March 2017 £ £5.00
This month’s judges’ choice: the elegant yet active Dalmatian
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Contents Opinion From a member of the Board
4
Gil Simpson reflects on the great progress of breed health
Contents
March 2017
Anglian Staffordshire Bull 20East Terrier Display Team
The display team showcase the talents of this characterful breed
6Viewpoint
23Living life to the full
7Letters and news
Health matters Give a dog a genome — one year on
Simon Parsons discusses how Crufts is a huge opportunity for positive coverage about purebred dogs
Our readers’ views and opinions, and news from the dog world
Special features A force for good
8
A profile of top judge, producer, and true dog-lover Gavin Robertson
11
Expanding our knowledge base
Exhibitors who stop at nothing to get involved in dog showing
18
Preparing your dog
12
An update on the innovative project to learn more about canine genetics
Judges’ choice Dalmatian
24
The breed standard, preserving the Dalmatian’s role as a carriage dog, plus breed experts pick their three favourite show dogs
16
Vulnerable breeds
Online learning resource, the Kennel Club Academy is growing in size and popularity
1450 not out!
As his 50th Crufts approaches, Bill Moores shares his best memories of the world’s biggest dog show
16Vulnerable breeds
23
There’s still work to do to protect diverse breeds around the world
your dog for the biggest 18Preparing show in the world Attention to presentation can help your dog to catch the judge’s eye
The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB www.thekennelclub.org.uk Chairman: Simon Luxmoore Vice Chairman: Steve Croxford Chief Executive: Rosemary Smart Secretary: Caroline Kisko Customer services: 01296 318540 Petlog Main Number: 01296 336579 Petlog Lost & Found: 01296 737600 Library/Gallery: 020 7518 1009 Insurance Enquiries: 0800 369 9445 The Kennel Club
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Editor: Carrie Thomas Editorial Co-ordinator: Sara Wilde Editorial Panel: Bill Moores (Chairman), Ian Gabriel, Philippa Gilbert, Robert Greaves, Revd Bill King, Gay Robertson
Living life to the full
8
A force for good
Editorial enquiries: kennel.gazette@thekennelclub.org.uk The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB Subscriptions: 020 7518 1016 subs@kennelgazette.org.uk Kennel Gazette is published monthly on behalf of the Kennel Club by BPG Media www.bpgmedia.co.uk To advertise contact Andrea Walters a.walters@bpgmedia.co.uk Printed by Warners Midlands Plc Kennel Gazette is the monthly publication of the Kennel Club. Views and opinions expressed within the Kennel Gazette are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kennel Club. Cover photograph: Philcarthom Xcaliber at Finnidal, ‘Flekk’ pictured here chasing
a ball at 20 months. Flekk is Norwegian for Spot and he has qualified for Crufts each year since 2014. Flekk has completed his Good Citizen Dog Scheme Silver Award and is also a carriage dog in training, as he has completed 1000 miles on the British Carriage Dog Society DaliMiles scheme. (See page 26 for more information on Carriage Dog Trials). Photographer: ©Ann Hurst Ann started photographing Dalmatians when they got their first boy Finn in 2000. It wasn’t until they got Flekk that they started showing and she began taking her camera to shows so that she could learn about Dalmatian conformation. As a lot of the championship shows were in the winter she realised that she needed a better camera, so got one that could cope with low-light situations. Ann will be around the Dalmatian ring at Crufts this year taking photos as well as showing Flekk.
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On my mind
There’s been great progress in the drive to produce ‘fit for function’ dogs
GIL SIMPSON
G
il became involved with show dogs in 1979 when she bought her first Weimaraner Denmo Raspberry Highball from Denise Mosey. Showing was not on the agenda at that time, but after a trip to Crufts Gil decided to have a go at Leeds Championship Show, and came home with a red card and that all-important Crufts qualifier, and was well and truly hooked. Her first litter was going to be outstanding, but as she soon learned science is not a substitute for experience and although the litter made lovely pets, they were not show champion material. Since then, Gil has produced numerous show champions and many champions under the Sireva kennel name. She feels it is very important to keep the Weimaraner as a true dual-purpose dog, still capable of doing a day’s work and reaching the top in the show ring. Gil works her Weimaraners during the season, and although not a committed field trialer, was awarded a third in a novice trial, which was as much of a thrill to her as winning the CC at Crufts! As well as Weimaraners she has had German Shorthaired Pointers, Labradors, Sussex Spaniels and Hungarian Vizslas. She judges all the gundogs and awards CCs in six breeds. Gil qualified as a vet in 1977, and after working in a mixed practice, she started her own small animal practice in Yeadon and developed a special interest in canine reproduction. She became a member of the Kennel Club in 1996 and soon was serving on the Show Executive Sub Committee. In 1999 she was elected on to the General Committee, and more recently Crufts Committee and the Dog Health Group.
