<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1609" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I was dashing to get the pics up when I sent the
last comment about the Midland Basset weekend in the UK.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The first day was a fun day - neither Rolph or Clara placed in
any competition, but they took part with good humour - even when the KC judge
insisted Clara was part Doxie! The rep from Basset Hound Welfare who let me
adopt her was FURIOUS and had a go at the judge - which was quite
funny.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>There was also a party in the evening which was all very nice
and above all everybody was so friendly. I didn't meet a single person with
'side' or pretentions all weekend.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Camping was also an experience. I think Clara must have done
it before. As soon as the tent was up, she shot into the bedroom and curled up
very happily - Rolph was less sure about it. He spent the first night in the
porch protecting us by barking at every light, late arrival, shadow . . .
.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>In the end I dragged him into the bedroom too, and looped his
lead around my arm so I would wake if her tried to escape. Needless to say I
ended up chasing him around the campsite in my nightdress and bare feet in the
middle of the night!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The second day was the serious show, with top-line bassets
arriving from 7.30am to be judged by a woman flown in from Ireland. I have never
been to a serious show before and wanted to ask all sorts of questions - and who
better to ask than the Drool? Please don't flame me, I write from a point of
ignorence and wish to be informed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I noticed all the hounds who were placed were really huge and
low-slung. Now, of course, all bassets are low slung, but these were barely
half an inch off the ground. This made me wonder - as I understand it, they are
hunters. Their skills are stamina and the ability to traverse rough countryside.
But these hounds were so massive and so low I can't believe they could ever
hunt. I was also concerned that the bitches were so close to the ground they
must have terrible trouble carrying a litter and the mere thought of their teats
being distended with milk was painful. There was no way a pregnant or nursing
bitch of this shape would be able to walk without dragging the ground and being
in great pain.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>So, is there a different standard for hunting hounds and show
hounds? And why are (these) show hounds being favoured, when their shape
would make procreation so hard?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Sally, slave to Rolph and Clara who would be laughed out of
any KC event</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV><pre>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This email has been scanned for viruses and other threats
using Newsquest's Ironport email filters
This e-mail, including any attachment, is private and
confidential.
It should not be read, copied, disclosed or otherwise used by
any person other than the intended recipient(s).
If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the
sender immediately.
Newsquest reserves the right to monitor e-mails in
accordance with the Telecommunications (Lawful Business
Practice)
(Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000.
Newsquest Media Group Limited.
Registered in England, number 3105111 . Registered office:
58 Church Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8DP
--------------------------------------------------------------------
</pre></BODY></HTML>