February 2017 £5 00 £5.00
The rise of the Livestock Guardian Dogs
The friendly and good natured English Setter The official publication of the Kennel Club 1 KC Feb JH.indd 1
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Contents
Contents
February 2017
Opinion From a member of the Board
Club Question Time 20 Kennel visits Cumbria
Crufts’ Chairman Gerald King on what is a brilliant team effort
Where everything from judges and judging to brachycephalic breeds was up for discussion
6 Viewpoint
Health matters Is he hurting?
4
Advice from Simon Parsons for all those trying to work out a way forward for dog showing
12
News & comment Political progress
21
7
Catch up on the latest dog-related news from Westminster
10
Letters and comment
Remembering the struggle for women to become Kennel Club members
18
Puppy socialisation
Don’t let your dog suffer in silence
Art & culture English Setter porcelain models Among the Kennel Club’s stunning collection of dog figurines
Judges’ choice English Setter
24
The breed standard, breed experts pick their favourite dogs, plus a closer look at the working side of the breed
8
Best in Show judge Crufts 2017
17 Remember when…
Step back in time and discover what was making headlines 100 and 25 years ago
Special features Best in Show judge Crufts 2017
8
An insight to the man who’ll be in the spotlight at this year’s show
rise of the livestock 14 The guardians An age-old tradition that’s still alive and flourishing today
18 Investment for life
Truly understanding the meaning of socialisation is key to producing sociable, happy pups
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 @Kclovesdogs
@Kclovesdogs
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The rise of the livestock guardians
Editor: Carrie Thomas Editorial Co-ordinator: Sara Wilde Editorial Panel: Bill Moores (Chairman), Ian Gabriel, Philippa Gilbert, Robert Greaves, Revd Bill King, Gay Robertson 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
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English Setter
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: Sorbus Storm Ryder JW, ‘Darlow’. Owner Sylvia Cole Photographer: ©Rebecca Goutorbe Photography
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On my mind
From a member of the Board The Chairman of Crufts pays tribute to the hard-working team behind the dog show that’s the envy of the world
Gerald with Oregonian Snow Queen
GERALD KING
G
erald and his wife Diana have been involved with dogs all their lives and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has been their breed for over 50 years, since they bought a puppy while living in Australia and started showing. Both of them award CCs in the breed and are executive committee members of the Welsh Corgi League for which Gerald has served as chairman. Experienced in show management and administration since 1983, Gerald became a member of the Kennel Club in 1993 and was elected to the General Committee in 2003. He sits on a number of committees and boards, and is Chairman of the Kennel Club Training Board, Educational Trust and Young Kennel Club. Having been involved with Crufts since 1994 as a Group Steward through to Chief Steward he was elected as Chairman of Crufts in 2009. Prior to becoming involved with the Kennel Club, Gerald had spent most of his career at IBM, where he developed skills in people management, sales, marketing, finance, project management and good communication, all important skills both for the Board and in particular in running Crufts. Gerald is Chief Steward for Windsor Dog Show and his interest in continuous personal development and voluntary work has seen him serve as Vice-Chairman of Governors at a primary school, as Advanced Skills Governor for failing schools and a Business Mentor for the Prince’s Trust.
