Crufts season starts

The Sunday Telegraph is the first of the papers to cover Crufts and they have chosen to go with the Size zero Dachshund story, an issue covered in our magazine several months ago.
You'd have thought the KC would have taken firm action on this issue even if it was only for PR effect. They could have banned the scales at all shows, but instead only chose to ban them at Crufts - probably hoping this would keep the issue out of the news.
Banning them at their show proved they thought there was a welfare issue, yet allowing the scales to continue at all the qualifying shows showed inconsistency.
Knowing this story was brewing the KC issued a statement saying water would now be available in the Mini Dachshund rings at shows... but as Jemima Harrison points out in the Telegraph, as dogs are shown on leads it's not going to help.
It's a bit like London fashion week saying they'll be taking action on size zero models by lining the catwalk with cream cakes.
Rather oddly the Telegraph picture desk has chosen to illustrate the piece with a photo of a Chinese Crested - in the on line version at least... only the Mini Dachshund is weighed at shows, but never mind!
Tucked away at the end of the story is a mention that Crufts will be broadcast this year via the KC's YouTube channel.
Here's the link to the story.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Well, if we're talking about 'doggie supermodels' many Cresteds DO have that kind of vibe. ;)
There is a picture of a daschund in the actual newspaper.
Anonymous said…
Dear Fluffykins (yes its me again!!!) don’t you think you should really give the full picture, and perhaps your readers might find THE ACTUAL events behind this story and how the Kennel Club (yes your dear friends in Clarges Street) have been the ones trying to get the Dachshund people to abandon the use of scales without having to add more rules. Journalists do like to stick together and Ms Harrison has now admitted her basic facts in PDE were wrong, and now she seems she is trying to “egg up” her next programme (by the way BC are you doing a annual Crufts bashing bit for the media this year or has JH now secured that gig?). By the way have asked in WHSmiths to reserve you new much awaited canine romance (would you autograph it for me?)
So let your readers see the WHOLE picture. See you at Crufts............ but then again perhaps you might not be there 
Sirius
All below are on KC Press Release pages (BC it seems doesn’t get sent them any more)


Weighing & Measuring Of Dogs
22-Jan-072007-01-22
At its meeting on 9th January 2007, the General Committee agreed in principle, in line with the Kennel Club’s objective of recognising the importance of canine health and welfare, that the mandatory weighing of Miniature Dachshunds as required in Regulation F(1) paragraph 21(k) should cease as soon as possible. At the same time it was also agreed in principle to remove the regulation which demands that Miniature and Toy Poodles and German Spitz must be measured before receiving a class award (F(1) 22 (j)).
The decision on Miniature Dachshunds was taken to remove the perception in the minds of many people that some dogs are deprived of food and/or water prior to competition, in order to meet the maximum weight requirement for Miniatures as outlined in the Dachshund breed standard. The General Committee was concerned to protect the Dachshund and Dachshund exhibitors from adverse criticism. It was also pointed out that it is not custom and practice under Kennel Club Rules, for breed standards to have disqualifying faults and therefore the Dachshund breed standard should be brought into line with other standards by the removal of the effective disqualification of Miniatures over 11 lbs.
However, before introducing the various Regulation amendments and the breed standard change, the Committee decided that Dachshund breed clubs should be informed of the reasons for the planned amendments and advised that these would be finalised unless the breed clubs can provide substantial health or welfare grounds as to why the changes should not be implemented.
As stated above, and as a consequence of the discussion on removing the mandatory weighing of Dachshunds, the Committee has also agreed in principle that the mandatory measuring of Poodles and German Spitz (Mittel) & (Klein) should also cease so as to bring these breeds in line with all others. However, as with the Dachshund situation, it was agreed that the German Spitz breed clubs and the Poodle Breed Council should be contacted and asked for any substantial health or welfare grounds as to why the General Committee’s decision should not finally be implemented.
As can be seen from the following planned regulation changes, the Committee is deciding that the weighing and measuring of dogs will no longer be mandatory. This will not however prevent judges from choosing to weigh or measure if they so wish. In such circumstances they would be required to provide the relevant equipment themselves.
The planned breed standard amendment and intended changes to the regulations are given below:
Dachshund Breed Standard
Size
From:
Miniature ideal weight; 4.5kgs (10lbs). It is of the utmost importance that judges should not award prizes to animals over 5.0kgs (11lbs).
To:
Miniature ideal weight; 4.5kgs (10lbs). Desired maximum weight 5kgs (11lbs)...............


