Question for LMH

[JandP]

Hi Lisa,

I have just been looking at the C&CC website and on their Q&A page there is a question: Can I take my dog? Their answer is: "Certain breeds such as pit bull, rottweiler and Staffordshire bull terrier are, by law, not allowed on camp sites". Surely this is not correct is it? OK I can understand pit bull but not the other two breeds. Jim.

 

[LMH]

Hi J&P

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm not a member of the C&CC. Can I get access to the Q&A section if I am not a member?

It might be their own ruling. It is NOT law concerning Rotties or SBT's.

I've got my handbook out at the mo and under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Chapter 65) it states:

An Act to prohibit persons from having in their possession or custody, dogs belonging to types bred for fighting: to impose restrictions in respect of such dogs pending the coming into force of the prohibition; to enable restrictions to be imposed in relation to other types of dog which present a serious danger to the public; to make further provision for securing that dogs are kept under proper control; and for the connected purposes.

Be itenacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in the present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

Dogs bred for fighting:

1. a) any dog of the type known as the pit bull terrier

b) any dog of the type known as the Japanese tosa

c) any dog of any type designated for the purposes of this section by an order of the Secretary of State being a type appearing to him as to be 'bred for fighting' or to have the characteristics of a type bred for that purpose.

___________________

This is why people should always buy a registered puppy as in relation to pitbulls and SBT's (sometimes they are crossed with each other, sometimes ignorant people make the incorrect assumption that a SBT is a pitbull). Buying a registered puppy will prove not only that a dog is a registered SBT but also that its parents and their parents are also registered and traceable.

With pitbulls, it's incredibly hard to assess if they are full pitbull or a pitbull cross. They have tiny ears for a start, nothing like a SBT. Also - there's no such thing as an Irish Stafford. It is not a recognised breed/name with the KC. Many many years ago, SBT's were taken over to Ireland and crossed with some of their taller leggier dogs. These dogs were mainly used for hunting and other activities. They became known as Irish SBT's but as I say, that is not a breed in its own rights. In the UK, it's an excuse used for selling poorly bred stock (unregistered) and sometimes (in the hands of unscrupulous people) a code word for a fighting dog.

I have visited websites to look for campsites and found some campsites where rotties and SBT and GSD's have been 'banned' by the site owners. That's their perogative, I take my money elsewhere.

You have brought to my attention a seriously inaccurate piece of information which will do Rotties and SBT's a great deal of harm in relation to people's perception of the breeds. If I can get into their q&a section, I shall be taking this further. I am also a member of a SBT forum which has thousands of members and I am sure they will be highly interested in this. I will also be taking this issue to the KC and the Breed Council, the SBT rescues, along with the many SBT clubs across the UK. I am also a member of two SBT clubs in the Midlands.

If I can't get into the q&a section, would it be ok if I emailed the mod to pass on my email address to you so you could copy and paste the piece and email it to me?

As my own glorious breed is under possible threat of being added to this stupid and unworkable Act, I feel this sort of inacuracy has to be rectified.

Many thanks indeed.

I'm off work now for a few weeks so I will be able to get my teeth into this.

Lisa

 

[ThePlotter]

Dont get your teeth into it that will just give the dog haters ammunition.)

 

[mcghee]

I understood that the only stipulation regarding dangerous dogs in public was thta they must be on a lead and muzzled and in the charge of an adult. I think the C&CC must have made this up.

 

[JandP]

Hi Lisa,

On their home page (campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk) type "dog" keyword in the search box and it comes up with the question "Can I take my dog".

To the plotter- I think it is better that these things are discussed openly, SBT's and rotties are, like our german shepherds, dogs which are sometimes given an unjustified bad reputation. Jim.

 

[LMH]

Hi

I've just looked at the q&a section and I think it may be in relation to their campsites abroad. I have emailed them for clarification. God help THEM if they do mean the UK.

Lisa

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I take my dog?

It's up to each site to decide. If dogs are allowed and are covered for travel to that country under the PETS Travel Scheme, the price is given in the price panel in the Carefree brochure. You must keep dogs on a lead and clear up behind them. Certain breeds, such as pit bull, rottweiler and Staffordshire bull terrier are, by law, not allowed on camp sites. Please ask before considering taking these or similar breeds of dog. Please note that dogs are not usually allowed in site accommodation such as mobile homes and chalets. Certain legal procedures must be followed when taking your pet abroad and in particular when bringing it back. However, Carefree partner dogs away, can make the whole process go smoothly. For more details on their services and to avoid any unnecessary problems please see the Travelling with Pets section in the Carefree brochure.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[JandP]

Oops! You may be right! Probably a false alarm then!

I was thinking of joining them and I was looking for info on their policy regarding dogs. Sorry if I have misled you. Jim

 

[ThePlotter]

J&P Only trying to lighten things up a bit sorry if that caused you a problem.

 

[LMH]

Jim

It's ok, no probs. If it does relate only to foreign campsites, then the C&CC should make their search engine more specific. I will raise that with them when I get a reply.

Plotter - behave or I'll send the giant lobster round.

Lisa

 

[JandP]

J&P Only trying to lighten things up a bit sorry if that caused you a problem.

Hi, sorry, I am a bit dim today! No, you will have to try harder than that! Jim.

 

[JandP]

Hi Lisa,

I have now found that particular "FAQ" is listed under their "carefree" section which is specifically for camping and caravanning abroad so it looks like you are correct. Still trying to find a reference to their dog policy, I see that the dog symbol is listed against individual sites so I assume that dogs in general are allowed and presumably that includes SBTs etc. Sorry again for the confusion, if I had a brain I would be dangerous! Jim.

