It will imo also improve the ratings for crufts, as people in this country love a freakshow so you will get people tuning in to watch and pick at who may not have before.

I am not saying crufts is a freakshow but it was made out to be one last night.

They will get sponsors but it will be for a lot less. As there logos/products will only be shown at the event and on flyers/adverts and not the tv audiance.

The thing is though that programme showed the extreme end of the showing spectrum. Of course there will always be those out there that do things selfishly with little thought for the animals welfare. But rather than condemn us all, perhaps it would be better to use the programme to highlight the problems, get rid of the scum of the earth breeders and use the excellent breeders to continue Crufts ,and showing, with a dogs health as paramount.

Not all show breeders are selfish, idiotic morons (like those shown in the programme), there are many, many breeders who love their dogs with all their heart and only want the best for them.

For me my dogs health and well being will always come first and winning rosettes coming in right at the bottom. I go to shows and show my dog a] because it's a great way to spend time out and about with her and b] because as a future breeder I want to know if my dog is a good enough example of the breed to breed from. Isla doesn't win a massive amount at shows because she's bred with the original purpose of the breed in mind and as a result isn't as exaggerated as most show Springers. I personally see this as a good thing, because even though most judges don't find her exaggerated enough, at least I know she still resembles the breed she's meant to be by getting placed in the first place.

So to answer the orignal question, I think the future of Crufts (and dog showing in general) is fine, but breeders will have to move with the times and start putting the dogs health and well being first.

If the BBC did pull it, I agree with Stormey that it might not operate on the same level, but I'm not sure that it would 'suffer' for it. There's an awful lot of surplus rubbish/pagentry/rubbish for television, and I actually think if they had less money to throw around, it might even benefit the show.

I'm not a huge fan of Crufts anyway; there are some breeds that I just cringe at, but I would go again as there are lots of positive aspects to the show aswell. Crufts is only a dog show. People aren't going to stop showing because of a TV programme higlighting its negative side, so whether it would matter if the BBC pulled it is doubtful.

Crufts is not an exhibitor's show....hellish to get around, with or without a dog. It is there for the sponsors and organisers and visitors. Champ show entries are right down this year, across all breeds, so I doubt BBC coverage will make one jot of difference.

Mary

True!!!!!!!

completely fair points, but unfortunately the organises/kc/breed clubs whoever is responsible for allowing the "bad" breeders and practices in and not saying anything about their actions, eg: the Best in Show Cav winner on the programme last night - the breed club were effectively closing ranks and supporting that woman !!

By doing that THEY are ruining it for the genuine people who love their dogs and want other people to see how beautiful they are.

So if they refuse to kick out the dead wood then there is no way for it to get better, as its hypocritical, whats the point of anyone doing tests if the "top" breeders get away with churning out sick dogs and culling ones that they dont consider good enough.
Thats what I object to, and its those people with all the so called knowledge and the judges who mentor the new recruits so they are all being educated the wrong way !

I think this just about covers my thoughts on things

Exactly! So rather than people (not referring to you personally) condemning showing altogether (eg BBC pulling the plug on Crufts, making the assumption that dog shows are beauty contests etc), would it not be far better to support the good breeders and bring dog showing into this millennium?

I don't take my dog to a dog show to try and show everyone how beautiful she is, I take her because I want to know how I can make her breed even better - in all respects. That is what future showing should be about. I know I've said this a hundred times before, but breeding for the whole breed is the only way you can better a breed. Breeding for only one aspect (be it money, looks, working ability etc) will always land you and, more importantly the breed, in trouble.

Excellent reply!