5 weeks old - name the breed

I will reveal the answer on Friday...

ANKC accuses scientists of "relentless attack" on pedigree dogs

The above clip is an excerpt from yesterday's ABC The Drum - a popular early evening news/current affairs programme in Australia.  It's just one of a host of pieces in the media following the publication yesterday of a new paper, from a team at the University of Sydney, that documents the trend towards smaller, flatter-faced dogs - similar to that seen in the US and the UK, too.

Significantly, the paper (and indeed all the media coverage) highlights the fact that flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs are more susceptible to respiratory, digestive, skin and eye conditions and that on average they die four years earlier than more 'normal' breeds of dog.

It's provoked an angry response from the Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC), which has accused the researchers and others of being part of a "relentless attack on purebred dogs".

Yesterday, on its Facebook page, the ANKC published a rebuttal - although today, after it appeared to get increasingly stressed about a small number of critical comments, the whole page was taken down.

Fortunately, nothing posted on the internet ever properly disappears; you'll find a copy of the whole statement below.

Much of it falls into the category of logical fallacy - essentially, flawed reasoning used by someone trying to counter a fact or view they don't like.

� "ANKC Ltd are disappointed with the comments in the ABC article attributed to Assoc. Prof.Zuber and Dr.Crawford which continue the relentless attack on purebred dogs"

Yep... because there's got to be an anti-purebred agenda here - rather than, you know, there is actually a problem with flat-faced dogs.  After all, there is now an enormous amount of peer-reviewed science articulating the issue. 

This is an ad hominem attack on two professionals who are much more likely to be expressing their genuine concern that some dogs have problems living because of the way they've been bred - after a lifetime's experience treating them.

Both Max Zuber and Julia Crawford are senior veterinary surgeons. Implying some ulterior motive may play well with the ANKC electorate, but it will not wash with the general public.

� "...amongst some of the inaccuracies in the article is the age to which Bulldogs can live, healthy Bulldogs from caring and responsible breeders can live to in excess of 10 years."

It is true that some Bulldogs live to 10 or more (although no evidence that these are only dogs from "caring and responsible breeders")  The point is that most studies have found that the average age of death is six years old. There is also a good recent study (see here) that found that brachycephalic (short-faced) breeds die, on average, four years earlier than non-brachy breeds.

� "It is regrettable that, in articles on the state of pedigree dogs health there is no acknowledgment of the multi thousands of dollars spent by ANKC Ltd Breeders on health testing and support of ongoing research into Canine Heritable Diseases.  The Canine Research Foundation (CRF) is the official vehicle for funding ANKC Ltd research programs, it is an independent public charitable trust and is funded by a $1 levy on every puppy registered with the ANKC, A good proportion of the funds have been allocated to researchers at Sydney University a fact which Prof.Zuber and others choose not to acknowledge. Since 2000 CRF grants to researchers at Sydney University have totalled $324,000"

I certainly understand why the ANKC would like it mentioned that it funds health research - but that isn't the story here.  The story is simply that there's been a big increase in the number of these dogs being bred and that it represents a welfare issue.

Worryingly, in the listing of all the money the ANKC has given to the University, there is the heavy implication that the ANKC feels the University is biting the hand that feeds it (and indeed, there were a couple of comments to this effect on the FB page before it was taken down). Here's one - which prompted a sharp comment from another poster.

I sincerely hope the University of Sydney will not allow its scientific independence and integrity to be compromised.  Unfortunately, I know of others that have bowed to pressure from kennel clubs for those important canine research dollars and pounds.

� Of the estimated 341,000 puppies bred in Australia in 2015 only 20% (66,000) came from ANKC Ltd Breeders, it is from the 275,00 non registered puppies that most of the problems associated with BOAS are found. 

So show us the research that proves this is true... Only of course they can't because there isn't any. There are no required health tests as a condition of ANKC registration for Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs and those that win in the ring are, unfortunately, often among the most exaggerated. Indeed, there is quite a market in Australia for alternative Bulldogs with more moderate features because they often cope better with the Australian climate, but these are not recognised by the ANKC and, indeed, would be considered mongrels.

Hell, the ANKC breed standard for Bulldogs still requires that  the skull "should be very large - the larger the better"; a requirement that is clearly detrimental to health and one of the reasons why most Bulldogs are born by C-section. Before the ANKC took down its page, it defended this by pointing out that it didn't adopt the new UK Bulldog standard (which asks for a more moderate "relatively large" skull) because of resistance from Australian Bulldog breeders.

Right. And you want us to take you seriously regarding your commitment to purebred dog health?