 

[ThePlotter]

J&P no problem I feel a bit dim most days,and Lisa please dont send the lobster I promise to behave couldnt face those pincers!Still puzzled by having a giant lobster in the pool.

Side issue how many gallons does the pool take and how long to warm up,a neighbour bought one last week took all day to fill it then decided it was cold so took it back to the shop.

 

[LMH]

Hi Plotter

The lobster is a lilo type thingy which my daughter lays on.

The pool is 12ft diameter and the depth of the water is 36 inches it holds about 9000 litres of water.

It's primarily for the dog's use. My daughter and I did go in it when we filled it about three weeks ago and I had to get out rather sharply as the water was so cold, it felt like it was burning me legs! I've just looked at the thermometer and it's currently 60 F which is very cold.

SBT's don't fair well in intense heat (being short haired, longer haired dogs don't tend to feel the heat as much). So when the weather warms up, they'll appreciate the pool as roadwork will be limited.

I bet you're learning more and more about SBT's arn't you? You'll be an expert next time you see your neighbours and will be able to roll off facts and figures to them no prob!

Do you know what a swingpole is? Would you like to see Diesel in action on his?

It's another excellent form of exercise, really builds up the jaw muscles, chest (sternohyoid, sternooccipital, cleidobrachial, acromical, deltoid), neck (cleidocervical, trapezium cervical) and topline (trapezium thoracic, latissiumus dorsialong with the muscles at the rear (internal oblique abdominal, medial glutial, cranial sartoris, gluteus superficial, bicep feroria, semi tendinous. It also gives a good tuck up to the following muscles(external oblique abs, straight abdominal, ascending pectoral, and legs (digital extensor, medial tricept, lateral tricept.

It's not only for SBT's -we had a poodle on it the other week and much to its owners astonishment, the dog loved it.

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Hi Jim

I've just had the following reply:

-----------

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for your e-mail with regards to our restrictions on breeds of dogs on our Campsites.

I can confirm that our Sites welcome all pets, they must be kept under control and on a lead, no longer than 2m (6ft) at all times. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to clean up after his or her pet on all areas of the Site.

We do not charge an additional fee for pets.

Hope this helps, Kind Regards

Carol Bates

Customer Services Officer

The Camping and Caravanning Club

Greenfields House

Westwood Way

Coventry, CV4 8JH

 

[ThePlotter]

Lisa,

9000 litres whats that in old money about 2000 gallon? I bet you are not on a water meter,my neighbour having taken his back has now got what looks more like a large paddling pool.Interestingly he has a young SBT as well but I doubt that he knows about their bodyheat problems although he keeps his own body cool with copius amounts of beer!I see the other one and three quarter SBTs daily and intend to engage the owner in conversation so that I can indeed show off my new found knowledge on the subject.

My other neighbour has 6 Ns? two of which are puppies for sale at

 

[ThePlotter]

Lisa

Sorry forgot to ask where you can buy a swingpole because judging by the list of areas of the body that benefit from its use I reckon I could make good use of one myself! )

 

[LMH]

Swingpole. The timber needs to be around 8ft long and minimum of 4x4. Make the frame up (think gallows), sink it 2ft into the ground. Attach a spring pull (special springs are needed which can take the weight/force of a dog pulling on it). Attach some tow rope, then a ragger and you're off.

 

[LMH]

The pole needs to be cemented in. Don't look at the grass, thank god this bit is the only grassless area!

p.s. Those dogs on sale for

 

[ThePlotter]

Lisa

I am really getting worried about you now and think I know why you are off work, is it really healthy to have gallows in the garden it smacks of the sort of things that you read of in the News of the World!

The picture doesnt show diesel doing his thing,if you have SBTs do you have to have all these instruments of torture or can you do without.

The neigbours Ns are Newfoundlands and are enormous,good job our houses are a reasonable size.

 

[ThePlotter]

Now got the second picture,a bit of lawn seed called for me thinks.

 

[LMH]

It's a good job I haven't put a photo of the flirt pole on then, that might totally freak you out!!!

NF I understand now. God, I bet they're hard work, a friend of mine had a litter of St Bernards (8) and they sold for around

 

[ThePlotter]

Lisa

Come on you cant mention the flirtpole and not show what one of those are!

The NFs dont know if they are a lot of work or not because they rarely go for walks as it seems the breed is prone to heart problems possibly because of their size.The neigbours use them at displays etc so have a caravan and two large rubber dingies,I guess in the water their size is not a problem so their hearts can cope in those conditions.

 

[LMH]

I haven't got any photo's of my flirt pole but I've taken this off a website (I hope the owner doesn't mind).

 

[LMH]

Lisa

Come on you cant mention the flirtpole and not show what one of those are!

The NFs dont know if they are a lot of work or not because they rarely go for walks as it seems the breed is prone to heart problems possibly because of their size.The neigbours use them at displays etc so have a caravan and two large rubber dingies,I guess in the water their size is not a problem so their hearts can cope in those conditions.

I've read an article about that, I wonder if it is your neighbours? I can't remember where I read it, it was probably on the net when I was googling for a dog life jacket.

Lisa

 

[ThePlotter]

So how does that work then?

There was an article in one of the caravan mags in the last few weeks of a couple doing a live in test on a van and they had two NFs not my neighbours but they did know each other,that couple were from around London I think and we are at the top of North Warwickshire.