Now I know there are plenty of showdogs that have more than a passing acquaintance with the great outdoors, but the 2012 Crufts winning Lhasa Apso Elizabeth isn't one of them, according to a piece in today's Daily Mail, something that writer Julia Lawrence queries:
.... when you look her, you can’t help pondering, with a tinge of sadness, that this is a dog that has never chased a squirrel, scratched a flea or sniffed a lamp post in her life.
Would it, I ask her devoted owner, be totally out of the question for Elizabeth to rough it a little, now and then?
‘She’s far too precious to take out for walks,’ explains Margaret, a 59-year-old retired social worker. ‘That’s not to say she is kept indoors all the time — she has to be kept fit and healthy. She can run around in the back garden for exercise.’
But even the garden has been specially crafted to suit Elizabeth’s status. The vegetable patch and flowers have long gone, replaced instead by paving stones which can be kept scrubbed, bleached and hygienic at all times.
‘She can be walked on grass in the summer, when it is dry and short, but we couldn’t risk twigs and mud getting into her coat. In the house, she sleeps in a special dog crate in the kitchen, where she’s put if ever we are out or busy.
‘We couldn’t have her roaming about freely, in case she had an accident and hurt herself. If she broke a leg falling off a table, or accidentally swallowed something, she’d never show again.
Very sad. I had a friend with a lhasa which she succesfully showed. In between shows he was a normal dog, running in the park, playing ball- getting filthy! He did well as a puppy, got to Crufts even. Once she had done what she wanted showing wise he was trimmed out. Show dogs need to be dogs first.
ReplyDeleteVP
I've got tears in my eyes reading this! What unworthy life for a dog!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, she is not a dog loving person, she likes to collect beautifyl things, and she should stay with collecting dead things and not living dogs!
That is probably the saddest thing I´ve ever read. Poor Elizabeth.
DeleteGet real Maria, surely you know that you shouldn't believe everything you read in the press?
Deletefor goodness sake ...get real people you will believe the martians are coming next...i have long coated breed and paved back yard not for stopping the dogs enjoying themselves so when they dash in they dont slip on the floors if as you believe this dog didn't get the exercise its needs it wouldn't have any muscle tone so wouldn't have done well in ring...owners words again either taken out of context or changed to suit bitter folk who have an agenda
DeleteMaria, if you've got tears in your eyes reading this article, you need to get to the doctor's and get yourself sorted out. Save your tears for the thousands of dogs in the puppy farms who would love to have a life like Elizabeth.
DeleteYou lot are just jealous, get over yourselves. Maria, your opinion counts for nothing, how dare you say she doesn't love her dogs. I bet you lot used to show dogs but never had one good enough to win, you all come across as so bitter!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat comment makes me sad. Sure she loves her dog, but that is irrelevant if she doesnt provide the dog with what it needs.
DeleteSorry Anon, but I have both own and breed BIS-winners! And I didn't said that she wasn't a dog lover, I said "In my opinion, she is not a dog loving person" and guess what! I have the right to have that opinion!
DeleteI have, indeed, never had a BIS winner.
DeleteOn the other hand, quite a few of my dogs have gone Best in Field at lure and open field coursing events.
Pretty sure they enjoyed that more than that poor little *cough* dog pictured above enjoyed her Crufts win ;-).
Ah yes. Expect that's the reason. :-)
ReplyDeleteActually, I don't think Elizabeth's owner doesn't love her dog. Am sure she does and am sure she thinks she's doing the best for her dog what with the steak cooked in olive oil an'all. And of course, Elizabeth wants for nothing - other than the chance to be a real dog.
Elizabeth doesn't know any different and so I am sure she's happy enough. No one, really, is suggesting that this dog is being abused. But, thankfully, most show breeders in that they allow their dogs to be dogs first and showdogs second.
Jemima
I show my LONG haired dogs. Between shows they run around my paddock, roll in horse muck, chase birds and rabbits and generally cause mayhem BUT thats what I had them for and thats why I bath and brush them regularly. Health, happiness and temprement first, beauty second.
