THIS YEAR the TV coverage for Crufts was generous timewise so I was looking forward to how the new-look programmes would work. Having spent a few days writing articles and uploading photographs, I settled down to viewing the programmes on catchup.
The opening scene was of Clare Balding, who I greatly admire for her expertise and manner, and Alan Carr who I usually find irritating at best. Minutes into the two-hander my irritation was confirmed! I’m not quite sure who Iwan Thomas is but his promotion of the French Bulldog as ‘the most popular breed in the UK’ would have had the puppy farmers rubbing their hands with glee I’m sure. I could have lived without the ‘objectifying dogs’ spot which discussed the pros and cons of dressing up dogs which led into ‘The Pooch Price Is Right’ – well, one mention of the P word makes me squirm – which made us suffer several more valuable minutes of silliness.
Next came the viewers’ ‘dogalike’ slot where viewers sent in photographs of their dogs who their owners claimed looked like ‘celebrities’… clearly some viewers are visually challenged. Jessica Holm was joined by Nim Patel, a veterinary nurse, to discuss nutrition which was fairly constructive (apart from the tasting session when Messrs Carr and Thomas had to decide which of the food samples were manufactured for human consumption and which for dogs).
With Alan Carr on board the Fabulous Willy jokes were all too predictable but it was good to have a reminder of past BIS winners. The visit to ‘Supervet’ Noel Fitzpatrick’s establishment which specialises in orthopaedics and neurology was very impressive… then more trivia when Mr Carr had to match four breeds with their rightful owners where he failed miserably.
Denne historien er fra March 31,2017-utgaven av Dog World.
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Denne historien er fra March 31,2017-utgaven av Dog World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Border Terrier Breeders Gather To Discuss Two
TWO CONDITIONS affecting the Border Terrier are worrying breeders and owners so much that a meeting was called to discuss them.
Wet Nose Rescue
A scheme of mutual benefit.
Going Around
When you can’t see the wood for the trees
Handle With Care
Crufts and all that’s positive in our sport
Ian is on top of the world
Winner of the first Eukanuba World Challenge to be held at Crufts was the Maltese from Italy, Franco Prosperi’s Ch Cinecitta’ Ian Somerhalder, handled by Javier Gonzales Mendikote. With them are Kennel Club chairman Simon Luxmoore, event chairman Jose Luis Ibanez of Eukanuba, judge Laurent Pichard, Johan van Rietschoten of Spectrum Brands, Franco’s partner Stefano Paolantoni and FCI president Rafael de Santiago.
Is This A Form Of Canine Self-Mutilation?
I AM NOT often shocked into silence, but when a veterinary nurse working in emergency care in the US told me this story, I was not only shocked into silence, but actually broke out into spontaneous tears!
Perfection In Presentation
WITH CRUFTS, the biggest and best dog show in the world – according to many dog folk – approaching, it is time to think about the need for presenting our dogs to perfection. Certainly Crufts will probably be the highlight for many breeders who want to show off their stock to a worldwide audience.
Going Around
Judges’ experience and qualifications.
Italian love for Italian Lover
AN INTERNATIONAL show was held in Padova, Italy, on January 14/15. This was the third this year in Italy, where there will be 76 international shows during 2017!
Bench and Field
Pointing breeds test their field trial skills at KC training day