Yes Katt many of us who do have dogs and show at Crufts have very healthy ones, ones that do Cani-Cross, agility, obedience, flyball, the list is endless.

Many of us who do show do numerous other things with our dogs and if they weren't healthy they wouldn't be able to do such things.

Yet again the minority are spoiling things now for the majority of the healthy dogs.

Astarte

> Any suggestions to improve it?

It's a good letter.  Does need a spellcheck though - flying finger typing? :)  - and I'd take the 'Well done BBC' bit off - they might struggle with sarcasm but other than that YOU GO GIRL!

Sorry Kim,

I totally forgot about this (so many reply notifications today I need to stop posting so much LOL). 

Anyhooooo, thankfully dogs-a-babe has flagged it up again and I agree it's a very good letter and a quick spellcheck will have you sorted.  I also agree that your sign off could be a teensy, eensy, weensy bit more polite ;)  A bog standard (OK, boring, but professional!) Yours faithfully will serve better.   Other than that I think it reads very well.

I've just been looking at their complaints procedure again and notice that under their Responses to Complaints Section they have a list of programmes which provided 'significant numbers' :)  Perhaps if we all play our part rightful part here we can have the Pedigree Dogs Exposed documentary included in the rankings :)

lol yes noticed the spelling in a re-read... and indeed, perhaps a tad smarmy in the send off... this is why i find it valuable to take some time before sending to check its not gibberish lol.

>it was my first visit to crufts this year and i went simply to observe but my god was it packed! now my simply going to watch, and yes do some shopping- there were some good things available, might annoy some of you

Your visit to Crufts isn't what I'm talking about and definately wouldn't annoy me LOL (hope it was all you expected)  It's the people who go only for the shopping who make it what it is ;)   You can find many of the stands and shops at various Champ shows and the LKA in particular has a good range of shopping venues and a lovely atmosphere.  But it is a world away from CRUFTS!  I have never experienced being unable to get to the ring to show my dog at LKA (also at NEC) or had to listen to and avoid crowds of people all complaining about the dogs being in the way!!   I came so close to yelling FIRE! this year, only the thought of being in police custody stopped me ;)   

As for the dogs, my dogs love showing and love meeting and greeting the public, if they didn't there'd be no point in going as it would be an expensive waste of time.  They are pets 365 days a year and show dogs on maybe 10 or 12 days and a few half days (opens) LOL

ETA - forgot to say fab letter! 

From childhood Crufts was the first dog show I ever knew about; I'd read info in dog books about the Victorians starting this showing business but it was Crufts that informed me what a show was all about.  That was mostly because the BIS got featured on the news and I remember the Pedigree Chum adverts that were on almost as soon as judging finished.  Waiting for that advert was like waiting for the first holiday advert on TV (used to be Boxing Day) and checking the Cadbury's Creme Egg adverts as a prelude to Easter (remember when they were seasonal?).

Although I understood that Crufts included the judging of pedigree dogs I didn't really understand what that meant but it was presented as a Dog Show.  It moved to the NEC and I suppose I viewed it like a Car Show or Caravan Show - ie somewhere you could look at new caravans, buy them, talk to owners, buy things for your caravan, look at new technology for instance.  In the same way Crufts was a dog show for all dog owners wasn't it?!  As a family we'd always had rescue dogs but I didn't think that Crufts wasn't for us too.

When my husband and I were considering buying our very first dog together then Crufts was the obvious place to visit.  We checked the breed, watched the judging, and talked to owners.  We bought our dog as a pet but started to visit Crufts every year - an excuse for a day off work and an opportunity to buy the pooch things we couldn't afford and he didn't need.  We consoled ourselves that if we collected free food and a few plastic bags we were quids in!!

Once the children were old enough, and with our latest rescue dog at a good age for a puppy, we were ready to buy another pedigree so back to Crufts we went.  We did our research, found a breeder, visited her and her dogs at home, then at a few other shows, then suddenly we were considering showing a dog.  Blimey!

The upshot of it all is that our pup qualified for Crufts at our first Champ Show in April.  We have a 'perfect :) ' dog who would will still be perfect if he turned green and sprouted a 2nd head, it isn't about the winning but the romance of getting there.  Wow, Crufts yes Crufts!!  I want to go to the show that I remember, the all inclusive ultimate Dog Show that is for all dogs and all owners - even if my scruffy rescue can't come it doesn't mean that we won't be thinking of him all day.  Crufts is an opportunity to celebrate all things dog with a whole bunch of people who care about dogs all gathered together in one place.  This year we took our pedigree pup to man the Discover Dogs stand and he was also invited to represent our training club too (sadly he was a bit too young to attend), but next year he'll be in his breed class - yippee!

