Stubbylee Blog

At LKA on the Saturday a lot of people were discussing the BBC’s decision not to televise Crufts in 2009. The general opinion seemed to be good - perhaps we can get the show back to what it used to be rather than everything being dictated by the requirements of television. Best in Show can be scheduled for the benefit of the dogs rather than the TV  schedulers; no more inane pontifications from presenters who are chosen for the job because they own a dog, rather than any love or detailed knowledge of dogs and the show world; no more pieces about things you can buy at Crufts rather than all the different events - its like Match of the Day spending 20 minutes each week discussing the half time pies and beer or the contents of the club shop.

For once well done to the KC they’ve chosen to stand up to the BBC rather than refusing to exclude 12 ‘problem’ breeds - 12 out of nearly 190 scheduled breeds plus, agility, flyball, obedience and all the other events. The world of pedigree dogs cannot be as bad as some are painting if there are less than 10% of breeds seen as a problem. Yes there are problems, there’s no denying that, but the BBC have missed a golden opportunity to help highlight & educate in a constructive way, it may well turn out to be a loss for the BBC rather than dogs in the long term. Still this is an organisation that’s not even competent to organise a dancing competition without changing the rules because they can’t understand simple maths. An organisation that was renowned worldwide for the standard of its programming but which now offers people (sorry celebs) trying to contort thenselves to fit through holes in polystyrene whilst dressed like oven ready turkeys as quality TV. We shouldn’t have expected anything else.

So what should the KC do about televising Crufts? How about entering the 21st century and following the example of business, the Internet is a massively powerful global tool that can be used to influence & inform.  As an example consider how it was used to promote Rick Astley as a pop music great - Rick Rolling is now a recognised way of businesses promoting theit products. Youtube provides a platform for many businesses to advertise - often in preference to traditional TV. Lets see highlights of BIS, Groups and each breed’s judging along with the agility etc posted on Youtube, perhaps with the judges comments on their choices.  Support this with other videos presenting health issues within the breed, whats being done to tackle it and the breed standard explained by a breed expert and we can educate a wider audience.

It was the final Championship show of the year with LKA at the NEC. We were there both days; on Friday woth Diva & Magic and then on Saturday with Leo. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise great year with Magic taking 2nd in Puppy bitch being the best we could do.

Never mind

It obviously hit Leo & Magic badly - when I got up this morning I found them curled up together on the sofa with a bottle of Jack Daniels !!

I finally received the information on breed health initiatives yesterday. This is the information that we, as breed club committees, are supposed to meet to discuss and provide feedback by the 30th December. Fortunately for borzoi this isn’t as severe as in other breeds, apart from the introductory remarks there’s no change to the breed standard and health issues are relatively few (none of which come as a big surprise and some of which seem to have no hereditary base).

To expect clubs to get together this month, giving us effectively 2 weekends to arrange this before the deadline is simply ridiculous. Haven’t they considered that many people have other commitments in the run up to Christmas - work events, visiting family, working overtime oh and LKA as well. But I doubt the agenda is driven by the KC - what’s the betting this is tied in with the BBC’s decision on whether they will televise Crufts. The KC can now point to the BBC’s anonymous panel of ‘experts’ and say look what we are doing. Why are these people anonymous could it be so they won’t be exposed as belonging to organisations with their own agendas, self publicising journalist and the usual motley crew who the BBC roll out to comment on canine matters. By the way is it only me who feels that the BBC should try running their own organisation properly before telling others what they should do.

The BBC programme highlighted a number of issues that do need to be addressed (along with a few more aspects of dog showing / breeding) and eliminated. But I’m reminded of the maxim regarding any government that legislation put together in haste to respond to a particular issue will be bad legislation. So just slow down a bit KC and let the clubs digest these matters fully; surely these are issues that a far wider group of people than club committees need to provide their support for.

Its a week since it first snowed and there’s still some lying around where its shaded from the sun. The dogs have absolutely loved it, hopefully I’ll upload some video of them to YouTube in the next few days.