Crufts 2015

fiounnalbe

My main problem with grooming is just the extremity of it, like the woman who won BiB was literally brushing down his coat every 2 seconds, I dont think they should be judged on whether every fur strand is straight but rather on how healthy their fur is overall. It almost make a farce of the situation, like its a beauty pageant.

My biggest gripe was not with the handlers and dogs (although there were a few prodders and pokers who should be reprimanded) my problem lies with the judges. I dont understand how a quick glance in their mouth and 5 sec rub down can tell them which dog is best? Yes they watch their gait too but still if all just seems a bit superficial to me. Not to mention that judge with the Malinois, if he didnt understand basic body language what right did he have judging dogs?? There needs to be higher standards set on judging imo. And consistancy when it come to handling, anyone breaking the rules the judge should DQ them straight away and not ignore it so as not to cause a scene, its the only way people might finally step up, take note and maybe change for the better.

Dont get me wrong, my gripes with Crufts doesnt lie only in the show dogs. Some of the flyball dogs were running back to their owners so quickly they were slamming into the wall, Crufts should ensure there is enough room to have flyball if they are going to do it. Similarly that carpet for agility is shocking, so slippy and dangerous for large dogs jumping quick tight turns. I cant imagine that in 2015 that havent worked out a way to have a safe ground for the dogs, the commentators went on about how they cant change it because it needs to be carlet for the BiB show dogs walking around, thats grand, the NEC is a big place set up another ring.

Knine

I'm actually a judge. There are lots of things I am looking for when judging depending on the breed. By the time the dog has got to Best in Show or the Group, it has already been decided they are (hopefully) an excellent example of their breed. Before I even go over a dog I can tell a lot by looking at them in outline. The judges doing the groups are at the top of their game and probably judging a long time. You can tell an awful lot about a dog in those quick examinations if you know your breed standard.

A good handler should not be constantly poking or prodding their dog but nerves may play a part at that very high level.

kylith

I did change the channel and it happened to be on the “best in show” where the black Scottie won… im going to have to be honest when I was watching she kept kind of poking to poor dog (he didn’t look happy at all).. she kept trying to get him to stand or move his bum.. just a really swift quick poke.. so quick you can barely see it (look atthe footage again and tell me if im right)… then when she picked him up by his tail… im sorry but she needs slap…

She didn't look happy at all, did she? I occasionally bump into a guy walking a Scottie near my house at it seems a really playful lump, a proper clown. Knopa just looked, well, resigned. I saw no emotion in her at all.

fiounnalbe

Knine wrote: »

I'm actually a judge. There are lots of things I am looking for when judging depending on the breed. By the time the dog has got to Best in Show or the Group, it has already been decided they are (hopefully) an excellent example of their breed. Before I even go over a dog I can tell a lot by looking at them in outline. The judges doing the groups are at the top of their game and probably judging a long time. You can tell an awful lot about a dog in those quick examinations if you know your breed standard.

A good handler should not be constantly poking or prodding their dog but nerves may play a part at that very high level.

Im sure there are some excellent judges yourself included. But I wasnt impressed with the standard of what I saw in the what were being sold as the greatest dog show in the world. The Malinois judge failed to notice how uncomfortable that dog was and kept at him. The BiB judge blantently ignored the terrible handling of the Scottie. It just not good enough at such a big world wide event, where they should be grabbing every opportunity possible to demonstrate good ownership and handling.

And nerves are simply no excuse for poking and prodding your dog. If you cant handle nerves without taking it out on your dog you shouldnt be in the ring.

ABajaninCork

Yes. Coming here was a huge shock to the system!!

Finding dog-friendly places to go is an absolute nightmare as I've said before. If it wasn't for some of the people here on Boards, we'd be seriously struggling. There's whole websites and directories at home in the UK devoted to dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and pubs


The prices for some of the dog food here is horrendous, especially as the E is now so weak against the £. I buy a lot of the doggy stuff online and pay in £. One good thing about here is the fact I can buy the wormers and flea treatments over the counter, rather than waiting for a vet's 'script as we do in the UK.

cocker5

fiounnalbe wrote: »

Im sure there are some excellent judges yourself included. But I wasnt impressed with the standard of what I saw in the what were being sold as the greatest dog show in the world. The Malinois judge failed to notice how uncomfortable that dog was and kept at him. The BiB judge blantently ignored the terrible handling of the Scottie. It just not good enough at such a big world wide event, where they should be grabbing every opportunity possible to demonstrate good ownership and handling.

