The competition takes place in Jersey on Saturday 14 February, but only the midweek ferry sailings accommodate vehicles.
On a typical week, a DFDS service runs inter-island on a Monday and Brittany Ferries does so on a Wednesday.
Members of the Kennel Clubs in both Guernsey and Jersey have been left frustrated that some other weekend inter-island competitions have resulted in additional ferry services being offered.
‘Those attending sporting events would benefit from a Friday to Sunday service, as most events take place over the weekend,’ said Guernsey competitor Derryn De Carteret.
‘We are not asking for a day trip and I’m sure if they made the general public aware that there was a weekend in Jersey over Valentine’s, which is also half-term, many islanders would take up the opportunity to go.’
Miss De Carteret launched a petition last February to push for a better ferry service between the islands which accommodates vehicles.
The petition had more than 250 signatures on its first day and now has almost 1,300. She said she had heard back from several politicians who all noted that the inter-island ferry service for vehicles needed addressing.
‘It was reassuring to see that an action group has been set up with all the main ferry operators and both governments being included,’ she said.
‘I’m sure both kennel clubs are losing valuable income as they rely heavily on the inter-island competitors and I hope this can be rectified so we can all compete at our Channel Islands Dog of the Year event.’
More than 30 dog shows take place each year split between Guernsey and Jersey and almost all of them are held at weekends.
Christine Marett, vice-chairwoman and show secretary at the Kennel Club of Jersey, has written to the island’s Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, which is evaluating Jersey’s ferry contract terms to ensure it achieves the expected outcomes.
She said that services to the UK were adequate, but inter-island services were ‘a total disaster’, and having to pay for accommodation from Wednesday to Monday was financially unviable for many.
‘The lack of an inter-island vehicle carrier is having a big impact financially on all clubs that take part in inter-island sport, not just dog shows,’ she added.
She explained that Kennel Club members depended heavily on ferries to compete in the UK and across the Channel Islands, with around 25% of the club’s members regularly travelling to mainland shows to qualify for Crufts.
‘It is having a big impact on Guernsey and Jersey competitors who cannot travel between the islands with their vehicles for shows,’ she said.
Mrs Marett said that the Channel Island Dog of the Year show in Jersey on 14 February had 30 Guernsey competitors and 36 dogs qualified.
‘With the current situation, we do not know how many will make the competition,’ she warned, adding that winter weather could scupper plans for those forced to rely on small charter boats.
You need to be logged in to comment. If you had an account on our previous site, you can migrate your old account and comment profile to this site by visiting this page and entering the email address for your old account. We'll then send you an email with a link to follow to complete the process.