brittany13

Amypie, Try this link. Not cheap but may help http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com.au/vests.htm Paul

As Asrya said the last I heard until when I was there on the morning was that it was going to be 28c. Unfortunately it go just a tad to hot. definately not Croydon's fault. Possum Corner - Yes it is not decision of the Croydon Club or even the judges and VCA rep at the ground. its the responsibilty of the OTEC committee that has invoked this rule in regards to heat. the judge in charge of my ring ( and two others I spoke to ) at one point wished to continue rather than suspend, but the temp rule was pointed out to them and they had to cease. They were unaware of any temp readings until they were told to cease due to the heat. It got to the point it had to be cancelled, no argument, but the decision making process needs to be better than just a set cut off point. As for the "one rule" rule it is interesting to see that Fidelis B/Collies disagrees with the one rule fits all. Why, because it would limit the amount of trial and show time available to them due to heat. But if the heat limit is 35c here why should it be any different anywhere else? Is the 35c there "different" to here? Would it be because the dogs are more used to a warmer climate perhaps and maybe better adjusted to this temp? (just playing devils advocate). Just food for thought.

That's more the point. Its not the rule itself. Its the way the rule is being implemented and being administrated. It should be administrered by those persons there on the particular day at that particular time. Not having a set cut off point which may be not be as accurate or inappropriate as what those present on the day can determine better. Further as said, this rule should be applied to all organised dog activities.

Firstly to Haven - Firstly, please don't get me wrong. There needs to be a point where a show, trial etc is stopped for heat. I have no disagreement with that. When I used to trial previously some 15 plus years ago, the decision was made by the judges and the club running the event. If a judge/s considered it too hot the trial was suspended. A meeting was held between them and a consenus was made as to whether or not to continue. Took less than 20 mins. If then a competitior felt that it was too much for their dog they withdrew. Far less time to know what was going on than the now allowed for time of 90 mins. Today there is a VCA rep. The same system could apply with the Rep as the chairperson of the meeting. Temperature is a funny thing. You could have 31c with exceptionally high humidity and its unbearable, yet a trial may continue. Higher temp with low humidity and yet it will feel cooler and the trial must be suspended/cancelled. Yes there must be a guideline to prevent heatstress for both dogs and competitors alike, but I feel the decision to stop should be made by the those in charge on the day. Some people/dogs cope with heat better than others. If I felt my dog was stressed by heat and the trial was still allowed to continue I would either scratch or withdraw. Leopuppy - that was him. I must agree an earlier start would have been better even though it was a 2 1/2 hr drive to get there. It was interesting to see you comment that agility do not have the rule. The dog is generally all hyped up with enthusiasm and runs harder than in obedience. As you said I believe there should be a rule that covers all. But that has been my point all along. Also re the gazebo, have a look in the Home hardware "dogalogue" - (appropriate I think) they have a fold up gazebo on special ($79 I think). Its at the cheaper end but we had ours up yesterday and it worked fine.

Leo puppy - cool coats at this http://www.coolingapparel.com.au/. They are very good. Re your post. Agree with a lot of it. At 10.15 I would have given it a go. He was lying down in some shade with his coat on asleep. Not even panting!! Only 7 in the ring and 2 had been through. would have been finished in 45 mins. As said the whole point ot my comment is, "why is there a rule for one and not the other?" If as Where's my Rock says its RSPCA guidelines. ( Just rang them and they have no guideline or similar) I am not against the idea at all but shouldn't it then apply to ALL types of exhibitions.

Well thank you for sharpening your nails on my back! Just to answer your "remarks" I obviously missed the policy in the gazette. However even checking the VCA website, I still couldn't find it. As for the attendance at the trial. It must just mean that there were about 150 other similarly motivated people. At the commencment of the trial the temp was well within guidelines, however it did rise quickly, that is why is was suspended. For those that have dsylexia. Would you place on the rose coloured glasses and please read my original post once again. My question was "why is the policy implemented in the way that it is" because as said I believe there is a better way. Secondly "If this policy is as is, why then has the conformation shows not adopted the same ruling" I did not put the question on here for a personal slanging match. If you don't wish to answer a question constructively, don't bother.! After my comments I think I'll call it even. Given the area where I live, this is the first time in about the last month that we are forecast to have a day below 30c. I live in north east Victoria. If you wish to do anything it done in a warmer climate. My dog goes for walks, runs and plays in these temperatures, so is perfectly acclimatised to them. He has no problem. If it is "hot" he has a cool coat to assist. Have no fear he would never be put in a situation where heat stress would be option. That said, if anyone has any constructive comment to make in relation to my original question, I would like to here them.

I attended the obedience trial at Croydon today. 15 minutes after the start it was suspended due the heat reaching the cut off point set by the VCA. 90 minutes later after sitting in the sun and heat and what little shade was available the trial was cancelled. rather ironic I thought. Sit in the sun and heat, but not trial!! While I have no problems with the idea in principle, I believe the method of implementation is flawed. It should be up to at the minimum the VCA rep present on the day. What however puzzles me is that at a recent conformation show the temperature reached temperatures far in excess of when the trial was cancelled . yet it still continued. Given that the actual time working in the ring can quite often be far less than in a show ring why is there this disparity. Does anyone have any ideas in relation to this. Paul