VeeJayBee
VIP Member
Thanks @Mustard I'll put it in a spoiler here for anyone interested as it is quite lengthy and I don't wish to hog the thread...
As expected Barking at the Moon was an excercise in downlpaying the issue of flat-faced dogs, specifically Norway's banning of bulldogs. Jo Good started by saying there are other dogs and breeds that suffer health issues, similar or worse, eg the bulldogs she sees at meet-ups, dachshunds etc. Jo Good thinks two wrongs make a right.
How can "dog experts" Jo Good and Anna Webb sit there and hear Sean the Vet say that a study of the genetic diversity of English Bulldogs in the UK shows they come from about 30 individual dogs, the equivalent of brother/sister mating? Jo's reply was a 'concerned' sounding "Wow!". She often boasts that she "does her research" about the breed, why then is this fact a surprise to her?
Sean is blaming the Kennel Club for "stamping and rubber-sealing" how breeds should look. Jo said she thinks she is doing the right thing by going to a Kennel Club licensed breeder. He said he does not believe the KC are a sign or a stamp of approval any more, that the Kennel Club approved bulldog is "no longer fit for purpose". Jo did not address that point, she simply said she would later read their statement.
Sean told Jo how lucky she was to have her dog live to 14, given the average age for the breed is 7 years. I think he was hoping she would come clean about Matilda's surgery at this point, but no luck. Sean then directly asked "She required airway surgery didn't she?". Jo couldn't even manage to say yes, she came out with a "Mnmm" , and then, as expected, turned it around to the raw food excuse and boasted about Matilda "running like the wind right up until her death". Sean replied with a postive tone "that's a huge factor running like the wind" and Jo sounded perky, thinking she'd managed to deflect, but Sean came right back saying it was due to the opened airway, going on to say many people can't afford those surgeries and give up the dogs.
Sean said there are many rescue bulldogs available, saying people should look beyond the pedigrees. He mentioned breeders with dogs more like the original Victorian type, Jo exclaimed "...and you see them!" adding they are a "joy to see". I think she missed a trick there; her dog is as much clickbait and a part of her social media image as it is a companion; she could've gained virtue signalling points by going for that type. Surely a dog with such a back story would appeal to her inate snobbery, appearing as they do in "old masters" and being the OG of bulldogs.
Anna said she was training a Victorian type bulldog last weekend saying it "seemed pretty healthy". So that's good enough for a 2 year old dog? Just "pretty healthy". it sounded as if she didn't want to be to effusive about its health, as if she new there'd be some future issues. Again she says some breeders are making an effort.
Sean has no time for the Kennel Club. Anna won't say a bad word against them, after all her ego needs their validation as she is showing her dog at Crufts this year. No mention that she and Jo will be presenting from Crufts 2022. Anna Webb is no better than a stage mother making her pretty child twirl in a pageant.
The KC statement was read by producer Alice and sounded like a whole word salad, too tedious to transcribe.
Jo didn't have to answer any questions about how she is using Myrtle on social media and fuelling desire for the breed; I wish Sean would've raised that point. Jo called her last dog clickbait and, the way her new puppy is featured in every vlog and mentioned constantly on her radio show, it looks like that will continue.
I think Jo and Anna's approach to this segment is like Boris Johnson's MO, show up to face the inevitable music about an uncomfortable situation, get through it any way you can with some faux concern, bluster and deflection and then go back to your usual ways as soon as you're out the door.
How can "dog experts" Jo Good and Anna Webb sit there and hear Sean the Vet say that a study of the genetic diversity of English Bulldogs in the UK shows they come from about 30 individual dogs, the equivalent of brother/sister mating? Jo's reply was a 'concerned' sounding "Wow!". She often boasts that she "does her research" about the breed, why then is this fact a surprise to her?
Sean is blaming the Kennel Club for "stamping and rubber-sealing" how breeds should look. Jo said she thinks she is doing the right thing by going to a Kennel Club licensed breeder. He said he does not believe the KC are a sign or a stamp of approval any more, that the Kennel Club approved bulldog is "no longer fit for purpose". Jo did not address that point, she simply said she would later read their statement.
Sean told Jo how lucky she was to have her dog live to 14, given the average age for the breed is 7 years. I think he was hoping she would come clean about Matilda's surgery at this point, but no luck. Sean then directly asked "She required airway surgery didn't she?". Jo couldn't even manage to say yes, she came out with a "Mnmm" , and then, as expected, turned it around to the raw food excuse and boasted about Matilda "running like the wind right up until her death". Sean replied with a postive tone "that's a huge factor running like the wind" and Jo sounded perky, thinking she'd managed to deflect, but Sean came right back saying it was due to the opened airway, going on to say many people can't afford those surgeries and give up the dogs.
Sean said there are many rescue bulldogs available, saying people should look beyond the pedigrees. He mentioned breeders with dogs more like the original Victorian type, Jo exclaimed "...and you see them!" adding they are a "joy to see". I think she missed a trick there; her dog is as much clickbait and a part of her social media image as it is a companion; she could've gained virtue signalling points by going for that type. Surely a dog with such a back story would appeal to her inate snobbery, appearing as they do in "old masters" and being the OG of bulldogs.
Anna said she was training a Victorian type bulldog last weekend saying it "seemed pretty healthy". So that's good enough for a 2 year old dog? Just "pretty healthy". it sounded as if she didn't want to be to effusive about its health, as if she new there'd be some future issues. Again she says some breeders are making an effort.
Sean has no time for the Kennel Club. Anna won't say a bad word against them, after all her ego needs their validation as she is showing her dog at Crufts this year. No mention that she and Jo will be presenting from Crufts 2022. Anna Webb is no better than a stage mother making her pretty child twirl in a pageant.
The KC statement was read by producer Alice and sounded like a whole word salad, too tedious to transcribe.
Jo didn't have to answer any questions about how she is using Myrtle on social media and fuelling desire for the breed; I wish Sean would've raised that point. Jo called her last dog clickbait and, the way her new puppy is featured in every vlog and mentioned constantly on her radio show, it looks like that will continue.
I think Jo and Anna's approach to this segment is like Boris Johnson's MO, show up to face the inevitable music about an uncomfortable situation, get through it any way you can with some faux concern, bluster and deflection and then go back to your usual ways as soon as you're out the door.
