Kennel Gazette January 2018 - dogs by The Kennel Club

January 2018 £5 00 £5.00

The king of the terriers: the Airedale Terrier is this month’s judges’ choice

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Contents Opinion Looking to the future

What does it have in store for the Kennel Gazette?

Viewpoint

Simon Parsons talks about membership issues

Special features French connections

A memorable behind-the-scenes tour at a French kennels

14 Staying together

How dogs and the elderly can retain their special bond

Personality profile The man with a plan!

8 education in the 11 Canine twenty-first century

In memory of agility guru John Gilbert

Contents

January 2018

18 Supporting rescue...

An update on the work of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust

20 Eukanuba Discover Dogs Looking back at a highly successful show

22 Working trials

John Gilbert

Reporting on the Kennel Club Championship in Essex

steps towards opening up 23 Baby membership A report from the KC’s special general meeting

Judges’ choice The Airedale Terrier

The breed standard, the health fund, breed experts pick their three favourite Airedales, plus a history of this magnificent breed

Canine immunology

An online resource brings the benefits of technology into the dog world

Health matters The nuts and bolts of canine immunology

The complex yet effective canine immune system

Art & culture Caesar, the King’s dog

King Edward VII’s faithful and constant companion

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

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

Customer services: 01296 318540 Petlog Main Number: 01296 336579 Petlog Lost & Found: 01296 737600 Library/Gallery: 020 7518 1009 Insurance Enquiries: 0800 369 9445

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

Editor: Carrie Thomas Editorial Co-ordinator: Sara Wilde Editorial Panel: Bill Moores (Chairman), Ian Gabriel, Philippa Gilbert, Robert

Eukanuba Discover Dogs

and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kennel Club. Cover photo: Airedale Terrier Ch Jokyl Captain Scarlet, bred and owned by Olive Jackson and Mary Swash. He has won 16 CCs and 26 RCCs. Top Puppy 2006, Top Airedale 2008 and Top Stud 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. He is a show dog, a sire and above all the family pet. Photographer: ©David Brand /The KennelClubUK @thekennelclubuk @TheKennelClubUK

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On my mind

Looking to the future What does it have in store for the Kennel Gazette? By Bill Moores Chairman of the Kennel Gazette Editorial Panel

hen the Kennel Gazette was revived almost three years ago, it was ably steered by an enthusiastic panel, which has gradually evolved and continues to work hard to bring its readers an informative and entertaining members’ magazine. Within the last few years the Kennel Club decided to place most of its regulatory information online in the form of the monthly Kennel Club Journal; it has become clear that this is an acceptable and cost-eﬀective medium for all. What better way is there to promulgate so much detailed information so quickly? There is little doubt that had the Internet been available a century ago, the same succession of events would have probably occurred! Where does all that leave the Kennel Gazette of today? Some would say it is handily placed with a foot in both camps — one in that of the printed word and one in that of the online world as each month the Kennel Club website oﬀers a brief insight of selected pages into each issue published. Advertisers also benefit from these previews and they benefit from the fact that they remain online for some time enabling them to reach potential clients for longer. There are those who may wish that the Kennel Club would just accept new technologies and publish an online-only version of the gazette. But this may be

perceived as a reversal of the majority of members’ wishes as they stand at the moment. The gazette will continue in its printed form. Following extensive discussions with our production company and our editorial panel members, we now have the opportunity to take this one gentle step further. With effect from March we intend to take advantage of the online publishing platform ‘Issuu’ which will make the Kennel Gazette more widely available but only some weeks after it has been distributed exclusively to members and affiliates. We have instructed our contract publishers to examine the prospect with a view to actioning it to maximise reach to potential readers and to increase advertising penetration to another level in the digital media. In doing so we will be in good company and will be following a progression pursued by other quality publishers. Newspapers in general are struggling to attract advertising revenue. Last year we saw the demise of ‘Dog World’. Other hobby journals are ceasing printed publication, electing digital-only format or merging with similar titles. The Kennel Gazette has an editorial panel of members whose experience within the world of dogs exceeds more years than they care to recall; the expertise and guidance of senior Kennel Club staff and an enthusiastic young editor who liaises well with a

September 2017

October 2017

£5 00 £5.00

Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year 2016

£ £5.00

The aristocratic and elegant Borzoi

Don’t miss London’s biggest dog event – Eukanuba Discover Dogs The official publication of the Kennel Club

