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Yahoo not dot com
Posted Mar 22, 2005
Outrider finally has pics of the boys on the web! Go to pet owners online dot com and check out the personal gallery!
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Latest reply: Mar 22, 2005
Huh!
Posted Mar 17, 2005
And which white boxer did I find lying down in a muddy pool? Which 'little darling' was bottom half black top half white?
HENRY! 
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Latest reply: Mar 17, 2005
Here we go again....
Posted Mar 15, 2005
Those that know me are well aware that I am no fan of the Kennel Club nor of show breeders. However, a visit to this years Crufts Dog Show at the NEC has converted me, a little.
On the whole, the KC's mission statements, of promoting healthy active dogs through programmed breeding techniques, seems very plaudible. And cetainly they have made great efforts to promote dogs that are harmonious with humans, through activities like the good citizens, Dogs as therapy, and young kannel club activities. Well done KC.
Where I feel that they fall short of thier own ideals is demonstrated by the atitude shown to White Boxers. Although the practice of culling 'whites' is on the decline, a dog showing more than a third of its base colour as white cannot be shown. KC is happy to take your registration fee however. The theory is that whites can suffer similar health problems to albinos. True, more whites suffer from deafness, but as someone who is in contact with many white boxer owners, it is not significantly more common than the base colours, brindle and red. Time for review KC.
I was aprehensive before the show, expecting to find many unhappy dogs in a very restricted space. Not quite what i discovered after a whole day spent at Crufts. Space is limited, but breeders and handlers are encouraged to make use of toilet areas (specially set aside) and can move dogs around as freely as they wish. The holding pens are larger than the kennels we use for transportation and are only enclosed on 3 sides (giving dogs a good opportunity to nose at passers by), tie rings are well fixed to the floor of the pens to provide more than adequate anchorage for leads. Well done KC.
Many notices emind owners/handlers not to leave dogs unattended for more than 30 minutes. Most owners seldom leave thier dogs alone for so long. Well don both KC and owners.
One reason for this is the practice of doping competitors dogs, a practice which I suspect (but did not witness) still goes on.
With the above in mind, it is with considerable delight that I am pleased to praise all the handlers that we encountered, who were more than happy for thier loved ones to be fussed by total strangers, provided you ask first (as you should when approaching any animal).
Indeed, everyone who was involved is to be praised for how well the event is run. No distressed animals, few distressed humans and an eyeopener to those who have not been before. Not to mention the ability to shop for bargains for your loved ones (Which VFRgal is expert at).
If you have the chance to visit the show next year I recommend going midweek (thankfully, working dogs are Thursday next year). Visit the discover dogs area and meet well informed breeders and tired but happy dogs. Each and everyone will pull at your heart (special thanks to the well travelled chap who was showing bearded collies, I learnt a great deal and admire your well presented, lovable, bitch.).
You must spend time at one of the judging rings. You will be amazed at how easy it is to pick finalists and how hard it is to pick a winner. It was interesting to see dogs yet to enter who looked clear winners, then failing to show themselves in the ring (sometimes down to the handlers technique). And others, who looked disinterested, who turn on the glamour only in the ring.
We've met rescue dogs, rescued dogs, search dogs, show dogs, display dogs. You name it and we've been lucky enough to come across it.
I said that I've changed my mind about some breeders. This is because there are those who do it for the love of the breed. To promote the type of dog they love and introduce newcomers to that breed. I actually admire and envy these people.
There are those who do it for fame, glory and money. Although prize money is poor (between a hundred and several hondred pounds, I think), the money to be made from breeding stock is immense. These people I still loathe.
A final gripe. To those that left thier dogs alone (some dogs never had any humans near them). You are a disgrace to the KC, breeders and public who would dearly love to own such dogs and give them the attention and love they deserve.
Would I go again? Yes, for me working dogs day is a very enjoyable day and a great opportunity to meet like minded folk whose love of dogs may be even greater than mine. I did say maybe!
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Latest reply: Mar 15, 2005
Grrr! KC should stick to chicken!!
Posted Mar 11, 2005
Been watching Crufts on the Beeb? Hear the sad tale of breeds in danger? Me too! And I have little sympathy.
The Kennel Clubs attitude to breeds is somewhat inconsistant. Whilst it will not accept Boxers whose colour is more than one third white, it complains of a loss of interest in 29 British breeds.
If a dog has good form colour should not matter. If they argue reasons of Albinoism, then breed it out. That's what responsible breeders should do. They should not breed dogs like bulldogs whose snouts are so short that the breed has inherent breathing difficulites.
Back to white boxers. There was a time when whites were the colour of choice, brindle and reds were not desirable. But, as 29 British breeds have found, fashions change, in this instance 180 degrees.
The boys loved Cufts on telly. Poor old H is still wondering where the dog went when he trotted of the left hand side of the screen (No, he isn't behind the telly lad), and how the devil did the same dog then appear right in front of H again (and become much bigger - its a close up H). And D, well he just fell asleep!
And yes, i did try and ask the panel. I missed the address and tried using BBCs pages. Total waste of time? Or did they know I'm out here waiting?
I'll ask on Sunday when White boxer owners will be at Crufts in numbers. And guess where we will be heading Miss Balding (nothing personal, I know you like Boxers too!).
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Latest reply: Mar 11, 2005
It's the eye of the tiger....
Posted Feb 26, 2005
Looks like I am going to have to wear my steel toe caps on a permanent basis.
Walking the boys on yet another field, a small scottie terrier cross wanders over. After recent events we leash Diesel (he would be the nastier in a fight and 2 on one from my two could get nasty after recent events). Henry allows dog to sniff him and then sniffs back at the dog (who's owner was miles, ok 200yards, away). At this point the terrier attacks H. Bewildered H throws terrier off, but it attacks again. This time he got nasty back. Towering over the other dog, he just kept advancing until he got a strong bite on it's neck. At this point it ran off yelping. Good for H, And he didn't persue either, so I am sure he was being defensive and not aggressive.
He got bit on his side and, for a third time, close to his eye.
We've bathed him in salt water (this is becoming a ritual for one part of his anatomy or the other). Thankfuly he is no worse for his ordeal. BUT, I am worried that if this scenario repeats he may start to have issues with smaller dogs.
Funnily enough, he was playing happily with a scottie not 5 mintutes earlier.
You are probably wondering about the other owner? So are we! He made no effort to come over during the fight and walked off when he heard his dog yelp in pain. Get the feeling that this isn't the first time?
What P'd us off the most is yet again it's us who had to seperate fighting dogs, yet again ours were not the ones that bit first, yet again it's ours that got hurt.
I will not hesitate in dispensing street justice to owners who do nothing to help. Nor would I hesitate in destroying an animal attacking my two by breaking it's chest open if I feel their lives being threatened. And bull terrier lock jaw CAN be beaten by a biker with steelies shatterring the bdy dogs head to pieces. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! Bad owners of aggressive dogs take note! I will protect my dogs at the risk of the suffering of aggressive dogs who should either be muzzled or on a leash.
We always leash our two if in doubt and that includes if we see livestock ahead, even though they have never shown any real interest in it. All living things have the right to expect not to be attacked needlessly.
To those that I may offend, TOUGH! Bike law is now in operation in the Wirral, for humans and dogs!!
To the laws that might persue me, IT will NEVER make court matey!
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Latest reply: Feb 26, 2005
Outrider
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