I don't have the answers and I'm still not sure exactly how I feel about the RSPCA and DogsTrust etc pulling out BUT I do feel as though some of the fairy dust has dropped off...

>it isn't about the winning but the romance of getting there

:-D :-D

Know exactly what you mean :-D   We went into it a bit like you, I never, ever, even thought about qualifying my dog for Crufts ;)  just never occurred that it would happen to the likes of us :-D  Standing on the green carpet for the first time takes some beating :-D   I didn't care whether we were placed or not, just getting there was enough :-D

But....  attending Crufts with a dog to show is totally different to just visiting.  Sheer numbers of people mean that just getting your dog from bench to toilet area or bench to ringside becomes a nightmare, not to forget the logistics of allowing them to 'stretch their legs' and warm up a bit.  what should take about 2 minutes can take half an hour or more   and having to FIGHT through 12 deep crowds just to get the dog into the ring... :( :( 

Don't let me put you off tho, just make sure you give yourselves plenty of time ;)     For a mini Crufts experience I would recommend going to the LKA - with dog :-D   Same venue, loads of stalls (shopping!) lovely atmosphere - it's Christmas! - but without the excessive crowds of 'THE BIG ONE'  a much more relaxed day :-D

I agree with what you have written Teri :)

I did enjoy seeing the dogs at Crufts and speaking with people, many breeders are very forthcoming and I did learn a lot.

Mind you my husband wasn't that happy as I near bankrupt him by purchasing many useful items but he didnt complain to much when I reminded him that he was the one that purchased a rather expensive bed that took his fancy lol.

But we have to look at the big picture these organisations are not just pulling out of events eg Crufts for no reason, (some people are taking it as they are penalising crufts). The organisations are not doing this. They are making a stance in the hope that the KC will clean house (get rid of the bad apples) All good breeders in my opinion want this, only a minority refuse. By refusing they are the bad apples and in my opinion I say banish these bad breeders as they are the ones that are bringing disrepute to the good breeders and the KC.

> Yes Katt many of us who do have dogs and show at Crufts have very healthy ones, ones that do Cani-Cross, agility, obedience, flyball, the list is endless.
>
> Many of us who do show do numerous other things with our dogs and if they weren't healthy they wouldn't be able to do such things.
>
> Yet again the minority are spoiling things now for the majority of the healthy dogs.

Agree perrodeague.
I wish the KC would see this and listen, if they get rid of the minority (BYB, Puppy farmers, bad breeders) and start a public education drive with other organisations the KC will become the respectful organisation it should be.

Teri - you said it all perfectly.

The minority spoiling it for the majority in every respect.

Some teamwork, middle ground and commonsense required. Not finger pointing and blame- from all parties.

Unless I am mistaken the Dog Trust have change the statement on their site now. Did they not on it that people should consider a rescue first?  Maybe I am confusing it with something else :-D

Hi Katt

> But we have to look at the big picture these organisations are not just pulling out of events eg Crufts for no reason, (some people are taking it as they are penalising crufts)

I don't want to be argumentative or rude but it appears to me that you need to look at the bigger picture - along with literally thousands of other dog owners who have no in depth contact with the matters covered in that documentary.  The documentary did not show "the bigger picture" at all :(  It showed a comparatively miniscule section of a system which produces hundreds of thousands of healthy, long lived, well socialised happy family pets :)  However that wouldn't have made good viewing or had such a sensational impact so they went with the tiny picture instead and have now garnered enormous support from the public in general on the basis of this expose :(

In every major organisation there are bad apples - whether at the top, middle or bottom.  The Government, NHS, medical profession at large, education system and teaching in general, legal system (from lawyers to High Courts, vets, army, navy, police forces, banking, City, many more - think huge retailers.  How many similar programmes have been done which have castigated them so thoroughly and of any that may have done so how many have genuinely suffered from it the way that WE, the majority of responsible and ethical breeders exhibitors and judges, are currently doing???  None I'll wager!

Quite simply the bigger picture didn't make news - hence wasn't even touched upon

regards, Teri

Just of to check that Blue - yes they did originally say

4. Purchasers of dogs should first consider a rescue dog. If it is a
pedigree, they must understand the importance of determining and questioning
its genetic heritage


Will go and see what it says now :)

Interesting isn't it a bit of back peddling I do believe. :-)

Number 4 now reads !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4.      If people are considering buying a pedigree dog they need to understand the importance of determining and questioning its genetic heritage. 