The official publication of the Kennel Club

The vivacious and dainty Pomeranian is this month’s judges’ choice

professional production team; two former editors of canine weekly newspapers who are now ‘poachers turned gamekeepers’ and a team of specialist writers, members of which produce thought-provoking articles each month. It also does its best to allocate equal space to the various disciplines which form the diverse world of dogs. All this is done within the framework of a lead-time of six weeks but with regular planning meetings. So as we record the present and acknowledge the past with an eye on the future, the editor and the whole team which strives to bring you an entertaining, informative and appealing magazine, recommend this gentle step. Even the gazette as a members’ magazine must try to attract advertising from budgets often allocated particularly to digital formats. By doing this it will be well placed to do so. We appreciate your continued support. ●

BILL MOORES Bill Moores is the former Editor of Our Dogs. Since early retirement he runs a media services and photography consultancy, dividing his time between the show scene here and that of continental Europe

November 2017

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December 2017

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Merry Christmas The official publication of the Kennel Club

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Viewpoint

Viewpoint By Simon Parsons

nyone who may have read my November column will appreciate that I found the main result of the club’s special general meeting rather disappointing. Just 64 per cent of the membership voted for the Board’s motion which would have removed the cap (currently 1,500) on the number of members. As a 75 per cent majority was required, the motion failed. For those of us who have campaigned for years, indeed decades, for the club to be as representative as is reasonably possible of people with a genuine interest in responsible breeding, ownership and competition with dogs, this was a big blow, and I for one find it hard to understand what there was to object to in the proposal. In view of the fact that over 85 per cent of the votes were made before the meeting, either online or by post, dare I suggest that it might be helpful if discussion beforehand of the pros and cons of any motions put forward by the Board or anyone else were actively encouraged, rather than the reverse as at present. There was valuable discussion of this and some of the other motions at the meeting, but by then it was almost certainly too late to make any difference as those present made up less than 15 per cent of the voters. Still, let’s be grateful that progress was made on other aspects of the membership structure. Members may now propose or

second three new candidates a year, rather than two. There’s a reduced subscription for two people in the same household who are prepared to share the club publications. The maximum number of overseas members was doubled, and the rule requiring new members to pay an entrance fee was removed. That not inconsiderable outlay must have been off-putting to many potential candidates, so let’s hope this will persuade more people to allow themselves to be proposed, and not just ‘show people’ who some feel are perhaps over-represented in the membership and on the Board. Talking of the latter, there was a useful discussion about ensuring that the non-show activities get fair representation on the Board. Should there be separate elections for each discipline, or should they

get priority in the ballot, or should there be co-option? I think it’s fair to say that the general feeling was to leave things as they are but for members to think carefully about whom they vote for to ensure all the licensed sports feature on the Board. This led on to talk about the surprisingly low number of women on the Board, considering they make up half the membership and probably an even bigger proportion of participants in many dog activities. Everyone agreed that we need the most qualified people on the Board regardless of gender or any other similar consideration, but perhaps the discussion will encourage more women with the required skills and experience to have a go. After all there should never be any sort of ‘glass ceiling’ in the dog world, and there certainly isn’t where the Kennel Club staff are concerned. Best wishes for the new year to all readers of the Gazette, and on behalf of the membership may I take this opportunity to thank all those who helped produce so many interesting, varied issues during 2017.

SIMON PARSONS Simon Parsons has owned a variety of breeds but his first loves are the Corgis. He worked for Dog World newspaper for 39 years and awards Challenge Certificates in 13 breeds. In 2014 he instigated the revival of the Kennel Gazette

Photo: ©Laura Kolbach/The Kennel Club

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Kennel Club Charitable Trust

Supporting rescue….. just a pipe dream? Kennel Club Charitable Trust update by Revd. Bill King

