Why the Hovawart Must Never Become Popular

The Hovawart is not a popular breed at all. Which really is a blessing in disguise, as popularity is something a purebred dog can't afford.

Crufts 2012, one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world, was held last week. And for the first time the Kennel Club had a number of breeds health tested, due to the pressure that all started by the BBC show "Pedigree dogs exposed".

In the Hovawart world, Crufts is actually not such a big thing, and it certainly doesn't attract a crowd. Few dogs participated in each category, 6 at the most. The shows from special clubs with only Hovawarts are far more popular, with the yearly show from the International Hovawart Federation (IHF) as the grand finale.

Kenzo participated in the last IHF show. Picture me and Kenzo running around in comfy shorts through the ring on the fields of the local football club. Compare that with the fancy and prestigious atmosphere of Crufts. When I think of it, showing a Hovawart with a handler dressed in a suit and tie sounds like a contradiction in itself.

But back to the health tests that were introduced at Crufts. Karen Friesecke recently launched a new blog about purebred dogs and health, and she was reporting some of the winners were indeed disqualified after their health was tested. Karen also investigated the extend of inbreeding with some of the dogs that won a prize, and she discovered the Bedlington Terrier winner had a staggering inbreeding coefficient (COI) of 31.4%. While 6% is considered the limit to be acceptable. Inbreeding leads to serious problems for the dogs in later generations.

Breeding is quite complex, but the principles are very simple. A breeder seeks the correct balance between temperament, health, looks and genetic diversity. Every serious breeder would therefore agree with me the above is an example of bad breeding. Some didn't take it all that well though. The most amusing response was this conspiracy theory where extreme animal activists together with PETA have been plotting to destroy the dog as we know it. One minute you are talking innocent health tests and low inbreeding coefficients, to find yourself in the middle of the apocalypse the next.

And then there is popularity. The Crufts Best of Show 2012, Zentarr Elizabeth from Margaret Anderson, was interviewed by the Daily Mail The most high-maintenance blonde in Britain: Crufts' biggest diva eats sirloin steak, has twice-weekly blow-drys and pedicures... and is FAR too posh for walkies. The winner of Crufts has never, yes never, been on a dog walk. Margaret Anderson's obsession for dog shows evolved into a golden cage for her dogs. And Margaret is on the look-out for a mate for Zentarr. So far none has made the grade. Margaret to the Daily Mail: "I think I'll probably use one of my own males. There's Morgan, who's just one certificate away from champion status," she says. The dogs are, she admits, distantly related, a few generations back." Zentarr's inbreeding coefficient is 18,1 % already.

Would the Hovawart gain popularity, people like Margaret will come by. May god forbid I will ever have to meet a Hovawart that has never been on a dog walk, never been dirty, and lives in a golden cage. Popularity comes with a high prize. Maybe I should stop writing about the Hovawart. I will re-baptize this blog as "Kenzo the Golden Mutt" and start a campaign that there is no such thing as a Hovawart. Just to keep the Margaret's of this world away.

Congratulations to Ms C. Travers, the Hovawart Best of Breed winner of Crufts 2012, with Finya Palacowe Pieknosci - see picture above. Not only with your prize, but also with Finya's inbreeding coefficient of 0.0%, as is shown on Mate Select. You must be very proud, and you should.