ReplyDeleteI'm suprised at this owner...would have thought better of her
a word to the writer of the article ref the "scratched a flea" part - i should jolly well hope she has been lucky enough never to have scrtched a flea - thats got nothing to do with being able to act like a dog or not - but more to do with good parasite control!!! however, i hate the idea that so many show dogs dont get to just go wild and run free and get filthy and roll in fox poo or bring half a bramble bush back in with them tangled in their coat etc. i dont doubt people keeping their show dogs like this dont love their animals but the animal welfare act is based on the 5 freedoms - one of which is the ability to exhibit normal behaviour and sometimes i dont think all these dogs get to do that. i did know one lady though with show poodles and when i asked her about walks etc - she said "oh yes of course they go on walks...infact i try to choose their favorite and grubbiest walks on the day before a bathing day as then i dont need to worry about how dirty they get as i know i'll be washing and grooming it all out later" clearly she didnt see the harm in letting them have fun and was able to combine showing and good dog management.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the flea part. There's absolutely no need for dogs to have fleas in this day and age, and they are not enjoyable for either the dog or its owner!
DeleteDogs being dogs? Mmmmm, my neighbour certainly does believe in her dogs being dogs. She leaves them running loose everyday when she goes to work. They crap all over the place, chase cars and farmers livestock, molest all the neighbours and responsible dog walkers who keep their dogs on a lead. She will tell you, they are just being dogs!!!
ReplyDeleteOne of the 5 freedoms is the freedom to exhibit normal behaviour. To what extent is highly subjective and largely dependent upon your knowledge of canine behaviour but it could be argued that many dogs (not just Elizabeth) do not have this freedom
ReplyDeleteThis story sickened me. To the person who said its jealousy, sure! No thank you, I'm much more happier allowing my dogs to be dogs rather than some substitute barbie doll.
ReplyDelete"and she'd never show again"
ReplyDeleteClearly, this is the concern here.
I find it hard to believe that you could all stoop so low as to attack someone who obviously loves and cares for her dogs! There are thousands of so called "pet dogs" in the UK who are left alone all day with no other dog or human companionship, or spend all day locked in a tiny back yard, spend their time chained up to a kennel, or are spoilt and pampered by stupid owners who let them get way overweight, or who get let out in the morning to run amock, attack other dogs or cause accidents. Not to mention all the poor Staffies, Pitbulls or crossbreeds that are bred for fighting. These are the people you should be attacking!
ReplyDeleteWhich is why people are deploring the report of a dog spoilt and pampered by a stupid owner who never allows the dog out of a tiny back yard and house.
DeletePeople who fight their dogs will tell you they love and care for their dogs, too- some of them spend as much time and effort preparing for their grotesque blood sport as people do for the showring. Owners of overweight dogs often obviously love and care for their dogs, even as they put the dog's health and wellbeing at risk.
If the story's true, then the dog's mental and physical needs are obviously being neglected- 'playing in the yard' is not enough exercise for a dog that young, especially of that size.
No amount of blame-deflecting or "well, other people are worse" (because obviously we can't criticise people who chain dogs because other people fight them, or criticise people who fight their dogs because other people starve or torture them etc) will distract from that.
Having said that, this is the daily mail, so I'll believe this story when I see some confirmation from other sources. You wouldn't believe how people can get misrepresented in interviews.
Shame on this dog owner!!! Feeding her dog steak, keeping it safe in a fenced area when it is outside... The HORROR!!! I demand RIGHT NOW that that owner give up her dog and the life she is forcing it to live and let it roam free and unencumbered through the streets and country side, like "real" dogs do.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone here tell me what the Lhasa was actually bred for? I know myself, just curious if anyone whining about the "poor" dog knows what the breed was bred to do. I will give everyone a hint, google Tibetan Breeds to get started. They worked in tandem with some other breeds...
This thread is really offensive tbh....and sorry jemima it undermines the good that you do.
DeleteWould you like to explain why?
DeleteJemima
sure....unlike taking on organisations such as the kc, you are directing negative attention to an individual, whom you likely have never met. i am sure she has feelings, and will be devastated once the emails start pouring in and she learns that she has been heralded as the postergirl for dog abuse, as many of the posts on this thread are implying.
Deletehighlighting issues about health is great, and i support you in that endeavour. but surely this is nothing more than taking at swipe at the kennel club by using the words of a housewife who's lhasa won crufts. the repurcussions to her for your actions might be at worst unflattering comments and hate mail....considering the crazed society that we live in i shudder to think of the worst.
stick to task and dont let your desire for ANY story which might show dog breeders in a bad light lead you astray.
youre better than that, and your readers deserve better than that.
