Maintaining The Standard

A timeline of articles from Sheila Atter
Showcasing The Best

Showcasing The Best

It can surely have come as no surprise that the Crufts Breeders’ Competition 2018 was oversubscribed. Although the idea of a breeders’ competition has been very slow to gain popularity in the UK it is regarded, rightly in my opinion, as one of the most prestigious classes held at shows in ...

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Adopt Don't Shop

Adopt Don't Shop

‘Adopt, don’t shop!’ It’s such a catchy phrase, isn’t it? And, of course, there are lots of reasons why people should be encouraged to look for a rescue dog, rather than just jumping in and buying a cute puppy. For the dog that ends up in rescue, for whatever reason, the ...

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A Fine Example

A Fine Example

Today I want to share with you a very special dog – and his equally special owner. The Neapolitan Mastiff isn’t a breed for everyone. He is a noble animal with a proud and ancient history, strong-willed and needing an equally strong-minded owner. Sadly many are bought by the wrong people ...

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A Lost Opportunity?

A Lost Opportunity?

Unless you are a philatelist you might not be aware that the United Kingdom is the only country in the world that does not have its name on its postage stamps. Receive a letter from anywhere else on this planet and you will find the country of origin engraved somewhere on ...

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Theory Or Practice?

Theory Or Practice?

Sometimes I get the feeling that there are two parallel worlds, one that we dog folk inhabit, and one that is occupied by the do-gooders, the academics, the idealists and all those who think they know what is best for dogs without necessarily having had the experience of actually breeding dogs ...

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Puppy Parties

Puppy Parties

Friends of mine have a stud dog that has thrown some rather nice puppies. Over the last few years it has become traditional for them to invite a few of us round for lunch occasionally, in order to see the latest crop of his youngsters and maybe lift a glass to ...

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New Awards, New Enthusiasm?

New Awards, New Enthusiasm?

The Dog Show Promotion Working Party first met in September 2013, so has been deliberating for four years. Their report, published today, is obviously the result of much consultation – in fact I can’t think of any other measures taken by the KC that have given so many people the opportunity ...

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Professional Or Prejudiced?

Professional Or Prejudiced?

Whether we like it or not, the public perception of a dog breeder is someone, almost certainly female, living in a fairly untidy, probably smelly, house, surrounded by far too many dogs. Good dog breeders are usually portrayed as being far more concerned about the welfare of their dogs than they ...

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What's The Point?

What's The Point?

With Driffield coming up this weekend, we see the end of the summer show season, and for the next six months or so virtually all shows will be held indoors. Whether they are held indoors or out, dog shows are the mainstay of the pedigree world – or are they? ...

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BRING ON THE CLOWNS?

BRING ON THE CLOWNS?

Social media is an excellent and popular way of bringing interesting viewpoints on various aspects of dogs and the dog world to a wider audience. I do it myself and am grateful to those who share this column with others, just as I appreciate the fact that articles that I might ...

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Watch This Space!

Watch This Space!

I must admit that my favourite shows are not necessarily the ones held in swanky new venues. I much prefer those that are down to earth and rely more for their reputation on the quality of both dogs and judges – and their refreshments. I mean, if you discover that a ...

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Show Dog? Working Dog?

Show Dog? Working Dog?

It is often said that the average exhibitor only lasts about five years in the competitive sport that is dog showing. A recent change in circumstances forced me to have a rethink of my commitment to the dog show scene. I attended my first show as an exhibitor in ...

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It Just Isn't Fair!

It Just Isn't Fair!

A dog show is just that - a competition where dogs are shown, in the hope of winning prizes. In the dim and distant past the purpose behind a dog show was to be able to evaluate the results of your breeding programme against the efforts of others; to assess ...

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Puppies For Sale?

Puppies For Sale?

What is a dog breeder? At the most basic level, we can say that anyone who has a litter of puppies is a breeder, just as anyone who has a child is a parent. But does breeding just one litter of puppies really qualify someone for the title of dog breeder? ...

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Wanted: New Exhibitors!

Wanted: New Exhibitors!

It can be somewhat daunting to arrive at your first show with your first show dog. Unsure of where to go and what to do, not really knowing whether you have the right equipment, and if your dog is trimmed correctly, it’s very easy to get stage fright – and we ...

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Maybe Room For A Re-think?

Maybe Room For A Re-think?

Ever since I started writing this column, one topic that has come up again and again has been that of judges and judging. Of course it is to be expected that when we are considering the assessment of dogs that are our pride and joy, we probably won't agree with the ...

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Kennel Club Registered, Fact Or Fancy?

Kennel Club Registered, Fact Or Fancy?

Just what is meant by ‘KC registered’? To most of us the words indicate that the dog in question is of a recognisable pedigree breed; that its parents, grand-parents and all its relatives are of the same breed, and all have a fairly similar look to them with regard to ...

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A Question Of Colour

A Question Of Colour

Just as I was writing last week’s column, the KC issued a press release on the subject of Colour Not Recognised (CNR) registrations. It is tempting to say that this was long overdue, but since it does appear that great consideration has been given to the subject, let’s just be pleased ...

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Kennel Club Register

Kennel Club Register

<p>The question of dogs being registered with the Kennel Club as 'colour not recognised', if not addressed is likely to be the issue that could lead to the eventual eradication of the pedigree dog as we know it.</p> <p>Strong words? Over-exaggerating the situation? Unfortunately not. We have already reached the ...

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Welcome

Welcome

<p>Welcome to Maintaining the Standard - or if you have been following the column for several years, welcome back. For those who haven't come across it before (where HAVE you been?)</p> <p>MtS is the place where those who are involved with pedigree dogs - either as breeders, exhibitors or judges ...

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