Dear all,

I am a features writer at the Daily Express, and I am writing an article about how Crufts has changed over the years.

This is in response to criticism from Paul Keevil - of the British and Irish Dog Breeds Preservation Trust . He said the show had become glamorised, was 'all teeth and hair' and is too focussed on US-inspired events such as 'heel-work' to music.

I would be really interested to hear your opinions or stories - if you are going to the show, have been in the past, if you keep and show your dogs at Crufts, or if you just go to the event for pleasure.

I'd love to hear from you - my email address is helen.dowd@express.co.uk, and my phone number is 02086127147. I'd prefer contact by email as I'm more likely to miss a phone call.

Any correspondence will be treated in confidence - I'd just like to hear people's opinions!

Thanks

Helen Dowd 

(Have sent this by e-mail as well.)

Dear Helen

Re. your post on ChampDogs. As a newspaper reporter I am sure you are already aware that the nationals tend to come up with a lot of dog stories around Crufts, and it is never, ever positive ones. Those of us in dogs are used to this and therefore try to ignore all the articles, but it is sad that the general public should year after year get a totally inaccurate view of dogs and dog showing.

As for your question of whether Crufts is being "Americanised", and the reference to heelwork to music -how could heelwork to music be "Americanising" the show when HTM first appeared AT Crufts, invented BY Mary Ray? You can read the background of HTM at Mary Ray's own website, where it is clearly stated that her performance at Crufts 1990 was the first ever public performance of HTM. http://www.maryray.co.uk/freestyle.html Mary's performance is less than 5 minutes out of a full 4 days of dog showing and other events, and is simply a bit of light (and beautiful) relief before the climax to the show -the BIS judging.

As for "all teeth and hair" -what about the obedience competitions? The Crufts championships that many aspire to but few ever reach in obedience in their lifetime. The inter regional obedience teams, the Obedience World Cup? The flyball and agility championships? Yes, anyone reading general newspapers and watching the Crufts coverage on TV could easily get the impression (partly due to the sadly inept presenters that seem to make it their life's goal to ridicule the show they are presenting -with a few exceptions, Jessica Holme and Clare Balding being two) that lots of hair is all that matters, as this is what the media seems to concentrate on. In reality, few breeds are really glamorous and hairy. Yes, there has been an influx of foreign dogs competing at Crufts since the advent of the PETS travel scheme, but with only around 1000 foreign dogs out of over 22 000 on total, this is hardly a great number. Crufts is nothing like American shows. We don't have professional handlers, we are not allowed to use hair sprays and other potions to make the dogs look "better" (or artificial), we are not allowed to crop ears, dock tails or debark dogs that are too noisy, and more than anything else, the UK owed dogs at Crufts are above all pets. In the US, show dogs are sent off to live with professional handlers, they live in trailers on the road, travelling to shows very weekend, and they hardly ever see their real owners -a  bit like race horses. That is not the case here.The majority of dogs at Crufts live in the house as pets with their families, and when we handle and win, we don't receive any money like the American handlers do.

Ooh you covered quite a lot of what I was thinking.  Was going to think about it and mail later.

Only thing I would say that in the breed rings there is no sign of Americanisation, but this has crept in to the Group ring, and of course the overseas dogs (usually very good ones with the cost of coming over) are more often pro handled than most of our own BOB's.

Depends what breed ring you're in I suppose.  There was a broadcast on ITV on MOnday night Central New West I think (covers B'ham area I presume).  They had a local breeder/exhibitor saying her views on it.  One of my breeds has certainly been "glamorised" by the american way of grooming.  It doesn't bother me so long as it doesn't change the conformation & type of the dog (which sadly in some cases it has). 

I heard that flyball was american (don't know much about the sport to be honest) but wasn't it supposed to have been invented by an american who didn't want to exercise his dog (may be an urban myth I suppose ;-))

Is it the showing side they are saying is americanised or the coverage & stuff they actually do there (ie obedience, agility, htm & flyball).  I think for dog owners in general it's great to see what else dogs are capable of as well as being conformationally correct (if there's such a term sorry!)  Having now owned a breed that was unable to be shown for many years & then on Import Reg I have begun to appreciate all the other sides.  But let's face it, we all want to qualify for Crufts & maybe one day ...... (oh I can dream can't I?! :-D )

I dont think its so much become Americanised its become a high profile showcase for dogs and the all round abilities they have,
we have everything from showing,obedience,pets as therapy,fly ball agility,search and rescue even the amazing dogs who have
saved or changed their owners lives which always brings a lump to my throat.
It is very much aimed at the public now as opposed to the dogs.

