I attended one of the two days the Kennel Club in the UK held its International Symposium On The Dog in London at its world famous headquarters in Clarges Street. You owe it to yourself to stop in when you are in London and visit the premises. Historically it is well worth the trip and aside from the conference itself the day we attended was the opening of a free exhibition of Victorian Canine Art work featuring the newly restored painting by Sir Edwin Landseer on loan from the Tate Gallery of one of his most famous dog subjects, a black and white Newfoundland, a variety named after the artist himself. This painting had not been seen in the UK in the last 50 years as I believe it was in the Philadelphia Art Museum for a good part of that time. I’m sure Nick Waters will devote a good portion of at least one article to the subject of the exhibiiton and the painting itself as I saw him there as the celebrations were commencing. But I digress; the purpose of this article is tell you about the Symposium held and sponsered by the Brits, ostensibly called to discuss the health of the purebred dog or so I was lead to believe.

First of all let me say that I totally agree with the press release issued by the Press Offices of The Kennel Club which quoted Caroline Kisko, its secretary, when she said that “it turned out to be a very enlightening couple of days.” There was an exchange of ideas from various corners of the globe which went far in discussing the need to ensure the continued health and welfare of dogs in all countries.” And I do agree with her when she said that everyone concerned went away with an invaluable knowledge of dog issues. How this knowledge was interpreted by the somewhat limited number of attendees (as opposed to the Kisco statement expressing delight at the large number of attendees from around the world) sort of sums up a difference in reaction on my part to the proceedings and the official reaction of those at The Kennel Club to the same proceedings. First of all many people thought this Symposium was originally planned as an answer to that horribly misguided and in my opinion poorly researched program “Pedigree Dogs Exposed.” As I recall it was conceived for entirely different reasons at Crufts 2008 at least one year before the program itself was aired. We all make the mistake of calling Jemima Harrison’s (“Pedigree Dogs Exposed”) work an investigative documentary revealing the so-called suffering of show dogs. The fact of the matter is that the greater part of the program in my opinion is a fictionalization which dramatically exaggerates a situation in order to prove a pre-concluded negative theory. Played with an even hand, in all likelihood the BBC would never even have aired the program since it would not have been controversial enough to sustain any interest. As it was it was played and initially proved a tremendous distraction within the UK, a distraction which in my opinion would have dissipated considerably earlier had the program not been treated with a respect and dignity it never earned nor deserved. And so the Symposium which began originally directed in one way soon became totally redirected as far as I can see as both an answer to the BBC program and an opportunity for the world at large to see The Kennel Club’s reaction to one of the animal-welfare charities’ spurious charge that “Crufts is a parade of mutants!!!” Can you just imagine the reaction in the States to Ron Menaker demanding a change in breed standards because PETA said, “jump!”

Well part of the program particularly the Fran Smith speech the first day, which bordered if not exceeded brilliance about line-breeding – a portion of which is now banned in the UK due to the same reaction of those so pre-occupied with political correctness must have fallen on surprised ears by the Brits in attendance. Fran Smith from Minnesota should be a required speaker on any dog show circuit, let me tell you that. What she had to say hardly supported their position which was recently taken and certainly lent strength to many in the UK opposed to the steps taken by their GC with regard to at least breed standards. The second day I was shocked beyond words to hear Ronnie Irving and Ruth Barbour of the GC both say that if breed clubs did not change their standards to the liking of the GC they would consider disenfranchising the breeds in question. Indeed Dr. Barbour said specifically, “Like it or lump it” and Mr. Irving was even more direct by saying specifically that the breed would no longer be recognized in the UK. And this was confirmed to me – I thought at first I was hearing things by Americans in the audience as well.

Here is the list of people who officially attended and their capacities at the Symposium – interesting to note that when the list of those who attended was released in the TKC press release the press was left out alltogether – wonder why or was it just an oversight? •