I hope it doesn’t turn out to be a fellow competitor. Whoever it was should be identified and punished.
As far as the Scottish Terrier, that is just so silly it is not worth talking about. Terriers were bred to be grabbed by their tail, and the terriers I’ve known would let you know if something was bothering them. I see so many more questionable things among pet owners than professionals.
Granted, terriers are tough and will let you know if they dislike something, but Scotties are too big to be lifting by the throat (she basically used the throatlatch as a handle) and tail. I’m not sure it counts as animal cruelty, - that was a very quick lift/set down - but it couldn’t have been very nice for the dog.
[QUOTE=vacation1;8049970]
Granted, terriers are tough and will let you know if they dislike something, but Scotties are too big to be lifting by the throat (she basically used the throatlatch as a handle) and tail. I’m not sure it counts as animal cruelty, - that was a very quick lift/set down - but it couldn’t have been very nice for the dog.[/QUOTE]
Your perception or mine doesn’t matter. What did the Scottie think? Is there any evidence from her behavior or physical evidence that she found this aversive in any way?
Jagger not poisoned at Crufts according to vet who did the necropsy:
It’s not just the dog world that has haters either.
Years ago, a friend was looking for a specific breed of cat. A friend told him about a breeder in the next county, and told him she always had a lot of cats, in a huge separate room on her house, that was set up as a cattery. He called the breeder, and made an appointment to go see kittens. When he arrived there were very few adult cats, and kittens.
The breeder told him she was rebuilding, because while she was at a cat show (her pets were with a pet sitter), someone broke into the cattery and killed all of the animals. I don’t know that the police ever found out who did it. The breeder thought it was a rival, but it also could have been some future serial killer too (animal murder and torture is common to that group).
Right after the Best in Show award, a PETA supporter ran into the ring, just in front of the BIS winner, and while the judge was pointing to the Flat Coat for Reserve BIS. The PETA person was carrying a placard high above his head when show officials tackled him. The Scottie handler moved away from the fracas, while a show official stood next to the massive silver BIS trophy and put his arm around it. It was over that quickly. PETA has been a presence at Crufts for many years. It wouldn’t surprise me if PETA supporters were responsible for causing the illness in several of the dogs. They are NOT fluffy bunnies with a desire to rescue and protect dogs. It is a documented fact that they take dogs from rescue centers and sanctuaries and put them down by the hundreds, if not thousands, every year. They are terrorists in the true sense of the word. They believe people should not have dogs in any capacity, i.e. as companions, competitors at shows and in obedience trials, as guide dogs, nothing.
Regarding the “offending” manner in which the handler lifted the Scottie from the table to the floor, at least 2 petitions have been launched. At last count, there were 86,000 signatures on one, and 41,000 on the other, demanding that the BIS winner be stripped of her award. I couldn’t make up this insanity!
The Kennel Club announced that the handler of the BIS dog had apologized for her actions in lifting the dog by the head and tail, saying it was force of habit (she’s American and shows in the States). The Club went on to say that it was apparent that the handler was extremely caring and responsible for her animal, and that the dog won on its merits on the ground.
It’s a shame the Club did not include any pertinent information regarding the lifting of longish-tailed terriers in the manner of the BIS dog. When going to ground after vermin, retrieving terriers by their tails is a long-standing and safe way in which to recover the dogs.
[QUOTE=RutlandH2O;8050034]
Regarding the “offending” manner in which the handler lifted the Scottie from the table to the floor, at least 2 petitions have been launched. At last count, there were 86,000 signatures on one, and 41,000 on the other, demanding that the BIS winner be stripped of her award. I couldn’t make up this insanity!
The Kennel Club announced that the handler of the BIS dog had apologized for her actions in lifting the dog by the head and tail, saying it was force of habit (she’s American and shows in the States). The Club went on to say that it was apparent that the handler was extremely caring and responsible for her animal, and that the dog won on its merits on the ground.
It’s a shame the Club did not include any pertinent information regarding the lifting of longish-tailed terriers in the manner of the BIS dog. When going to ground after vermin, retrieving terriers by their tails is a long-standing and safe way in which to recover the dogs.[/QUOTE]
Wow! Public perception is so monumental these days. Joe Public can watch Crufts on TV then instantly tweet, post, or blog cries of abuse without pausing a second to think it over or discuss with others.
I admit I used to cringe when I saw that method of lifting …until I get a toy breed. Guess what? When I need to reposition him for grooming, I tend to put one hand where his neck ties into his chest and one between his hind legs. It is less disruptive and he seems to prefer that to being clutched to my chest or held like a baby. It probably looks like I’m choking him while grabbing his gonads.
I feel like the Club did not support that exhibitor, claiming it was an American thing. Are handlers not allowed to life dogs that way at Crufts?
On the other hand, I don’t know what the Club could have said to the public outcry. It isn’t just terriers lifted that way. So when Joe Public starts googling then retorts, “And what about the Maltese?” what do enthusiasts say? “Try it and you’ll see the dog doesn’t mind.” That’s probably a really bad idea.:winkgrin:
Bicoastal, I agree the KC hung the Scottie handler out to dry.
Did you see the Malinois in the Group judging? Apparently a generally steady dog, he freaked out, now that was a seriously unhappy animal, and the situation was not well-handled IMO by either the judge or the handler, neither of whom were actually bitten but it wouldn’t have surprised me. The video was then posted with a frame-by-frame analysis of the dog’s body language, much to the dismay of the owner.