There were another couple of interesting posts on the ANKC page before it disappeared too - this one from Maria Karlsson, who happens to be a Swedish veterinary surgeon.

The ANKC's response:

The page disappeared shortly afterwards. It is impossible to know for sure who the author of the ANKC's comments was, but the statement itself was written by Hugh Gent, President of the ANKC. (He says so on his Facebook page).

It was also Mr Gent who posted a link to a study on BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructed Airway Syndrome) in French Bulldogs, without making it clear that it was a study funded by the UK Kennel Club and nothing to do with the ANKC.  UK vet nurse Katy Price commented to point out that the study had found that almost 50 per cent of Frenchies had trouble breathing and then attempted to post a link to another study on BOAS done by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College. Her comment was removed and she was blocked.

The ANKC's rebuttal statement in full:

ANKC Ltd are disappointed with the comments in the ABC article attributed to Assoc. Prof.Zuber and Dr.Crawford which continue the relentless attack on purebred dogs, amongst some of the inaccuracies in the article is the age to which Bulldogs can live, healthy Bulldogs from caring and responsible breeders can live to in excess of 10 years. 

It is regrettable that, in articles on the state of pedigree dogs health there is no acknowledgment of the multi thousands of dollars spent by ANKC Ltd Breeders on health testing and support of ongoing research into Canine Heritable Diseases . The Canine Research Foundation (CRF) is the official vehicle for funding ANKC Ltd research programs, it is an independent public charitable trust and is funded by a $1 levy on every puppy registered with the ANKC, A good proportion of the funds have been allocated to researchers at Sydney University a fact which Prof.Zuber and others choose not to acknowledge. Since 2000 CRF grants to researchers at Sydney University have totalled $324,000 they include: Dr Christine Griebsch for Evaluation of serial thromboelastography and platelet mapping in dogs with immunemediated haemolytic anemia treated with aspirin or clopidogrel. Assoc Professor Peter Williamson for research into Genetic management of canine lymphoma and Primary immunodeficiency in Australian German Shepherds, and a study of integrated genomics source for the health and well-being of dogs in Australia. Dr.Chris Weir for Efficacy of a personalised tumour vaccine to treat dogs with cancer. Dr.Katrina Bosward for Coxiella burnetii (Q fever): is this an important agent of disease in Australian dogs and reservoir for human infection?. Dr.P.Sheehy, Generation of �clinic ready� canine induced pluripotent stem cells for regenerative medicine. Dr.Govendir Improving therapeutic control of seizures and Long term use of phenobarbitone in idiopathic epilepsy. Dr.A.Dart Magnetic resonance imaging as a predictor of stifle pathology in naturally occurring cruciate ligament disease in dogs. 

In a recent interview with the ABC on the subject of brachycephalic breeds ANKC Ltd President Hugh Gent OAM conceded that the whelping of Bulldog puppies was a problem with a large percentage requiring caesareans, however, further information on research into the problem, given to the ABC in the interview has yet to be presented. 

What is not recognised by many commentators on the health of pedigree dogs is that there are two sources for obtaining puppies, in Australia, Registered Breeders and those who are not constrained by codes of ethics regarding health testing and programs to eliminate hereditary diseases, the majority of whom sell their puppies through the Internet. Of the estimated 341,000 puppies bred in Australia in 2015 only 20% (66,000) came from ANKC Ltd Breeders, it is from the 275,00 non registered puppies that most of the problems associated with BOAS are found. A separate posting will be made regarding important research in to BOAS.

Move along now... nothing to hear

Found on Facebook...

REVEALED: "Tori" wins at Bolton GSD Show - but rules are broken

(Update 6/4/16) - video removed at request of copyright owner but you can view it here)

It's grainy, but clear enough to see movement... a video of Cruaghaire Catoria (being handled by the woman in pink) winning Open Bitch at the Bolton GSD Show on Sunday.

She went on to be awarded Best Bitch - her third CC (Championship Certificate) - which means that "Tori" is now, officially, a Kennel Club Champion.

It is absolute proof, should it be needed, that the GSD community in the UK is sticking two fingers up at - well, everyone.

Can the Kennel Club do anything about it? Does the Kennel Club want to do anything about it?

The only statement I've managed to get from them is this:

"The Kennel Club General Committee will be considering the wider issue of German Shepherd Dogs rather than an individual dog and its decisions will be announced in due course."

There is, currently, some confusion about whether or not the KC needs to ratify Tori's Kennel Club Champion status (as I reported a couple of days ago, she is already a British Regional Champion under WUSV rules) - with some observers saying it's not official yet. 

