Crufts * Spoiler Alert*

[Rhythmpig]

Can anyone tell me why the Yorkshire terrier and the black and tan terrier are in the toy group instead of the terrier group. Surely a terrier is a terrier no matter what size it is.

 

[JoanneF]

Can anyone tell me why the Yorkshire terrier and the black and tan terrier are in the toy group instead of the terrier group. Surely a terrier is a terrier no matter what size it is.

There are several other terriers that are shown in the toy group too. I think it's just because of their size but I do see your point.

 

[JudyN]

I'm watching on catch-up? Is it just me or was the labrador really overweigh?

I thought that too, though we didn't get a good look at him/her.

I think we do need to revise our ideas of 'fit for purpose', and recognise that what dogs need to be fit for most nowadays is to be companion dogs. Though just as important, they should be fit to live long pain-free lives and be able to enjoy themselves not limited by breathing problems, congenital blindness, or whatever. And any dog who struggles to give birth naturally should never be bred from. So sure, breed deerhounds who could gallop across rough moors and have the ability to bring down deer, spaniels who could have a wonderful time flushing out pheasants, greyhounds with top speeds and limited stamina - it's wonderful to see a dog switch into 'this is what I was born for' mode - but never at the cost of health and happiness. Every characteristic that causes pain, short life, and health problems has been created by us and it can't be right, any more than 'breeding' a human child with health problems because we think they will look cute...

 

[Mad Murphy]

@JudyN I have to agree with you.

I love what I call dog dogs the ones who run and chase and swim. While everyone is free to chose a dog that suits them they also need to consider that cuteness can come at a cost for the dog involved.

Health is far more important than looks

 

[JoanneF]

So sure, breed deerhounds who could gallop across rough moors and have the ability to bring down deer, spaniels who could have a wonderful time flushing out pheasants, greyhounds with top speeds and limited stamina - it's wonderful to see a dog switch into 'this is what I was born for' mode - but never at the cost of health and happiness.

I agree too but would also add that some dogs who are born to a task - have been bred over thousands of years for it - are not always suitable pets. I'm thinking of the worrying trend for people buying primitive breeds like ovcharka and similar, who need wide open space and isolation for the sake of their mental health.

 

[JudyN]

I agree too but would also add that some dogs who are born to a task - have been bred over thousands of years for it - are not always suitable pets. I'm thinking of the worrying trend for people buying primitive breeds like ovcharka and similar, who need wide open space and isolation for the sake of their mental health.

Agreed. And even dogs like huskies can often be entirely unsuitable pets for most people. Yes, there are easy-going ones, but a lot need far more than most households can offer. Breeders have a responsibility to ensure their puppies only go to people who understand the dogs' needs and can supply them, not just up their production to supply demand when a breed becomes fashionable.

 

[Mad Murphy]

Nothing to do with health but... what is it about crufts that brings out the armchair expert?
Yesterday I posted a picture of Murphy on FB... He was half crouched waiting for us to throw a ball..
Some half wit commented and said nice dog , cross springer spaniel in there, but his chest is too wide and his legs turn out..
errr, hes 100% stabij, he is slouched in the photo so he looked wide and the way the markings on his legs sit often give the illusion that his front legs are bent..(They're not.. )
Sometimes the old saying , if you cant say something nice , say nothing , is a good advice.

 

[JoanneF]

Some half wit commented and said nice dog , cross springer spaniel in there, but his chest is too wide and his legs turn out..

Fabulous! Please, please tell us how you replied?

 

[Mad Murphy]

Fabulous! Please, please tell us how you replied?

just said 'time for specsavers' and blocked him

 

[Nanny71]

Dudley is a small fluffy crossbreed but he gets lots of exercise.
We have a play every day too with stimulating games.
As well as four small dogs on the field this morning we had two cockers, a Springer, two labradors and a St Bernard.
I doubt any of the cockers go hunting, or the retrievers do any retrieving.

 

[JudyN]

Dudley is a small fluffy crossbreed but he gets lots of exercise.

I find it worrying when people say that Jasper must need a lot of exercise, being so big. The implication is that small dogs don't need a lot of exercise and so suitable for someone who wants to do no more than chuck a ball down the garden once or twice or take them on a potter to the post box.

 

[Biker John]

JudyN, yes I get told a lot that Folly must need a lot of exercise to keep her fit. I think most people with a Whippet or Greyhound will agree that short bursts of high energy running is what they both need and love. As to Crufts, after watching the flyball I am now expecting that a lot of people up and down the country will start looking for a Whippet or Whippet cross to be their competition dogs. The Border Collies stood no chance this year and they have been the dominant breed in Flyball for years.

 

[Rhythmpig]

@Biker John....the collies didn't stand a chance...at times neither did the person behind the camera.

 

[Biker John]

Rhythmpig, agree I had to laugh on their first couple of runs because the camera person was obviously trying, and failing to keep them in shot. But by the final they had obviously got more used to their speed.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Is anyone else watching Crufts?

It's my guilty pleasure - I can think of all sorts of reasons to boycott it (the breeding to produce dogs that can't function normally, some of the handling methods, subjecting dogs to hours of bathing & grooming, focus on looks rather than temperament), but for the next few days I will try to suspend that and focus on the good, and the smashing, fit, happy dogs, and the expert advice that promotes positive training. (Things might get thrown at the telly when the Pekes and other brachy breeds appear.)

I can't wait for hounds and terriers night - if you do watch, which is your favourite group?

I can finally comment haha, only just managed to watch Best in Show last night, this always happens, I have to tell customers to not talk about Crufts because I hadn't seen it yet lol.

Completely agree with you there, I love Crufts I watch it every year all the way through! I know I should be totally against it because of the breeding and the snobiness but I just can't help it!
I love that it's not just the group judging/best in show judging but there's all the extra bits like agility and flyball (that team with the whippets/lurchers, oh my gosh! Zooom!), The friends for life competition I love, Lee and Finn, amazing story!
I'm the same, I hate the short nosed breeds, Pekes are ridiculous, they have to be the most ridiculous looking dogs ever! And I absolutely love the Hound and Terrier groups

So happy the Petit Basset Griffon Vondeen came Reserve, and that the lovely little Jack Russell got 2nd in the terrier group, I thought it should have won the group but I'm biased
I was so rooting for Mike the Basset Griffon to win, he was lovely and he had a wagging tail, not walking around like a robot. When the judge was seeing other dogs I could see him in the background having a cuddle with his owner, so sweet
But the Papillon was lovely too, also had a bit of character rather than being robotic, so glad the Shih Tzu didn't win! What a stupid looking dog with all that hair, how can the judge see how they move with all that hair?!
One thing I don't get is that some dogs will be groomed excessively (like the Bichon) while others look like they've just had a bath and brush (like the Cavalier) it's feet are scruffy as hell because they're covered in hair between their toes etc. Shouldn't they at least cut all that hair out so that they're not running with slippers on?
Was funny when one of the dogs had a go at the judge, he was super careful after that, putting his hand out for all the others to sniff first lol....plus how did that pug win best of breed when it wouldn't even let the judge near it?