contacting breed clubs for Discover Dogs and breed club stands, marketing and booking trade stands, communicating to judges and all show officials. The most important aspect is follow up meetings with sponsors and confirming their commitment for future years. This is somewhat different to other major championship shows as this would be the committee’s responsibility. An important subject at committee meetings is the selection of judges and officials, which features on most agendas in addition to the other items of business. The selection of judges for the breeds with Challenge Certificates are nominated four years in advance, and those breeds without championship status are selected approximately two years in advance of each show. Judges have also to be selected for breed stakes classes, activity events, gamekeepers’ classes, international junior handling and Young Kennel Club competitions. This selection process is based on a policy document which is annually reviewed, and final approval is made by the Board. There is also the selection of Board members to judge the trade stands, breed club stands and Discover Dogs breed booth competitions. By the end of the year, the arena programmes have been decided, those taking part contacted, and trophy presenters invited covering each and every event and competition taking place over the four days of the forthcoming show. As we are
Photo: ©RBT
Photo: ©The Kennel Club
C
rufts is truly a multi-million pound international canine event that delivers a world-class show on an annual basis. It welcomes canine competitors and visitors from around the world and in 2016 attracted a record attendance of over 160,000 visitors. I am often asked how the Crufts Committee, in conjunction with the Kennel Club staff, delivers such a high-quality canine event, and on an annual basis, that is the envy of the world. This is down to careful planning, commitment and, most importantly, team work. There is a fourth element, and that is following the ethos of Charles Cruft by always trying to find new ways of enhancing the visitor experience. The Crufts Committee of nine members meets four times per year and functions much like that of any other major championship dog show committee, discussing and agreeing on all aspects of the show. The size and scale of the event is of course unique to Crufts. The first meeting of the year is held on the morning following the last day of the show, when each area is reviewed, any issues are aired, and any changes felt necessary noted for the following year. The planning then starts with Vanessa McAlpine and her team of Cathy Guiver, Andrea Peters, Tracey Harris and Alex Paisey, supported by myself. We have the responsibility of pulling together various elements of the show. This includes layout,
By Gerald King
Crufts Committee
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Photo: ©RBT
On my mind
Vanessa and her Kennel Club Crufts team
dealing with four years of shows at any one time, there is a full business agenda at meetings. At Crufts the members of the committee have the following roles and responsibilities over the four days: Anne Macdonald, Vice-Chairman of the Crufts Committee, together with Tom Mather are responsible for running judges reception from 7am until 10.30am each day. When this is finished they are the main contacts for the group judges should the group judge be needed to referee. Both share, with me, the responsibility of visiting the rings to thank judges and officials. Liz Cartledge is responsible for managing the overseas lounge and organising the International Junior Handling Final. Gil Simpson is responsible for overseeing the Discover Dogs area and the health and welfare of dogs competing in the activity competitions in the arena during the day. Ian Kettle is the first point of contact for any incidents, liaising with the vets for category 3 Best of Breed winners and assisting Anne Bliss when needed. Nick Brooks-Ward has overall responsibility for the smooth running of the arena throughout the show by interfacing with our broadcaster. He manages the timing, and briefs everybody involved on what is going to happen that day, to ensure we deliver a world-class event for the audience in the arena and
our worldwide television audience. Maurice Cooke is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all the activity events in the arena, obedience and Good Citizen Dog Scheme ring. Anne Bliss has overall responsibility for the running of all breed rings during the day to ensure that they run to time and that all Best of Breeds make the group finals. Anne also runs the daily briefing of judges doing groups, stakes classes and Best in Show. Prior to Crufts, Anne works with me in allocating ring stewards, group and assistant group stewards to ensure there is adequate coverage. As Chairman, apart from chairing the meetings both prior to the show and during the show, attending daily briefings, visiting breed rings, YKC, obedience, the veterinary centre, sponsors, helpers in the Discover Dogs area and thanking people in the arena, I am also responsible for show personnel management, the order of judging, breed classification and breed rings and arena timings. Over the years Crufts has introduced a number of new initiatives from canine competitions to Discover Dogs as part of the Kennel Club’s commitment to encouraging responsible dog ownership. The popular Friends for Life competition was introduced in 2004 to give recognition to man’s best friend for bravery, support and companionship. In 2009 Crufts was
