The thing is if class entries are down because those people who think it's acceptable to breed unhealthy dogs realise they won't be placed and don't bother to show then surely that's a good thing?

I'm looking forward to the next few years of dog showing, I think these vet checks will sort the wheat from the chaff and make people realise that things have to change. It's going to be a rough ride, there will be a lot of people who are stuck in their ways trying to insist that nothing needs to change, but hopefully the KC will stick to their guns and things will start to change gradually.

I especially loved the ESS BOB - a stunning dog from a kennel who are very progressive in bringing in new bloodlines and subsequently lowering COI's. And did you hear the commentary? "Moderate feathering - so doesn't need to be exaggerated in anyway". Hopefully this will sound the death knell for all those ESS breeders who think moderate feathering means barely being able to see the light between the dogs body and floor!

I agree, hopefully the kennels who have been sidleined up till now, but continued to breed healty unexadurated dogs and not followed the fashion will get their chance to shine

Azz---this is the wrong video---nothing to do with what I posted!

If they can afford it!

I especially loved the ESS BOB - a stunning dog from a kennel who are very progressive in bringing in new bloodlines and subsequently lowering COI's. And did you hear the commentary? "Moderate feathering - so doesn't need to be exaggerated in anyway". Hopefully this will sound the death knell for all those ESS breeders who think moderate feathering means barely being able to see the light between the dogs body and floor!

you're not going to believe this, but so did we, and a real difference to the dogs that have made it to group as BOB in previous years, not so big and heavy looking and nowhere near as feathered

That was the video your link went to :/

I really loved the ESS and was surprised at how much as I don't usually like the show lines. If this is the way forward, massive kudos to the breed!

I did have a chuckle though, about what she was saying about the american cocker still being able to go through thick cover!

I do think that things are heading in the right direction at long last.

Helen