The bulldog ring is awful to get too and the crowds all flood in to take pictures of the dogs sometimes even before the
3rd 4th vhc are awarded,you can not get a seat ringside,so much more different to the rottie fans who politely take pictures from the ringside.

I don't think it's americanised either, more showing the versatility of dogs.  For the first time Cani-Cross is being shown there, me being one of the runners, or should I say fast walkers!

Well the Americans keep getting Thrashed in the World Cup obedience!!!!!

i have not gone  to the westminster show in the states but i have gone to the world show in holland and due to go to sweden in july.

it still think cruft is the best show in the world.
i have being goingto crufts foe the last 20 years and it as improved it stands,

last year i was lucky to to go back stage to the vip room and be with a group winner all day on the best in show day.the kc staff was very help and it was run very well to,with photo shoot interviews.bbc cover,

to watch the other side of how it was run was like clock work.

still think it the best show and well run not just bye the kc,there others people the nec staff,bbc,the trade stands,the clearners.ect the list gos on but who gets the cerit the kennel club.

but who buts in the hard work of the year with the thier dogs US,
WITH OUT US THE OWNERS AND BREEDERS THE SHOW CANNONT GO ON

I think Marianne's just about said it all! :-)

> I think Marianne's just about said it all!

You're spot on there!  And so much better written than I could have managed!

Thanks all. :)

well I may be in a minority here but hate the way that Crufts seems to be more about entertaining the general public than about catering for those that go to show their dogs.

Caroline Kisko was quoted in this weeks  dog paper as saying that for most non - doggy folk  watching a dog show was like 'watching paint dry' which is why,  I'm assuming , so many 'circus' acts' are now included - my response to that would be that   I find watching other people hobbies mind numbingly boring also - but I don't expect crazy golf to be included as part of the Open at St Andrews or the FA cup final to include a 5 aside kick around with a jumpers for goal posts to enetertain me !!!.

Crufts is a dog show - if you don't like watching dog shows than don't go or don't watch - by including all these crowd pleasing add ons we just reinforce the view that our hobby is somehow less 'serious' or justifiable on it's own than others.

I seriously think that Crufts will soon annexe the 'boring dog showing element' to a side hall out of the way of the general public who go along to watch a canine  variation of Billy Smarts Circus .

Yvonne

I seriously think that Crufts will soon annexe the 'boring dog showing element' to a side hall out of the way of the general public

Now that is something I personally look forward to!  Having the space to move around and watch other breeds rather than having to fight though the waves of the public browsing the halls!!

I really hope so too!!

i will just add here that the obedience CHAMPIONSHIPS have been held at crufts since 1955 & are certainly very important to quite alot of people & not a Circus side show (even though the KC have Kicked it out of the main ring into a corridor making it appear to be not important to them :( )

Obedience made its first showing at crufts in 1936 as a display of "alsations" then by 1952 it was changed to a display of obedience by invitation only.

Then in 1955 the Championships began!

So not really a new thing & alot of people put alot of work into training their dogs to Qualify them for it!!!! Its not very easy to Qualify to work in the Championships either!!!!!

Well I must be one of the circus side shows this year as I'm doing the Cani-Cross event!  Great event where you and your dogs can get fit.  I am not showing this year, although had dogs made up because to be truthful I couldn't be bothered forking out the large sum of money, rather have some fun.

This is the first time ever in many years that I've only decided to do the one day, I usually do DD's with my Spanish but have decided to take a break from it all this year, though after this last week where I've travelled about 1,000 miles in the pursuit of dog activities I really need the break and so does my purse!

i think crufts does not exist simply to exhibit the conformation of breeds but the vaired aspects of owning a dog. i really don;t think we should be looking down on other dog activities than showing because they all utilise characteristics of dogs- exhibiting them then is valid at a dog show. obedience is a very difficult discapline, as is agility. i'm personally not a fan of heel work to music but i image that its very difficult to train... as such it not a 'circus side show' but an even in which training is showcased.

despite being a fan of showing the dogs i think its possible to make the argument that agility and obedience etc are better showcases of dogs as they involve working aspects.

just saying we all like what we like but everything at crufts promotes the health, training and love of dogs :)

Heelwork to music in reality is only obedience to music with a bit more action from both owner and dog.

I like to see all the disciplines at Crufts, but I hate the way the dogs seem to be sidelined.  for me what you should see when you walk into any part of crufts should be breed and events rings and not trade stands.

These should be like at the LKA at the same venue along the outside walls.

If that was what the visitors wanted to see they would simply walk around the perimeter edges of the halls shopping giving us in the middle competing with and wanting to watch dogs a chance to see them.

yeah i know, and as i said i imagine its very difficult- i just think it sometimes looks a bit funny (no offense intended! i know i couldn;t get my dogs dancing!)

