Shar-peis. On a roll ~ CookingFood.Org

Last week at the APGAW meeting at the House of Commons, I showed the Kennel Club's Bill Lambert this photograph, taken by award-winning photographer Tim Flach and featured in his beautiful book "Dogs".

Bill was adamant that this dog did not meet the breed standard and that a responsible breeder would not be breeding a Shar-Pei this wrinkly. Note, incidentally, the stitch above the pup's right eye - there to prevent the eyelashes from turning in and ulcerating the eye.

In fact, this pup was bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder, Ines Spraggon/Alarcao (www.bohobloo.com). And this stud dog of theirs, Solo, is advertised on their website as "going to Crufts" (so presumably qualified for Crufts 2011). In other words, these are not BYB/pet-breeders.

The website blurb boasts that Solo has "a type to die for".

Indeed.

As it happens, the Bohobloo website has an unusually honest and blunt section on Shar-pei health for which they should be congratulated. And I have no doubt that this breeder is telling the truth when they say how much they love and care for their dogs. But the fact remains that many of the health problems listed are directly linked to the conformation of the dog. There are many dogs on this website that are VERY wrinkly and laden with unnecessary, dysfunctional padding.

©bohobloo.com

By the way, the Kennel Club currently has another Tim Flach photograph - this stunning pic of a Puli - on the wall at Clarges St.

Bet they don't have the Shar-pei one, though.