fit for form and function...not just for life!

Patricia · fit for form and function...not just for life!

Again from the French FCI: sorry to bore you all, but like Guy I believe in form and fonction Cool

The classes you can enter in France include a working class for so many breeds, not just the gundogs. and a Champion class, which I also favour...
I downloaded the papers and this is what is asked of some groups for the working class.
For British and Continental breeds: A very good in a field trial or a practical shooting award.( BICP)
For Hounds: a Hunting award
For Barbets: A water award 1st or 2nd category.
For Terriers: An award in going to ground with minimum of 100 points.For Daschunds, something similar or hunting hare giving tongue.
For Elkhounds:Tracking on blood scent, either on artificial ground or natural. There are those who howl to the death, force the animal out, or indicate death.
For sledge dogs; a competition.
For Retrievers: A very good in field trial or BICP.
For Greyhounds: a racing award.Must be placed in the first half of the participants.
Working breeds: tracking, or defense, rescue, plus lot more ( Don't know what they entail)
It is another way of future buyers to choose dogs with minimum ability for what they may be looking for in their chosen breed. from working stock.

johnhod

As the KC insists on calling it a gundog group maybe all dogs should be tested for gunshyness and hard mouth (as a minimum) before being allowed to be shown. Should they also insist on a range of health checks being undertaken before a title is awarded, to lessen the likelyhood of unfit dogs being bred from?

Ghilliegumdrop

Don't see how they could insist John....someone might well say that was infringing on their human rights and take them to court.

guy

But a breed club could hold a database with specialist info.

sallie

So - would this data base be like for example the working sheep dog register, they work independently from the KC. Though they are specifically for that one breed - my son has a dog registered on this register, though the dog is not recognised by the KC. Saying that though this register has a very strict code, all defects and illnesses such as epilepsy and overshot jaws are held and the dam and sire have breed restrictions on them. Sounds the way forward, if you know what i mean or trying to say. I think registers have to be breed specific for them to work and not category such as gundog... sorry getting confused!!

doganjo

The Brittany database si now in the hands of Margaret and Jan. There are quite a lot of updates to be done, but when some progress has been made they will be seen on the website no doubt.

The Kennel Club has made progress and instructed all Breed Clubs to change their Code of Ethics to that on the KC website and Health programmes are to be rolled out to all Breeds as well I believe.

johnhod

But those among us who don't think the Brittany Club code of ethics goes far enough surely can't think that the KC one is any sort of improvement.

doganjo

Have you looked at it?
Link here for anyone who hasn't seen it yet - http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/247

We don't say this in ours for a start

Patricia

I agree with John Rolling Eyes

I only posted this because I think the FCI work standard is a good thing if you were for instance looking for a work orientated breed ...through the " working class" you can find a minimum of natural ability.as well as looks Wink

My son has been looking for a hound for sometime and a breed to suit him. He loves shooting rabbits with friends so, he has chosen a Cirneco dell Etna after much research...That is a hound for rabbiting round Mount Etna. FCI describes the way that breed should work their quarry.
I am looking forward to less rabbits now!!!