health problems. he had some sort of throat problem i think, which manifested after about 4 years, and ended his life within another 2 (put down obviously). he was such a beast, but so friendly - except as a puppy (a term used in relation to his age, and definitely NOT his size ) he always had a taste for your socks, particuarly if your feet were still in them.

peggy, the girl, was put down a year or 2 afterwards, just general old dog health problems i think.

 

[Flubberlump]

Just watched the first episode, I knew that pomeranian was going to win 1st n the toy category. Like I said I'm not really a huge small dog fan, but I do have a soft spot for poms.

The Japanese Akita and Shiba Inu in the utility group were stunning!

I love to watch the agility and flyball too, the dogs have so much fun.

I like the fact that the judges have to consider the health of the dog, and that dogs will be disqualified if they're not totally healthy. Looking forward to the gun dogs in the next episode.