Gotta side with [Anonymous Mar 17, 2012 07:08 AM] here..there seems (to me) to be a 'touch' of spite in this post..wrong, right or otherwise. For the lady and her doggie doll..I will equate it to silly human tricks, but not so derogatory to imply cruelty or unhealthy in this regard..this breed can likely do quite fine setting on a lap or pedestal for most of its life..my gosh, what kind of trauma must she endure when the 'gifted one' defecates. Perhaps that aspect of life has been breed out?? Extreme vanity?..likely, but there are other concerns of merit.
DeleteI do see your point and I agree it's a close call, but I do think this tells us something about how some in the show world have lost their way.
DeleteThis is not a "swipe at the kennel club" - it is a swipe at the system that has normalised such behaviour. If the Mail is to be beieved (and I understand that can sometimes be a very big "if"!) the
owner doesn't seem to think it's particularly odd that she doesn't take her dog for a walk.
I think most of us would disagree and I don't think there's any harm in reminding such owners that they are dogs first and foremost.
I'm moderating the comments and haven't published a fair few of them (although all the ones that have supported the dog's owner). I'll continue to do so.
Jemima
@Jemima..understood, and appreciated..however I look to this blog as the point of the spear for the educational light regarding detrimental breeding tactics and the potentially unhealthy status of such..sometimes the spear tends to be rather broad and perhaps loses it point of reference. As far as dogs not getting walks..that fault is prevalent amoung dogs of any and all conditions. There are so many dogs, of all stature, that never see the world beyond the garden fence and live home to yard most of their lives, prim and pooch..but then again that is another concern over and above..the opinion of one..perhaps a naive opinion..but I do look forward to a paradigm shift in the workings of the breeding circuit..cheers, stay the course.
DeleteFor me, with the formation of the recent Canine Alliance it is very much a focal point on the attitude of show "people". Do they care about the welfare of their dogs or are they too involved in the "show" to notice the harm they are doing. Does a dog really care about the cup or a ribbon? A fun day Crufts may be, so would a run around. Which can be done on a regular basis?
DeleteTruly a sad story for an otherwise lovely dog :(
ReplyDeleteAn more open understanding of "Love" may lead to a more open understanding of "Dog".
Elizabeth is a dog - not a piece of silverware to take out and polish - then put back on display.
I'd agree that owning "Show" Barbie Dolls would be a much better passion for such people.
We own off-road mud monsters and I wouldn't have it any other way XX
This amounts to cruelty imo, this poor dog is neglected in the true sense of the word! Shame on its owner and those sticking up for her!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't insult my black lab by letting her be near a 'dog' like this. My lab loves walks in the woods, walking in the lake (no swimming yet-hopefully that will change this summer), tennis balls and soccer balls in the backyard, all of her wubbas, playing with her friend, Tinkerbell the basset hound, going for rides, going to the pet store, and, most of all, spending cuddle time on the couch with her Mommy and Daddy. Thank goodness I have a real dog!
DeleteFrom your remarks, Anonymous, you must be closely associated with this 'dog show' industry.
I agree with above anonymous, those who don't care for their precious pooches should be the ones under attack. This dog may like its life. I have two Dachshunds, one loves to get out for walks, roll in the grass, and play outside; the other would rather play with squeaky toys inside, sleep on the couch, and taking baths(no he isn't over weight either). He cracks me up when he goes to the potty by sniffing then stepping, sniffing and stepping, making sure he doesn't step in any other dogs urine or poo. My point is the article doesn't clarify all aspects of the dogs life, and we shouldn't assume it is unhappy. Those who neglect and abuse their pets are the ones that should be attacked.
ReplyDeleteYou have a really cute dachshund! (:
DeleteShame on us! Yeah right...
ReplyDeleteThe biggest issue I see here, other than the poor dogs welfare, is the fact that this woman has just won the biggest prize in the dog world. She has been held up as the highest standard, as a result she has a massive platform and she has came out and said she doesn't walk her dog. As a result of her fame how damaging is that to dogs? How many owners will now thing that's fine if the winner of the biggest dog show in the world doesn't walk their dog I don't need to either?