Weighing of Miniature Dachshunds
21-Apr-082008-04-21
Following the Kennel Club’s announcement in September 2007 that the mandatory requirement for the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds would no longer be required, it has been brought to the Kennel Club’s attention that some show societies have not followed the changes as set out in that announcement.
It is important that these new Regulations are followed, to ensure that Miniature Dachshund exhibitors are aware at which shows the breed is to be weighed.
SHOW REGULATIONS
F Regulations
F(1)21j
j. If a society/club and/or judge wish to weigh Miniature Dachshunds at a show the intention to do so must be clearly stated in the show schedule, and a certified weighing machine must be provided. The intention to weigh must be agreed in writing between the judge and the society/club in good time prior to the show and on the day of the show each new dog must be weighed by the judge or with the judge observing.
F(1) 4.e.
e. If a society and/or judge wish to weigh Miniature Dachshunds, a certified weighing machine must be provided.

F(1)8c.(7)
If Miniature Dachshunds are to be weighed, a notice informing exhibitors of such must be included at the beginning of the breed classification.

F(1)12b. (6)
If Miniature Dachshunds are to be weighed a notice informing exhibitors of such must be included at the beginning of the relevant breed classification.

F(1) 22. Judging Contract - new sub-paragraph (c)
In the case of a person invited to judge Miniature Dachshunds it must be established in writing as part of the contract being formed whether the show society and judge wish the breed to be weighed.
From enquiries received by the Canine Activities Department there appear to be a number of societies which have made the decision that Miniature Dachshunds are to be weighed at their show but have either:
• omitted to include this fact in their show schedule
• or included this statement under the show regulations rather than at the head of the breed classification.
as required under the new Kennel Club Regulations.
In either of these circumstances, where societies have not been able to comply with the regulation, they are requested to put a notice in the dog press to confirm that weighing will take place.
For shows where this error has not been noticed until after entries have been received, exhibitors must be contacted to confirm that weighing will be taking place and exhibitors should be given the option to withdraw their entry with a full refund.

________________________________________
Date:
21-Apr-08
Weighing of Miniature Dachshunds
02-Feb-092009-02-02
The General Committee of the Kennel Club has considered the stance taken by the Dachshund Breed Council with regard to the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds at shows i.e. that ‘judges who refuse to weigh Miniature Dachshunds may have their names removed from the Breed Council (and UK Clubs’) Judging Lists and will not be offered appointments at any Breed Club shows.’
Having considered this matter, the Committee is of the opinion that those judges who refuse to weigh Miniature Dachshunds are being penalised by the Breed Council for so doing. The impact on new judges is thought to be particularly important in that, by placing a barrier to those who refuse to weigh being offered appointments to judge at breed club open shows, progression is effectively being blocked. It was the Committee’s view that any judges choosing not to weigh, as is their privilege under the new Regulations, should be supported by the Kennel Club.
Being mindful that the Kennel Club has, for potential welfare reasons, taken a line against weighing and has discontinued the practice at its own show Crufts, and in view of its focus on health and welfare issues, the Committee did not agree with the expressed attitude of the Dachshund Breed Council. It suggested that if the Breed Council persisted in taking such a stance certain consequences would follow:
1. it would no longer consider any necessity for a prospective judge of Miniature Dachshunds to have undertaken an appointment at a breed club open show and
2. it would not seek Breed Council opinion for any future nominations to judge the breed at Kennel Club Challenge Certificate level.
Though it has been agreed by the General Committee that no outright ban on weighing should be imposed meantime, its decision to allow the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds to continue at the discretion of the judge and the show concerned, will continue to be kept under strict review by the Kennel Club.
In the meantime it should be noted that, in line with previous Kennel Club announcements, both the judge and the show society concerned must be in agreement on whether or not weighing takes place and each is therefore responsible for arriving at this decision. The Kennel Club has made its position clear on this subject, in deciding that at its own show Crufts judges will not weigh Miniature Dachshunds,.
It has also been suggested that to avoid any potential allegations regarding the health and welfare of Miniature Dachshunds, water bowls should be placed in the Miniature Dachshund rings at shows. It is hoped that the Dachshund Breed Council and show societies will give their wholehearted support to this suggestion.

________________________________________
Date:
02-Feb-09
Beverley Cuddy said…
See the next blog for my reaction to Sirius!
Anonymous said…
This whole subject of weighing or not weighing miniature dachshunds has to be resolved immediately.The revised breed standard means top awards can be given to dogs over eleven pounds.There is no defence to continue using scales now in my opinion.Miniature dachshunds are imported from the U.S.A. and have obtained U.K.show Champion titles.Therefore the argument miniatures will increase in size which alledgedly has happened in America is erroneous.In 2009,there is no place for scales and no place where males and females have no differation allowed in the maximum eleven pounds desired weight statement!

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