If that's the case, the video above might just give the Kennel Club some ammunition to refuse to ratify the win.

The first reason is the double-handling evident at the event.... the shouting//toots/noises used by those outside the ring to get their dogs' attention. It's something you only ever see (or hear) at the GSD ringside and it is supposed to make the dogs look alert for the judge (presumably because the dogs would otherwise slump into pained boredom?). It is expressly forbidden under KC rules. Indeed, ringside, there was a notice to this effect (see here)

It reads:

"The attracting of the attention of exhibits by any method from outside the ring is prohibited and the duty of the judge, steward or show management noticing such attraction to ask that it cease."

Although I understand that Judge Andrew Winfrow did ask people to stop it he was ignored - and he  continued to judge with it still going on.

You could argue, perhaps, that it's a minor point - just more evidence of how absurd the whole GSD showing thing has become. But, actually, it's a contributory factor to weak temperaments. You often see the dogs looking anxiously for their owners; something that shouldn't happen in a breed that is supposed to have rock-steady nerves.

And there was another rule broken at the show too - evidenced in the judge's critique at the end of the class. (His conclusion - that Tori has a "very good backline...this is a very, very correct female".) An oral commentary by a judge at the end of a class is forbidden under KC rules. 

It is unlikely, of course, that the KC would be brave enough to nullify the results for these two reasons. But, boy, it would stop the double-handling overnight. 

Andrew Winfrow is a German Shepherd breeder himself.  He has edited a book about the German Shepherd, the blurb for which describes him thus:

Andrew�s Sadira kennel of German Shepherds has enjoyed considerable success since the 1970s, winning the top female GSD title five times, as well as making up five UK Champions. Andrew is an international Championship show judge, and has officiated at Crufts as well as travelling worldwide on judging appointments. He is an assessor for the Kennel Club on conformation and movement, and is the UK delegate at the main WUSV meeting in Germany.

He sits on the GSD Breed Council (part of the Educational Working Party) and is a Member of the Kennel Club. He judged German Shepherds at Crufts in 2002. Here he is meeting HRH Prince Michael of Kent at Crufts that year.

Photo: Alan V Walker

Winfrow is, then, about as Kennel Club establishment as you can get, and here he is awarding a CC to the most controversial German Shepherd in recent history - even though (as you can hear in the video) he actually thought the dog that came second was more correct to the standard, other than that she was "bouncing slightly at the back end", and he admits that when Tori leans into the lead she looks "extreme").

The debacle rumbles on.

The American Molossus

Because what the world needs right now is a dog that is bigger, wrinklier and more fearless than the current Neapolitan Mastiff! 

Let's make a molossus a colossus!

Yep, let's take something that is already right-royally fucked up and make it more fucked-up! 

Although as you can see from the second picture above (an artist's rendering apparently) this breed's creator will be sticking with a small penis, presumably in homage to his own. 

It's the idea of an AKC Neapolitan Breeder, Marcus Curtis, who specialises in what he calls Old World Mastinos - essentially the most exaggerated Neapolitan Mastiffs you are ever likely to see. He  ships them all over the world to people who don't give a rat's ass about inflicting suffering on their dogs. Here's one fine example he shipped to New Zealand.

And now he wants to take it further.

Here's the pitch:

The American Molossus is a super sized Neapolitan Mastiff and the true version of the real Molossus of antiquity. Get ready to own both the greatest dog and guardian but to own a true throwback relic from the ancient past. A beast, a gargoyle an American Molossus.

Here's their "creator", brimming with self-importance, only vaguely cognisant with history and with clearly not the slightest care about what it would be like to be a dog like this, talking about how he's so excited about his new breed that he can barely sleep. 

If you suffer from hypertension, it might be better to not watch. What got me, too, is that it's clear he's had a lot of flak from the purebred community about crossbreeding. Hopefully one or two also mentioned that intentionally breeding a dog to look like this is cruelty - although if the criticism came from Neapolitan Mastiff breeders, maybe not.

BREAKING NEWS: Crufts GSD wins again - and is now a champion

Two weeks after the Crufts furore, Cruaghaire Catoria has won Best of Breed again, this time at the Scottish Progressive GSD Group's Show last Sunday (27th March) at Glebe Park, Lesmahagow. "Tori' was awarded V1 - the top title in shows run under WUSV rules.

The judge was SV judge Herr Peter Arth, and the win gives Tori enough points to be called a BRG (British Regional Group) Champion. Owner Susan Cuthbert (who is also the SPGSD Group's Secretary) had duly amended her website to reflect this achievement.

