To think judges at Crufts should penalise chokers?

[BourbonBon]

Why do most people showing at crufts hold their poor dog’s head in the air as they run around? Isn’t the whole point to see how they move naturally?

I can’t stand it! Some of them look like they’re choking. Just let them run/walk naturally for god’s sake!

Yes it’s awful. I find a lot of behaviour at crufts abusive. Supposed to be dog lovers but they treat the animals appallingly. Just watch how they move them about during judging etc

Yanbu.
I disagree with all of the showing side of the dogs,in-breeding and cruelty involved.
The animal welfare,the sporting dogs having fun,they are more in the lines of a good dog show .

The whole thing is cruel. No dog wants to be standing there the way they do let alone all the travelling they have to go through to get there. Dog breeding and showing are very selfish acts with the owners interests before the dogs always. No excuse

I dont agree with Crufts or any sort of show like that for domestic animals. I dont know why its allowed on mainstream TV

Dog training is following child psychology and is becoming more respectful and questioning as to what we are asking dogs to do and how. There are some silos. Herding, gundog and showing are included, although change is slowly happening. One of my dogs loves grooming, loves car trips, loves people, dogs and atttention. In short, she would make a fab show dog. Unfortunately it would bore me rigid and I couldn't stand the politics so it aint happening!
Crufts has banned electric, prong and choke collars, which is something. Sooner the whole of the UK does the better.

I saw a small bit of the gundog judging and just loved the Golden Retriever (they never bloody get anywhere). So typical of his/her breed - the judge marched past on his way to pick another breed out and the Golden turned their head with a big smile and wagging tail, all "Oh hello again! Come and give me a stroke!" Such gorgeous dogs.

Agree with the taut, vertical leads though (and obv all the ridiculous breed standard stuff...flat noses, sloping backs etc etc).

My next dog will be a golden retriever, such beautiful souls ❤️

Must admit though I was very surprised the English Setter didn’t even get short listed, it was beyond beautiful

I’m off to Crufts tomorrow. There are rules about rough handling. I think some breeds are worse than others. The girl I’m taking LOVES being shown. She’s such a show off. She will also love being made a fuss of. I will take a bed if she just wants to chill for a bit. A day spent together. And lots of cuddles and love.

@RichardsGear and @BourbonBon i own a GR so of course I strongly believe they should win everything every time however I must admit the English setter was absolutely stunning, I was convinced it would win.

One of the crufts judges was very involved in puppy farming. I've got cats and two are GCCF registered, there's no way in hell I'd go into showing.

When DS4 was 10, he entered a competition on a dog food tin and won. The prize was a years supply of dog food and an all expenses paid weekend trip for 2, to Crufts, as the guests of the dogfoodco with unique backstage access accompanied by a vet. I was DS accompanying person.

Hotel, dogfoodco, vet, and the dogs were lovely.

The show dog owners were summat else, not in a good way. The back stage aggression; the snarling, the bitching. For the first time in my life I saw a grown adult male having a complete melt-down out of control in hysterical tears. (his dog wasn't placed).

I am really interested in a rare breed which I own. There are only a handful of them about but unfortunately unless you show you aren’t taken seriously by any breeders or enthusiasts of the breed, even if yours is the healthiest best and nicest temperament specimen around!

I wish there was another way to judge if an animal is good or not, rather than forcing them to be groped by random people in a ring!

I came out of showing for this reason, the owners are awful. Full on arguining, fighting, sabotaging each other’s dogs (as in poisoning!), the judges doing favours for breeders (obviously being paid to do so), grown men smashing stuff up because their dog didn’t place … I once saw a grown man run into the ring carrying his terrified and confused dog during the prize giving as he was convinced he should have won and was attempting the knock the 1st place winner off the stand so he could stand his there. I was convinced he must have mental health issues until I’d been a few times and saw the same behaviour over and over again.