Crufts - Page 1

Huge congratulations to the Cullen's, Steve Cox, and especially Ch Veneze Gucci on Pastoral Group 4 🤗

MIami Ink, an American Cocker Spaniel won Best in Show, apparently. This is being called a joke by some Brits. I have only known the breed simply as Cocker Spaniel, myself. Are there any others?

I also just watched the winning GSD in its class. That was sad. Rumor Has It, the Westminster 2017 BIS winner is light years in the better direction and movement difference compared to that poor hinged back specimen. His head and expression I didn't mind, the rest.....cringe worthy. I would have thought after the J. Harrison expose there would have been more effort by breeders to address this!

According to the UK Kennel Club, there are TWO breeds, the Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel.  This has been the case for many years, I don't know exactly how long but I have dog books listing both as far back as the '70s. I understand the split was much wanted because the Brits got incensed by the 'over coating' of American show dogs, as with other breeds ! - But see more, below. (& 'Do not shoot me, I am just the piano player !').

 

Extract from "The Observer Book of Dogs":

In the USA the Cocker Spaniel has been developed into a dog of entirely different type and size from the more familar Cockers of England, the American being considerably smaller and having a round skull and a profuse coat which is much barbered for the show ring.  Some years ago these

pleasant-natured dogs were the most popular breed in the USA and are still favoured by many as pets, but there are few left with working ability. The breed was introduced into England a few years ago and granted its own breed register and championship status in 1970.  Weight: minimum 22lb to max 28lb. Eyes round dark & full. Flat or wavy coat, soft & dense, profuse feathering on ears chest abdomen and legs. Black, black & tan, or any solid colour, also parti-colour and roan."

 

Apart from 'our' Cockers being smaller than they were then, they are still noticeably different.  We have a 'showdog'/'working line' split in Cockers, with the working type being on the whole a wirier, less profusely coated animal.  But American Cockers are regarded as a very different kettle of fish, many feel they should be Grouped in Toy or Utility.

 

Having said all of that, congrats still to Afterglow Miami Ink, who is very cute.  And yes, good to see 'Gucci' go G4 (even though I almost always want the GSD to win higher !).  I thought Steve did a good job in the Collecting Ring afterwards, too ! (He'll know what that means, if he reads this).

I was urging Ms Balding to turn round lol

Nah, BradyB, that would have meant she could have called on a Steward to ensure "Cruft's Etiquette" observed ! Surely deserved a bit extra screen time though; what a farce the telly coverage, taken as a whole, was, d'you agree ? Every year we ask for more actual dog judging, the whole reason the Show exists; and every year even if we get more total air-time, it is less a dog show competition and more a comedy spectacular. Oh & unless I missed some brief reference to it, Obedience no longer exists, at all. As for the merits of Gucci and other contemporary GSDs in the UK (and elsewhere) versus Rumor, I can only assume anybody setting Ambred dogs over the world's majority in type cannot stand all the German dogs in the breed's land of origin, either.

Totally agree. I would much rather see the breed judging than the likes of Alan Carr running around ! I didn't see any obedience either, but I may have missed it. While Gucci isn't perfect (no dog is) and Rumor may be ok compared to the majority of ASL, I still prefer my GSD to not resemble an oversized Corgi. Plus I can't stand all that food baiting lol

I recorded the show . So was able to fast forward that twat Alan carr they have turned the whole show into a joke .I would agree with Brady I myself would prefer that gs to the ASL witch u describe very well. I didn't enjoy the show at all it nearly always a toy dog that wins u very rarely see a dog without flowing locks take first place

👍

One knows what happens when one goes about assuming. Haha at oversized Corgi. I will always prefer a dog that can walk without dragging its own ass, no matter what size the legs or what country produced it.

I must admit I did enjoy Noel Fitzpatrick. In fact I wouldn't object to him checking out my dodgy joints 😀