Labels

GSD world call for Caroline Kisko to be sacked

I've just received the following from David Payne of Videx German Shepherds.


Crufts 2010 ruined by Gross Misconduct
The Kennel Club should now sack Caroline Kisko
16th March 2010

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) breed here in Great Britain has entered the most controversial and crucial period in its history. With the Kennel Club refusing to listen to reason and obviously conducting a public campaign to discredit our noble GSD breed in favour of the totally incorrect Alsatian. The Kennel Club fully co-operated in “Trial by Television” on our GSD Best of Breed at Crufts 2010, causing insult and injury to the dog’s passionate and dedicated owner, as well as the respected and experienced Judge, who incidentally was selected and appointed by the Kennel Club precisely because he is a knowledgeable, experienced and well respected GSD specialist Judge.

Caroline Kisko, the Secretary of the Kennel Club conducted herself in a disgraceful manner in the televised interview with Claire Balding. This interview was so obviously contrived and directed by Caroline Kisko. The programmes producers and Claire Balding should be ashamed that they allowed themselves and their programme to be abused and manipulated in such a way. The Kennel Club should now SACK Caroline Kisko and make a sincere public apology to the owner of the GSD B.O.B. and the GSD Judge. The Kennel Club should also formally notify the More4 television company that they must NEVER play any part in this type of victimisation in the future.

Caroline Kisko should have supported the Crufts GSD Judge and enlightened Claire Balding as to her NOT being the appointed Judge and NOT having any GSD expertise comparable with the GSD Judge, simply telling her she should keep any such opinions to herself. Of course this was never going to happen as it clearly would not fit the Kennel Club’s and Caroline Kisko’s desired script.

By this single act the Kennel Club now appear as “unfit to hold dog shows”. By their unfair and unrelenting campaign against the GSD breed, the Kennel Club illustrate at best grossly irresponsible behaviour and spin, and at worst grotesque xenophobia against the German National Breed’ the German Shepherd Dog.

The time has surely arrived for all pedigree dog breed clubs to start making alternative arrangements to exhibit their dogs, in a similar way that the GSD breed are progressing, arrangements that will EXCLUDE the Kennel Club and their lack of meaningful mandatory health screening.

Surely there is diminishing incentive in trying to hold onto something which is as damaged and outdated as the Kennel Club’s show scene, which is in an obvious state of decay. The Kennel Club have pilloried the GSD breed in an unrelenting manner, completely disregarding and, worse still, disrespecting the very important and fundamental role of the Kennel Club licensed breed clubs, when they deal with any aspect of an individual breed.

Every Kennel Club licensed breed club and every Kennel Club approved Championship Show Judge must now be very seriously concerned about exactly what has happened between the Kennel Club and the GSD breed over recent months, culminating in this abhorrent “Trial by Television” interview conducted by Claire Balding and Caroline Kisko, in total disrespect of the GSD B.O.B. and the GSD Judge.

At this point I would inform readers that the owner of this dog is justifiably distraught. and, although the 'stage-managed' damage has been done, the very least that the Kennel Club, Caroline Kisko and the Television Company should do is to give her a profuse public apology - and Claire Balding should also apologise for allowing herself to be duped into participating in this obviously contrived piece of film.
The victimised GSD B.O.B. at Crufts 2010 has successfully completed all his Health Checks, has excellent Hip and Elbow ratings, has not only completed his Schutzhund title but has also passed a very thorough Breed Survey and a 20km gaiting Endurance Test (AD) which he had no problem in achieving. 
If only ALL Crufts winners could be so well health screened !!! 
Caroline Kisko certainly picked on the wrong dog, and the Kennel Club are victimising the wrong Breed, a breed who are responsible for instigating many of the Health Screenings currently available and for lobbying the Kennel Club (unsuccessfully !) for many years to make these health screenings mandatory.
For our efforts we have been stone-walled by Clarges Street and are now being treated in a disgusting fashion with all the considerable SPIN that the Kennel Club can muster. 
It is surely appropriate and necessary for each and every Kennel Club licensed breed club secretary and Kennel Club approved Championship Show judge, to write to the Kennel Club expressing their disgust with this “Trial by Television”, and demand the sacking of “Kisko” and a profuse public apology to the dog’s owner and the judge.

Judges appointed for any future CRUFTS Show should demand assurances from the Kennel Club that nothing like this will ever be allowed to happen in the again.

I call on the Kennel Club General Committee to grasp these important issues and make the necessary decisions.

