Do dog breeders actually LIKE dogs?

I've been around pedigree dogs for nineteen years and I've been to my fair share of dog shows and I have to ask - do dog breeders actually like dogs? Every pedigree dog we have owned has suffered from in breeding. They have been crippled by arthritis, hyper sensitivity, ulcers, weak stomachs, poor immune systems, dislocating patellas, prone to infection and died young. Our non pure bred dogs have been marked by their good health in comparison. I love pedigree dogs. I've lived under the illusion that the Kennel Club works to improve the health of breeds throughout the country, but looking at pure bred dog breeds today you have to wonder. I know from my experience of showing that the dogs were, on the whole, wheeled into the show venue in crates, taken out only to be groomed within an inch of their lives and taken into the show ring. Many of them were shy, frightened individuals that may have looked pretty but were a far cry from the working dog they were originally bred for. How many champion pooches today would be able to hold up if they were taken out into the field they were originally intended for? Would Bulldogs be able to bull bait and Basset Hounds be able to hunt? I don't think so.

Take the German Shepherd Dog for example. One of my favourite breeds. The first photograph is an example of the type of dog seen in the show ring. Note the deeply sloping back and the elongated weak looking hind legs. The second picture is slightly more robust, with more balanced front and hind quarters and is an example of the so called 'working GSD' that many breeders are trying to produce to save the breed from crippling extinction. I have a GSD so I know first hand what problems these dogs can suffer from - hip dysplasia, early onset arthritis, skin problems, ear problems, self mutilation, stomach problems, twisted bowel... the list goes on and on. I can understand the desire to produce dogs with large shoulders and tiny hips - it gives them an attractive silhouette - but the increasingly narrow hips and wobbly legs that are winning rosettes in the show ring are ruining what should be a robust, intelligent, sensitive, loving dog. When is function over appearance going to be applauded? When will dogs that are dogs - strong, healthy and good tempered - be rewarded over the in bred?

Then there is the Basset Hound. The top picture shows the Basset Hound of today - its heavily folded skin and long ears highly prized by judges. How different this once active hunting dog is from his ancestors of 60 years ago, pictured below getting ready for a hare hunt. Modern Basset Hounds often trip over their own ears and are plagued by skin infections due to their many folds. Who first thought that this type of dog was attractive? I much prefer the lean, muscular healthy lines of the former model to the modern version. Not that I think this dog is ugly, he is a cute creature, but when I look at dogs like the Basset, the Daschund or the Peke I can't help but wonder have people gone too far? When a dog has been bred to such a state that it impairs its ability to be a dog, then things have gone too far. Take the English Bulldog for example. Apparently it can no longer mate without human assistance nor give birth naturally. It makes you wonder.

The Pug is undeniably cute, and has been around for a very long time, but apparently in the quest for an even flatter face modern Pugs are suffering the consequences. Breathing problems as well as difficulties with their eyes, dislocating patellas and a host of other problems bring them close to equalling the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - arguably the unhealthiest dog breed in existence - in the list of genetic faults they can suffer from. Despite - or because - of being so popular, the Cavalier is beset with one congenital disease after another. They are a beautiful dog, both in appearance and temperament, but are so unhealthy that practically all of them will be victim to one genetic disease or another. It is a horrible thing to hold a puppy in your arms and know what is going to kill it.

With adherence to human whims dominating over an animal's health and happiness, and the very body which is supposed to protect the breeds encouraging deformity and in breeding, it is hard to see how there is a way out of this mess. Personally I think breeds like the Cavalier have no hope unless new blood is introduced to them, crossing them back to the spaniels and pugs they originated from. Whether this will happen or not, I don't know. Perhaps cloning of champion stud dogs will become common practice to further lessen pedigree dogs chance of survival.

Welcome Honey

Picture of Honey at 2 weeks old

Docpot has a new addition to her kennel. I helped her pick up her new puppy today. Her name is Honey and she is a nine week old ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She was quiet at first but after a long nap she was more interested in exploring her new home, getting to know her house mate Toffee and licking up to her new owner. She reminds me of my Cavalier Muffin as a puppy. She has the same long legs and similar facial shape as Muffin at that age and she likes to climb onto your knee and legs, which Muffin loved to do. I wish Docpot all the best with Honey and I hope she will soon be best friends with Toffee.

Honey now, at 9 weeks

Who is the voice of your SatNav?