Crufts has a massive audience and massive influence, she should not be making out that it's OK to never walk your dog.
Yeah there is other major problems but that doesn't mean we should ignore this in favour of them, especially when she has such a massive platform.
It's a point, the Lhasa was bred as an indoor dog - acting as watchdog in temples. However, that doesn't tell you everything about a dog surely? Their function is often a development of a natural behaviour but is not a function of all their natural behaviours. Gun dogs like to lie in front of fires as well as work. I'm guessing any dog likes to run about on grass and roll in smelly stuff when it's off duty. Fair enough to protect her pre-show when all the work is done and she's prepared... but permanently? I think people are reacting to it with their guts that tell them all animals need to be allowed to express natural behaviour outside of the show ring if they are to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted. These are rights we grant to animals we rear purely as food so should it not be something we also grant to our companion animals even if we are earning a living from them?
ReplyDeleteI don't doubt that the owner is doing what she thinks is the best for her dog. I don't agree with it but that is just my opinion. A twig or a bit of mud is hardly going to stop her showing her dog. Neither is a walk. Maybe if it was a bigger dog like the adorable Newfoundland who was reserve things might be different when the pent up energy reared it's head. I have a Labrador and a Labrador/Patterdale cross and if they didn't have a walk they would be tearing up and down the length of my house.
ReplyDeleteNow breaking her leg falling off a table is the bit that is worrying me unless it is meant as in the show table because no dog of mine would ever be allowed to jump onto my table. Each to their own though.
As for being jealous and bitter. I don't think any of the comments come across as that. Personally I have no interest in seeing dogs preened and groomed like dolls.
You lot really are completely crackers. Petra 'the saddest thing I ever read', how out of touch with the world ARE you? A bus load of schoolchildren were killed last week and the saddest thing you ever read was a top show dog being looked after like a top show dog? Go round the rescue homes all over the damn country, look into the eyes of those dogs incarcerated in kennels 24/7 and decide if they'd like to swap their lives for this Lhasa who is loved and cherished by their owner! How many Miss World contestants do you see roughing it? Not many. They make break a nail or something right? I know you don't understand the show world and you dont have to agree with it, but making out it amounts to cruelty or you have to pity this dog is nothing short of pathetic. Grow up. You too Jemima. You should know better, running a rescue home, im sure you are all too aware of things that really do damage an animal for life mentally and physically and running around an enclosed garden and living inside a house ain't it! My mother has one of these dogs and she is disabled so the dog cannot go too far away from home but she too has a large enclosed garden to run around and she is a great companion to my mother. Is she being cruel too and you pity this dog who is my mothers world and she should give her away and live alone instead? Like I said, youre all crackers.
ReplyDeleteSorry but when the condition of a dogs coat comes before anything else then YES THERE IS A PROBLEM!!
ReplyDeleteA PROBLEM to make it the saddest thing you ever read or make someone CRY reading the story? Oh come on! I work with someone who wont leave the house unless shes washed her hair, painted her nails and put a full face on. I guess I should get her into some kind of therapy so she can better appreciate an afternoon paint balling instead and can be a 'real' person! Why wont you lot accept people are different, dogs are different, the way people care for their dogs is different too and this one is hardly extreme cruelty or the worse problem in the world to warrant this witch hunt. You should be really be ashamed Jemima, targeting an individual in this way and encouraging all these pitiful responses. I agree with the above poster, too many fanatics around for this kind of attack and this woman could really suffer because of you. As is seen here, some of your 'followers' think she is one step down from Lucifer already. Disgusting.
DeleteI can see the point, though. This dog is worth a lot of money, and if she does normal dog things, she's risking too much.
ReplyDeleteI don't see Lhasas as being too exaggerated or unhealthy. The AKC member club has successfully lobbied the AKC to allow new blood in from the Himalayas.
http://www.lhasaapso.org/nsc/index.html
This should affect the breed worldwide because the largest population of fancy lhasas is in the United States.
My question is "why is this dog worth a lot of money?"
DeleteI think the worst thing to me, is this...