But my point is, the general public was not at all upset about this dog, but was by the Scottie. Well, the UK public, many of the terriers at Westminster, Eukanuba, Philadelphia, all the big US shows are lifted this exact same way and I’ve never heard any outrage from the US public about it.
[QUOTE=Houndhill;8050150]
Did you see the Malinois in the Group judging? Apparently a generally steady dog, he freaked out, now that was a seriously unhappy animal, and the situation was not well-handled IMO by either the judge or the handler, neither of whom were actually bitten but it wouldn’t have surprised me. The video was then posted with a frame-by-frame analysis of the dog’s body language, much to the dismay of the owner.[/QUOTE]
I just googled it. This? The Mal starts at 7 seconds. Yikes! You’re right someone was very close to being bitten.
Was the judge reaching for the leash at 14 seconds? Helpful gesture but does he not want to keep all of his fingers?!
The Kennel Club did not say the handler was American and that’s how they do it there. All they said was that the handler apologized, without going into the whys and wherefores. Apparently, the KC has rules about the lifting of dogs on and off tables, I think.
When I watched the Malinois being judged in the Group, my reaction was “He’s disqualified, out!” The dog kept turning around looking at the judge as he made his way around the ring. In my opinion, the dog’s action was unequivocal. He would have bitten the judge. And no outcry from Joe Public.
There’s also another aspect of the British public’s perceptions. Unfortunately, it is based on class and vast quantities of ignorance. Joe Public sees dog shows (as well as anything to do with horses) as the domain of the rich. Don’t let anyone try to tell you that the class system in the UK doesn’t exist. It does, primarily in how the lesser well-off perceive those who they THINK are more comfortable, more based on the activity than the social position of the participant. Any discernible faux pas will be jumped on and expanded upon, especially through social media. We all know that people from all walks of life compete in the horse and dog worlds. England, for all its glorious beauty, history, architecture, literature, is NOT a country of animal lovers, contrary to what they would have you believe. They are no more or no less animal oriented than you or me.
Well, here is my favorite video clip from Crufts. This young man gives us at least some hope for the future! He was so overjoyed to win Third!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zwc-_33dsU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
[QUOTE=Houndhill;8050631]
Well, here is my favorite video clip from Crufts. This young man gives us at least some hope for the future! He was so overjoyed to win Third!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zwc-_33dsU&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/QUOTE]
That young man is adorable. Best part is how proud he is of the effort his dog made.
[QUOTE=trubandloki;8050675]
That young man is adorable. Best part is how proud he is of the effort his dog made.[/QUOTE]
I know! He obviously adores her.
The KC’s statement said: "We want to address the posts we have had regarding the handling of last night’s Scottish Terrier, Knopa. It was made clear to the handler at the show that it is not acceptable to pick a dog up in this way, and despite repeated requests not to do so, she went ahead.
“The handler is from the US where it is customary to pick up terriers in this way, but it has no place at Crufts and this is put in writing to all handlers before the show.”
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8051005]
The KC’s statement said: "We want to address the posts we have had regarding the handling of last night’s Scottish Terrier, Knopa. It was made clear to the handler at the show that it is not acceptable to pick a dog up in this way, and despite repeated requests not to do so, she went ahead.
“The handler is from the US where it is customary to pick up terriers in this way, but it has no place at Crufts and this is put in writing to all handlers before the show.”[/QUOTE]
I understand the handler just forgot that she wasn’t supposed to do that in the stress of the moment, and habit and muscle memory took over.
Sometimes things jsut fly out of your mind…
I’m glad the KC did acknowledge that it is customary in the US.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8051005]
The KC’s statement said: "We want to address the posts we have had regarding the handling of last night’s Scottish Terrier, Knopa. It was made clear to the handler at the show that it is not acceptable to pick a dog up in this way, and despite repeated requests not to do so, she went ahead.
“The handler is from the US where it is customary to pick up terriers in this way, but it has no place at Crufts and this is put in writing to all handlers before the show.”[/QUOTE]
That’s interesting. It’s a different quote from the KC than the one I read.
[QUOTE=Houndhill;8051019]
I understand the handler just forgot that she wasn’t supposed to do that in the stress of the moment, and habit and muscle memory took over.
Sometimes things jsut fly out of your mind…[/QUOTE]
I agree, and for something like showing dogs (or probably horses too), it really is a routine that becomes ingrained. I have tried to change something specific in the ring and have been embarrassed to admit that I would totally forget every single time…for at least 3 shows. I had a friend that started texting me just before ring time “Put the DOG on the edge of the mat!”
Duh.
[QUOTE=S1969;8051195]
I agree, and for something like showing dogs (or probably horses too), it really is a routine that becomes ingrained. I have tried to change something specific in the ring and have been embarrassed to admit that I would totally forget every single time…for at least 3 shows. I had a friend that started texting me just before ring time “Put the DOG on the edge of the mat!”
Duh.[/QUOTE]
I know! It has definitely happened to me, and I feel so very stupid afterwards, but did the exact thing I wasn’t supposed to, despite being told not to do it!
[QUOTE=Houndhill;8050631]
Well, here is my favorite video clip from Crufts. This young man gives us at least some hope for the future! He was so overjoyed to win Third!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zwc-_33dsU&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/QUOTE]
Thank you SO much for sharing this clip: my mum used to have English Toy Terriers, and she’ll love to see this. 
