Beti At Crufts

Filming – Something I will never do again! 

I think this is my favourite photo of Beti in the ring on Thursday. She looks super, as Joe Summhill said this summer, "perfect angulation" of the hindquarters, and her front looks correctly balanced. Her overline shows a steady, straight slope from correct withers to a croup that could be longer and slightly better angled. Her length-to-height ratios are correct, and she has the most beautiful head and expression. Hell no dog is perfect; I know her faults, but honestly I'm really happy with her, this is where I want to be in this breed.

So Crufts, for the first time in as many years as I can remember, I've not watched the groups. I feel so disheartened by the way the breed is treated year in year out at Crufts. I'm not disputing, there have been some winners that have not done the breed any favours over the years, but this year the injustice is demoralising, deflating and well, plain sickening. They couldn't have got a better, healthier, calmer female to represent the breed in the big ring, and they still found fault during the vet check. I feel very strongly that with the backing of the Breed Council this should not be left to lie. The owner, breeder and the GSD community deserve a public apology for this injustice. I really hope the video I took, that is now all over social media is presented to the RKC and that for once they see the error in a decision that has shocked the GSD community. If things remain as they are, I fear no one will want to exhibit a well-bred GSD at Crufts in the future.