Harold R. "Harry" Spira, BVSc MRCVS MACVSc HDA was an Australian veterinarian, geneticist and dog fancier who was instrumental in the development of

dog breeding Dog breeding is the practice of mating selected dogs with the intention of maintaining or producing specific qualities and characteristics. When dogs reproduce without such human intervention, their offspring's characteristics are determined by ...

programs which used artificial insemination and frozen semen. An author and respected

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. At larger shows, there might be several judges, with each resp ...

, he was active in the Australian National Kennel Club and proposed an alternative system of dog breed grouping.

Career

Among his myriad activities, Spira participated in the promotion of the

Afghan Hound The Afghan Hound is a hound that is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end. The breed is selectively bred for its unique features in the cold mountains of Afghanistan. Its local name is ( ps, تاژ ...

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. Spira was the first Australian appointed to judge the coveted Best In Show award at Crufts Dog Show in England.

Death

Spira died at the end of the decade of the 2000s.
Page 4 of programme for 2009 Purina Sydney Royal Easter Show, 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"

References

Australian veterinarians Year of birth missing Year of death missing Place of birth missing Place of death missing {{Australia-med-bio-stub