Kanie

I've really enjoyed reading through this thread: all the contributions have been so well-put and thought-through. I can see everyone's point of view. Mine is that there are good breeders and good rescues - and bad breeders and bad rescues. The key factor in all of this is educating the public through the media to make them aware of the effect of the choices they make. I do not believe the media in this country has the courage to do this - because to state a few home truths about buying from puppy-supermarkets; breeding dogs just to make money - or even (gasp!) the good some breeders of pedigree dogs do by striving to eradicate hereditary faults and ensuring all the pups they sell go to homes that have done their research....would offend too many people. Also the argument isn't always black and white. Pedigree Dogs Exposed did raise some important issues - but all told I thought it was sloppy and lazy work . Of course - Joe Public likes a heart-wrenching sob story with an easy-to-identify villain and a potential happy ending - but focussing on a few breeds with health problems - showing some distraught owners and then blaming it all on the Kennel Club was patronising most of the viewers. Yes, the KC does seriously need to get its house in order and yes - in some (many?) breeds, dog shows have helped create parodies of what the dogs once were ( I loved the bit in the bassetts). However - how many dogs with serious hereditary defects and / or mental health issues are bred by puppy farmers, back yard breeders or those cunning people who boast about their lack of knowledge or breed standards or bloodlines and say they breed for 'temperament'? ( I can think of one breeder who is so conmmitted to breeding for 'temperament' they breed several litters each year - encourage people who buy a pup to breed their own litter and turn a blind eye to the fact that they are perpetuating some serious health problems - buy hey - the dogs are cute and the 'customers' are by and large happy -so what's the harm?!) The harm lies in the fact that many would be responsible breeders are no longer breeding because they are breed enthusiasts, not PR people and they only breed when they have a waiting list of good people - as opposed to internet-educated people who want a pup at the click of a mouse! This hasn't helped the rescue problem at all, because they are slowly being replaced by more puppy farmers, more back yard breeders and more people churning out 'designer' crosses for 'temperament' and 'health' (so 2 breeds prone to HD, or CEA, or PRA can't produce affcted pups?!!! - course they can!) Just my opinion - but I can't help feeling the half-hearted job the media does over the whole dog scene actually exacerbates the problem. I have nothing but admiration for people who devote their lives to rescue - but surely the problem is so great now that we should not be discriminating between breeders and rescues - but between genuine dog lovers and money-grasping opportunists?

I've just been e-mailed a consultation document from the Scottish Parliament on proposed legislation on the use of electric shock collars. It asks for comments from people involved in training or working with dogs in Scotland. I thought some of you up in Scotland would welcome the opportunity to put your thoughts accross. Rather than copy the whole document here, if you PM me with your e-mail address, I will do my best to forward you a copy. Hope that makes sense!

It is great to read this thread as my own experience of obedience was very negative and it is good to see you guys can actually have a laugh! I entered my dog in a beginners' class at a fun dog show and stepped into the ring totally unaware that the judge was intent on treating it like a Crufts final. Had I been prepared for this when I filled in my entry, it would not have been so bad. As it was, I was made to feel so stupid, I vowed not to bother again! Firstly, I am slightly dyslexic and really struggle visualising diagrams, angles etc. The first thing I was told was what route to take around the ring for the heelwork, based on a diagram on the judge's clipboard! I asked him to repeat his instructions and got a look that said 'you total ' I explained that I had entered the class to make up numbers / support the rescue / give my dog a bit of a training session and had realy no ambitions to win, so would he mind giving me verbal instructions too (I said I was dyslexic) Well, to be fair, he did tell me when to turn etc, but at the end, he called me over and gave me a step by step account of our heelwork. Again, had someone explained how seriously it would all have been taken, I may have reacted a bit better. As it was, I just felt that given the circumstances, he was being rather officious to say the least. At the end I smiled and thanked him for his time, especially as it was actually raining quite heavily. Did I get a smile back? No chance! I realise competitive obedience is a serious business for some, but please, if any of you are planning to use local fun shows to promote your sport, bear in mind that this is the first taste of obedience competitions for many people and having someone on hand to explain the procedure and the rationale behind the exercises for the complete beginners would be really good, especially when the happy, jolly people pushing the entry forms on the door try to make us sign up for everything! I've since done more research and spoken to people whose experiences have been more positive. It seems to be a great way to have fun with your dog and it is something I am trying to promote through our rescue website (see other thread) But I would hate someone else to have such a humourless, patronising introduction as I had!

Thanks!

Thanks - I'll have a look!

Thank you Gooster!

Hi Chazy! Manchester Terriers are fantastic dogs! Why not join one of the Manchester Terrier clubs? I am sure they would welcome a new member. Go to the Kennel Club website and then into Discover Dogs and then into Manchester Terrier and you should find some addresses. I agree Becks may benefit from neutering, but it sounds to me as though you have been trying to do your best with a very smart and lively dog from quite a young age and as you are obviously so devoted to the breed, you could always watch some MT judging and maybe even go to some breed seminars to learn more about what makes a good Manchester - even if you can't show Becks! Often breed clubs are run by a handful of people who would really love to welcome an extra pair of hands to help out at shows with serving teas, setting up the ringside etc. This is what I do at my breed club and it is a great way to meet people with years of experience and learn a lot. As for training, why not try to sit in on a class or two at several different classes in your area without Becks - just so you can have a good think about how the dogs and handlers are treated and the methods that are used, before taking the plunge and enrolling? Have a look in the vet's for details. Lok out for a class where the handlers look relaxed; there are no choke chains and the exercises are kept short and varied (essential for terriers!) Also avoid classes where the instructor pulls a face like this when you say you have a terrier! A really good book to read (you may have to order it on the internet) is The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson - it could have been written for terriers! I hope everything works out well for you. It is great to hear from someone who is so enthusiastic about a good old native breed!

If you've read the posts in the other topics, you wil know what this is about.... We are setting up a web site for the Irish Terrier Association Rescue and rather than just a list of dogs needing homes, we want to promote the idea of providing adequate physical and mental exercise for this lovely breed. Any pictures / additional information about ITs participating in flyball whether in formal competitions or just at club training would be very welcome. In the first instance, please PM me and I will be happy to tell you all about IT rescue and the website. Thanks

I am helping put together a web-site for Irish Terrier Association Rescue. In addition to the usual list of dogs looking for homes, we want to include more background information on the character of this breed and really emphasise the need to keep them well exercised - mentally and physically! If anyone out there does HTM with an Irish terrier, please would you consider letting us use some pictures and perhaps telling us a bit about your dog? Also, are there any web-addresses we coudl provide that link into HTM sites? In the first instance, please PM me and I will be happy to answer any questions about the website and the rescue. Thanks

I am helping put together a web site for Irish terrier Association rescue. We want the site to include plenty of ideas and information about activities that Irish Ts are involved with, as the site should be about encouraging owners to do their best to provide the mental and physical exercise these dogs need and lots of background on the character of the breed - in addition to the usual list of dogs needing homes. If anyone with an Irish Terrier would consider letting us use pictures and possibly recommend links to trainig clubs, please PM me and I will be happy to give you more details. Thanks

I am helping put together a web site for Irish Terrier Association Rescue. We would like the website to be more than just a list of dogs looking for homes, but to also include advice and suggestions on how to keep your dog's brain stimulated the dog properly exercised and cared for. If anyone out there has an Irish Terrier that competes in agility and woudl be prepared to contribute some photos & perhaps recommend / provide a link to their club, that would be great. If anyone wants more information, please PM me. Thanks