Crufts 'gundogs'

[Tarimoor]

I was in the gundog ring with Rhuna, there were 10 flatcoat bitches entered, 9 turned up, and out of those, at least two were not worked. I don't know how many flatcoats were in the breed rings, but probably only a tiny handful were worked.

We didn't get anywhere, but never mind, it was an experience and Rhuna got a lot of attention outside the ring. The Chesapeake that took the class I was in I understand was worked regularly, and was really nice, so it was a well deserved win, she moved beautifully.

As for the winning dog, it was, apparently, a foregone conclusion.

[AJS]

I purposely never watched it, and having read the posts here glad I didn't .

[Miff]

Was on the KCAI stand for two days!!! Nearly killed me with all the noise. Just managed to watch the working class for the Golden Retrievers and the winner was lovely. Would love to have seen him win overall. I know he is worked by his owner/breeder Mary Neil - from Dumfreeze!! I know she always has a good team of show/working goldens out with her (and now a cocker!!) so well done Mary, absolutely delighted for you. Someone told me she is now FT SEC. for Golden Retriever club of Scotland. Not sure if this is accurate.
As to many of the others who won top awards - well, like the rest of you I am appalled. Have to say I had a sneaking admiration for 'Colin' - small but feisty I bet!!

[JAN]

We were supporting Colin too ...............!

[Sgurr]

Gamekeepers. The best ESS bitch and the best ESS dog and the second ESS dog are worked regularly on shoots. Zoe Wilson works them all and is very unhappy that because she also shows they cannot be docked. They are from Shipden lines and Shipden have been trying to breed dual purpose dogs for yonks.
Yes, PLG the GWP was very good.

The ess I watched in the keepers ring where show bred types and looked nothing like 99.9% of what we see on a days shooting. I wouldnt want thats for sure

Would not be my choice either - but I can admire someone who puts that much effort in to both show her dogs (and not just on 'gamekeeper' days) and get them to do the job the breed was created for. Imagine getting the mud off all that coat and the sticky bobs off the ears

[pam]

American cocker...best gun-dog!!!.........really???????, going to struggle with a Greylag!!lol

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 9f7de5e0b1
My American cocker "big mac" retreiving a Greylag!!

[Megsdad]

American cocker...best gun-dog!!!.........really???????, going to struggle with a Greylag!!lol

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 9f7de5e0b1
My American cocker "big mac" retreiving a Greylag!!

Haha I like it!

[LucyLab]

American cocker...best gun-dog!!!.........really???????, going to struggle with a Greylag!!lol

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 9f7de5e0b1
My American cocker "big mac" retreiving a Greylag!!

Love it! But then he doesn't have to worry about tripping over his own ears, or getting his skirt all tangled up! I reckon the American Cocker from yesterday would struggle to retrieve anything on any surface rougher than a perfectly manicured lawn...

[madrags]

I was watching the lab classes in the BASC ring. Far too many were grossly overweight, and looked as if the closest that they got to a bird was KFC. As for the handler with trousers tucked into shooting socks (presumably an attempt to make them look like breeks), and beige patent "brogues"....... well, words fail me. And that is the supposed "real, working gundogs". As a friend said, some keepers will sign anything for a tenner. They should abandon the spaniel classes altogether, as the vast majority of working spaniels are denied entry and the whole thing is a travesty. Why BASC continues to be involved beggars belief.

[Callthatagundog]

The lab that won the trophy for best working lab bitch is worked hard and worked throughout the shooting season. If anything, she finishes the season a bit ribby but when I saw her the other week she looked great and I was not surprised that she came home with a trophy. It is a shame if, as Madrags says, even in the basc classes they are not judging like against like.

Sarah xx