ReplyDelete'At the ripe old age of seven, the time is now right for her to put show life behind her and settle into motherhood. Potential suitors are being carefully screened.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2116253/Crufts-biggest-diva-eats-sirloin-steak-twice-weekly-blow-drys-pedicures--FAR-posh-walkies.html#ixzz1pNyP2cRa'
Now, I know the Daily Fail reports have to be take with a pinch of salt, BUT, the poor dog is 7, and in my opinion, that is far too old for a first litter. Just let her be a dog, she's won the best of the best, now let her be.
SO a lovely, health tested bitch who is being bred to a carefully chosen stud is to old in your OPINION. 7 isn't too old. Would you rather her first litter be at 2 before she has her clearences? With some of the people on here it's damned if you do and damned if you don't
DeleteSarah, at what age do you think it OK to breed a bitch?? Have you ever bred a litter? If you have do you do it young, maybe before all the health checks have been done?
DeleteI'm gobsmacked that this dog isn't allowed to get muddy or a twig in her fur yet presumably comes into season every six months or so! What does she do - stick a nappy on it. Heaven forbid any of that precious coat should get blood on it!
Delete7 years is FAR too old for a first litter. For a second or third? Sure, thats fine, as long as they were earlier in her life. Complications and issues arise when a virgin bitch attempts to whelp far into middle age. Heres an analogy, for those of you out there too ignorant about dog biology-- Should a 50 year old woman have her first child? Or should she have a child/children when she is young, healthy, and her body is capable of handling the stressors and bouncing back, say, in her twenties? Most health clearances for dogs can be got by age 2, so between 2 and 3 is a perfect time for a bitch to have her first litter. In some breeds that can be Pennhip'd, or that have clearances that can be preformed earlier, the first litter can be done even younger, provided the bitch is fit and healthy. Its been proven that females of any species that are bred relatively young, have an easier time of it the subsequent times than when the first litter is done late.
Delete7 years of age is far too old for litter #1. That is a huge mistake, and I hope does not cost the bitch her life.
I was thinking the same thing. Seven year-old prima para? Sounds very risky to me.
Delete(On background, the youngest I've ever bred a bitch was age three, the oldest age seven (second litter), and the oldest prima para age four. In my breed, four was pushing it for a first litter. Maybe that's not true of Lhasas. But seven? That can't be advisable.)
I totally, GET delaying breeding until the dog really shows who he or she is -- health, temperament, working ability. I'm a huge advocate of it. Seven for a first litter for a male, sure. For a bitch? Some balance, please. The bitch's health and welfare should count for something.
At least, once the press wanders off after the next shiny thing, the poor beast stands a chance of having her locks clipped off.
Even if she does spend her life in her "special" crate, gated in the kitchen away from the hooligan Poms, and on pavement, behind walls.
whats the point in a dog that only looks the way it does if you spend 8 hours a week bathing and blow drying it and never walk it incase it breaks its coat.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend who constantly complained when she didnt win at shows. Stamping her feet like a toddler if she didnt win.
I suggested if it caused her that much stress instead of travelling 5 hours to sit in a hall on an industrial estate for 12 hours arguing & bitching about the judge being political.She should take her dogs for a nice walk & just enjoy them for being themselves and if she was happy with them what did it matter if they won.
She didnt like that suggestion. She had to win even if it made her miserable.
" I can see the point, though. This dog is worth a lot of money, and if she does normal dog things, she's risking too much." Such a shame that it boils down to money. In my book this is a poor excuse. I know lots of show people in my breed, thank God none of them are like this woman.
ReplyDeleteFrom the USA: I see that the AKC is preparing to get up in arms about the suggestion of vet evaluation. HOWEVER, I think that owners should show certification of health before being awarded a championship.
ReplyDeleteA friend's gorgeous AmStaff bitch made grand champion and when an echo revealed a bad heart murmur, she decided to spay the dog. There are many breeders, though, who are "afraid" to get their dogs the echo test. They prefer osculation (with stethoscope) because more dogs "pass" when that test is used.
Before the AmStaff's murmur was discovered, my friend was interviewing potential mates. She offered to pay for a dog's echo herself, but the owners refused.
but that is the way it should be .. showing is just showing breeding is something else..she showed her dog. it looked great.. when time to breed it she did the correct thing and tested her.. when she came up short she did the correct thing again and spayed her.