Sincerely

David Payne
Videx GSD

See my previous blog on this topic - click here
 



Email Post
Labels:

Comments

Claire said…
Fantastical article - its about time people that really care about their dogs and their breeds stand up against the money-making machine that is The Kennel Club!
16 March 2010 at 18:21
Anonymous said…
dont know who;s the bigger prat him for making such a stupid statement or you for publishing it!
16 March 2010 at 18:36
Anonymous said…
Once again people who are fighting to save the health and purpose of their breed are hacked down.
Beverley we need you more than ever - bring back the Cold Wet Nose Show! and I implore you reward some sort of health temperament test or working qualification and show them what fit for purpose ACTUALLY means!
16 March 2010 at 18:55
Anonymous said…
Absolutely spot on article, The GSD people have been trying to get through to the media to put their case across. They want the KC to introduce mandatory health screening for parents of KC registered pups, they want them to put limits on hip/elbow scores for the accredited breeder scheme, they want them to face up to the responsibilities of pedigree dogs in the UK. But instead they(the KC) spout their political rubbish to all that will listen and continually pick on the caring GSD breeders because they are willing to stand up and make their point. Incidentally I saw the GSD best of breed at Crufts, a fine, healthy totally unexaggerated specimen of the breed.
16 March 2010 at 20:16
Julie Johnson said…
There are breeds that are obviously far more extreme and unhealthy than the GSD,some have a job to walk 100yds never mind serve as police dogs/guide dogs and service dogs all over the world, why are these other breeds not being castigated. The GSD has been at the forefront of health testing for some decades now, when screening wasn't deemed desirable. If the KC refused to register puppies from unscreened parents we might get somewhere. I thought the BOB winner was beautiful and what more it could do to prove it fit for purpose is beyond me, I feel so sorry for the owners of this dog that they were treated this way.
16 March 2010 at 20:22
Anonymous said…
just looked at this guys website....well if he wants to protect the banna back one he has fine, but I can see why the Kennel Club dont. As for him being for his other arnts on his site, it looks like the dogs are not the opnly thing that should be tested for health and temprement. the GSD winner BOB at Crufts this year is not an advert for any good breed the handler had NO control over it and was a danger to the otehr BOBs in the ring.
16 March 2010 at 21:20
Anonymous said…
I hope all the good breed clubs step up to the plate and support the GSD. They all should be thinking if it can happen to the GSD it could happen to others. The KC need a good shake up and the time is now!!
16 March 2010 at 21:59
Anonymous said…
To mark out one breed and exclude so many with marked physical problem smacks of a private agenda. There were GSDs in the original PDE programme with terrible back legs competing in shows. Also it was reported that when new rules as to confirmation came in, it was the breed clubs who objected. Trouble is I don't know if these are the same people.

Is there anyone who has any links or coverage of the clips. I am one of the few who only has terrestrial channels and more4 have not included the coverage in their iplayer.

It would not be right for me to comment further on coverage I have not actually witnessed (despite suspicions).
16 March 2010 at 23:14
Mo said…
To the above anonymous poster. I am not anonymous, and I can say catagorically that you are totally wrong and out of order. This top Class specimen of our breed was beautifully controlled and showed himself to perfection. do you have any dogs? Do you realise that this dog has the highest health qualifications possible, that can be obtained both here and in Germany, far beyond what the KC ask for or even understand- and is an ambassador for our breed.
His health and temperament credentials: Hips score 3 : 4 Elbows 0 : 0 BH - AD - KKl.1. Sch.h.3. You may not like him, thats your opinion, but dont spout about his health and welfare and handling until you understand it. Now tell us about your dogs qualifications. Mo - Mascani.
16 March 2010 at 23:58
Shirley Hutchinson - Mascani GSDs said…
Whatever "type" of GSD you support there is no doubt at all from this dogs very thorough qualifications that he is not in any way "unfit for life" and the GSDs should not have been victimised in the way they were throughout the 4 days of the show - not just on the TV coverage.
17 March 2010 at 08:56
Anonymous said…
I am just making a short post on behalf of Mo to give Clokellys Lagos correct hip score of 3:3 as she is unable to correct it herself at this time. All other details pertaining to his health checks and working titles are correct.
17 March 2010 at 09:42
Anonymous said…
well I watched the dog in the group and I think I would of have a better view than most as it was with other judges at the show, so yes I do judge and have judged this breed, the dog was very wary the and handler appauling, he dropped the lead all over the place and endaged others aorund him by his loose style of handling, the dog was not under control he may of been the preffered type for some but many judges commenetd (including some senior ones from aborad) that the dog was not doing the breed any favours in the way it was repesenting the breed.
17 March 2010 at 10:37
Anonymous said…
will Dogs Today do nothing in chance to slag off Caroline Kisco and the Kennel Club, the name calling journalism does nothing for the welfare of dogs
17 March 2010 at 11:09
Anonymous said…
Excuse me Mo but if you could dismount from you high horse for long enough and actually read what I put in the previous post.

