Harry Spira
Encyclopedia
Harold R. Spira, BVSc MRCVS MACVSc HDA, most commonly referenced as Dr. Harry Spira, was an Australia
n veterinarian
, geneticist
and dog fancier
who was instrumental in the development of dog breeding
programs which used artificial insemination
and frozen semen. An author and respected dog-show judge
, he was active in the Australian National Kennel Club and proposed an alternative system of dog breed
grouping.
Among his myriad activities, Harry Spira participated in the promotion of the Afghan Hound
in Australia and was an outspoken opponent of breed-specific legislation
against the German Shepherd dog. His book Canine Terminology, which has come to be considered a standard text on the subject, was reprinted in 2006.
Dr Spira was the first Australian appointed to judge the coveted Best In Show award at Crufts Dog Show in England.
Dr. Harry Spira died at the end of the decade of the 2000s.http://www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au/sydneyroyalcomps/dog/documents/2009DogSpecialPrizesandTrophies.pdf Page 4 of programme for 2009 Purina Sydney Royal Dog Show
, under heading "BEST IN SHOW PRIZES" lists "H R Spira Perpetual Trophy, donated by friends and admirers
of the Late Dr Harry Spira"
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, geneticist
Geneticist
A geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms. A geneticist can be employed as a researcher or lecturer. Some geneticists perform experiments and analyze data to interpret the inheritance of skills. A geneticist is also a Consultant or...
and dog fancier
Animal fancy
Animal fancy is a hobby involving the appreciation, promotion, or breeding of pet or domestic animals.Fancy may include ownership, showing, trialling and other competitions, breeding and judging. Hobbyists may simply collect specimens of the animal in appropriate enclosures, such as aquaria and...
who was instrumental in the development of dog breeding
Dog breeding
Dog breeding is the practice of mating selected specimens with the intent to maintain or produce specific qualities and characteristics.Dogs reproduce without human interference, so their offsprings' characteristics are determined by natural selection. Domestic dogs may be intentionally bred by...
programs which used artificial insemination
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...
and frozen semen. An author and respected dog-show judge
Dog-show judge
A dog show judge, sometimes dog judge, is a person that is qualified to evaluate dogs at a conformation show. At small shows, there might be only one judge for all breeds and classes...
, he was active in the Australian National Kennel Club and proposed an alternative system of dog breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
grouping.
Among his myriad activities, Harry Spira participated in the promotion of the Afghan Hound
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest sighthound dog breeds. Distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end, the breed acquired its unique features in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, where it was originally used to hunt hares and gazelles by coursing them....
in Australia and was an outspoken opponent of breed-specific legislation
Breed-specific legislation
Breed-specific legislation is a law or ordinance passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. In practice, it generally refers to laws or ordinances pertaining to a specific dog breed or breeds....
against the German Shepherd dog. His book Canine Terminology, which has come to be considered a standard text on the subject, was reprinted in 2006.
Dr Spira was the first Australian appointed to judge the coveted Best In Show award at Crufts Dog Show in England.
Dr. Harry Spira died at the end of the decade of the 2000s.http://www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au/sydneyroyalcomps/dog/documents/2009DogSpecialPrizesandTrophies.pdf Page 4 of programme for 2009 Purina Sydney Royal Dog Show
Sydney Royal Easter Show
The Sydney Royal Easter Show, also known as the Royal Easter Show or simply The Show, is an annual show held in Sydney, Australia over two weeks around Easter.It is run by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales and was first held in 1823...
, under heading "BEST IN SHOW PRIZES" lists "H R Spira Perpetual Trophy, donated by friends and admirers
of the Late Dr Harry Spira"