some facts ;

the Bulldog has won 21 CC's under the most respected breed specialists and all rounders - are they all wrong ?

she underwent a voluntary vet check at BUBA Ch show last December and passed with flying colours - was this vet wrong ?

she was failed on an old eye injury that was only visible when the vet shone a torch into her eyes - the scar had been caused by a bump, was not genetic and was not affecting the dogs health or vision - how does this fit in with the Vets directions to look for these clinical signs and how could the judge spot this in the ring ?


I have no details on why the Peke was failed but have a uneasy feeling that both breeds are being used as sacrificial lambs by the KC to 'prove' to JH and their detractors that they are doing something....

Me ?....I'm waiting for the GSD vet check - now THAT'll be interesting .............

Totally agree and I think that that is a really good idea about the sit, jump, run. Can you imagine the Peke that won Crufts a few years back being able to run or jump?

But I do think that in many ways it would have been much fairer to introduce this system at a less high profile show... although on the other hand this will get more attention and send an important message to the breeders and judges.

I think that there needs to be more training and guidance for judges about what is acceptable. I think that in many breed clubs there is a core of 'old school' breeders who are very resistant to change. For example the Dalmation club who where very unhappy that the KC agreed to register the LUA import despite the obvious health benefits to the breed!

J.

Could it be because this sort of injury is often caused by having a shallow eye socket? I have no idea if this is the case? I know nothing about Bulldogs, this is a genuine question.

J.

Unfortunately, Bijou, there's no supporting evidence in respect of the injury. For all we know, the owner of the dog is being totally honest, but, for all we know she isn't. Neither vet report is likely to be published due to data protection issues.

How many CCs the dog has won is irrelevant really as we I'm sure we've all seen decisions made by judges that cause raised eyebrows.

Unfortunately, the KC and Crufts are under the microscope. They need to be seen to be as squeaky clean as possible. I'm pretty sure that the bulldog owner can appeal the decision???? If so, that would make for interesting discussion, but only when the facts are fully known. In the meantime, I would think a very strong message has gone out to all breed clubs by these dogs being disqualified. I agree though that it would be highly unfortunate if one of these dogs didn't deserve that qualification.

nope - my old girl has a small scar on her retina caused by a collision with her son years ago - she's a Groenendael with about as different a head and eye shape from a Bulldog as you can get - it can happen to any breed ...and mongrels too !

nope ..there's no right of appeal

How do we know this is the reason? Is it the owners who have put that out or is it official?

rune

Found the answer to a couple of these...

High Profile Best of Breed Veterinary Checks - FAQs
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/4176

Q. Is there an appeal procedure if the Judge and / or Exhibitor disagree with the Vet?
A. The Show Regulations state that the Vet’s decision is final. There is no process to appeal the Vet’s decision.

Q. What is the level of confidentiality on the results of the Veterinary checks?
A. The matter shall be kept confidential between the relevant parties. If the exhibitor is approached, what they allow to become public knowledge is at their discretion but the Vet and Show Society must keep the reason for failure to pass the examination confidential.

So no appeal and no way to know how truthful the owner/breeder is being.

J.

No, I get that, sorry I wasn't clear, I was wondering if that was maybe the reason in this particular dog?

But from reading the KC page on this it seems that this information won't be disclosed, not sure I agree with that, surely it would be best for all concerned if it was?

J.

I can sort of understand the 'no appeals' reasoning for practicalities of timings on the show etc. However, if the bulldog breeder is telling the truth, it is exceptionally hard that her and her dog have now been tarnished as 'vet failed'.

If the reasons for the fail are as the breeder is claiming, I just find this so ironic....here is someone who has been trying to do the right thing - has bred a bulldog which by all accounts is a good example of the 'non-extreme' type...and yet she still gets penalised and the breed continues to get a bad reputation.

Presumably the owner will get a written report which, if they choose, they can make public as proof. I certainly hope they do, as without that it is simply their word and no-one will know who to believe (though many will take sides).