I would be interested to know what you think about the recent announcement from the KC that they and Dogs Trust want "an independent review into the registration, breeding and showing of dogs to ensure their long term health and welfare." The full announcement is at:

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2093/23/5/3

Do you think this is better than them waiting for their hand to be forced?
Will it make a difference?
Is it necessary?

It's good to see them working together after Dogs Trust withdrew from Crufts anyway.

Just so we know, are you asking this as a journalist Julie or a CD poster? :-)
I really don't know if they feel their hand is being forced.  This is not the first announcement they have made regarding this idea.  I think it is just announcing that they are receiving the DT support isn't it?
I would like to see it happen I think but not sure that the Government will give it to the KC rather than another agency and that does worry me.
Did the DT withdraw from Crufts?  I have lost track who did and who didn't to be honest.  Were they that ones that claims their members had voted for it?

I think that most members of CD are reluctant to talk to reporters after the help they gave to Pedigree Dogs Exposed researchers who then ignored all the stuff they said about responsible breeding, and health testing to air a biased and sensationalist show.

As a professional journalist have you asked the Kennel Club or the Dogs Trust?  If you read the press releases from the KC after that programme had been aired you would have seen that the KC continued to work with the Dogs Trust and was still working with the Dogs Trust even though they decided to pull out of Crufts, so this is not infact new, merely a statement that they are continuing to work together.

Actually why not report on the abuse that pedigree dog owners and breeders are receiving as a result of Pedigree Dogs Exposed? Or the flourishing trade in puppy farmed dogs and puppies whose breeders could not give a stuff about health testing or welfare of their dogs?

I could give you a start on that one, since I am covering that for Our Dogs and I can tell you about the puppy farmers and dog dealers who are legally banned from keeping dogs (one who is banned for 10 years and is still trading!)  There is a whole underworld of trade going on in the UK and apart from responsible dog owners and breeders like CDers nobody gives a stuff about these dogs and puppies.

Perhaps you could have covered the protests held yeserday in Manchester and Leeds?

Okay, I am not asking about this in relation to any article I am working on, I was just curious. I see this as a big step for the Kennel Club to take, and I am genuinely interested in what people who breed dogs think, since they are members of the KC. It is fascinating to me that at the moments the "sides" in this are constantly regrouping, and I just wanted to know what people thouht. I nearly didn't post as I knew it could be interpreted as inflammatory, but that's not how it was meant.

I am not a sensationalist journalist - I don't hastle anyone and I always give people the option to control or remove what they have said to me in radio interviews. I don't want to go on too much about what I do as I don't want it to be interpreted as advertising, but I have recently done an interview with a breeder advising people on how to recognise problems with breeders and not to be fooled into thinking KC is a guarantee of quality or a guarantee of problems. We also covered how and where not to buy a puppy, and that you can't get away from the need to do research when you buy a pup.

Polly - I will private message you to talk further.

Please be assured I am not on the make here, I am just curious.  As I said I don't do sensationlism, I cater more for the pet owner, and try to inform in an entertaining way and through interviewing good role models.

Thanks for you comments,

Julie

> I am genuinely interested in what people who breed dogs think, since they are members of the KC.

The point is that the Kennel Club is a private members club and in fact some of the members are not breeders.

The vast majority of people that use the Kennel Club services, such as registration and participate in the shows they organise have no say in the organisations machinations, and no vote.

Julie, you say>
<" I cater more for the pet owner, and try to inform in an entertaining way and through interviewing good role models">

In which case, you only have to delve a little deeper into some of the points made here on CD - about people purchasing puppies from breeders who only breed from health-tested dogs, about the health problems that can result from designer dogs etc........ - if you can get such articles published, then we might stand half a chance of educating the general public who "just want a puppy as a pet - not to show"

Julie, I'm sure you'd find this page and this page about the responsibilities of a breeder and a stud dog owner of help. :)

Hi Lokis mum,

Quite right! I absolutely believe in getting the right message out to the public. I think the kind of person who will come and read CD and do some research is going to make informed decisions. I have done interviews about how to spot good breeders, and also about what should ring alarm bells when you talk to or visit a breeder. We also promote rescue dogs.

I hope that one of the positive fallouts of "That Programme" is that the public realise choosing a dog is a serious undertaking, and not one to rush into without due thought.

I have found reading CD interesting and educational, and the breed info on it helped inform me a long time ago when I was researching what breed was right for me.

> The vast majority of people that use the Kennel Club services, such as registration and participate in the shows they organise have no say in the organisations machinations, and no vote.

No, but it is not a monopoly.  If they really did not support them they could go to another registry and organise their own shows as some working breeds do, so I think we should assume that those that avail themselves of their services are supporting them with something akin to a vote.

> I am not a sensationalist journalist

Julie, I have looked at your site and I can safely say you do not appear to have the same "qualities" as Jemima :-).  I was just curious as to whether you were planning an article on this and what tack you might be taking.

advising people on how to recognise problems with breeders and not to be fooled into thinking KC is a guarantee of quality or a guarantee of problems. We also covered how and where not to buy a puppy, and that you can't get away from the need to do research when you buy a pup.

