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Disappointed

I am disappointed that Our Dogs, as a reputable publication, did not couple Mr. Amplett's contribution with more balanced facts as established by a Parliamentary Inquiry (APGAW 2007) to avoid being taken in by the industry's PR machinery.

The inquiry verifies that an absolute minimum of 6,200 greyhounds disappear each year in the UK alone. A report by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) revealed in 2007 that ‘there are enormous gaps in industry records of numbers of dogs and the industry statistics’ must therefore be regarded as conjectural and are likely to be a significant underestimation of the true scale of the problem of unwanted dogs being destroyed. The RSPCA believes: "at least 20 greyhounds a day - either puppies which do not make the track, or 'retired' dogs aged three or four - simply 'disappear', presumed killed"

Frankly, it is despicable that those who have worked the industry for years (e.g. vets, administrators, RGT staff, trainers, breeders, industry journalists and promoters) only now wake up to the weaknesses of a multi-million pound industry, which has been operation since 1928. Moreover, I cannot believe that an 80 year old industry has not looked in the mirror before now and even with Seaham on its conscious it cannot afford to be so cavalier in admitting the conjectural nature of its statistics. Is it acceptable that an industry of such wealth can legitimately exist without one single well equipped rehoming centre for the commodity it has relied on for the for the last 80 years? Taking this and Mr. Amplett's reference to the the off-course bookmakers' £2.5bn annual turnover into account, how can the following statement even hold water: "You would have thought that given that figure, greyhound racing should be able to keep its house in order. It isn't yet, but it is getting there". It's getting there, after 80 years and billions of pounds?

It is appalling that this industry, which apparently employs office administrators to track the dogs, simply does not know the true extent of the statistics and is allowed to admit it. It is awful that flapping tracks continue to exist unregulated and to use the overflow of dogs from the regulated sector; that thousands of breeders are permitted to breed uncontrollably; that thousands of dogs (according to Mr. Amplett) are rehomed and the industry does not officially know where or how. Moreover, this happens in spite of the NGRC rule that requires the retirement destination of all ex-racing greyhounds to be recorded.

I take Mr. Amphlett's point, "You can be sure of one thing. If something so ghoulish occurs, and it is a greyhound, and not a cross breed, it will make the national papers. I have heard stories of mongrels being thrown from bridges, pups being left in re-cycling bins, and one case recently of a dog being found encased in concrete. You didn't read about them though, because they weren't exploited Greyhounds". I agree this cruelty is horrific and must be outlawed. However, the cruelty cases to which he refers are unlikely to be the victims of a multi-million pound industry, which employs staff to police the welfare of its commodity.

Yours etc
Lucinda Read

Disturbing

The programme Pedigree Dogs Exposed was deeply disturbing and anyone, whether in dogs or not, must have been extremely upset. Some of the dogs shown did not have any quality of life and were in constant pain. It was of some concern that the owners were keeping them alive to suffer as we saw.

We have thousands of pure bred dogs in this country and how many were shown on the programme, not much of a portrayal as percentages go.

It stands to reason, no living creature can live completely free from health trouble as pollution and environment cause major illnesses in humans so it is quite possible, dogs will be affected in a similar way.

We are told mongrels are healthier but how do we know that and who is doing health schemes and checks on those?

There will always be people who will believe that what they are doing is right even though all evidence is to the contrary.

Most breeders of pedigree dogs are caring and responsible but the portrayal on the programme was, to say the least, somewhat biased.

My own breed, the Pekingese is 'picked on' all the time and yet is a very healthy breed of dog. It does not have nearly as many genetic health problems as some breeds and is strong and robust with amazing longevity, despite attacks from people who have no knowledge of the breed.

For instance, some of the myths surrounding the breed are firstly, 'the Pekingese cannot walk', an absolutely stupid statement in itself but many have seen Pekes dig their heels in at shows and refuse to walk another step. This is not because it cannot walk but because it will not walk. One of the main characteristics of the breed is stubbornness but laymen, not knowing the breed, do not know that, so irresponsibly put their own slant on things and tell all and sundry they cannot walk. Is this to make themselves look knowledgeable, important, or just to get some attention?

Next we are told by someone who should know better that Pekingese dogs 'eyes drop out'. The most ridiculous and stupid statement ever made. Another statement is 'they need ice packs at shows because they cannot breath if they get warm'. Every living creature has to be kept cool in hot weather and protected from the sun.

Overheating and the resulting dehydration can kill, are we stupid enough to think it only happens to Pekingese dogs? Humans get skin cancer from the sun, are we going to ban them or stop then from having children or maybe we should put them to sleep.
Better still, send them to the RSPCA and they will do it for us.

I think stupidity is rampant at the moment, after all the revenue and acclaim pedigree dogs have brought to this country. It might be a surprise to some of you that Great Britain has bred the best pedigree dogs in the world.

Yours etc
Pat Drew
Mahjon Pekingese

Help from my friends

I would like to thank all the friends that came to my aid when, on July 12th this year, I lost my corgi bitch following a caesarean section. She left 12 puppies - which is a very large litter for this breed - but with the help of a number of good friends, I managed to get them to three foster mothers. A Miniature Long Haired dachshund looked after six at my home, a Lhasa Apso had four and went to a friend and the remainders were fostered by a Japanese Spitz, also going to a friend. All 12 survived. This would not have been possible without all of this help and, once again, I would like to give many thanks to all of the friends involved.

