I could hardly believe that a year had passed since I last visited the Kennel Club’s fabulous dog exhibition which is the largest in London.
Service Dogs
Being Remembrance Sunday my first port of call were all the dogs who are devoted to public duty. The Police were there in force and several of their dogs were available to say “Hello” to the many kids out with their families for the day. I also said “Hi” to the guys on the “Soldiers off the street” and “Hearing dogs for the deaf” stands who were raising money. I was glad to see that the “bark to read” (dogs who help children become interested in reading) campaign continues.
At 1230 in the seminar area David Heyhoe talked about his book “It’s all about Treo – Life and War with the world’s bravest dog”. That’s about a tour of duty in Afghanistan sniffing out explosives.
Charities
There was a huge stand for “Find a rescue dog” and I made friends with the inhabitants of the Rottweiler Welfare Association, the Siberian Husky Club of GB and the Greyhound Rescue Association.
On the tube train home I also had the good fortune to meet a volunteer at The Mayhew Rescue centre (Kensal Green) and she told me about the sterling work there with dogs, cats and rabbits and also about their amazing garden where they allow wild cats to live.
Displays
In the main ring there were a group of Golden Retrievers doing some display work in formation. In the Young Kennel Club ring there were cheers of encouragement for the kids in wheelchairs demonstrating “Dogs for the disabled”. Sadly I missed the novelty class of “waggiest tail” and the judging for “The dog that the judges most wanted to take home”.
So many products
There are so many stands that it’s hard to know what to mention. Obviously, every type of dog food, training aid and accessory was represented. There was lots of bling and sparkly collars at DitzyPet, Bloomingtales of Brighton (adored the “Keep calm and stay reem” mats) and Petzcrazee where I also met some perky Chihuahuas. Pet365 seemed to be doing a roaring (or is that growling?) trade in Levtite light collars. And I loved the colourful beaded collars at Simba Jones and the confections at CakeDoggyDog.
I had an interesting chat with makers of crash tested car crates who also told me about the alarming increase of the bloat illness which continues to confound vets. The Julius K9 harness people were showing for the first time too – these popular European reflective collars with a handle are used by the emergency services.
International breeds – Irish and Italian
A key feature of the event is the 300 or so stands where you can meet and learn about all the different breeds. Being the owner of a Long Haired Chihuahua, I made this my first stop and like at all the other toy breeds had to wait my turn with lots of children to take a peek at the pen of playful puppies bouncing around.
Then I spent some time with Irish (Wolfhounds! Soulful Glen of Imaal terriers who look like sturdy grey Scotty dogs who don’t moult and are trained to hunt badgers in silence) and Italian breeds – a stunning Italian Spinone, a fluffy and crimped Bolognese (looks just like a Matlese) and a hunting looks-a-bit-like-a-Bloodhound Bracco Italiano.
I admit I was rather taken with the fluffy German Spitz, silky black French Briards, hiding Canadian Eskimo dogs and Rastafarian lookalike Hungarian Pullis as well. And I couldn’t help smiling as a huge Bernese Mountain Dog rolled over while lots of kids (and adults) tickled his belly.
Not so pretty breeds
I spent a while chatting to the owner of an Australian Cattle dog. Now this was not the most attractive dog I’ve seen – although the panda eyes were appealing - but I was told that they are unique working dog, incredibly loyal and utterly attached to their owners.
Then I met a couple of Mexican Hairless (which come in miniature, intermediate and standard sizes – and each size also has a coated variety – it’s a recessive gene) dogs who were rather cute. Although they looked more Egyptian than Mexican! This breed is also called Xoloitzcuintle (pronounced show-low-it-squint-lee).
It’s a lovely event – full of excited children, proud dog owners and, of course, an awful lots of happy hounds.
http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/