Thank goodness someone is getting this across to the public, I'm speaking of a dog lover and not a breeder (not saying that breeders don't love dogs though :) )

But seriously a few years ago I purchased a puppy from an accredited breeder who was breeding from a line of high hip scored dogs.  I stupidly just looked at mother and father hip scores and didn't go any further back than that!  When our puppy had problems getting up from about 3 months old, the breeder didn't want to know, didn't answer the phone or return messages or reply to emails! 

I know there are some good caring breeders out there that really put the dogs health and temperament first, but joe public needs to be aware of the ones that are less 'caring'.

So keep up the good work Julie :)

people who breed dogs think, since they are members of the KC.

Unfortunately, here's another example of a journalist planning to write about a subject and having not even the most basic knowledge of their subject.  Not a personal dig Julie,:) but this is exactly how unbalanced and unrepresentitive programs come to be aired.  Just like the un-doggy presenters that the BBC used to use at Crufts every year.  The public may like to have famous faces, but dog people cringe every time that they open their mouths! :(

I gave up talking to 'the press' years ago because they would use their literary imagination and license, and always 'just slightly' changing the words that were actually used, and if you don't you exactly the right words, then the meaning is changed completely.

We have actors, solicitors and most other professions involved - do we really not have a journalist or a program producer who is involved in the dog world?

Hi WestCoast,

First of all I have been at great pains to point out that I am not writing anything about this subject. If I was writing about it I would have researched it more! :)

Secondly I have never changed anyone's words, and as I said I always offer control and the power to remove anythin they're not happy with. :)

Thirdly it was my love of and ownership of dogs that lead me to the oppotunity to write about dogs and interview people connected with dogs! :)

I actually think what we need is a program where a celebtrity investigates buying a puppy, showing the right way to go about it.

It's a pity to stop speaking to all press as it tarring all of them with the same biased brush! All programs involve editing, but I suspect this only enrages viewers/listeners when choices are made to include subject matter with which they do not agree! :)

Not quite what you mean when you say "do we really not have a journalist or a program producer who is involved in the dog world?" but I was involved in the dog world way before I wrote about it. 

> Did the DT withdraw from Crufts?&nbsp; I have lost track who did and who didn't to be honest.&nbsp; Were they that ones that claims their members had voted for it?

yes. though according to loads of posters they didn't vote for it.

> It's good to see them working together after Dogs Trust withdrew from Crufts anyway.

to be honest reading the statement i woudl assume its the dogs trust who's hand have been forced... i know many of their members were up in arms after their withdrawel from crufts and some withdrew their support. it could well be a nod to try and regain these supporters that has prompted this proffering of the olive branch.

saying that the kc seems to be bouncing around a bit after this. they don't seem to have made their plans to improve things clear to their members (or have i missed something while out of action?). they are reacting quite dramatically to 'that programs' fallout where they have snubbed the comments of their members for years. you just need to look at the breeders on this forum- health testing, nutrition researching, socializing, loving and dedicated owners and breeders. clearly its not that hard to manage.

the only argument against making health testing and what not a requirement is that people might join another organisation. to my view, so what? people know KC, many trust KC, give them a reason to i say. (jmo)

its nice julie to have a journalist who seems to be taking the side of the pedigrees.

>I actually think what we need is a program where a celebtrity investigates buying a puppy, showing the right way to go about it.

I thought along the same lines in this thread a couple of weeks ago.

good plan, watchable and educational.

Jeangenie - great minds think alike?

I've got a camcorder - which celeb shall we ask?:)

I can think of several! lol As I imagine many here could too. Perhaps we should have a vote CDers?

That would probably be the most useful show anybody has ever suggested! Joe Public listen to celebs all the time. I'd certainly be in on that one.... and being the old granny type who does not watch much TV I would need to know who the celeb was. lol

A few years ago the KC tried to get celebs to Crufts to attract members of the public, and I do own up to being one of the many dog people stood by the stand saying, "Who is that?" As we had no idea at all. Wouldn't say opur lives begin and end with dogs but........ :-D

> I've got a camcorder - which celeb shall we ask?:-)

NOT the fogel.

> "Who is that?" As we had no idea at all. Wouldn't say opur lives begin and end with dogs but........ :-D

perhaps celebs like the blue peter dogs then lol? paul o'gradys dogs? alas the greats like K9, Hooch and Beethoven will be long gone...

obsesive? us? :)

definately not Fogels father or son!

down with the fogel!!

richard hammond? (despite the labradoodle), we do all like martin clunes but i doubt he'd catch the public eye. ohh! stephen fry. love him :) or perhaps the surprisingly (under the make up, limelight grabbing etc) nice and down to earth jordan? popular and could have sense enstilled i feel.

> down with the fogel!!
>

Apart from being posh what has he done to offend you so much?  I think you may be confusing him with his father who is the one who passed the offending comments.
Like you say, if you want to get a message across you need to use someone that appeals to the public and this is exactly why the BBC book him.  Just don't give him a live script :-)  I'm not so sure that Jordan would have quite the same appeal across the board.