By Gil Simpson
L
ooking back over the years, I cannot believe the amount of work that has taken place at the Kennel Club and within breed clubs regarding health and welfare. As we all know that ‘programme’ gave everyone an extra kick, though the Kennel Club was well under way with changes to breed health long before it was aired. In any breed it is all too easy not to notice potential harmful trends creeping into the dogs and this is where the all-rounder judges can be so vital in picking up unwanted exaggerations. One of my jobs as a member of the then General Committee, was to watch some of the high profile breeds at Crufts. It was a very interesting exercise to sit and watch a breed that I was not familiar with, from the start to the finish of judging. Some of the breeds really were in trouble, unsoundness due to poor conformation, excessive skin folds, poor respiration, and lack of ground clearance all come to mind. It made me question what the breeders were doing to their breeds as they did not seem to see that there was a major problem. The Kennel Club initiated a lot of health-related projects including the introduction of the category 3 vet check for the high profile breeds. This was not initially welcomed but it has made a huge difference. The breed judges have played a vital role by not awarding top prizes to dogs with health concerns, as they soon found out that if a dog was presented for a vet check and with a visible health problem, it would fail. I am the vet at a couple of shows and most of the owners who come with their dogs appreciate that the vet checks have helped to improve the health and welfare of their breed. But some breeders still do not understand how they could improve the lives of their dogs without losing breed type, for instance, pick the puppy that has more open nostrils so it can breathe more easily, watch the weight of the giant breeds, fat is not the same as body, and you must make sure that their construction is correct; soundness
must be the main concern with giant breeds. I have been impressed by the work of a number of the breed clubs who have set up health schemes for their breeds, encourage research into health concerns, and very importantly educate the judges, exhibitors and breeders. The commitment to improve the health and welfare of their breeds is amazing and I congratulate them. Chinese Cresteds, Clumber Spaniels, French Bulldogs and most recently Basset Hounds have made such demonstrable improvements that they have now moved off the high profile list and are now category 2. They will still be monitored but very well done and keep up the good work. It is vital that the great work that has been done by so many breeders is not undermined by judges
Photo: ©Heather Torrance/The Kennel Club
Photo: ©Marc Henrie/The Kennel Club
From a member of the Board
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On my mind
on the findings. Line breeding can stamp a particular good characteristic in your dogs, and line breeding will not produce monsters if they don’t already exist in your dogs’ DNA. It is important that you know and acknowledge any problems that are in your line, and it would make life easier if all breeders were honest about any health problems that they are aware of in their dogs! There is so much information now that can help breeders in their decisions before carrying out a mating but at the end of the day, it must be their experience and knowledge of the breed that must influence the final choice. I would be very concerned if the Kennel Club started to dictate which mating was allowed and which not. I know that we have banned some close matings, but I hope we do not restrict breeders any more. Science should be a tool for breeders but breeding healthy dogs is not all science, it is experience as well. The latest development that the Kennel Club has embarked on is the Kennel Club
Academy and there are some excellent free films aimed at helping and educating breeders and puppy buyers. I can see a bright future for this type of distance learning; how many miles have we all covered to attend weekend seminars all over the country? Now for some of these topics, you can sit down in your favourite chair, your dogs around you, cup of tea or something stronger at your side, and learn more about our great sport. For one who is a bit of a technophobe I can see some great advantages in using the ever increasing resources of the Kennel Club website. We should be proud of the measures breeds and the Kennel Club have taken and are continuing to do to improve the health and welfare of our dogs. The list of health initiatives goes on and on but in the end it is the breeders who must ensure that they breed healthy ‘fit for function’ dogs and allow the general public to buy Kennel Club registered pedigree dogs with confidence.●