streamed online for the first time and this has grown with over 263,900 hours of watched time last year. In 2013 the final of the Scruffts competition was so popular that it moved from Discover Dogs London to Crufts and in 2016 the final of the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition was held for the first time. In 2017 Crufts will be hosting the 10th anniversary of the Eukanuba World Challenge. This will be a fantastic opportunity to have the entire dog world in one place celebrating the most successful and well known dog show in the world. By hosting the distinctive Eukanuba World Challenge it will throw the spotlight on the magnificence of pedigree dogs and enhance the partnership the Kennel Club has with Eukanuba supported by the FCI. The overall success of Crufts is not down to any one person or persons but a team of committed people working together for the betterment of dogs. This team work is reflected in the hard work put in by the small Kennel Club Crufts team, under the leadership of Vanessa McAlpine, working with a dedicated band of committed contractors. They are supported by Kennel Club staff who are heavily involved outside of the show as well as during the show and backed up by the Crufts Committee to ensure that we continue to have a world-class event that is the envy of all. ●
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Viewpoint
By Simon Parsons
S
Viewpoint
hortly before writing this article I was privileged to judge the Christmas final for a club which runs a weekly ringcraft class. Like countless similar societies around the country, this one holds monthly matches combined with the usual class, and the winners in various categories go on to the grand annual final. It struck me that perhaps all of us — the Kennel Club, the press, the big show societies and breed clubs — don’t do enough to look after the interests of the real grass roots of the dog showing world. I suspect a high proportion of the people who attend these classes do not have any huge ambitions within the show world. Especially in the numerically strong breeds, if they can qualify their dog for Crufts, or win some open show BOBs, then that’s a satisfying year. Many of them may not travel a great deal beyond their home region, and depend on a regular supply of open shows to maintain their interest. Some seldom if ever show, but are happy to attend weekly to give themselves and their dogs an evening out and a chance to meet up with friends.
At their Christmas event they lay on an enormous buffet and the number of raffle prizes ensures that no one goes home empty handed. The organisers are truly dedicated, attending week in, week out, with no possible reward in the form of judging appointments as favours returned. Doing their bit for dogs and dog owners is reward enough. To most of those attending, the politics of the dog world is of no interest. They probably have no desire, under the present system at least, to be Kennel Club members, nor to get on that precarious judging ladder. Some of those who start off by going to these events get hooked by the dog world and aim for bigger horizons, yet they would be silly to forget their roots and yes, there is always the need for somewhere to start off getting that next new puppy used to being handled by strangers, dealing with bustle and noise and so on. Many of us, myself included, first met people from other breeds at such classes and if their owners are friendly and prepared to talk, this is where a long-lasting interest in dogs of all breeds can begin, as it did in my case.
Seldom are those who run these events given any serious credit, though the Pawscars event on the eve of Crufts has tried to fill this gap with an award category for Best Training Class. For those trying to work out the way forward for dog showing, perhaps they would do well to visit these events, even more than the open shows, and sound out what ‘dog people’ really want from their governing body z The Kennel Gazette 2017 readership survey is now online. We would greatly appreciate your feedback on how you find reading the Kennel Gazette so that we can continue to produce an enjoyable magazine for all. Please visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G327GST and have your say.
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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Political progress
Political progress By Ed Hayes
Scottish Government to implement electric shock collar restrictions Regular readers of this column will know that the Kennel Club has also been campaigning for a long time for a ban on the use and sale of electric shock collars. Over the past two years the Kennel Club, working with the Scottish Kennel Club, has been especially active in lobbying for a ban in Scotland, arranging events, writing to and meeting with MSPs and the
KC Dog report on dog restrictions launched The Kennel Club is the only organisation routinely monitoring and responding to proposals to restrict the rights of dog walkers to access public spaces such as parks and beaches. The laws on how these restrictions are implemented were changed in October 2014 and since this time we’ve responded to proposals from over 50 separate local authorities. Based on this experience we produced a report entitled ‘Out of Order, The Impact of Access Restrictions on Dogs and their Owners’, which we launched in the House of Commons in October 2016. The report, which can be viewed at www.kcdog.org.uk, covered good and bad practice from councils, including councils which have imposed restrictions without seeking the views of local dog walkers, and those proposing extensive restrictions on where dog walkers may exercise their dogs on and off-lead with little or no evidence to justify the restrictions. We’ve also highlighted examples of local authorities placing unfair and unreasonable restrictions on guide dog, and other assistance dog users. The report included a number of recommendations for local authorities and government which we believe will help reduce the number of unfair restrictions on dog walkers. The report received substantial press coverage, including the front pages of the Telegraph and online newspapers,
and TV coverage on BBC Breakfast, ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Sky News. During 2017 we will continue to lobby on the uptake of the recommendations contained in the report.