Although there is mention of the win on the Cruaghaire website, the results do not seem to have been made publicly available yet, and no pictures have been released, perhaps in anticipation of the reaction.

So what should we make of the win?

Well, one would hope that "Tori" performed with more confident aplomb than she did at Crufts.  But even if she wasn't hunched-and-crunched in anxiety as she was at Crufts, this is still the same dog we saw there - a dog whose rear knuckles scraped the ground and who landed on her metatarsals when she moves. Have another look (I've slowed it down some more here). This is the best of her movement that day.

You cannot put this down to a good dog just having a really bad day.  They're all like this - the direct result of being the preferred type in the GSD show-ring today.  Slow down just about any footage of a "Germanic" German Shepherd and you will see the same thing.

So is this just showline Shepherd breeders sticking two fingers up at the rest of us?

Well yes. Although it's important to know that these are not comedy villains cackling behind their hands while knowingly breeding crippled dogs. They honestly, truly, deeply believe what they're doing is right; that dogs that look and move like this are "correct". Read this again from the statement released by the GSD League of Great Britain following Crufts.

"The GSD League condemns most strongly the manner in which the Kennel Club and the Crufts presenters have created public hysteria regarding the German Shepherd Bitch who gained Best of Breed at Crufts 2016 under breed specialist judge, Davy Hall. 

"With complete disregard for all of the many breed specialist judges, including highly regarded judges from the breed�s country of origin, that have awarded this bitch top honours at both Kennel Club and WUSV shows, the Channel 4 coverage acted as judge, jury and hangman without any balance of reporting. 

"Cruaghaire Catoria is a correct type to the German Shepherd Dog standard, she has a KC/BVA hip score of 13 and elbow score of 0 � these scores are well below the maximum for showing at WUSV shows, the Kennel Club have no minimum standard for showing or breeding purposes. She is a fit, healthy, family dog. 

"The judge, Davy Hall, of the Gayville�s GSDs kennels has been an exhibitor and breeder of GSDs for many years having bred, owned, trained and handled many top winning animals and Champions including the current breed CC record holder."

They believe this so strongly that they will see Tori's new win last Sunday as confirmation that they were right all along and the rest of us know jack-shit about German Shepherds.  Judge PeterArth, who gave Tori her V1 win is a German SV judge (i.e. supposedly the best) and it is hard to imagine that he is not aware of the fuss over this dog or hat he has not seen the footage of her - although of course he would not have had the benefit of slo-mo last Sunday.

 A comment on one GSD forum from someone who knows him says:

Peter Arth is an excellent SV Judge, K�rmeister and Trial judge as well. He prefers dogs who meet the standard and he will accept no politicing from people wanting their dogs to be placed high if the dog does not deserve it.

So there it is, just in case anyone had any lingering doubts.

 This is what they are looking for in the show-ring. This is what they want to see.

And, frankly, it won't change until the SV in Germany sees the light.

Meanwhile, we are awaiting an announcement from the Kennel Club re how it intends to address "the GSD problem".

I hear quite radical moves are being considered...

-------------------

PS: this post is not an April Fool - unlike this post yesterday. And, no I didn't publish all those comments from those frantic to tell everyone that is was an April Fool - because, hey, isn't it much more fun to let people be taken in? (What spoilsports you all were!)

Thank You And Welcome?....

I'd just like to say a big thank you to Andrea from the Northumberland Animal Welfare Team for providing a brilliant service at our Free Microchipping event yesterday. It was great to see so many dogs at HQ, and no matter how big or small she took everyone in her stride!

I'd like to thank everyone too for all their kind donations that came along,  some people didn't even have a dog with them to microchip but tool the time to drop off food, bedding and toys.

Thank you all so much.

Now it's time to focus on tomorrow's event.....

The 'Interested In Fostering' open day runs along the same format as the previous 'Join Our Team' days have, but this time the morning will focus on another very important way you can help our dogs without being involved at the kennels.

We are looking to build a network of foster carers that range from taking a dog home for a short period of time so we can assess if he or she is ready to make the next move, to providing a caring environment for a dog to recover after surgery, illness or emaciation, to a longer term commitment until they find a new Forever Foster home.

It is important that the environment is right for each individual dog, so I think its very important to point out that we will not place dogs with children or cats and small furries unless we have prior history that they have lived with them before.

You really could make a difference to one of our dogs, by helping them take the next step.....

So if your are interested why not come for a 'no strings attached' talk on the 2nd of April at 10.30am at our base in Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB. Please RSVP shakclub@shak.org.uk