DeleteAuscultation by a cardio expert is an acceptable and valid test for the OFA but many breeders opt for an echo to be sure. I know dogs that have been sterile that finished their Championships..I see nothing in the "testing requirements " that says they have to be reproductively sound.. do you?
as for this thread.. bunk.. if you want to feel sorry for a dog.. go to the pound..seems the blogger lets her dogs run loose.. even the old deaf ones BUT that is HER CHOICE.. same as it this womans choice to coddle her dogs. point is there are many ways to keep dogs.. not all the same..if this woman took this dog home and she was found matted and dirty what story would we get then? Yea I know.. woman torments show dog. Kennel Club at fault
Perhaps the caption for the photo should read as "Nice trophy..shame about the dog" .. all in fun .. hey if you're you going to prop up front and center and pompously proclaim "Hey, look at me..aren't we just splendid", then you've also entered a venue for criticism as well..it's human nature..unfortunately the nature of dogs are sometimes compromised as a result..unless the very nature of dogs are intentionally being 'bred' out..but such as our nature..
ReplyDeleteAnd yet the breed is in the "utility"?
ReplyDeleteKind of like when an American Cocker named Carmen became dog of the year in Sweden a few years ago. After that, her owner said "Now she's being retired from the show ring, and finally she can run in the forest!"
...a hunting dog... that can't run in the forest... because we "followed the breed standard"... right.
Don't tar everyone with the same brush! I have had american cockers (many champions) and they free run and get dirty and live in the house as part of the family! A normal life does not affect them, infact it makes them all the better for show!
DeleteOh for goodness sake Whats up Jemima are you not getting enough interest from the failed BOB's. You are really digging at the bottom of the barrell on this one Shame on you, bet you wish the Apso's were on the high [profile list
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with one of the Anonymous commenters who suggests that the fact that some show dogs never live "real dog" lives is completely a red herring when it comes to overall dog welfare.
ReplyDeleteWhile my purebred show dogs AND mixed breed rescue dogs do agility in a horse barn, go for walks, get muddy, and are "real dogs", I accept that there is a high proportion of ALL dog owners- of purebred/show/mixed-breed/non-show dogs- that simply don't do much with their dogs EVER. This is not unique to the show dog world- lots of family pets live this lifestyle as well. And with maybe a few exceptions, most prized show dogs have a pretty good existence... I'm quite sure Elizabeth is doing just fine.
I feel the same way about the ear cropping/tail docking issue- its a red herring. While I personally think its unnecessary and reflects fashion, not function, its largely a pretty minor issue in the overall scheme of dog welfare. Let's pick our battles wisely and put energy into correcting the problems that affect many dogs, not just a few, and significantly impact their broad-scale welfare.
But all these things reflect an attitude where your dog's purpose is to serve you, to look 'right', to make you money, to make you look tough. Both the show owners who keep their dogs in gilded cages and the neglectful owners leaving their staffie chained up in the garden all day are treating the dogs like toys and ignoring the dogs' emotional (and sometimes physical) needs. I guess the question is, could the KC do more to discourage this attitude, and would it have a wider effect if they did?
DeleteI agree with you, Charlotte, that the KC and all dog-loving organizations should be promoting a well-rounded lifestyle for all dogs... and as many comments here indicate, there are a lot of show dogs who "do it all" and don't merely prance around a ring. Certainly, when I watched Westminster on television, the announcer took great care to point out the other accomplishments of the dogs in the ring- be it therapy work, earthdog titles, or herding. I'm not saying that there aren't show dogs with behaviourally or emotionally impoverished lives- but they aren't necessarily the norm, and the problem is not limited to the show world.
DeleteI think I am concerned that it becomes too easy to pick on show dogs/breeders... and when the public focus becomes a "show dog in a gilded cage", the scope of the issue - as you say, the staffie chained in the garden- or even the chihuahua in the purse- gets lost. It becomes "them" vs. "us" instead of a collective effort to promote better welfare for all dogs.
