UK Mastino Further in the Spot Light

So as we come to the end of the week, nearly two weeks following on from Crufts, UK Neapolitan Mastiffs remain firmly in the spotlight within the dog world. So is this spotlight justified? Here’s my thoughts:



Luca taking best puppy at Crufts 2011

After a successful couple of days at Crufts with my 11month old puppy taking Best Neapolitan Mastiff puppy and an enjoyable Sunday afternoon on the Discover Dogs stand where both pups loved meeting people and all the attention, it’s a shame the same can not be said for UK Mastino on the whole. In my opinion the BOB winner was a little over done, but I wasn’t the judge so it wasn’t my decision., although its worth mentioning that despite IMO being overdone the dog moved very nicely for me. However it wasn’t long before author of Pedigree Dogs Exposed - Jemima Harrison was on her blog calling the class at Crufts a parade of mutants and first calling the breed to be banned and then clarifying she meant for the breed to be deregistered from the Kennel Club.

As this week has passed us bye Jemmia has continued her ‘assault’ on the breed and is now showing images of what she thinks a Neapolitan Mastiff should resemble. In the meantime both Dog World and the Veterinary Times has picked up Jemima’s Mastino blogs and in this week's issue carries strong quotes from the veterinary profession condemning the exaggerations seen at Crufts. In a joint statement, the BSAVA and BVA said: "This is clearly an example of a breed that has serious problems and is suffering through exaggerated conformation. In terms of what is happening in the show ring, we hope the introduction of [veterinary] checks from next year for the most high-profile breeds will ensure dogs like these will not make it into the ring and will no longer be seen as desirable or good examples of the breed.

So are such comments appropriate, has the BOB winner being examined by these vets claiming he is suffering? Can we condemn an entire breed because there are without doubt some poor examples around (by that I mean in terms of health) thanks mainly to the breeding of our fathers within the breed.　
　

For Me Very good examples of true Mastino

 Lets be honest there are number of health issues surrounding Neapolitan Mastiff including eye issues such as cherry eye, entropion, and skin issues, as well as perceived hip/joint issues.　





Jemima Harrison's idea of a Neapolitan Mastiff



What is clear is there is no real sound evidence to support those claiming the breed to be unhealthy on the whole, and the owners counter claiming their dogs are within the UK. This needs to drastically change. I’ve had a number of discussions with owners/breeders over recent months, and for what ever reason many can not see the benefit to health screening even if the only benefit is to prove the breed critics wrong. I’m left worrying their biggest concern is winning a rosette in the ring rather than improving the health of their dogs. Clearly something has to give, and for me we either adopt and control health screening for ourselves or we bury our heads in the sands until someone uneducated on mastino comes along and sets the standards. Even if people with a number of dogs only screened one it would be start, and if the results were bad, at least we would have a baseline to start from.



But whilst I am critical of some within the breed, there are other like minded folk to me, who have screened their dogs and on the whole their results have been pretty good. Many are working tirelessly on the uphill battle to get other mastino owners on board and prove the doubters wrong, or at least club together and gain breed evidence so issues can be overcome. Hopefully the UKNMC AGM this comming weekend will make the requirred strides towards this.

On a further note after my last blog PBurns has quite an interesting unhelpful comment. Well it turns our PBurns blogs under the name Terrierman, and in his latest blog is critical of neapolitan mastiffs being classed as working dogs. Well PBurns, my pups are more than a good gaurd dog for the home, alert to those who approach, but also when out of the house they are loyal protectors of my children and already keep an eye on them, ensuring they don't wander too far. Interestingly a profile picture for PBurns is a dog down a hole, more than likely off to have its face ripped off by a badger, as its much more ethically right to use dogs in such a way, and for the badger, rather than traps and the likes.  And interestingly Jemima Harrison likes PBurns!!!

Jemima Harrison - Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - Attacks the Neapolitan Mastiff

Jemima Harrison author of Pedigree Dogs Exposed continues her attack on the Neapolitan Mastiff. After visiting the benches and the show ring recently at Crufts. It wasn‘t long before pictures hit her blog and called the Neapolitans mastiffs on display ‘A parade of mutants‘ and called for the breed to be banned. Strangely Jemima who claims her goal is to improve the health of pedigree dogs, has used her blog to attack the breed on the whole, and yet for me demonstrates no understanding of the breed what so ever.
To make matters worse I have first hand experience that Jemima Harrison is restricting replies on her blog, Especially those that are close to the bone and either question her motives or defend the breed and are serious valid points. Despite many invites from myself and others to visit owners and have an honest debate- Jemima Harrison is yet to take up such an offer. Furthermore when I have tried to post the question, what does she recommend to improve the breed, the question remains un-posted by Jemima, yet more proof she doesn’t actually want to work alongside owners to better the breed?
Without doubt Jemima Harrisons work has highlighted issues within the breed, and I dno not pretend many issues do exist, however whilst there are bad breeders and owners connected with the breed, there are also those who are trying to better it. For me, hopefully Jemima’s actions will make, if not force owners to take action and health screen and help gain true evidence of problems within the breed, and then work towards overcoming them. As a neo owner I want healthy dogs, who live long lives, and are with my family for many years to come, isn’t this the norm?
So here’s a blog where all comments are welcome unlike Jemima’s. All will be posted, and then a true and open debate can take place, which I hope will better the breed not only here in the UK but also around the world.