Corporation of London Open Spaces In the May 2016 issue of the Gazette we wrote about the Corporation of London seeking additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour on the open spaces they manage in and around London. The powers could be used to place restrictions on dog walkers, or ban them Simon Hart MP entirely from accessing sites at the Kennel Club’s ‘Out of including Hampstead Heath and Order’ report Epping Forest. As explained in the launch Gazette article, the Kennel Club had concerns that the proposals lacked appropriate safeguards to prevent dog walkers being treated unfairly. Having met with the City in June 2016 to discuss our concerns, it was clear that they were not willing to meet our request to be transparent around the use of the powers they were seeking. Therefore the petition proceeded formally to a hearing in Parliament in November 2016, where it was heard by a committee of four MPs: two Labour and two Conservative. Both parties were given an opportunity to put forward their arguments for and against the petition. Following an hour’s break to deliberate the committee agreed with us. The judgement will benefit all dog walkers and others who use these open spaces. ●
Club
In 2007 tail docking was banned in England, Wales and Scotland, with Northern Ireland introducing a ban in 2013. With the exception of Scotland exemptions were provided to allow for certified working dogs to be docked, due to the increased risk to these dogs of serious tail injuries. These exemptions allowed breeders of specified breeds (and their crosses in England and Northern Ireland) to have their puppies docked after making a declaration that they would be used as working dogs. We have been consistent in calling for the Scottish Government to introduce an exemption in their docking legislation. In response to these and other calls, at the start of 2016 the Government consulted on the introduction of an exemption. The Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club submitted a joint response to this consultation, and we are delighted to say that the Scottish Government has announced its intention to legislate for an exemption for working dogs. In the year ahead we will be encouraging the Scottish Government to introduce the exemption without undue delay.
Minister. We were therefore delighted when in October 2016 the Scottish Government announced that it would be introducing new regulations to prohibit the use of electronic shock collars unless under the guidance of an approved trainer or vet. Going forward we will be pushing the Scottish Government to ensure that it implements strict rules on who will be able to authorise the use of shock collars.
nel Photo: ©The Ken
Tail docking exemption proposed in Scotland
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16/01/2017 11:57
Puppy Socialisation
Investment for life
While the need to socialise puppies has caught on, more education is needed about what the process involves By Carolyn Menteith
Photos: ©Carolyn Menteith
I
t seems that after years of trying to get the message across, most people have finally realised that puppies need socialisation. In fact, as soon as you mention that you have got a new puppy, or that you have a litter of puppies, socialisation seems to be the buzz-word you will hear coming from trainers, behaviourists, vets and just about every magazine or book you read. Even less progressive breeders no longer look on socialisation as being the ‘dark arts’, and new owners are beginning to get the message that if you want a behaviourally robust dog, you need to choose wisely as to where it comes from with regard to prioritising this vital part of canine development. While it is certainly true that socialisation can prevent the majority of behaviour problems that we see in companion dogs, with this welcome advance of knowledge there does seem to be another issue developing. That is that while most people know that puppies need socialising, most of them don’t really understand what socialisation actually is! This is where we still need to become far more proactive and try to educate new owners, and indeed all those who care for and rear puppies. One of the reasons for this lack of understanding is there are three parts to socialisation — and so there is already some potential confusion. The actual socialisation bit – which starts at sentience and continues until the puppy is about 12-15 weeks (depending on the breed, type and individual) – is where the puppy learns who his social group is… who he is friendly with, who he plays with, who is safe to be around. This is pretty much just people and other dogs. In this period the puppy needs to be introduced to lots of different people of all ages, sizes, shapes, types and attitudes, in a positive way, so he learns that people are great, are nothing to fear and are part of this social group. The same goes with lots of other puppy-friendly dogs
The more things that puppies get to investigate in a ‘safe’, non-coerced way, stores up positive experiences