Sorry I haven't blogged in the last few days. I've been in a period of mourning for Woozer. I know she was old and ill and every day for the last three years I thought would be her last, but death is aways sudden in the end. The house isn't the same without her. I miss her heavy breathing and the little thump as her hips hit the floor when she lay down. I keep on expecting to see her sleeping in the living room or tottering over to say hello when I come home. Even Rags and Janna notice her absence and miss her. I suppose it has also made me think about the other dogs mortality. When Janna was sniffing Woozer's body and saying goodbye, I couldn't help but flash forward to her own inevitable death and the decay of her body as age takes its toll. I have high hopes for Rags equalling if not beating Woozer's 15 years, but I don't think Janna is even going to make it into double digits. I guess the lesson is to appreciate every moment you have.

On a more frivolous note, I was travelling to a play in Armagh yesterday with friends and the car I was in had satellite navigation. As the woman's dulcet tones directed us on the wrong path I posed the question - who would be your ideal SatNav voice? My friend thought Morgan Freeman would be good to give directions. I chose Kelsey Grammer, especially if he slipped in the occasional 'Die Bart Die' between giving directions. I think Leonard Nimoy would also be cool - who wouldn't love to be told where to go by Spock?

Book Review: The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

Last year Dean Koontz's beloved golden retriever Trixie died. In response he wrote 'The Darkest Evening of the Year' as a love story to his departed dog, and to all the dogs of the world.

The novel is about Amy, who runs a rescue network for golden retrievers, and her boyfriend Brian. They are both good people, but they both have dangerous dark secrets and, as it happens when you have dangerous dark secrets, they have a habit of coming out of the past to get you.

'The Darkest Evening of the Year' is written with the effortless style that Dean Koontz has perfected in his most recent books and, like many of his books, takes place over a very short period of time. There are thrills, deaths, evil people, good people, dogs and a down syndrome child. However, this book is about dogs above anything else. It is a sentimental look at how great dogs are, what wonderful companions they are, how they can heal us and bring us closer to God, and how much it hurts when they die. It is also about how much they are abused and tortured in our modern world. It feels like Koontz wrote this to honour Trixie (there is a touching dedication to his wife that she will meet up with Trixie in heaven and a picture of the dog at the end of the book) and to help cope with the grief of losing her. This love story to Trixie, and all canine kind, overwhelms anything else and leaves the human story a little flat. The first half of the book is almost exclusively taken up with dogs, leaving the main part of the action to happen in the second half and as a result it feels very rushed. I love dogs, and I love Dean Koontz, so I enjoyed this book, but it is certainly not on par with the excellent 'Brother Odd' and took me 6 days to read, compared to the usual 2 that it takes me to devour the latest Koontz helping.

If you love dogs, read it. If you can't stand them or don't want to read about them, then give this novel a miss. My rating 8/10

I'm back...

in Ireland, and it feels like I've never been away. My adventures in New Zealand are like a wonderful, beautiful dream. I can't believe that robins danced at my feet, dolphins swarmed around me and I tickled a tiger behind the ears. I also can't believe how cold it is in Blackrock. Is winter always like this? I haven't been warm since I got off the plane in Heathrow. Getting used to driving has been weird as well. I still think the indicators are on the right side of the wheel, and my car feels so heavy after Yari. Blackrock is like a metropolis after the South Island. People on the street sound like they are putting on heavy brogues. Still, it is good to be home again, to see my family and friends. Janna and the cats haven't forgotten me. I got a great welcome from Janna, Fudge practically mugged me and Blueberry has been equally affectionate. It has been good to get back to writing as well. I've missed my trusty laptop. It is a pity I didn't bring it to NZ with me, there was Internet access in all the motels we stayed in. I've been reading some of the stuff I started before I went away. It is good, but I can't remember where it was heading, will have to look up my notes. I can't believe Christmas is almost upon us. I am still confused why it isn't summer. What a year 2007 has been for me. 2008 will have to work hard to top it.

Happy Anniversary Janna!

One year with me today

Welcome Toffee!

The newest canine companion to the Murphy family arrived yesterday. Her name is Toffee and she is a baby black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is a very friendly, adventurous, out going little pup who has already bonded with her master, Madeline, and who almost knows her name (after only 24 hours!) She has yet to meet the Blackrock hounds, so all that fun is in front of her!
Welcome Toffee, and wishing the best of luck to Madeline in her dog ownership.