Photos: ©The Kennel Club
falling back into their old ways and allowing exaggerations that may affect the health of the breed to be rewarded at shows. This is where Breed Watch is an important tool to alert judges to unhealthy and unwanted points in a breed. Judges are encouraged to report any particular points of concern that they may find in any breed, not just the high profile breeds. This information can be found on the Kennel Club’s website and all judges should check Breed Watch before fulfilling any appointment so that they are fully aware of any health concerns and do not reward dogs with any Breed Watch concerns. There is so much information about health, genetics and testing on the Kennel Club website and it is accessible for breeders, judges and puppy buyers. Mate Select can show you health-related information about individual dogs and any potential litters. It is a fascinating tool and I would recommend anyone to have a look especially when planning a mating. The health test results finder is easy to use and you can also see the health test pedigree which shows the results from two generations. Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) are beginning to appear for some breeds and I think this is a very exciting development. It will be excellent to be able to use a dog which you know will improve your puppy’s health. Inbreeding coefficients of the sire and dam and any potential pups can be compared to that of your breed and between proposed matings. I am not a great fan of this facility as I do not feel a breeder should plan a litter purely on the merit of this percentage. I have had long and deep discussions with many in the veterinary profession about inbreeding coefficients and I am still to be convinced that I should put much weight
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint By Simon Parsons
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n our Crufts issue I make no apology for returning to the theme which I’ve been accustomed to writing about in both the Kennel Gazette and Dog World year after year. Opportunities for the pedigree dog world to shine in the eyes of the public are, sadly, few and far between. Can you remember the last time there was a thoroughly positive programme on the television about pedigree dogs, except during the Crufts week? I can’t. There is plenty of material about rescue dogs, about badly behaved dogs, puppy farmers, illegal importers, unhealthy dogs and so on. But what about responsible breeders, happy, healthy, clever, good-looking pedigree dogs? When can you watch something about them? This was brought home to me over Christmas when I was able to watch no fewer than four different programmes about another of my interests, ballet, but not a single one extolling the virtues of purebred dogs. Yet a far higher proportion of the public is genuinely interested in dogs, and all they get is negative publicity. So Crufts is our one and only opportunity during the year to put ourselves in front of a wider public. More4 provides generally positive coverage, and hundreds of
journalists are there, the majority of them with no hidden agenda. Gerald King, Vanessa McAlpine and their teams run an immaculate event which is certainly not confined to the show side. Yet in the past two years we – and by ‘we’ I mean the dog-showing community – have managed to undo much of the potential good through some totally unnecessary incidents, all quite beyond the control of the organisers. Sadly it is these things which stay in the public consciousness, far more than the messages regarding responsible breeding and ownership that we hope to get across during this all too short window of opportunity. I guess that in the Kennel Gazette one is in general preaching to the converted, but let’s hope that this year we will all remember that during those four days, it is how we, and the dog world as a whole, are perceived that counts. To take an obvious example, if a dog is unhappy in the ring, especially the big ring, simply withdraw quietly and with dignity. If you want to comment on Facebook or wherever about something that happens, make sure you know all the facts first. Don’t make the task of the Kennel Club press team twice as hard by spreading rumours which may well be totally false.