(vaccination status allowing). Lumped in with socialisation, however, is habituation – which is quite different and less understood. Instead of teaching the puppy that there are people and dogs that you should be social and interact with, habituation is about teaching the puppy that there are lots of strange things in the world that could be scary but actually are just part of life and you don’t have to worry about them – in fact you can and should totally ignore them. This can be anything from strange noises and odd sights, to traffic, vacuum cleaners, being left alone, joggers, livestock and so on. There is a short period in a puppy’s life where new things like this will be accepted as being normal; however after that period, the default behaviour for a dog is to be fearful or worried by things that they haven’t been introduced to during these early weeks – or if they haven’t had enough new experiences that they are more open to novelty. This period is from sentience to around 49 days (less in some breeds, types and individuals,
more in others) – far earlier than most people realise, and why a good breeder is worth their weight in gold! The last part of socialisation is early education in the soft skills – so giving puppies plenty of experiences that encourage problem solving, frustration control, and facilitate learning so as to enable a puppy to grow up able to fit in the unique niche of being a companion dog at a time when we expect more from dogs than at any time in the past. Where it can go wrong however (and why we are seeing reactivity in adult dogs who have been socialised), is that when it comes to socialisation, it is a case of it ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it and this is something that often gets lost in socialisation programmes. Doing it badly or just not understanding the process can produce the very problems we are trying to prevent. Socialisation isn’t about putting puppies in scary situations and giving them lots of treats so they can learn that it is OK.
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Puppy Socialisation
It isn’t about scaring them with loud noises, panicking them by leaving them, forcing them to walk over surfaces that worry them, or just make them uncomfortable in order to get some liver cake. It isn’t about facing fears but we don’t have to look far to see a lot of that in the name of socialisation. Sometimes people think they are doing the right thing — but instead they need to spend more time thinking what that puppy is actually learning and storing up for later life. It may not be what they think or what they intended. This ‘tick off lots of experiences and give the puppy loads of treats so he knows it is OK’ way of doing things can cause more problems than it solves. It is a case of
“Sometimes people think they are doing the right thing – but instead they need to spend more time thinking what that puppy is actually learning and storing up for later life ”
‘a little learning is a dangerous thing’… Forcing puppies to do scary stuff for treats is actually just sensitising them and not socialising them. It is showing them that there is some scary stuff out there. And it is often building up fears for the future. Often people don’t realise that they are pushing puppies into worrying situations – because it isn’t difficult to push or coerce a puppy into doing something without realising that he is tense, worried or scared. In his head, however, despite the treats he might get, he has stored that experience away as something scary. This will have fallout in the future. Effective socialisation needs to be about giving a puppy positive experiences that are his choice to be a part of in his own time, so he can learn for himself that they are safe and that they are fun. It is about giving puppies the opportunity to explore, to investigate, and to discover things are safe. This is what we should be doing ourselves, and what we should be encouraging new owners to do. With all this in mind, the Puppy Plan which has led the way in encouraging socialisation of puppies for breeders and new owners since its launch, is set to grow over the next couple of years to reflect new advances in our understanding of effective socialisation, and the need for people to really understand this process but still keeping it simple and easy to do so people at all levels from expert to total novice can socialise their puppies with confidence and produce the perfect companion dog. ●
It is through providing positive early experiences that we produce confident, behaviourally robust dogs
For more information please visit www.thepuppyplan.com
CAROLYN MENTEITH DipCABT, KCAI
In the early weeks of life, puppies are naturally inquisitive. We should be making use of this natural instinct, before fearfulness sets in, as a vital part of puppy rearing
Carolyn is an accredited dog trainer and behaviourist with over 20 years experience. She specialises in companion dogs, puppies and rescue dogs, and is a member of the leading professional organisations, all of which promote positive, reward-based methods.
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