I did not slag off the dog in question at all. I have stated what I have seen and not seen and therefore cannot make further comment. The dog I saw was on Pedigree Dogs Exposed in a show. The report as to the breed clubs complaints was in Dogs Today magazine. I have not seen any of the crufts footage. My suspicions are of the KK.

Furthermore my dog have no qualifications and I am quite proud of that. They are two medium size crossbreeds and by that I mean mongrels.

A difference of opinion is one thing, but to attack those who are trying to get all the facts is another. Next time you want out of order, look in the mirror.

Emma
17 March 2010 at 13:19
Anonymous said…
Unless of course you were referring to the post three back then I apologise.
Emma
17 March 2010 at 13:21
Anonymous said…
just looked at this guys web site, wow what a nutter he is , the many things he makes up announcements for, why has you decided to include his words, he holds no official, elected or other role to represent anyone or anything! Is it only to have more words of criticism for you to publish in your personal vendetta against the Kennel Club and Mrs Kisco? These torrents of abuse you keep on having against them, shows all of dogs in a bad light, you never recognise any of the major good things the Kennel Club has achieved over the years and indeed every week, why don’t you show the good things too? As you didn’t go to Crufts this year I am assuming you want be making any comment in your magazine about the way the show went, yet you seem always happy to be interviewed over the show, but you never go there, so how can you give a fair and informed comment on it? I suspect you wont print this, but please just spend a moment and think on these points , step back and consider is your approach a good way to help all dogs?
18 March 2010 at 11:04
Anonymous said…
If that dog is meant to be such an excellent specimen healthwise, how come it is such a weird shape? I felt sorry for the poor creature. Its legs were all crumpled at the back. I would describe it as deformed, I'm afraid.
Julia Lewis
18 March 2010 at 15:19
Anonymous said…
see you dont publish anything that shows your ongoing fued with the KC and Mrs Kisco. Its sad you dont recognise the good in that organisation and only want to paint it bad.
18 March 2010 at 18:25
Blue said…
Anonymous (1st one) I applaud you. My understanding of this situation is that the other breeds with problems, that have been identified by the KC (no the GSDs have NOT been singled out), have accepted and are working with the KC, so the KC have no need to highlight these issues. The GSD brigade on the other hand have NOT agreed to work with the KC, and as you can see, spend all their time slating the KC, and shouting very loudly about how good they are on health testing, and yes, they are. However the issue in question is one of conformation and unsoundness in the hindquarters. This IS a problem within the German Showline (international type), which it has denied for a long time, only recently having admitted that there is some unsoundness in the breed, but still not agreeing a way forward to address it with the KC. They keep shouting health testing, but this just clouds the issue in question. Yes I agree with them that the KC must make health testing mandatory, and hopefully this will come in the future. In the meantime, certain factions that have come on here, David Payne, Mo, Shirley etc, wish to break away from the Kennel Club in any case. That way they do not have to work towards bringing the GSD back to a more moderate and biomechanically functional shape.
21 March 2010 at 13:13
Anonymous said…
The UK GSD fraternity are good on health testing for hips and haemophilia but that’s about it. Elbow dysplasia has been around for at least the last 10 years and they’re only making it mandatory in breed surveys now for dogs born this year, and the only reason they’re doing that, is because the S.V made it compulsory. Groups are getting together in Germany to bring this dog back to the moderate and biomechanically functional shape anyhow with a renewed interest in the health issues. I rather think that this article from David Payne makes a very silly statement that is an embarrassment to the breed – worldwide!
22 March 2010 at 10:56
Anonymous said…
My own breed has been highlighted a lot recently, and I am working within the several breeding protocols to work towards eliminating genetic defects within the breed. But with the GSD, this is not the issue in question. The shape of the spine is not normal, the dog looks deformed and I get pained every time I see one move. I think this article, kicking up a fuss because the KC are at last addressing what is clearly a deformity within the breed and what is clearly causing several health related issues within the breed is not serving the best interests of the GSD.
22 March 2010 at 23:55
Post a Comment

Popular Posts