I guess I am one of the few members here who started attending dog shows in the 1960s.In those days all dogs were checked by a vet on entering a show.

This is taken from a Crufts Catalogue 1960 page 21
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/down...0_1-part-1.pdf

I can remember queuing up to be checked.
I have not been involved with showing for many years and am not sure when the practices of vetting exhibits stopped. The fact that it was may be something to do with the introduction of vaccinations for many serious conditions. Years ago pre vaccination vets were checking for serious illness among other things.

Unfortunately many people these days see dog shows as a beauty contest. It used to be nothing of the kind and was all about getting together with like minded people to compare the best examples of the breed. The whole dog was assessed and this included temperament and body conformation an important factor in how a dog 'moved'. A dog which was not properly constructed would not move correctly so would be unable to perform the task for which the breed was intended (hunting/running over long distances etc).

Some people may not be aware that during the war dog shows stopped (not sure if it was all of them ) as did the majority of breeding, rationing made it difficult for many to continue feeding large kennels. Some breeds became depleted in numbers. After the war dog shows restarted and played an important roll as a places for people to see and compare good examples of the breed as they began breeding again.

me too. how are they gonna talk their way around that?
i cant see one being aloud through! they cannot realistically
accept one.. surely?

On [a social network] it is saying that both dogs failed on eye irregularities that would not be seen by the naked eye.

Not good

On 'another site' it could be true not it could be not true---do you know?

rune

well how could the judge or owner have seen it prior to the vet check then ? - i think we'll just have to wait until the report is made public ( and I'm guessing the owners will most certainly do this if they have been unfairly treated )

...another question - given that the dog has failed because of a scar in her eye ( that presumably is a permanent feature ) will she now be unable to be shown in the group at ANY Champ shows ? ..or will a different judge go over her each time and some will allow her through and others not ? ....what kind of an illogical system is that ?

If its true that the only reason those dogs failed, was because of old injuries, not linked to their anatomy, then IMO the decision was a bit harsh.

A message needed to be sent and I hope it's recieved.

No I don't know if it is true or not.

As I understand it the eye check was supposed to be done by the naked eye.

I am sure it will all come out in the wash in the end.
The Bulldog was supposed to have passed a volutary eye test a couple of weeks ago.

If this is a mistake then I can't see any winners here other than anti show people.

I would like to say well done KC for finally taking this stance. However this is just one show of many championship shows and I think a vet should be on hand at all championships shows to carry out these checks as it won't stop these breeders still making their dogs into champions otherwise, and then making a fortune for stud or on pups.
If the dog is deemed it can't breathe properly because of over exageration or any other fault with the breeds that have been highlighted at crufts, then I think it should have its champion status taken away. These breeders must not still be able to profit from these dogs.
Saying all this it would then worry me where some of these poor dogs would end up if they could no longer bring glory to the breeder.

Its definitely a step forward but I agree that ALL BOB dogs should be checked not just the 15 high profile ones and that if the Bulldog was genuinely failed on an 'old injury' and nothing pertaining to an actual defect its a very harsh. Dogs will be dogs and accidents happen unless of course you intend to keep your dog inside under supervision and wrapped in bubble wrap for 24hrs a day. I too would be intrigued to know if its a permanent scar if now its been highlighted and kicked out if it will be failed at all future shows on the same basis or is it down to veterinary discretion and the same dog could well win next year with the same issue under a different vet?

I say well done to the KC too!

We have no idea what the truth is about why these dogs failed, and we only have the owners word as to why they failed... They may be telling the truth, but they could just as easily be lying.