n 2016 the Kennel Club Charitable Trust awarded more than £200,000 to support dog rescue in the United Kingdom. Much of that support was directed towards the smaller rescue charities, which do not have the sophisticated fundraising apparatus of their bigger cousins. What they do have in abundance however, is people who are passionate about the welfare of dogs, whether pedigree or non-pedigree. Amongst these smaller rescue charities are the numerous Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations, of which there are more than 300 nationwide, which between them have over 1,000 branches, and annually they rehome approximately 11,000 animals. As trustees, my colleagues and I see many application requests for modest amounts of money, to keep that little (but vital) local dog rescue functioning. Large or small, each charity faces two major challenges. How to manage the escalating cost of veterinary fees and the housing and good management of the dogs in their care? The Charitable Trust’s support of dog rescue has now moved on a stage, with two exciting new initiatives which will help address those two major challenges. The cost of veterinary care can at first glance seem daunting. For most in breed rescue this is their single biggest outlay and by the very nature of their role they are ‘high end’ users of veterinary services. At the risk of stating the obvious, there is no NHS for dogs. In short, all dogs are private patients and treatment has to be paid for. Veterinary fees vary across the country because of many factors. The veterinary profession itself is undergoing major changes with the growth of group practices; nevertheless many veterinary practices are still independent concerns which need to pay their way. In an ideal world veterinary charges would be much more uniform nation-wide and from a charity point of view the lower the better! The trustees have discussed how the charity could assist many times, without reaching any practical solution – perhaps

it was just a pipe dream. Except that in this changing world has come an opportunity. Suppose we could link Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations with a national veterinary chain to obtain reduced cost treatment for the dogs in their care? Step forward the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), which has 48 veterinary practices across the country and an enviable reputation in the treatment and care of companion animals. Following indepth meetings and discussions between the two parties, we are pleased to announce the roll out of a pilot scheme in 2018, where six PDSA hospitals will take part in the trial. Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations, in their respective catchment areas, will be written to and invited to join the pilot scheme. Once selected to participate, the Breed Rescue organisation will be able to obtain concessionary rates for veterinary treatment with the PDSA. Furthermore, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust is providing funding up to £120,000 so that participating Breed Rescue organisations can be refunded for the cost of veterinary treatment in the following areas: neutering, vaccination, microchipping, dental work, eyes and ears,

together with skin and general health checks. A package designed to give the dogs the best possible start in their new life and with more than 300 breed rescue outlets nationwide, this pilot has the potential of truly making a difference for dogs. Full details of the PDSA centres involved and how the scheme will work will be published separately. The second challenge to would-be rescuers is how to provide the best possible housing and care for the rescued dog within the framework of current animal welfare legislation – especially when money is tight. Thanks to another new initiative the Trust is working with the Association of Dog and Cat Homes (ADCH) to share ‘best practice in animal welfare for dogs…..’. Founded in 1985 as the Association of British Dog Homes, the name was changed to the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes in 1999 because there were a growing number of members dealing with the welfare of cats and including rescues from outside Britain. Today the association has 56 members and is growing. That membership comprises charities of all sizes situated through England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

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Kennel Club Charitable Trust

ADCH provides a wide range of information and acts as a ‘platform for identifying and disseminating information on best practice and for raising the standards of animal welfare.’ So for some rescue organisations it may be appropriate to consider membership. For all involved in dog rescue the ADCH website (www.adch. org.uk) is an invaluable resource covering all aspects of best practice for those involved at every level in rescue. For example there are two very informative booklets: ‘The Code of Practice’ and ‘Minimum Welfare & Operational Standards’, which in their concise informative way cover; admission and intake of animals, care, assessment, departure, legal and administrative and housing conditions. They can be downloaded as a PDF or printed. The Kennel Club also has its own Breed Rescue Code of Practice, which is sent to all Breed Rescue organisations and available upon request. Many involved in rescue will be conversant with most, if not all, of the topics discussed, but revisiting the various subjects in a timely fashion can only benefit the dogs in their charge. As foundation documents, especially as training aids for new volunteers, I would suggest they are second to none. On the right, for example are their thoughtful guidelines on euthanasia.

Approximately 250,000 pets come into rescue each year

“Euthanasia is an extremely controversial topic and there are many who sincerely believe that no apparently healthy animal should ever be euthanised and, where rehoming is not an option, then the animal should be allowed to live its life in the animal welfare establishment. The ADCH fully accepts that there are circumstances where particular animals can enjoy a high standard of welfare and a good quality of life at an establishment over a long period. However, it is important to remember that animal welfare is more than just physical health and freedom from disease. Other factors particularly the animal’s behavioural needs, which include the expression of social behaviour, have a profound effect on its welfare. The World Health Organisation defines “health” as: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The Animal Welfare Act says that those in charge of animal welfare must provide for the five animal welfare needs, which are the need for a suitable environment, suitable diet, to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, to be housed with, or apart from other animals and to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. “Organisations which intend to keep animals on a long term basis need to consider whether the environment is capable of meeting the behavioural and psychological needs of the animal. Long term confinement of cats, especially feral cats, is not appropriate. “However, no decision to euthanise an animal should be taken without serious consideration and only if it is judged to be absolutely necessary. Before a decision is made to euthanise an animal a consultation should take place with the individual or individuals who have full knowledge of the animal concerned. “The key factors in deciding whether euthanasia shall be considered include: ● To prevent pain or suffering (including mental and emotional). ● If an animal poses an unacceptable risk to people or to other animals. ● If quality of life for the animal is compromised to an unacceptable degree, with no realistic prospect of improvement.”

