THE WUFF TIMES KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE WITH DOG STORIES THAT MATTER!
PUG WINNERS AT UK TOY ADD TO CANINE ALLIANCE
SUPPORT continued to flood in at UK Toy for the new movement set up to change the way vet checks are conducted at dog shows. Three breeds were due to be checked at the specialist toy show held at Stafford Showground on the 31 May. The breeds included the Pekingese, Chinese Crested and Pug, the first two of which were passed. There was no best of breed in the Pug breed due to the bitch and dog winners refusing to challenge for the award after the introduction of vet checks for 15 ‘high profile’ breeds at Crufts. Aileen Welham, who won best dog, described how the Kennel Club’s decision to impose the checks on the so-called high-profile breeds had ‘knocked the wind out of the sails of dog showing’. She said: “The Kennel Club need to bring these vet checks for all breeds, not just the fifteen that they have. “We are being targeted therefore we
will not challenge for best of breed and won’t do so until everyone in the group is checked in the same way and under the same circumstances.” The checks were carried out by the show’s usual vet, Will Jeffels, who failed both the Pekingese and Pug at Crufts. The fifteen breeds include the three tested at UK Toy along with other famous breeds such as the Bulldog, Mastiff, Bloodhound and Clumber Spaniel. Both winners pledged support for the Canine Alliance, a group which was set up to retaliate to the introduction of vet checks and to be the ‘voice of dogdom’. Since Crufts, the group have met with the Kennel Club to outline a future for continuing vet checks at general championship shows. The group now has over 2,000 members, all who aim to ‘protect and support the future of pedigree dogs’ and change the way that vet checks are conducted in the future.
Dogs Trust teams visit garden world
Animal lovers are invited to a day out at Bridgemere Garden World near Nantwich to help support a famous dog charity. The dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, will be heading to the centre near Nantwich on April 19th and 20th. Visitors will be able to learn about the charity and get involved with their work across the country. Entirely funded by donations, the charity cares for over 16,000 dogs a year throughout their network of rehoming centres. If you’re interested in helping a pooch in need pop along to the event or visit the website, www.dogstrust.org.uk
YKC fun heads to Stafford
p
THE Young Kennel Club is staging an activity weekend for young dog lovers at this years National Dog Show in May. Held at Staffordshire County Showground on 12-13 May, the weekend will allow youngsters to get involved with a variety of activities including agility, handling and obedience. Vanessa McAlpine, Events and Education Executive said: “This is a
great weekend for our YKC members - these weekends always go down well. It is a great place to practice dog showing for the first time, as well as offering guidance to more experienced members. The deadline for applications is Friday 13 April and forms can be found online by visiting the YKC website, www.ykc.org.uk or phoning 0844 4633 980.
Staffordshire Dog Life May 2012 www.staffordshiredoglife.co.uk
Cannock breeder wins at UK Terrier champ show A Hednesford woman is celebrating after scooping a top prize at Stafford’s prestigious Terrier show. Sue McCourt, from Hednesford, struck gold when her Australian Terrier ‘Scarlett’ qualified for the prestigious Pup of the Year competition at the National Terrier championship dog show this month. Scarlett fought off 68 other puppies to secure her place in the final, which is held at the Crewe Hall Hotel, Cheshire, at the end of the year. Sue told Staffordshire Dog Life: “I can’t believe she’s won the heat, the competition is the most prestigious event for all puppies and only one youngster can go through at each qualifying show. “It means the best of the best will be competing
against each other for the title - a massive achievement for puppies.” Scarlett also triumphed in her breed class, winning best puppy and reserve best bitch. “She adores showing and she is such a loving dog, her father won best in show at the National Dog Show last year,” Sue added. “Her show name is Silhill Scarlett Ribbon with Sherex.” Sue also had great success with a dog she imported from Sweden, winning best dog and best of breed. A total of 32 puppies will be present at the final, all of which will have qualified in relevant heats at championship shows throughout 2012. Amongst Scarlett’s competition are a Bichon Frise and a Wire Fox Terrier.
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things to do
this month
Head on over to the National Dog Show held at Stafford County Showground on 10-13 May. They have a spectacular German market and have invited German judges to judge the dog breeds with German origin. For more information on the event visit www.nationaldogshowbirmingham.co.uk
2 Enter your pet into the Britains next top dog
model competition and you could win an A3 canvas of your dog worth £90! www.petographer.co.uk are holding the competition in aid of National Pet Month which runs fro 7 April - 7 May. To enter, all you need to do is visit a petographer event. Find your nearest one on their website.
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Get involved in the Dogs Today campaign ‘Dont Cook Your Dog’ this month by ordering a free car sticker to show your support. Now an international campaign, the “Don’t Cook Your Dog” movement was launched in June 2011 as a response to the tragic and preventable death of two police dogs, who were left in a hot car. The campaign has famous supporters such as mastermind Stephen Fry, dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and even Jilly Cooper. The cause aims to ‘unite the dog-loving world’ and encourage ‘zero tolerance to dogs ever being left in hot cars’. The website has a whole host of ways you can pledge your support including downloadable posters and window stickers as well as a free emergency car kit to keep in the car for your pet pooch. Visit http://www.dogstodaymagazine.c o.uk/ to order your stickers now!
dog of the
month
Guy is a stray Lurcher that was found by the Greyhound rehoming charity, Grey hound Gap. The charity believe that he is 4-5 years old and due to his scaring believe he didn’t have a very good upbringing by a cruel hand. Founder Lisa Cartwright said: ”When Guy arrived at the kennels, he was very nervous and wary but still remained polite and would have willingly accepted anything we did to him. It only took him a week or two to realise he was in a good place with good people and now he is happy, confident and stands so stunningly proud.” The charity describe him as ‘adoring, loving and enthusiastic’ and he is now fitting in well with other dogs. The charity are now looking to rehome Guy, who they believe would be good as an only dog, however would be better with dog friendly children over 8 years. If you can give Guy the loving home he deserves visit Greyhound Gap on www.greyhoundgap.com
tongues whats got our
wagging?
Here’s what the office has been talking about this month...
Ashleigh Butler’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent. How fabulous was her ‘Flintstones’ inspired routine with her crossbreed Pudsey? We hope you make it all the way Ashleigh! It’s the best dog act we’ve - that’s saying something after Tina & Chandi and Kate & Gin! Champion Elizabeth and her pampering We all saw the story on Ch Zentarr Elizabeth aka Crufts BIS where her owner said that she didn’t take her out on walks because of her coat - we think this is terrible! All dogs should be walked - even if they are princesses!
The refusal to challenge for BOB at UK Toy show We can’t decide whether the Pug dog and bitch winners made the right choice in refusing to challenge. They have their reasons, but will this just make them look like they are avoiding the inevitable?
Red Dog: The movie! A legendary true story of the Red Dog who united a community whilst being an Australian nomad in search of his owner. The book had us in tears and we can just imagine the movie will do the same. Koko who played ‘Red’ won an award for his acting!
Caption Competition! Think you’ve got a ‘grrrreat’ caption for this months photo? Send us it via Twitter @staffsdoglife. The best ones will win a James Wellbeloved goody bag worth £20! Get going!
know? did you
Did you know that Jane, who left The Apprentice on 12 April, is a dog lover, and once said she wanted to open her own rescue centre?
www.staffordshiredoglife.co.uk Staffordshire Dog Life May 2012
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