And nerves are simply no excuse for poking and prodding your dog. If you cant handle nerves without taking it out on your dog you shouldnt be in the ring.

Couldn't agree with you more... nerves are no excuse whatsoever... pity the dog didn't turn around and give her a good bite.. she how she likes it.

cocker5

kylith wrote: »

She didn't look happy at all, did she? I occasionally bump into a guy walking a Scottie near my house at it seems a really playful lump, a proper clown. Knopa just looked, well, resigned. I saw no emotion in her at all.

opps that she was a he!! i just feel sorry for the dog....

Knine

fiounnalbe wrote: »

Im sure there are some excellent judges yourself included. But I wasnt impressed with the standard of what I saw in the what were being sold as the greatest dog show in the world. The Malinois judge failed to notice how uncomfortable that dog was and kept at him. The BiB judge blantently ignored the terrible handling of the Scottie. It just not good enough at such a big world wide event, where they should be grabbing every opportunity possible to demonstrate good ownership and handling.

And nerves are simply no excuse for poking and prodding your dog. If you cant handle nerves without taking it out on your dog you shouldnt be in the ring.

The Best in Show judge is a terrier specialist. There are several terriers designed to be grabbed by the tail in a working situation. The Scotty is one of them. I don't like that style of handling at all & it is acceptable in the US where she is from. It is frowned upon in the UK. She is a professonal handler. I agree especially since she was warned that she should not have done it. I did not see the Mal in the group.

fiounnalbe

Terrier specialist or not it is clearly written in the rules that the handling is not allowed, as a top judge he should be familiar with these rules and enforce them.

Knine

fiounnalbe wrote: »

Terrier specialist or not it is clearly written in the rules that the handling is not allowed, as a top judge he should be familiar with these rules and enforce them.

The problem is that it is not actually a rule at the moment, hence she did not break any rules. You can bet it will be next year though!

fiounnalbe

Knine wrote: »

The problem is that it is not actually a rule at the moment, hence she did not break any rules. You can bet it will be next year though!

Oh i apologise, I misread the post crufts put up on facebook, when I read it originally I thought they said there were rules however its actually states only guidance. Heres hoping they do learn from this and chane the rules next year!

Knine

I really hope so too.

muddypaws

fiounnalbe wrote: »

Terrier specialist or not it is clearly written in the rules that the handling is not allowed, as a top judge he should be familiar with these rules and enforce them.

Knine wrote: »

The problem is that it is not actually a rule at the moment, hence she did not break any rules. You can bet it will be next year though!

Are you sure? It was stated very clearly in the paperwork sent out to all exhibitors that terriers were not allowed to be picked up by the tail.

Knine

Yeah see attached picture.

Galway K9

muddypaws wrote: »

Are you sure? It was stated very clearly in the paperwork sent out to all exhibitors that terriers were not allowed to be picked up by the tail.

It said 'not necessary' rather than 'not permitted'

ACD

I was showing at Crufts this year for a first time and have to say that both myself and my dog enjoyed it. The whole day is about him, he gets attention, a ton of treats, rubs from other people and he likes being in the ring. Shame I can't post a video of him running in the ring wagging his tail, he loves it
As for show dogs being mistreated, I agree it shouldn't happen at all, however I'm sure that there's plenty of purely pet dogs who are mistreated as well, so it's not only show people who are bad (not all and not all the time of course)
I own a short coated breed, so not much grooming (if any), I actually didn't even give him a bath, just grabbed the dog, show bag and off we went
Other than that, he lives a very normal life, goes for walks, runs in the fields, plays fetch, trains agility and sleeps on the sofa

And here's a photo from the ring, one happy smiley dog

ABajaninCork

Aw ACD!! Didn't know you were showing, otherwise we'd have come to see your dog and cheer him on!

How's my boy Green Puppy getting on in his new home?

ACD

Shame, I was so busy with everything I didn't think of mentioning here that I was going Maybe next year Green Boy's doing great, he went to Tipperary and accompanies his owner everywhere even to work, I'm getting regular updates and pictures and he looks sooo happy. I think I picked the right home for him

ABajaninCork

Brilliant news! I'm so happy for him!!