Now that is quite a back track IMO.  Moving the right way it seems, if only the RSPCA would follow suit ....

> Hi Katt
>
>> But we have to look at the big picture these organisations are not just pulling out of events eg Crufts for no reason, (some people are taking it as they are penalising crufts)
> I don't want to be argumentative or rude but it appears to me that you need to look at the bigger picture - along with literally thousands of other dog owners who have no in depth contact with the matters covered in that documentary.  The documentary did not show "the bigger picture" at all :-(  It showed a comparatively miniscule section of a system which produces hundreds of thousands of healthy, long lived, well socialised happy family pets :-)  However that wouldn't have made good viewing or had such a sensational impact so they went with the tiny picture instead and have now garnered enormous support from the public in general on the basis of this expose :-(
>
> In every major organisation there are bad apples - whether at the top, middle or bottom.  The Government, NHS, medical profession at large, education system and teaching in general, legal system (from lawyers to High Courts, vets, army, navy, police forces, banking, City, many more - think huge retailers.  How many similar programmes have been done which have castigated them so thoroughly and of any that may have done so how many have genuinely suffered from it the way that WE, the majority of responsible and ethical breeders exhibitors and judges, are currently doing???  None I'll wager!
>
> Quite simply the bigger picture didn't make news - hence wasn't even touched upon <IMG alt=mad src="/images/mad.gif">
>
> regards, Teri

I certainly do not want to argue with you BUT I think you're making presumptions with what I have written. I am not basing what I wrote just on the TV program. I have had many dealings with the KC about a well known puppy farmer that also happened to be a dog judge and a high member of a breed club. This breeder was well known to the KC. The KC refused to do anything saying their hands where tied until I along with trading standards, dog warden, license enforcement officer; vet (vets) along with lawyers backed them into a corner and forced them to do something. I shouldn't have needed to do this the KC should have refused to have anything to do with that breeder when they where notified numerous times with evidence what that breeder was up to but no they turned a blind eye to it.

I personally wanted justice for my dog and the many other sick dogs including the ones that had to be euthanised that the breeder sold and I was prepared to go to every lengths and I'd do it again.

As much as the TV documentary was biased in ways if it forces the KC to look at their practices and make changes then that can only benefit everyone. I personally would have loved for the documentary to touch on cases like mines but saying that I'm sure many in the dog world would say this is a minority but that presumption is also false. There is many dark dirty secrets being kept and brushed under the carpets and it needs outing. The KC need to clean house stop saying their hands are tied and loose the holly than thou attitude that they have.

> Crufts is an opportunity to celebrate all things dog with a whole bunch of people who care about dogs all gathered together in one place

I agree 100 million%, Crufts was the only dog show I ever knew about growing up, always recorded it! My first UK champ show was Darlington about 8 years ago and I thought that was great! I finally got to Crufts as a spectator & loved it and the same as dogs a babe i've qualified my dog in April..................almost a years wait, I still get random busts of excitment that I will actually be on the green carpet with my boy at Crufts 2009, after 5 years of going with friends who show & me helping out, I'm now going with my dog & my mum can share this experience with me, the person who came to ringcraft all these years & made the teas & has supported me all the way, not really knowing what a show is can actually see how great it really is & see just why I always miss my birthday to go to Crufts :-D

oooooohhhhhh i'm excited again :) :-D

Hi again katt,

this is obviously a subject dear to your heart and I can genuinely appreciate why - by the sound of things you've been through a terrible time as well as your much loved dog and it would take strength beyond most average human abilities to not feel outraged at what you've had to face :(   On a personal level I commend your passion and resolve :)

Your breed is unfortunately one of several popular small breeds which are the PF and BYB bread and butter and that whether sold with or without KC documents.   Yes there are breeders and exhibitors and committee members and judges out there who indulge in behaviours or husbandry that falls well short of acceptable never mind ideal :(  However, these still number an exceptionally low figure than the majority and while this in no way diminishes the disgust or contempt which they derservedly are held in, it is still not the bigger picture.

