Gundog owners have voiced their incredulity on Facebook and Twitter, commenting that the winning spaniel looks as though it has never been out in the field, let alone put up a pheasant.
In reply, Caroline Kisko, Crufts spokesman, said: “Many of the dogs which belong to the gundog group in the UK may not necessarily work in the field but they retain their working instincts.
“Gundog breeds, such as the labrador and cocker spaniel, are some of the most popular in the country, offering love and companionship to hundreds of thousands of people, and those relationships are what are celebrated at Crufts, in the many competitions and activities at the show.”
The Kennel Club describes gundogs as those “originally trained to find live game and/or to retrieve game that had been shot and wounded” … and continues, saying that gundogs make: “good companions, their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs”.
Here’s what gundog owners on Twitter had to say about Crufts and the ‘Best in Gundog Group’ winner.
The American Mopper #Spaniel wins #crufts and shows what a #charade it has become! #dogs #gundogs pic.twitter.com/KdB7qC2qg3
— Alan E Down (@AlanEDown) March 13, 2017
I want my money back. Our dogs look nothing like a bred for purpose, perfect example of a working spaniel. #crufts2017 pic.twitter.com/Hxjgi0at4X
— Hollibeat Gundogs (@HollibeatGundog) March 12, 2017
@CACampaigns Grafters! Not a “tassel” on them, not sure any of them have ever even seen a brush or shampoo!!! #gundogs #crufts #crufts2017 pic.twitter.com/tv2qhU4Ob4
— Duncan Thomas BASC (@DuncanBASC) March 12, 2017
This won Best Gundog! 1 it’s probably never seen a gun and 2 it’s never see work. This is a Gundog! #crufts2017 it’s a joke. pic.twitter.com/oRwStM2HST
— Working Gun Dogs (@gunworkingdog) March 12, 2017
One is #crufts2017 Gun dog champion. One is an actual gun dog. Can you see why us real working dog folk can’t take #Crufts seriously? pic.twitter.com/3wbeFHUMif
— Ben Redman (@cows94) March 11, 2017
Unlikely to be coming to a shoot near you any time soon….goodnight from GunDog Day #crufts2017 and congratulations to all who took part pic.twitter.com/yXPt0hqu0o
— BASC (@BASCnews) March 11, 2017
Real Gundogs #real #gundogs #working @CACampaigns pic.twitter.com/b1pZaIDWRC
— Kevin Owens (@Gsxr1000UKKO) March 13, 2017
#Gundogs #crufts #crufts2017
That’s not a gun dog…..this is a gun dog……just on his holidays ? pic.twitter.com/63z3TLEcYB— The Ginger Pirlo (@ToonBano) March 13, 2017
Are these things any good at earth work or more of a ratting terrier? #Crufts the silliness of it all… pic.twitter.com/YEYWtEKlY0
— Shooting Times (@ShootingTimes) March 12, 2017
The use of game cover for shoots has changed drastically in recent years, says Felix Petit, driven by an increase in government grants
By contacting your PCC about your local force’s firearms licensing performance you can help instigate change, says Conor O’Gorman.
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