Anyway, time to stop being pompous and hope for a wonderful show. It’s amazing how much the single word ‘Crufts’ means around the world. I was only recently looking at the websites of a number of wellknown breeders in different breeds, from a variety of countries. Lots of them list all the champion and ‘winner’ titles won by the dogs, their group wins and so on, but in many cases the boldest type is reserved for the words ‘Qualified for Crufts’! Let’s make sure the show remains the greatest of them all. z If you haven’t done so already please remember to fill out the online Kennel Gazette readership survey as we would appreciate some feedback on how you find the magazine. The survey is completely anonymous and will only take a few minutes to complete. Please visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G327GST
SIMON PARSONS Simon Parsons has owned a variety of breeds but his first loves are the Corgis. He is associate editor of Dog World and awards Challenge Certificates in 13 breeds. In 2014 he instigated the revival of the Kennel Gazette
Photos: ©The Kennel Club
Have your say… if you have a question, comment, or viewpoint regarding any features or articles within the Kennel Gazette please contact the editor on kennel.gazette@thekennelclub.org.uk
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Special feature
Vulnerable breeds If we want our diverse breeds of dog to survive around the world, we need to shape their future By Julien Barney
Photo: courtesy of Julien Barney
I
Dandie Dinmont Terrier owners coming together at The Haining estate
was that these animals were increasingly becoming less fertile. So AI is used as a solution, but within a couple of generations they start to see problems in declining yields; health and herds can be decimated. While the FAO’s decision not to include dogs in its programme might be explained from the perspective that they add nothing to the world’s food supplies, it must be remembered that many breeds of dogs have been developed in the world to help in animal agriculture, shepherding and
Photo: © OnEdition
wish I could say that things have changed for the better since the Native Vulnerable Breeds list was published back in 2003. There has definitely been improved media awareness of the plight of these breeds, with some breeds working hard to become more inclusive of a bigger pet population. A perfect example of this was the recent gathering in the Scottish Borders at The Haining estate, with over 65 Dandie Dinmont Terrier owners coming together to celebrate their association with the estate and the first Dandie Dinmont Terrier being born there. To put that in context, at the SKC show in May, only 14 attended, so while showing is important in many respects we must start to look at the bigger picture around vulnerable breeds and their world populations, in terms of breeding pool size, genetic diversity, health, and so on. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) set up a programme of monitoring every type of domesticated animal except dogs. It found that while breeding domesticated animals on a mass scale, for milk, meat, egg production and so on had increased yield, the downside
Winners from the 2016 Vulnerable Breeds Competition, Gordon Setter Sh Ch Lourdace Fulcrum JW, with David Alcorn, and Welsh Corgi Cardigan, Ch Joseter Mr Blobby with Peter Clifton, judge Ronnie Irving, Vince Hogan Our Dogs MD and Jose Ibanez from Eukanuba
guarding herds from predators. However we are finding more and more uses for man’s best friend. They are used for police and military work, drugs, bombs, cancer detection and so the list grows. In my view we must do something to protect not just our own indigenous breeds but also all the others around the world that have something of great value to offer. One ground-breaking example is the work of NordGen, in Norway, and the Finnish National Animal Genetic Resources Programme to protect the indigenous Nordic dog breeds. The Norwegian Lundehund Club, working with the project, has put in place a breeding programme to help save this traditional hunting breed. Originally used to catch puffins during the harsh winters, hunting was banned and the dogs were no longer of any use and just
“...we must start to look at the bigger picture around vulnerable breeds and their world populations...”
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Special feature
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another mouth to feed. The population declined to just half a dozen, but from this they managed to revive the breed to a point, although with such high inbreeding there was a high puppy mortality rate and other specific health issues. In 2013 the club decided to do an outcross with the aim of keeping as much of the existing gene pool, but adding more diversity to improve health and fertility. There have only been two litters so far with eight puppies, so no quick fix here! Is it worth it? To the scientists and the Norwegians it must be! Following the sequencing of the canine genome, and the related research into disease in dogs, scientists have used dogs as models for studies into genetic disorders in humans. Because of the close gene pools in a number of breeds it makes it much quicker to identify mutations in dogs. The scale of this is quite frightening: of the 663 genetic traits and disorders identified to date in dogs, 367 have the potential to help humans. When the list of 28 Vunerable Breeds was first identified by the Kennel Club it was a very focused and crude view of vulnerability within the indigenous breeds of this country. However as time and technology have moved on it is becoming apparent that the dog has a major role to play in the development of humankind and not in just being a lapdog! It’s not about the connection the dog has with mankind, the work it can do, or its ability to help in discovering cures for disease, it’s because they are part of our own DNA since the start of time. This, of course, comes at a cost. Purity
and perfection may have to take a back seat, behind breeding for preservation. There is no doubt that when only 40 puppies a year are registered, issues of inbreeding and health must, and will, become a concern. As someone who owns a breed that has an outcross programme in place I do struggle with this. But as time goes on it will become a necessity. What I believe we lack is the know-how and support to do this properly. This is very apparent from the lessons of the Lundehund. I do wonder whether when the world’s organising bodies meet in London in June, hosted by our own Kennel Club, if there is an opportunity to put this subject onto the agenda. Do we want the 400-plus breeds that are in the world still to be here in years to come? If so, these Kennel Clubs and other interested stakeholders need to be involved in shaping the future. How can they work together to start creating a strategic programme for breed preservation? We need to address simple things like what are the world populations of particular breeds? What health issues do these breeds face? What research is happening and what best practice can be introduced to take a longterm view of the preservation of not just the vulnerable breeds but all breeds? �
Friday, 10th March will see the grand final of the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition at Crufts 2017. This competition took place for the first time in 2016 and is sponsored by Eukanuba and run in conjunction with media partner Our Dogs. It helps raise much-needed awareness of rare and native breeds and recognises those dedicated to ensuring their continued survival. Throughout 2016 exhibitors have been competing to collect the highest number of points for their breed from championship and open shows up and down the country. The top scoring dog from each breed will go head to head to be crowned Best Vulnerable Breed 2016 and Reserve Best Vulnerable Breed 2016. Judged by Stuart Plane this exciting final will be held at 6pm in the Genting Arena, so if you are visiting Crufts this year make sure you go along. For more information on the Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ vulnerablebreedscompetition.