Unfortunate though this is to individuals who have been through their own personal hell, IMO it is still essential that everything be kept in perspective - despite the portrayal of the pedigree dog world in general which was unduly sensationalised in the PP documentary.  Rightly or wrongly, we need to acknowledge that currently the KC have no legal control over poorly bred animals - no breeder is obligated to register their stock with the KC and quite literally hundreds of thousands of pedigree dogs are bred each year which are not.  The CAB and TSO are, somewhat distastefully, the only port of call for those buying pets which are from the outset suffering problems - whether resulting of nature or nurture and to pursue a case or compensation comes down to proving that what should be compassionately looked upon as a much loved family member is viewed almost clinically as simply "goods unfit for purpose" :(  This is not and never has been the fault of the KC or any of it's registered breed clubs or representatives.

What I and many others would like to see is that the KC in the near future only permits breeders who meet NEW and VERY strict criteria to register their pups with them.  The basics would need to be mandatory health testing married to selecting only those for breeding which had excellent results and then rearing and socialising resultant litters to the highest possible standards which includes following up with life time support.

Then, and IMO only then, would the KC registration document carry true value and it would be up to all the major welfare organisations as well as the KC itself to hammer home to the general public that purchasing any puppy without KC documentation was foolhardy.

Best wishes, Teri

>I agree 100 million%, Crufts was the only dog show I ever knew about growing up.

As a kid I wasn't allowed a dog so it was Crufts, Lassie and Joyce Stranger for me.

I don't show at the moment but it would be a dream come true to stand on the green carpet at Crufts with one of my future dogs.  To win BIS, OMG I cry for whoever has won their group, they'd probably have to stretcher me out if I ever got to that hallowed ground.

I know Crufts is a busy, exhausting day but I wouldn't miss it for anything, can't wait for 2009!!

i think sending the BBC a letter from all here at champ dogs and though breed clubs would be a good idea.
Just look at the repsone about animail fur we got from the euopean union last year by doing something simular.
We dont know until we try.
Also i dont think a few people pulling out will have all that much effect on Crufts and lets face it, it needs to downsize a little anyway.

I've posted the BBC complaint link twice - no excuses folks :)

doing it now

You Go Girl ;)

> Rightly or wrongly, we need to acknowledge that currently the KC have no legal control over poorly bred animals - no breeder is obligated to register their stock with the KC and quite literally hundreds of thousands of pedigree dogs are bred each year which are not.

Did anyone happen to see Dog Borstal on BBC 3 this week - the couple with two Papillons?  I can't quite remember the context but one of the owners was asked about neutering, to which she replied in a gooey voice 'but I want puppies'.  She was told about the idiocy of this, particularly as she already had two that she couldn't control, but I don't know what the outcome was.  There was so much wrong with these two as owners and goodness only knows whether either dog was a good example, or health tested, KC registered etc but these are exactly the type of people that will think they are breeding for the right reasons.  They would not imagine they are doing anything wrong and perhaps would just do it without any thinking at all.  It wouldn't have taken much for the programme makers to have put a bit of extra info up at the end of the programme to point people in the right direction for advice but even if they did, I wonder what they might say.

Following the infamous programme, the statements, the counter arguments, that idiot chief vet etc there seems to be an appetite now for one organisation to 'stand up for dogs'.  Because The KC is perceived to be for show dogs; Dogs Trust etc for rescue dogs; and the RSPCA for cruelty it's they that seem to be garnering a lot of public support to DO SOMETHING.  Perception is all and not everyone will even know the KC exists and would happily buy one of those Papillon puppies as they simply do not know any better.

> What I and many others would like to see is that the KC in the near future only permits breeders who meet NEW and VERY strict criteria to register their pups with them.  The basics would need to be mandatory health testing married to selecting only those for breeding which had excellent results and then rearing and socialising resultant litters to the highest possible standards which includes following up with life time support.
>
> Then, and IMO only then, would the KC registration document carry true value and it would be up to all the major welfare organisations as well as the KC itself to hammer home to the general public that purchasing any puppy without KC documentation was foolhardy.

If the KC were to adopt the strategy mentioned by Teri then they could legitimately assume the education role too.  They already offer information on choosing puppies, finding a breeder etc and this good advice and clear information is relevant for ALL dogs, not just pedigrees.  If the KC were to present themselves as the calm, scientific, expert face then this could be mentioned in many of these dog programmes.  As so many of the recent threads have said it is vital for the KC to have better PR and one of the ways they could do this is to publicise the need for well informed decision making and education that goes hand in hand with responsible dog ownership.  We should all be able to pick up KC guidelines, leaflets and handouts from the vets, pet shops and training classes etc.  It's not up to Pedigree or Eukanuba to be giving advice about raising healthy puppies and training your dogs it should be more balanced than that and why not the KC?  Perhaps then we could have a page at the end of some TV programmes: If any of the issues in tonights programme affect you or your dogs then you can get information help and guidance from The Kennel Club at...