Astarte mentioned the Blue Peter dogs - I think it would be a brilliant thing for Blue Peter to show children the right way to get a puppy the next time the show gets a new dog. Get the message out to them while they're young! Can't remember them ever looking into it like that.

I know Simon Cowell has dogs - he could go about it X Factor style. You know, which breed gets through to his second round and so on!

he's just such a terrible crifts presenter, he spoils the whole occasion and given that its all been tv for me up till this year it really got on my goat. i've no issue with him being posh, i grew up in an abundance of posh. he simply makes a mockery of something i love and so has incurred my wrath :)

the thing is he doesn't appeal to anyone else i know either. he's not particularly good looking, he's not knowledgeable, he's not even entertaining. jeremy clarkson is funny so people watch him, stephen fry is hilarious and very intellegent so people like him, colin farrell- despite being a terrible actor and not the sharpest by all accounts- is at least nice to look at. fogel is none of these things.

> I'm not so sure that Jordan would have quite the same appeal across the board

lol, i am actually growing fond of her- under the image she seems a very nice girl. a very caring mum to.

who do you think then?

> Astarte mentioned the Blue Peter dogs - I think it would be a brilliant thing for Blue Peter to show children the right way to get a puppy the next time the show gets a new dog. Get the message out to them while they're young! Can't remember them ever looking into it like that

thats a good idea. i've not watched it in years- what dogs do they have now?

did i hear correctly and they killed George the tortoise?

How about David Tennant (Dr Who)? He seems ultra popular at the moment.
He could do it as himself or as Dr Who. He could get a biological replacement for K9.

> he's not particularly good looking, he's not knowledgeable, he's not even entertaining.

The public seem to find him so.  I'm not sure that a presenter, given a script, needs to be that knowledgeable but he is certainly a dog lover and he did grow up helping out in a vets so I suspect his understanding of dogs and familiarity with different breeds is greater than the average viewer, but I doubt you could book him as he is contracted to the BBC ;-)

> The public seem to find him so

i wouldn't think that much though... he's not billed to often really. the only things i ever see him in now are re-runds of animal park, and at crufts.

though yes, he's a dog person so he can't be to bad :)

lol thats an idea

> I know Simon Cowell has dogs

When I heard Simon Cowell on Desert Island Discs he said that he loved animals and hated cruelty to them, but that he didn't and wouldn't have a dog as he wasn't responsible enough. I am sure that's what I remember him saying.

I reckon you need someone off a soap opera - don't know who as I don't watch the things (listen to the Archers but I think someone off the Archers might lose the target audience before beginning ;-) ) - but they tend to be more identified with and well known by the general public than most others I think.

I can just imagine Jordan asking questions no-one has the bottle to ask.  How about John Barrowman.  He has three rescue dogs  (I think) and I also think they were all acquired from The Dogs Trust.  I went to see him in concert and some people took him presents, he asked people not to give him presents but to send the money to The Dogs Trust instead.  This was prior PDE.  At least he would be comfortable around the dogs.

> some people took him presents, he asked people not to give him presents but to send the money to The Dogs Trust instead

aww, how nice!

Someone like Martin Shaw (John Deed etc). He is patron of a fairly local Rescue that I support. don't know if he would be well known enough for all age groups tho?
Chris

What about Linda Barker? :)  *hangs head in shame*

:-D  Here's your coat.

> What about Linda Barker?

Who??

Munrogirl you are right, Simon Cowell doesn't have dogs as he is out of the country too much and doesn't feel it would be fair to have a dog. He does love dogs though and is often pictured with them - he has done a bit of charity work for animal charities including the PDSA calendar posing with a dog :-)

Edited to add: Linda Barker used to present 'Changing Rooms' and has done a few reality shows since...she does the DFS sofa ads. She has a miniature Dachshund.

Oh right - only person I remember from Changing Rooms was that man with all the hair - he was on that wasn't he? - didn't watch it much, can you tell? :-D

I don't think Mini is suggesting her for her CV ;-)

And now I am completely lost.

Well it was supposed to be a joke because of her surname however it was a little dodgy (no offence mini) to start with now its been explained its rather fallen flat. ;)

I reckon you need someone off a soap opera

Pam St Clement. Involved in rescue. As is Wendy Richard, but she isn't well. :(

Ah - with you now - didn't take me long did it? :-D :-o

Yes, Pam St Clement has Scotties doesn't she?

Maybe her and someone younger, male and good looking (and that isn't just for my eye candy honest ;-) - was thinking younger male and good looking often appeals to the younger generation - blokes will idnetify with and girls will fancy :-D and will engage their interest more - so maybe 2 celebs. :-) ).

I'll put in a vote for David Tennant, I'm a huge fan. Alas though I don't think he's very doggy, and his filming and acting schedules would mean no reputable breeder would sell him a dog! :-)

The same could apply to most celebs unless their other halves and they live a very low key home life.

So really they want an out of limelight partner at home.

Wasn't it Jordan aka Katie Price that bought two pups at the same time and one died or escaped or something?