Episode 76 - The National Dog Show, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Puppy Farm Protests

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Released Sat November 8, 2008
Length: 0:53:44
76_DogCast_Radio.mp3 (24.6MB)
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David Frei on the National Dog Show

The judges will look at them for maybe two minutes but there's a lot more involved in that in terms of conditioning and grooming and training, really it's a lifetime for a lot of people.

- David Frei

The National Dog Show sponsored by Purina will be televised on Thanksgiving Afternoon, and is fast becoming a holiday tradition.

Co-host David Frei tells us what viewers can expect to see. He also talks about the behind the scenes work that goes into preparing a show dog, and what the judges are looking for. David knows what he is talking about as he has had great success in the show world with his Afghan Hounds and Brittany Spaniels. He also knows how rewarding having a qualified therapy dog is.

If you don't know what a bench show is, or what stacking is, David explains these terms, plus he tells us what the new breed at this year's show will be.

To find out more about the National Dog Show, visit their website, and for a really useful dog show glossary, visit the Purina site. To discover more about David Frei, visit his website. Tune in to find out who makes it to Best in Show.

Puppy Farming Protests

These dogs are all running around in filth, the place is not clean and the one thing that you never get over is the smell.

- Lady Margaret Flack

Dogs don't belong in pet shops, but if a new pet superstore has its way it's something we'll be seeing a lot more of in the UK.

Lady Margaret Flack, together with the Kennel Club and Our Dogs, is mounting a campaign to try to put an end to puppy farming, dog smuggling, dog dealing and dogs being sold in pet shops.

In this interview, Lady Margaret talks about the awful conditions dogs are kept in at puppy farms, and about the pet superstore that is an outlet for many puppy farm dogs. Lady Margaret points out why dogs bred by puppy farms are highly unlikely to be healthy or temperamentally sound, and point out the right and wrong way to buy a puppy.

The campaign includes demonstrations at the superstore selling many breeds of dog, and we'll bring you updates of its progress.

Kate and Gin

Kate and Gin rose to fame in the show Britain's Got Talent, and are one of the most well known doggy dancing duos around.

Now Kate has written a book telling not only her and Gin's story, but also offering advice on how you can train your dog like she trains Gin.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs come to the UK

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is now recognised by the UK Kennel Club.

Host Julie talks to Kimberley MacDonald, the woman who brought the Swissies to Britain, worked to have them recognised by the Kennel Club, and is now setting up a breed club.

If you'd like to find out more or actually meet a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Kimberley and her dogs will be attending Discover Dogs and Crufts.

The newly formed Great Swiss Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain can be found at www.gsmd.org.uk

News

In a packed show, we also have the DogCast Radio News, in which you can hear about dog guarding monkeys, Pekingese dogs losing popularity, and how dogs have been surfboarding, making use of GPS and eating chocolate muffins.

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