Have just read the article in the express today, I hate the pictures they have used, I have never seen dogs look like that at Crufts       ( except of course for the BIS pic from last year) . I personally felt the article was more negative than positive. What a shame especially since she asked for comments and have used some as well.

Have you a link?

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36057/The-dogs-of-war%20?%3E

Marianne Brett, from South Yorkshire, who breeds Malinois guard dogs

hey Marianne, I didnt know you were breeding Guard Dogs!!! 

Jill

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36057/The-dogs-of-war

Think that's it :)

>Marianne Brett, from South Yorkshire, who breeds Malinois guard dogs

Snap Jill, this was the bit I'd copied to comment on too.

What a silly article. Some valid points in there, but so trashily written (and spelling errors too) it would be hard to pick them out.

M.

GORDON BENNETTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Delete multiple swear words!!!!!!!

So is it the Pappilions that are the new guard dogs or the Cavs??

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr Marianne, that looks a tough dog you've got on your avatar.

You have to laugh, don't you, there's nothing else to do really. I bet your keyboard is steaming as you type a 'comment'.

M.

> GORDON BENNETTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Delete multiple swear words!!!!!!!

Sue them hunny!!!!!!

The #¤#%&"#§@£$!!!!!! I would never, EVER refer to my breed like that. I am literally HOPPING mad here!

A stinking e-mail will be winging their way!!!

Here it is http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36057/The-dogs-of-war and I am not amused.

I am sorry but the dog in my breed that won the Group at Crufts has only sired two or maybe three litters since his big win  (what one would expect for a good dog at any time), and he has been top dog in the breed for the last two years.  His stud fee the normal reasonable puppy price £550 - £600, which seems average for many many breeds. 

No responsible breeder breeds 4 litters or more a year (when would they find the time in between showing/working their dogs), most breed a litter a year on average, some years none other years two depending on the breeders and lines needs.

The puppy farmers are not the ones who have stock good enough to win at Crufts or any other top show.

As for tampering I am a solo exhibitor and have no qualms about leaving my dogs on the benches regarding other exhibitors as we all look after each other, help show each others dogs if someone is lucky enough to win two classes.  Yes of course there will be a little envy and disappointment, but ti tis the dogs that matter.

I think we should send the whole thread.

So is it the Pappilions that are the new guard dogs or the Cavs??

Oh the Paps are the ones that do guard the house the most, without a doubt!! Until visitors get inside and sit down and have them land on their lap!

Well here's the e-mail address, as given by the journalist herself here ON CD so no secret:
helen.dowd@express.co.uk

EDITED!!!!! Gave wrong addy at first!

That sounds like my kind of "guard dog"   In my house its normally a Gordon that likes to be a lap dog!! (or the rather fat maine coon cat!!)

Didn't know you bred "Malinois guard dogs " Marrianne, I thought they were Belgian SHEPHERDS.

I think we need to post our comments direct under the article.

Marianne, as she has cut & pasted from your email to her (what laziness!) why not copy the WHOLE of your email to her and post it in the COMMENTS box on the Express page!

Just emailed her this:
Either print an APOLOGY in the paper pointing out I do NOT breed "guard dogs"  or the Express will be hearing from my solicitor. My dogs are bred to have good temperaments, live as familly pets, and have passed character assessments proving this is the case. Malinois are SHEPHERD dogs, their main use in this country being for show, obedience and agility.

I will not even waste time to comment on the rest of the article -clearly you did not listen to anyone.

Marianne Brett

Good thought Margot, have done exactly that. Remains to be seen if they will put it up or not.

Its already on Marianne

> hey Marianne, I didnt know you were breeding Guard Dogs!!! 

lol, i don;t think marianne did either!

marianne your comment was good. not happy with reporters at all right now. did she take on board anything you guys said?

Oh my goodness does that article made me mad! I'm not reading the Daily Express ever again now, its reporting looks rubbish!

Just correcting spelling mistake; I meant does that article make me mad.

Well she replied to me, and quoted something from MY WEBSITE -I never gave permission to use anything off my website! It's a remark on there saying I love the fact that Malinois is a tough guarding breed yet so soft and cuddly with their families. (Should perhaps add that mine are with anyone who'd give them food! Two of mine went round a car boot yesterday with hubby and loved meeting strangers.) Well a guarding breed, to me, is a breed that will guard your house -the opposite of a Golden or a Cavalier that would invite burglars in. That does NOT make them guard dogs! That's a completely different thing, and for one, you need a licence to keep a guard dog! It's like saying my dogs are police dogs because their breed is used by the police, isn't it.