Or am I just being naive and simplistic?!! :)

> We should all be able to pick up KC guidelines, leaflets and handouts from the vets, pet shops and training classes etc It's not up to Pedigree or Eukanuba to be giving advice about raising healthy puppies and training your dogs it should be more balanced than that and why not the KC?

Now that's an excellent idea and the sort of simple gesture which could genuinely make a difference :)  I'm sure Pedigree/Hills/Eukanuba etc would be willing to sponsor the idea to keep the direct costs to the KC down but have the KC logo, suitable advice and contact info clearly displayed :)

I didn't watch DB - never do TBH.  I always think that folks who end up on this type of show have a want about them anyway (Moi? Snob? ) - to me if you need serious help the last place you go to get it is on the telly :-D

> I didn't watch DB - never do TBH.  I always think that folks who end up on this type of show have a want about them anyway (Moi? Snob? <IMG alt="eek" src="/images/eek.gif"/> ) - to me if you need serious help the last place you go to get it is on the telly

Yes I know - we watch so that we can roll our eyeballs and feel a bit smug about our well behaved dogs, or celebrate our problems in the realisation that we're never that bad!!

Although one had to feel sorry for the poor woman who broke down in tears thinking she was a social pariah as her dog ate it's own poo.  She genuinely thought she had the only dog that has ever done this... 

> What I and many others would like to see is that the KC in the near future only permits breeders who meet NEW and VERY strict criteria to register their pups with them.&nbsp; The basics would need to be mandatory health testing married to selecting only those for breeding which had excellent results and then rearing and socialising resultant litters to the highest possible standards which includes following up with life time support.
>
> Then, and IMO only then, would the KC registration document carry true value and it would be up to all the major welfare organisations as well as the KC itself to hammer home to the general public that purchasing any puppy without KC documentation was foolhardy.
>

Terry this is what I want as well. I would also like all animal organisations to come together and help change laws and have them enforced. If they worked together we may see change happing sooner than later, lets hope they will.

> If the KC were to adopt the strategy mentioned by Teri then they could legitimately assume the education role too.&nbsp; They already offer information on choosing puppies, finding a breeder etc and this good advice and clear information is relevant for ALL dogs, not just pedigrees.&nbsp; If the KC were to present themselves as the calm, scientific, expert face then this could be mentioned in many of these dog programmes.&nbsp; As so many of the recent threads have said it is vital for the KC to have better PR and one of the ways they could do this is to publicise the need for well informed decision making and education that goes hand in hand with responsible dog ownership.&nbsp; We should all be able to pick up KC guidelines, leaflets and handouts from the vets, pet shops and training classes etc.&nbsp; It's not up to Pedigree or Eukanuba to be giving advice about raising healthy puppies and training your dogs it should be more balanced than that and why not the KC?&nbsp; Perhaps then we could have a page at the end of some TV programmes: If any of the issues in tonights programme affect you or your dogs then you can get information help and guidance from The Kennel Club at...
>
> Or am I just being naive and simplistic?!!

No not at all naive, this could easily be implemented. If everyone requested this I wonder if the KC would do it....

There was so much wrong with these two as owners and goodness only knows whether either dog was a good example, or health tested, KC registered etc but these are exactly the type of people that will think they are breeding for the right reasons.

That was cringeworthy but liked how the woman turned round in her treatment of the dogs and how the idiot bloke who lifted his poor dog up by the collar (!!) was failed. The dogs didn't look good quality to me, and if they were bought as pets, chances are they were unregistered as that is the norm for pets in Papillons. (Which personally I think is a shame, as then pet buyers think unreg'd pups are okay -if everyone registered but endorsed warning bells would ring when seeing unreg'd pups advertised.)

> Yes I know - we watch so that we can roll our eyeballs and feel a bit smug about our well behaved dogs, or celebrate our problems in the realisation that we're never that bad!!
>
> Although one had to feel sorry for the poor woman who broke down in tears thinking she was a social pariah as her dog ate it's own poo.&nbsp; She genuinely thought she had the only dog that has ever done this...&nbsp;

Ive just changed TV companys and I have been watching DB for the past few weeks as I was wondering what the fuss was about and have found myself rolling my eyes even talking to the TV lol.

