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CRISIS at Crufts: TWO Molosser Best of Breed dogs are disqualified by the Crufts vet and deemed ineligible to compete in the Group: Neapolitan Mastiff (judged by Mr. J. Horswell) and Mastiff (judged by Mrs. S.H. Windham of Ireland). You think maybe the mandatory vet checks for so-called "at risk" breeds could have been performed *BEFORE* Best of Breed was judged??
Now I think THAT'S a problem. These dogs, & all "at risk" dogs, should have been checked before they ever stepped into the ring.
I do, however, agree that dogs should be checked, especially at high profile shows like Crufts & Westminster. Perhaps a representative from the sponsoring breed club, along with a judge specializing in that breed should also be consulted. And NOT after they win BOB.
If you're on Facebook, go to Modern Molosser Magazine & read the comments. Quite discouraging. Evidnetly the mastiff was disqualified for a "possible" ear infection.
Do you know what the problem with the Neo was? I think the conformation and excessive wrinkle is unhealthy personally, but I doubt that was the vets reason lol... I can hope though right? Cuz that might eventually lead to a more working type Neo!
---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------
oh, I'd be furious if my dog was disqualified for a "possible" ear infection!
I can't believe that a dog can be disqualified for a mild medical condition like that. Deedee showed with scabs & scars all over her front legs years ago (long story) & still took a 4 point major. The thing that's bugging me is why wait until they take BOB, THEN examine them? Why aren't these "at risk" breeds examined before they ever step into the ring?
---------- Post added at 10:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------
Do you know what the problem with the Neo was? I think the conformation and excessive wrinkle is unhealthy personally, but I doubt that was the vets reason lol... I can hope though right? Cuz that might eventually lead to a more working type Neo!
---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------
oh, I'd be furious if my dog was disqualified for a "possible" ear infection!
Do you know what the problem with the Neo was? I think the conformation and excessive wrinkle is unhealthy personally, but I doubt that was the vets reason lol... I can hope though right? Cuz that might eventually lead to a more working type Neo!
---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------
oh, I'd be furious if my dog was disqualified for a "possible" ear infection!
I think the neo was disqualified for ectropion. THAT'S why I think an expert from that breed, maybe someone from the parent club, AND a judge that's not working that show, but specializes in the breed, should also examine the dogs. I understand that there would be many more people involved, but I don't think that a vet or group of vets should be the sole decision makers. There's a chance that these vets have very little exposure to neos. They may not be aware of what's acceptable, or hwat the standards are for that breed.
---------- Post added at 10:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 AM ----------
Speaking of conformation, Gems Ruby Begonia on Topp GCG, took one point yesterday, & one point today at a little show in W. Palm Beach, FL. Congratulations, Ruby! Thinking of sending her with her co owner to a specialty show next month in Perry, GA. Let's see how she does against the BIG dogs (or bitches). I don't think she'll do anything there.
Speaking of conformation, Gems Ruby Begonia on Topp GCG, took one point yesterday, & one point today at a little show in W. Palm Beach, FL. Congratulations, Ruby! Thinking of sending her with her co owner to a specialty show next month in Perry, GA. Let's see how she does against the BIG dogs (or bitches). I don't think she'll do anything there.
The neo was disqualified for eye issues, I don't know what the EM was disqualified for but one thing I do know is that a significant number of UK breeders (the facebook group has 3000+ members) are behaving very poorly. They are not complaining about the vet checks in terms of if they are neccesary for the health of the breed but rather that the Kennel club is imposing its will upon the breeders. The comments I have seen on facebook are frankly sickening, the point of focus is not on the dogs and their health but rather about the breeders and how this affects their "sport" and how they are being discriminated against. I can not see how a system that reduces the attraction of breeding from unhealthy lines can be objected to, and frankly if you have had your day at the show spoiled by the loss of a title, try breeding healthier dogs.
The guidelines for the health checks do not prevent true examples of a breed from being bred, they are simply aimed to prevent the unhealthy excesses that some breeds have reached.
Sorry about the rant but this is an issue that I feel passionate about and I should mention that many breeders in the UK have embraced the vet checks as a positive move.
They did indeed, and althought it was imbalanced and hardly mentioned those breeders who are trying to make a positive diffference in their breed's health, it made some good points about the health issues or certain breeds and how certain breeders are deliberately breeding these problems in to the line for the sake of the appearance of the dog. For example although there are a reasonable number of st Bernard breeders who flat won't breed from those with epilepsy in the line, very little comment was made about initiatives like this but they made very good points about pugs and bulldogs.
Bentley I assume The Kennel Club bestows "points" for BOB, Winners Dog, etc. like the AKC does. If these dogs lost their title, did they also lose their points?
The Kennel Club doesn't use a points system, instead it has a baffling system of required placements in multiple different competitions. I believe in the case of these dogs that are disqaulfied on health issues that if the health problem isn't correctable then they can longer be awarded any wins.