I feel sorry for all dogs who don´t get enough excercise, are not allowed to run and play, have their emotional and physial needs met. It does not really matter if they are show dogs, pet dogs neglected dogs in backyards, the end result is still the same. The dogs suffer because of their owners lack of knowledge.What makes the case of Elizabeth extra sad is the fact that she just won the largest dog show in the world and that the KC says that they are promoting responsible dog ownership. Rewarding a BIS to a dog who basically is treated like a precious doll rather than a living thing with needs, sends the wrong message. Unfortunaltely I think there are plenty of owners who don´t show the dogs who keep their dogs in much the same way. Lhasas, shit-tzus, poms and other small and ornamental dogs seems to attract owners who really have no wish to have "a dog". I can understand the need and the wish for company, but the dogs shouldn´t have to pay the price.
DeleteI have a labrador, and for a while had a roommate with a bichon. The bichon was a pet, not even a show dog. When I moved in she allowed me to take him out with my dog to go for runs in the woods. Once he got muddy, and when I took him home and started to give him a bath she said to me "You can't do things like this with him, he's not like a lab, he's a BICHON". Just because a dog is little, doesn't mean he's not a DOG first...
ReplyDeleteI have a retired show dog here. I took her on at the age of 6, when she was retired. She had never been for walks either, which I found incredibly sad. She was scared of lots of things out there. It took a couple of weeks before she would run around the fields with my other dogs and to see her enjoying life is incredible. She isnt the dog she was when we got her. She isnt shy like they said she could be without her show lead on - she greets everyone and everything. She is cheeky, funny but also very sweet. That is what she always was - I feel sad that her old owners never got to really know her this way.
ReplyDeleteI know the dog has a long coat - but a little walk round the block wouldnt hurt surely!! Im sure she would love it!!!
I think this thread gives a clue as to the real agenda
ReplyDeleteSo, there´s rampant rebellion now on one side becuase trained vets check dogs at shows; and there´s an article in the Mail On Line saying that the greatest pedigree success there is means living in restraint.
ReplyDeleteTwo sides of a coin, and the name of the coin is not DOG but OBSESSION. Any idea how this makes the dog world look to the real world?
The Mail OnLine has an average of a couple of million readers a day. In my opinion, it was the most scathing description I´ve read for a long time. Whereas I think it´s very necessary to highlight the strange ideas of success behind breeding to exaggerated standards, the systematic inbreeding etc, I do wish major media would sometimes look on the knowledgeable, openminded, conscientious breeders and ditto owners of dogs, pedigree or not, who share a good life with their dogs.
This dog lives a completley normal life as far as I can see. There are lots of dogs who do not get excersised outside of their own gardens. That is not a crime and many dogs are happy that way, particularly small dogs like Llasa's. Providing she is allowed to expreess normal behaviour then that is fine.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a "show dog" issue. I suspect that there are many many dogs in "pet" homes living sedintary lifestyles and which live in crates whilst their owners are out at work 8-12 hours per day.
I am not suggesting that this is right, obviously its not but it is very common. I seem to remember a survey some time ago that suggested a large percentage of dogs never take their dogs for walks. Again I am not saying that this is right but its nothing to do with the fact that Elizabeth is a "show dog". Most show dogs that I know get muddy and dirty during tyne week and get bathed and trimmed at the weekends only.
Carol
All of this is predicated on the assumption that the Daily Mail accurately conveyed what the owner said. That's a HUGE mistake.
ReplyDeleteIf you believe everything you read in the paper, try getting interviewed sometime.
And only the Daily Fail could take the fact that the dog has clean teeth and fresh breath, and imply that that is some form of over pampering. What a badly written article!
DeleteWe show our gundog and as I'm sure you'd expect from our breed our dogs have 2 hours a day free running in order to keep them nicely muscled for showing (our other dogs we don't show still get the same). They get covered in brambles, are perm muddy and are washed for a show - get a day out full of strokes and sausages and on the way home get a swim and run in the mud - to wash all the clean off.
ReplyDeleteI am not suprised that this is the life that some long coated show dogs lead but it really saddens me that they have to. My dogs happiness is my biggest priority - I do think a shiny healthy coat show is a sign (along with many others) that your dog is fit and well but mine regularly looses a lot due to burrs and thorns needing to brushed or cut out.
In my breed i know of NOBODY who sacrifices their dogs exercise for their coat - and if they did they would not have the muscle tone to ever get placed.
As we've always said - clean is for a show morning - mud i for life
This ist just sad and I feel sorry for that dog.