JULIEN BARNEY Julien Barney is a boarding kennels owner and has spent his whole life involved in the dog world, showing, breeding and judging as well as writing on the subject for both the dog papers. He owns two of the vulnerable breeds on the list
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Book reviews
Book corner The Kennel Club Library is Europe’s largest collection of canine literature and these two books are recent additions to its shelves
Book off the shelf If you’ve read a dog book that you would like to tell our readers about, please let our editor know
Reviews by Bill Moores
Staffordshire Bull Terriers: a practical guide for owners and breeders By James Beaufoy (Crowood Press)
Q
uite simply a book that should be on the shelf and a constant reference for all Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners and enthusiasts. Author James Beaufoy takes the reader through a history of the breed, the requirements of the breed standard, the ever-important section on puppy choice and selection, and all the relevant chapters such as diet and training, to the art of showing. I read this book with great interest and within weeks of good friends taking in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier bitch from an RSPCA rescue centre. Her sad story, from terrible abuse to a life as a much-loved pet with a huge house and several acres to explore could be a book in itself.
This much misunderstood and much maligned breed needs all the help it can get and if every potential owner was encouraged to read, digest and understand Beaufoy’s words there would be fewer abused Staffordshire Bull Terriers in rescue today. As the author rightly points out all owners and enthusiasts have a part to play in this and along with ownership comes a responsibility which sometimes is either not understood or is disregarded. All in all a good, well-illustrated book written by a breed specialist and senior authority who has done what so many others should have done — given others the benefit of his knowledge and experience. Well done James.
Tara: the terrier who sailed around the world By Rosemary & Robert Forrester (Hubble & Hattie)
I
f you need an adventure book for the long winter evenings, and one which includes a dog central to the whole story, then this is the book for you. After the early death of a close relative the authors decided to fulfil their lifelong dream to sail around the world. Used to the ex-pat life after running a tour company in Zimbabwe, the novice sailors bought a sturdy ocean-going yacht in Gibraltar, sailed the Atlantic to Barbados and cruised around the Caribbean islands. When you understand that they did all this on the back of running a tour business in Rio de Janeiro you will appreciate that little would faze the intrepid couple. It was a chance visit to Miami to buy
spare parts for the boat’s engine that prompted Robert to buy a terrier puppy for his wife and it is here the real story begins! We learn of the difficulties of using vets from some of the more remote areas of the world; the tricky parts of traversing the Panama Canal; corrupt officials from customs to an island chief who charges $10 for running a dog on ‘his’ beach! They enjoyed and endured some amazing and life-threatening adventures crossing the Pacific to Northern Australia and on to Phuket. The book is well illustrated with appealing photos of Tara after her many adventures. Credit must go to the joint authors for a book well written.
The Kennel Club Library is happy to welcome visitors and help with research. It holds information on every Kennel Club recognised breed and also covers a whole host of dog topics, such as training, breeding, shows, field trials, and other activities, health and veterinary care, dogs in art, and even dogs in literature. Opening hours by appointment: Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm. Contact us: library@thekennelclub.org.uk
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