Yours etc
Jean Bloomfield

Genetic deficiencies

If one happened to cross by chance - say - a syringomelia gene carrying Cavalier King Charles with an epileptic gene carrying springer and the crossbreed litter is sold/put into rescue, would anyone be any the wiser that any ensuing health issues were as a result of the parentage? No research is done into mongrel/crossbreed health because they are "non specific" but in fact they have originated from some of these pedigree breeds. Breeders of pedigree dogs are more aware than at any time in the past of genetic inheritance and many of the problems for these specific breeds are already listed as far as they are known by well known geneticists. But what of the poor mongrel/crossbreed with perhaps short legs and large body not registered by any body?

"All is not well in the state of Denmark" but at least the problems are now more transparent in the pedigree breeds and could and should be dealt with but then again what about the mutts?
Does anyone have statistics on the numbers of "unsuitable" dogs that are being disposed of by shooting by those with gun licences? How many of these field dogs are KC registered and what genetic deficiencies do they carry?

On a related issue, I watched at a recent championship show, only two Weimaraners in a class - one long-haired. The long-haired one had to me, a most obvious impairment in the hip area on movement. I was not able to stay to see the issuing of certificates but I wouldn't mind betting the judge felt unable to withhold and a second place was given.

I would like to see micro-chippping/tattooing as part of the KC registration system. No transfer certiificate until a Veterinary microchip certificate number is relayed to the KC.

Name and address supplied

Keeping up appearances

If it is indeed true that, as stated in OUR DOGS, the Kennel Club only ‘ratifies the Breed Standards, which are set by breed clubs and associations’, then it would appear that breed clubs are entirely to blame for the resulting pain, anguish and deformities suffered by various breeds. It seems clear to me that this would denote the Kennel Club is only interested in money (through fees etc) and its own image.

Yours etc
Vivianne Lee

Stamps please

I have not been in touch with Cocker friends recently as I have been in and out of hospital with knee trouble. However, I am still collecting used postage stamps for Cocker Spaniel Rescue but so much mail is franked so that not so many stamps have come my way.

Also, we moved last year so our old address at Monks Risborough no longer applies. I thought I had notified most people but somehow along the way my change of address did not appear in the Year Books, so please note that we now live at:

Tree Tops, Halton Village, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5NS. Tel: 01296 624912

We are not being notified of any post waiting for us to collect from the sorting office at Risborough. If you send by post, please make sure you put enough postage on the envelope or packet. Several packets have had to be collected from the sorting office and paid for, and this rather defeats the purpose of the exercise. The sender’s name and address would be appreciated.

Alternatively stamps may be given to Jennifer Lloyd-Carey (Ware & Falconers Cockers), we can collect them from her. Best wishes to all my friends, I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours etc
Enid Dickson

Picture perfect

I feel I must write to congratulate you on the front cover of OUR DOGS this week. What a lovely photo of Jason Lynn’s Standard Poodle, Ch/Am Ch Afterglow The Big Tease, taken with handler Mike Gadsby. It’s so refreshing to see handler and dog so relaxed together. I’m sure the dogs must get fed up with being stacked, but the expression in Donny’s eyes is wonderful. I wish both of them – dog and handler – further success and thank you for your presentation.
I’m a very old breeder, now almost 90 years old, but still keep up-to-date with the goings on in the world of dogs. I still have an old Bichon Frise who, despite being 18 ?, is still very fit and she has a son who is a Champion, now 16 years old.

I just had to write in because I did so like that picture.

Yours etc
Vera Goold

Value please

In his annual “state of the union” address at Welsh Kennel Club Mr Irving spoke of the need for Championship Show Societies to look at what the exhibitor wanted and so, when times are getting harder, still give value for money; unfortunately the Scottish Kennel Club fail.

SKC (August) is not an easy show to attend. Bank Holiday in England means travelling up to the event is often fraught and the, so-called, holiday weekend means that anybody with any sort of life outside dogs often has family call on their time. Combine this with some poor scheduling, three mixed classes with judges often not even heard of in connection with the relevant breed, and the schedule has a very good chance of ending up in the re-cycling bin! Travel we still do though but for what?

One card (and one rosette) was given to the Best of Breed with nothing in the box for the Best of Sexes, Reserve Best of Sex or Best Puppy. Things do get forgotten in the turmoil of setting up a large show so it wasn’t a problem to go, as suggested, to the secretary’s office to tell of the “oversight”.....that wasn’t. Evidently when mixed classes are scheduled the Kennel Club rules do not demand a Best Opposite etc. being awarded so the society had chosen not to do it. The question of “so what reason have the people in the lesser breeds to come?” was obviously considered irrelevant because “the society had decided that cards would NOT be given out”.

It’s their society and if that is what they want fair enough. It is up to them how they spend their money. It is also up to me how I spend mine and if SKC don’t think that some small recognition, a piece of card, is worth giving to exhibitors then I don’t think it is worth the effort to attend.

Yours etc
Liz Gay