One of the more unusual breeds on show at Crufts - a Hungarian Puli. Quite small, his dreadlocks make him look rather like a mop, but he is still very cute and his eyes, when they can be seen, are gentle and intelligent.

K9 Perspective

The magazine your dog would want you to read
Editorial Issue 31, April-May 2007

Crufts - for better or for worse?

THIS year, for the very first time, I attended Crufts' legendary dog show in Birmingham on Saturday March 10 - officially Terrier Day. The size of the place was huge - as was the walk from the car park to the main building - but walking was the best option after viewing the length of the queue waiting for the free bus to arrive (about three busloads long by my calculation) and it was a beautiful fine day.

I spent about six hours viewing as much of the information and entertainment as possible, but of course did not cover everything. And I confess to a pre-Crufts opinion that the whole thing was "just a dog show and trade fair", but now that opinion has completely changed.

Even the trade stands held information I was very happy to learn - after viewing the stands for dog accessories I now know that one can buy ready-made collars in the new very wide and softer styles (essential for avoiding damage to your dog’s neck bones or oesopagus) and that the available range of decorative collars and leads is huge and includes diamantes, sequins, gold and silver materials, trims, paints and dyes of all colours and styles.

I found out that The Animals' War exhibition will begin at the Imperial War Museum in North Manchester on 26 May and will continue until 6 January 2008, so I have plenty of choice as to attendance date. Find out more on www.iwm.org.uk/north.

A sample card from Canine Cards featuring Border collies caught my eye and I just had to visit the website when I arrived back home. Again, very interesting and I will visit there again soon at www.caninecards.co.uk. Other items of interest were chrome single and multi dog bowl stands, as well as brass, bronze and copper ornamental dogs, plaques, dog heads and badges.

The canine rescue organisations were well represented - Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs and Cats Homes being two that passed me information, but one organisation that I did not know existed was the Cinnamon Trust - an organisation that not only helps the elderly with their pets (perhaps illness or incapacity means you can no longer take your dog for a walk, so volunteers from Cinnamon Trust will take your dog out as often as they can), but also gives them peace of mind about the fate of their dog if they die before the beloved dog or cat does. Perhaps your days are limited and you worry about what will happen to your dog after you are no longer there to take care of him. Just contact the Trust and you are assured that your dog will be taken care of, hopefully to be placed with another elderly person in need of a pet to love, or perhaps to spend the remainder of his days as a guest of the Trust. Just knowing that an organisation like this exists means the elderly do not now need to avoid keeping pets. View their website at: www.cinnamon.org.uk to find out more, or to send a donation.

Team games and demonstrations by various service organisations kept the audiences intrigued and amused. They were all both informative and entertaining. The audiences were large and most appreciative.

The one tinge of misgiving I felt over the whole day was when watching an actual showring performance. The dogs were all beautiful, well-groomed and putting on their best behaviour. But while closely watching the contestants as they passed or paused in front of me I noted that these little dogs were constantly held on a VERY tight choke chain, and worse still, a very thin, fine one. Some of them were nudged into a good standing position constantly, while being held so tightly that their little front paws scarcely touched the floor and when they were walking towards or away from the judge their chins were being held so high via the choke chain that again I am sure their paws often did not quite make contact with the floor.

Now I am not an expert but surely this is not a good scenario but rather one likely to result in neck vertebra, tendon, muscle, optic nerve or oesophagus damage? Is it fair to subject little dogs (or large dogs either) to such treatment? Anyone who thinks it must be okay because the dog doesn’t complain should try it out on themselves with someone else pulling the chain. Not exactly comfortable! However, I do realise that any changes for the better in the show ring will have to be actioned through the changing of kennel club rules and show ring requirements. It all comes down to whether the kennel club really has the welfare of dogs at heart.

For the rest of the day I took photos and patted dogs of various breeds and sizes and have to say the whole experience was a very happy one over-all. If any readers are able to go to see the Crufts shows but have not actually done that deed yet, I have to say to them do go and see the next one - you will not regret it! - Elezabeth