The woman with the two dogs one passed one failed, the guy lifted the dog up in the air with the lead poor dogs legs where dangling.
I felt sorry for the woman with the dog that eat his own poo she felt so ashamed but she did so well the dog did stop and she was so over the moon :)

I have one that luv's rolling in fox poo lol

> hope it was all you expected

it was tremendous but it was ridiculously packed- it was the one occasion that i understood the need for those puppy pram things on toy day, i could easily see a chi or a pom or something getting stepped on in the crush.

> had to listen to and avoid crowds of people all complaining about the dogs being in the way!!&nbsp;

utterly ridiculous

I have read all the posts by Krusewalker, and do have to say that I am wondering if you are Jemima or one of her crew in disguise? You have made several comments which I have heard her say over the last year or so. If not then you must be "related"! lol

> What I and many others would like to see is that the KC in the near future only permits breeders who meet NEW and VERY strict criteria to register their pups with them.  The basics would need to be mandatory health testing married to selecting only those for breeding which had excellent results and then rearing and socialising resultant litters to the highest possible standards which includes following up with life time support.

Exactly, and if the programme achieved this, then all the angst will have been worth it. However, in order for it to matter, we need Crufts to continue, for breeders to strive for that dream, but to meet the mandatory health testing in the attempt. So, I for one would be very sorry if Crufts were to fall, despite all my grievances with the KC, they are, through Crufts and the dream it has always represented, the organisation that can influence change. So I agree that people shouldn't be backing off but stating that their continued support will be conditional upon the KC stepping up to the plate.
Kat

I don't believe there's a snowballs chance in hell that Crufts wont continue and be bigger and better than ever, year on year  - especially for the exhibits and exhibitors :) 

It will still be what all great breeders, dedicated exhibitors and experienced judges aspire to regardless of whether changes come about or not.   TBH I think the BBC & PP are being given rather too much credit for their role in changing things within the KC system and let's not forget the RSPCA's contribution to the programme has been to the detriment of animal welfare because they are now appearing to endorse the flawed theory of hybrid vigour in cross breeds, mongrels and mutts!

The sensational angle of that tacky programme may have lit a fire where the flames could cause one to 'ouch' but it's certainly not instigated any measures which were not successfully in place or already very much in the pipeline - at best it has possibly helped some schemes to be pushed ahead at a greater speed (which is of course for the greater good) but that's as much credit as the producers deserve ;)

With regard to the National Dog Warden Association pulling out of Crufts, that is not possible, as they had not booked a stand there this year, so the KC had been assumed they did not want one and had not allocated one for them, so how an organisation pull out of something they were never booked into in the first place?

Oooops I wonde who "leaked"that bit of information ! Egg faceon methinks !

" They wont be hassled on their benches by constant trails of JP and 'weans' wanting to disturb their sleep/relaxation".

Half the fun of Crufts for me is looking at everyone's dogs, talking to owners and clapping their dogs.  But I always ask first.  Only one person has ever said they'd prefer me not to touch their dog and that's fine.  Many more have been happy for me to talk to them and their dogs.  Crufts is a public show at the moment and that means the public are invited.  Welcome or not :)

CG

> Half the fun of Crufts for me is looking at everyone's dogs, talking to owners and clapping their dogs. But I always ask first

In bold - therein lies the difference :) 

You've quoted me after all as saying "wanting to disturb their sleep/relaxation". - again, therein lies the difference :)

> We should all be able to pick up KC guidelines, leaflets and handouts from the vets, pet shops and training classes etc.&nbsp;

We should and you can at my vets :-)  They have a large, very smart, display from the KC with a number of leaflets on how and where to choose a puppy.  The KC produce the stuff and are willing to put it out there I suppose it is just a question of which vets, pet shops etc are willing to use it.

We should and you can at my vets :-)  They have a large, very smart, display from the KC with a number of leaflets on how and where to choose a puppy.

Unfortunately, most people wouldn't go to the vets BEFORE buying a puppy.

> most people wouldn't go to the vets BEFORE buying a puppy.

Actually I know quite a few breeders who advertise at their vets and are recommended by them so it seems quite a few people source their puppies this way.  Many people feel the need to look for a puppy almost immediately after their home is bereft of an old dog and even when they leave it a while chances are they will have had the opportunity to browse these leaflets during the old dog's declining period.  The point is it is information and the KC is putting it out there.