Got it in one Debs.

Yes you have to have the "words" on the cover or first page and on the entry form even if the group have no breeds that are ever docked.

Someone asked about dogs given permission to show, this applies to any operation that changes the natural conformation of the dog and permission has to be sought and received before you can show such a dog. This will involve a letter from your vet to say why the operation was needed and if in their opinion the injury was because of trauma or congenial or hereditary. If congenial or hereditary permission will not be given.

And while you lot continue to be confused, while here in northern ireland it's usally us.!!!

I remember just before the ban came the dog papers as they usually do printed the amendment to the KC rule book which clearly stated what has to go on schedules regards docking.
Not sure what the KC would say about a dog having to be docked due to trauma. Would have thought they would have looked at it individually rather than a clear rule as otherwise it would be taken advantage of dogs would be illegally docked. Sorry to say it but I'm already fully aware that illegal docking is going on in certain (naturally bobtail) breeds.

Every month there is a list of dogs given permission to show who have had part of the tail removed because of trauma. Tails are easily damaged and very difficult to heal so it would be cruel if owners left it longer than usual before having part of the tail removed, I have no doubt they would do so if the KC stopped giving permission.

My big worry is that some of the breeds who are now not being docked will damage there tails so the numbers asking for 'permission to show' will increase and may be the KC will decided that it is not a true trauma and refuse permission, that would lead to no end of dogs having to suffer damaged and un-healing tails because their owners still wished to show them and keep hoping that it will mend without being operated on.

The KC also give permission for other things like broken tooth, wart removed, damaged toe etc. it is not just large matters but sometimes very small ones as anything you do that changes your dog has to be cleared by them. Neutering is of course no problem you just say you have done it and you will get permission, they do not even care why you have done it so it could be for an illegal reason but if you vet does not write to them, you will, if you wish get away with it.

Another thought has just crossed my mind. Couple or so years ago the KC decided that if a open show society wished they could allow visitors and their dogs into the shows and these visitors could if they wished bring in puppies under 6 months. It caused a lot of anger at the time because exhibitors can’t bring their pups into a show and have to pay someone to puppy sit but puppies of visitors would be allowed providing a registry of those entering was kept.

That ruling did and still does cause a lot of anger and it was felt it was yet another nail in the coffin of open shows. So now I wonder for the few shows who do allow visitors into the show with their dogs have to refuse the entry of docked dogs even if they are legally docked.

They could introduce a baby class, here in France and other parts of Europe you can show from 3 months old.

Mo and the Gang

Think it is another of the KC decisions taken with the interest of dogs and shows in mind but just not thought through.

We have one of our shows at a venue with 6 doors, it is impossible to man all these doors and even if you could find enough people to help they would not be prepared to sit in a door way freezing to death and doing nothing all day. The number of people visiting are few, but the doors would need manning and can't be locked because they are fire exits.

The venue has members of the public visiting and they wander in because they do not know it is not part of the complex so we would be liable to the KC for something we are unable to police.

morganstar, those dogs docked after the agreed dates, need to let the KC have copies of the relevant paperwork, or risk having awards taken away. Perhaps not unsuprisingly, not everyone is aware of this!!

When this came in I can honestly say I didn't find a problem personally or see one publicly. I've rarely found someone bringing a puppy along who isn't either exhibiting or looking to exhibit with their puppy, and I personally think it's a great idea for socialisation for a pup to experience a show atmospher rather than having it all in one go actually exhibiting on the day. The general public don't come in their hoards to indoor open shows. I've been to a few shows part of a larger show ie, Bakewell show and I actually enjoyed the fact the public were coming up and talking to you about your dogs and having theirs with them.
I take my dog along that I don't exhibit. Have to admit I've always called the secretary and asked if it's okay to do so and never been refused. If there's a NFC on the entry form then I'll pay the £1 it normally costs as it's helping with the clubs funds.

The thing is the public can come in with dogs that may carry infection or not be trained to be in close proximity with other dogs and at my own show we had someone come in with a dog they did not know but were thinking of re-homing and they allowed their 8 year old child to hold the lead.

As I have said it is impossible to man the doors and if the KC field officer finds a visitor who is not registered in theory I could be in trouble. It also causes bad feeling because although members of the public can bring in pups of a few weeks old or dogs that are aggressive or sick, an exhibitor can't bring in a puppy or 5 months, have to sign to say their dogs are fit and would be in trouble if one of their dogs was aggressive towards a dog or person. We hold the name, address and phone number of all exhibitors as well as the names of all the exhibits but we have no knowledge people wandering in.

At places like Bakewell it is impossible to keep members of the public out but it does cause problems, I had a problem myself with a dog that was not an exhibit at that very show, it is very irritating we pay to enter our dogs and feel we have a right to show them in peace, there are times when having the dogs of those who do not understand what is happening is enough to spoil a day out.

Sad to say it is not just the dogs that can cause a problem there is also a problem with the children.

Just to add I have no problem with dogs entered NFC or if I had my way with people bringing their puppies it is the fact that the general public can bring in what they like but the exhibitors can't.