ReplyDeleteYeah the owner loves her perhaps, but that don't make it right how that dog has to live.
And some here said its not so bad for little dogs, if they don't get out of their garden.
I have two little dogs, I'm on walks with them for three hours everyday.
I also do hiking trips and they also have no problem with walking 7 hours and come home just to start play with each other.
Just because they are small don't means they need less walking.
If I would do the same with my dogs as Elizabeths owner does with her, I would have crazy monsters in like 5 days.
And before someone says that: They are never alone, not one hour a day.
A dog wants to run, play with other dogs or the owner, get muddy and so on.
I know that many show dog owner are not like that and let their dogs be dogs.
but that one here ist just sick, sorry.
No dog I ever met likes shampoo or perfume or sit on a table for 4 hours.
Dogs don't care for beauty, they just want to be dogs.
I don't say that the owner of this dog don't loves her dog, she surely does.
but she has no knowledge of normal canine behavior or needs.
Thats my opinion.
And no I'm not jealous because she won crufts, my dogs will never win a show, they will never even qualify for one, because they are ex-stray mutts.
Lissy
No dog should have a life without walks. I feel very sorry for poor Elizabeth and the thousands of others which only ever see the back garden if they're lucky. My two papillons get about 4 miles walking a day.
ReplyDeletePersonally I love dog's that need no exercise. You want to know why? because I'm not an active person. Now let's get something straight here, I always take my dog for a nice little walk around my neighborhood once a day. I don't think it's fair that laid back breeds such as French Bulldogs, Lhasa Apso's and etc, should be ridiculed (not all of them are lazy). A lot of people live in very small places where they can't have big sporting breed dogs and some people just prefer a nice little house dog such as a toy breed because they fit some people's life styles; such as mine. If I get a dog, I'm not looking for a jogger, a hunter or a watchdog (though my little French bulldog Joey lets me know when someone is at the front door). I just want a sweet little best friend whom will be the most behaved, the most sweetest and the best relaxed family house dog anyone can ever have. I don't hate active sporting breeds I just prefer nice little lap dogs such as Pugs and French Bulldogs- even bullmastiffs (it least bullmastiffs think they are little lap dogs). I also have no problems with dogs that have long hair, if you're not showing a dog then your dog can have a nice haircut - problem solved.
ReplyDeletePeople really should NOT believe all they read in the press, watch on the TV or view on the internet......Journalists are into sensatinalism as this is what sells stories and ultimately makes them money, hopefully in the end this is what also gets them into serious trouble and people should be held accountable for it - I mention the News of the World Journalists in reference to this.
ReplyDeleteJemima in this publish article has obviously returned to her grass routes by even considering putting this on her blog - and she claims not to be into sensationalism??? Yeh right.
You had my respect and I was watching carefully at how you could publicise a change for the health and welfare of ALL dogs, but this has just made me think prehaps what those against you mean. Maybe you are just a sensationalist journalist after all...?
Now why is it that I doubt I ever had your respect..?
ReplyDelete:-)
Jemima
ermmm did you not bring to the public forum the need to at least 'look' into the health of pedigree dogs......whilst I don't believe that it should be limited to pedigree dogs, it is not for me to put into the public domain, I simply do not have enough knowledge or knowhow.
DeleteI personally have been watching and trying to learn about genetics, the health of breeds and how this 'sits' with my perception, beliefs and workings of the breeds I own...... so question me all you like, but yes I DID think you had/have a point BUT an article such as this doesn't support the work you have done in my mind not one bit.
You would have mine Jemima, if you would only do an expose on Puppy Farms, why concentrate on show dogs when PF dogs are living in unspeakable conditions.
ReplyDeletePoor dog, never running through the woods, rolling in the mud, swimming in ponds, or having fun racing around in the park with other dogs. How can it get any socialisation, stuck in its own garden and house?
ReplyDeleteIt's not right for dogs to be bred with superfluous curtains of fur, almost as bad as all those wrinkles on the Napolitan mastiffs. Makes me want to reach for a pair of shears. But underneath it all there's still a doggy heart beating.
OK, think that's enough for-and-against on this thread and I accept the point that it's not the core business of this blog.
ReplyDeleteComments are now closed on this one.
Jemima
This is just disgusting.
ReplyDelete