Maltese Delegates at the KC Symposium in London

Two Maltese Delegates were among some fifty delegates from around the world attending The International Symposium on the Dog on the 6^th and 7^th July 2009. Several notable speakers were present for the symposium among whom were Profs. Jeff Sampson, a senior scientific advisor, Dr. Francesca Martini, Vice-Minister of Labour and Health in the Italian Cabinet. Mr Frank Borg and Miss Leeandra Mizzi attended the symposium on behalf of the Maltese National Canine Federation, one of the main bodies taking care of canine matters on the island.

The symposium which was held at The Kennel Club premises in London saw delegates from America, Canada and India as well as several European counter parts discussing issues such as canine genetics, law and responsible ownership, as well as health and function of dogs. The first day, saw delegates discussing the contribution of dogs towards our society, while on the second day, focus shifted towards genetics and breeding and how breeding can be improved to make sure these dogs are ‘fit for function and fit for life’, a slogan adopted a few months ago by the UK kennel Club. Talks on laws about dog ownership were also held.

The symposium came to an end with the official opening of an arts exhibition entitled Pets and Prizewinners, an exhibition depicting the development of Victorian and Edwardian canine art. During the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the Maltese delegation where also presented with a trophy by The Kennel Club chairman, Mr. Ronnie Irvine to mark their 10^th Anniversary since the foundation of the Federation. The trophy, which belonged to the late Dr. Michael Stockman will be awarded to the Best in Show winner during the Federation’s championship show which will be held on the 13^th and 14^th December 2009 at the Cottonera Sports Complex. Further information on this show or on the Federation may be obtained by calling 21234916

Fox Terrier goes BIS at Cottonera Sports Complex

The 18th and 19th April '09 marked the last show for the season for the Malta Canine Society before breaking off for a summer break. Yet another show, impeccably organised which saw Mr. Ernie Patterson judge almost 250 dogs.

Best in Show went to the Wire Haired Fox Terrier, Eng. CH. Travella Special Feature, a new comer to the Maltese show rings, but very well known in the breed in the UK. Reserve Best in Show was Ch. Switherland Royal Ruler at Danadri, quite well known in the Maltese Show rings. Best puppy in Show was won by the locally bred Boxer, Galray Woodstock Rio Sid Rock, while Reserve Best Puppy in Show went to the Boston Terrier, imported from Finland, Barocco at Deniro. The Best locally bred for this show was Danadri Black Amethyst. 

The show was also highlighted by the presentation of an award to Mr. V. Calleja, the society's Vice-Treasurer, for 30 years of service to the committee. 

AAA Founder and President Removed

Mr. Freddie Fenech and allegations of misappropriate use of donated funds continue to dominate the news in Malta. The latest being, the removal of Mr. Fenech from his position as the association's President.

Freddie was in fact unanimously voted out of the committee by the five members present for an extraordinary general meeting which took place at the Animal Welfare Department. Present for the meeting was also the association's lawyer Dr. C. Stafrace Zammit, who said that Mr. Fenech aswell as the other two committee members were officially notified of the meeting but chose not to attend. Mr. Fenech allegedly did not attend the association's meeting due to him feeling uncomfortable and unsafe, since he did not know what the meeting was about. Dr. Stafrace Zammit denied this saying, the agenda was sent to all members of the committee, including Mr. Fenech and the other two committee members. In the meantime, the present committee have said that they will meet in one month's time to approve the new statute and elect the new president. 

The police are still investigating

A Sad day for Rescue in Malta

Mr. Freddie Fenech founder of A.A.A. made headlines last week, following allegations of fraud by five of his helpers at the Sanctuary. Backed by the Director of the Animal  Welfare department in Malta, Mr. Mario Spiteri, the volonteers filed a report claiming that Mr. Fenech cannot account for several thousands of Euros donated to him. Further more, they are also claiming cruelty to animals and threats. Mr. Fenech has denied all the accusations and said he will be taking legal actions to clear his name. In the meantime, the police are investigating.

Mr. Fenech, a former CID officer, established the association back in 1979, and throughout the years was seen on the media bringing to light acts of cruelty while rescueing animals mainly dogs. His most recent rescue in fact involved the rescueing of three starving puppies found together with a number of dog carcasses in a former lepers hospital in Gharghur. Recent studies by a qualified vet have however shown that the alleged dog carcasses were in fact carcasses of sheep and goats, giving the impression that this was a set up public relations act. 

