KC Ultimatum - Page 1

reverting to DFS Crufts   (what a come down).   I too very much enjoyed meeting up with people, and the topic of conversation around the ring was what we were all going to be doing, and the choices we were looking forward to, that have already been put in place.  Seems that the folk that can see the light are now full of enthusiasm for the clear beginning of the correct way in which our breed should go.  I also have to say, that although the GSD ring was literally swmped with officialdom - some even sitting at the side of the ring taking notes on dogs movement - the atmosphere was pleasant and no incidences occured thank goodness.
I had an interesting BBC live conversation this morning with Caroline Kisco, a vet from the Greyhound Re-Homing Trust and Joanne Malin.
It all centred around the 2008 BBC documentary, and whether BBC should have pulled out.    My view, like others, was that by pulling out, they have changed nothing about the KC`s apathy on health screening. Mrs Cisko felt that More4 were doing a good job and quote "people will just have to get used to it" unquote  -  where have we heard that attitude before !! 
They simply pulled out and left many people at home without their favourite viewing of Crufts.   They also left the KC to a sofa company that whilst having the money to sponsor them, knew nothing of dogs or dogdom and certainly arent interested in the seedier side of things to do with the registration of dogs with no identification or health checks for breeding.. A lively debate followed whereby Catherine upheld the accredited breeder scheme, and I made sure that it would be effective ONLY if it were accredited dogs - I also quoted having found 45 people that had paid their £15 in the last 12 months - finding them within 3 days, and they had no checks at all from the KC - and Carolines answer was that for the past 7 years or so, they have been looking at health issues and turning around breeds to get them within themselves to improve - mypoints were its ok looking, do something about not registering these poor puppies from un-checked parentage.
At the point that I explained that the Best in Show at Crufts on Sunday could have chronic HD or another debilitating hereiditory disease - there was no moving back, it had to be explained that to be BIS at such a prestigious looking event in the calender, your dog just had to look good.  In answer to my question of why couldnt the KC only register dogs from health checked parentage, Carolines point was that in regard to hip scores they are all written down, every single one on the KC website  -  pity I didnt then get chance to have the microphone back, and ask what good it was writing them down on their website if they werent going to act upon them.    I do think I got our point over, and from the conversations afterwards - I am sure we will be hearing more - now is MEDIA time - and it will have been incepted by themselves, not us.
Catherine seemed a nice lady, but certainly has the remit from the KC to be the Queen of Waffle when trying to defend the KC`s awful stance on health issues as opposed to losing money on registrations.    Mo.