In summary then, it is the Trust’s intention to assist the ADCH in its endeavours to help their members meet the Association’s minimum standards through grants to help improve infrastructure and training and so benefit rescue dogs. Dog rescue is a hugely rewarding, challenging, time-consuming activity, requiring empathetic skills patience and compassion which, when it goes well will deliver a new life for the dog in a safe, secure setting with happy new owners. When it doesn’t, it can be heart-breaking. Is it worth doing? Of course! The reality of the challenge is huge with some 250,000 pets coming into rescue centres across the UK every year. The Kennel Club Charitable Trust is committed to make a difference for dogs, by the provision of grants and the sharing of best practice. But we can only offer our support thanks to the generous donations of dog lovers and the Kennel Club. If you wish to donate to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust you can donate online at www.kccharitabletrust.org.uk ●

REVD. BILL KING Bill has substantial experience of dog shows, obedience, heelwork to music and field trials. He has finally managed to soothe an itch which began in 1965 when in 2015, at Lincoln Cathedral, Bill was ordained as a priest. He is now an associate Priest in the Trinity Parish, Grantham

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Discover Dogs

Eukanuba Discover Dogs

HRH Prince Michael of Kent visits Eukanuba Discover Dogs

New breed to Eukanuba Discover Dogs the Swiss White Shepherd Dog

Warrant Winner of the Year semi-finals, which were judged by Liz Stannard and Tony Allcock. The pair judged 64 top young dogs and chose just 10 who will compete in the final, which will be held at Crufts 2018. Someone else who qualified for a major final at Crufts was 16 year -old Robyn Arnall, who became only the second junior ever to win the Junior Handler of the Year title twice, having also won in 2014. Robyn will now go on to represent the UK in the International Junior Handling final in March. Agility competitors also had the chance to book their place in finals at Crufts, with 10 dogs qualifying for both the medium ABC (Anything But a Collie) and large novice ABC finals at the show. For dogs newer to the sport, the Starters Cup reached its climax at Eukanuba Discover Dogs, with Julia Maxted and her American Cocker Spaniel, Mayhem winning in the small dog category; Louise Docherty and her Cocker Spaniel, Alfie taking first place at the medium height, and Karen Martin and her Border Collie, Missy triumphing in the large class. The Kennel Club would like to thank the show’s sponsors, Eukanuba, the breed booth and breed rescue volunteers, trade stand exhibitors, ring volunteers, judges and competitors and everybody else who gave up their time to make the 2017 show such a success. ●

bumper attendance of nearly 34,000 visitors made this year’s Eukanuba Discover Dogs event at ExCeL London the second most successful in the event’s 21 year history. This was a remarkable 28 per cent higher than the 2016 show. As always, the show focused on offering dog lovers the opportunity to meet around 200 breeds of pedigree dog, find out how to choose the right breed for their lifestyle and find a responsible breeder, watch displays and competitions, and shop at the tradestands. The ever popular pedigree dog breed booths proved to be the star attraction at the show, and included both the White Swiss Shepherd Dog and Russian Toy for the very first time this year, after they were officially recognised by the Kennel Club earlier in 2017. Eukanuba Discover Dogs 2017 hosted a series of other ‘firsts’, including a Young Kennel Club (YKC) ‘Have a Go’ ring for youngsters to sample dog activities, and a special ‘stressbuster clinic’, where the public could meet puppies to experience the positive psychological and physiological effects of being around dogs. Also new this year was a dedicated Kids Zone to keep children entertained when they were not meeting dogs. Among the wide range of competitions taking place at the event were the Kennel Club Junior

Held in October last year, the 2017 event proved a smash hit with everyone

Junior Handler of the Year 2017

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Discover Dogs

New breed to Eukanuba Discover Dogs the Russian Toy

Second highest visitor numbers ever

Breed Rescue Calendar photographer winner

Junior Warrant finalists heading to Crufts

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