Issue: 18/05/2012
Simples
There is so much said these days about the decline in dog showing.
Well I think the answer is simple - all you need are fantastic, hard working committee members, a terrific caring and fair minded panel of judges, a venue that not only welcomes the society but go out of their way to be helpful and courteous to all on the day and to complete the picture some of the best, most generous and most sporting exhibitors in the country.
Sound like a pipe dream? well it's not I am describing Aberystwyth & DCS Open Show on May Day Bank Holiday. I can't thank all involved enough for another terrific show.
Yours etc
Sue Banks
Secretary, Aberystwyth & DCS
Keep the Grey Ghost please
The KC appears to be registering 'Non-recognised colour' dogs. Why? What is the point of a standard if the KC do not adhere to it?
To register such a dog is to register a dog with a major fault. All the breed standards state under faults about 'deviation from the foregoing……'
In Weimaraners in the UK since 2004 we have had a problem with blue dogs which have been imported from America and advertised as a 'rare blue Weimaraner'. This colour resembles that of the Great Danes and does not exist in any Weimaraner breed standard across the globe. But the KC in their wisdom register them. It is not only happening in our breed which is very specific re colour, but now in Bulldogs, Large Munsterlanders and Labradors to name a few.
How did this blue colour appear in the unique 'Grey Ghost'? Through crossbreeding. This has been confirmed by the Weimaraner Klub e.V. - the German club of the breed's origin who set the original standard. The four UK Weimaraner Clubs have appealed to the KC to stop registering these dogs and their siblings, but to no avail. The KC's view taken as a quote from their website: 'However, the Kennel Club does not wish to include in the registration system inappropriate colour descriptions or terminology which gives rise to 'fashion' colours. The Kennel Club will not refuse registrations on grounds of colour, unless there is a health-related restriction in place. Therefore any dogs that are of colours not listed will be registered currently as 'colour not KC recognised'. So, on the one hand they are saying they will not refuse registration on the grounds of colour and then although you do not wish to encourage fashion colours you are doing nothing to prevent them. If the KC insist on them being registered then they should be registered 'not to be bred from'.
This stance makes a mockery of registering of breeds with specific colours in their standard. The registering of this blue dog has in turn fed the greed of the breeders who sell the puppies as a 'rare colour' and at inflated prices. The litters produced if one parent is blue and one grey can produce a mixed colour litter of siblings and the public who are buying these dogs are being deceived by the breeder and the KC are playing a part in the deception. If I buy a Prada handbag at a high price I do not want to find out later I have bought a fake. This whole issue comes down to the KC. Are they doing right by the breed the breeders and the clubs who are the custodians of their breed by failing to take action to reduce the increasing breeding of the 'non recognised colours'? Are they doing the breed a disservice? Is it legitimate? Is it also feeding the greed of the KC?
The Weimaraner is grey and only grey.
Yours etc
Christine Carpenter
Excellent!
I recommend all prospective - and even fully fledged - judges to read the Newfoundland critique for Working and Pastoral Breeds Association of Wales published in May 11th issue.
To me it epitomises an excellent critique and I only wish I could have written one half as good when I was judging!
yours etc
Pamela Cross Stern
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