h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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!).

*waits*..

I have absolutely no time whatsoever for the Kennel Club - precisely for the way they encourage breeding for looks rather than quality of life for the animal.

They set the breed standards so breeders will aim to produce 'stock' to meet those requirements, even if it means breeding genetic abnormalities that are linked to the physical appearance.

For instance deafness in dalmations. they are so keen not to have 'patch' dalmations that they end up reducing the collective gene pool and keeping these problems within the breed. Same with heart problems and Cavalier Spaniels.

I don't like breeders either but the KC is the one that sets the benchmark the breeders set their standards by.

I'm no fan of the KC either, but my opinion of some of the show breeders has changed post crufts. But I do mean 'some'!

I'll explain in the next journal.