Cat Walk Dogs

The last weekend of March 2009, was a very special weekend for The Maltese Ladies Kennel Association who celebrated their 10^th Anniversary since their foundation. This special occasion was marked by a Championship show, judged  by one of the top judges in the UK, Mrs. Liz Cartledge.

It was a dog show with a twist however. While the breed judging was done at the usual venue – The Cottonera Sports Complex spread over a Saturday afternoon and a Sunday morning, the climax of activity took place at a leading 5 star hotel in St Julians. The group and Best in Show judging took place during a buffet dinner on a …. CATWALK.

There was an entry of well over 200 dogs for this competition. Best in Show was won by D. Sant Fournier’s Pekingese Livanda Giovani,  while Reserve Best in Show was Calleja & Ciappara’s Alaskan Malamute, Am. Int CH. Sno Quest King of Landwood. The Best Puppy in show winner was a Beagle owned by Mr. N. Borg called Beagle di Fonte Posca, while Reserve was Mr. R. Galea’s Boxer Galray Woodstock Rio Sid Rock.

The Maltese Ladies Kennel Association (MLKA) was founded in 1999 and was in itself a founder member of The Maltese National Canine Federation (MNFC), which is one of the main bodies issuing Pedigrees and registrations for dogs on the island. The next show to be organized by one of the associations within the MNCF is going to be held at the Cottonera Sports Complex on the 18^th and 19^th April 2009 and is being organized by the Malta Canine Society.

The World of Dog Shows

Exercise, diets, health test… No, I am not talking about top models; I am talking about the world of dog shows. A world in which people try their best to breed pure bred dogs which are sound in health and temperament but which are also as close as possible to the breed standard.

What is a breed standard? I hear you ask. A breed standard is a set of guidelines for each breed of dog. Such guidelines explain what a dog should look like, from the very basic of specifics such as coat texture and color to the most detailed and hidden and which may look the same to the untrained eye such as movement and teeth alignment.  Breed standards are designed on what the dog was originally bred to do when the breed was originally developed. Think of the breed standard as a picture of the perfect dog in that particular breed, bred to do something in particular, and the breeders as the artists trying to create an image of that dog without neglecting the health and temperament of that particular breed. 

In order to do this, breeders spend a lot of time (and money!) analyzing pedigrees and health testing their dogs for genetic diseases, while also keeping in mind the temperament of both the dam and the potential stud dog. Only when a dog that compliments the bitch is found, does a breeding take place. In order to decide which dog is closest to the breed standard, breeders take their dogs to shows, where judges judge the dogs against each other while bearing in mind the breed standard. Besides the breed standard, judges also look at the general condition of the dog such as the condition of its coat and muscle tone.  It is therefore in the breeder’s interest to keep the dogs in the best possible condition and only breed to the soundest available dogs if he or she wishes to win at such shows. It stands to reason therefore that a good breeder does not mate his bitch to the first dog of the same breed that comes along.

For one to show a dog in Malta, it must be registered with one of the official bodies on the island, and have a pedigree issued by the mentioned association. For a pedigree to be issued however, both parents must have a registered pedigree, and the breeder needs to register the litter. The Maltese National Canine Federation and its member associations follow the UK kennel club’s system and breed standards and therefore only breeds which are recognized by the British system may be shown at its shows. I would like to make a special remark on the so called new designer breeds which are being created by irresponsible individuals. During the past couple of years, the dog world has seen the creation of several supposedly new breeds which are generated by crossing two breeds of dogs and giving them a new name. These are cross-breeds and are not recognized by any official organization, thus they cannot be shown or registered.

When buying a puppy, new owners should bare in mind two things, not every pure bred dog has a pedigree and not every pedigreed dog is show quality. It is for this reason that as an association we encourage people to buy only from registered breeders. There have been several episodes where people have paid amounts of money for a pedigreed dog without ever being given the pedigree or being given a computer generated pedigree. When buying a puppy one should always ask to see the registered pedigrees of the parents. Further more, we encourage new owners to tell the breeder whether they intend to show the puppy or not, a good breeder will help you choose the puppy that best fits your household.