I am sure he did , the dogs I see doing it, always seem to love what they are doing, BUT, just because they love it, does not mean we should allow them to do it

I don't think they should have agility at Crufts until they have a decent non slip flooring. Nor do I think that there should be so much hind leg work in HTM----none of this has anything to do with showing. It just means that some of us don't try and defend the indefensible.

rune

Thats why my choice is not to do it now----which is why I wrote that I wouldn't do it now---did you miss that bit?

rune

Because the show ring is the one always at the end of the flack, yet on watching some of the other activities that dogs are made to do, they never seem to get the same condemnation.

Seeing some of those dogs in both fly ball and agility horrified me, and all for the gratification of an owner.

Is it any wonder some dogs suffer with joint problems, with the excessive amount of strain put on them.

No, I was not having a go at you, just responding in general to your post...

That`s why I added the "wink"!

Interestingly we have had dogs with and without joint problems and done the same activities with them. Several dogs I know are crippled with arthritis and have done nothing except been walked (Billie is one of them). others have done loads and been fine. Like humans it is a lottery.

They did some research on agility dogs but I don't know the results ---I was told they found very few problems but personally I would doubt that. I think---like the Crufts judge that missed the BC being lame---a lot of people can't see a dogs lameness or just going a bit short.

rune

There are so many things that can affect a dog, 'tis true.

I see nothing wrong with showing, but do see something wrong with manipulating a dog's looks to the detriment of it's health to win rosettes.

I see nothing wrong with agility as it's something that dogs seem to enjoy immensely, but feel it should be run on softer surfaces than that at Crufts

I agree that flyball seems to give dogs front legs one hell of a battering. I know the 'boxes' have been improved to lessen some of the dangers, but I feel there's still a way to go

I do feel that the deliberate mutilation of dogs in respect of ear cropping, tail docking, dew claw removal is totally unnecessary no matter what the sport and is deliberate cruelty when it's done purely for aesthetics

Must my opinion

It made complete sense to me as well.

There can be an underlying genetic predisposition to joint issues, as there is with the vast majority of problems (as I'm sure you already know)

OMG a well balanced post??!?! Hehe excellent post!