Sheila Wilson Jun 28, 2015:

"play fighting" You're right, Daryo. It's closer to what boys do in the playground. Not real agression, but not what a judge wants to be involved in, and not right for Crufts.

Daryo Jun 28, 2015:

are you sure that "sparring" is the same as "fighting"? from what I can find it's no more than rough play ...

There are many people out there that are not all that familiar with dogs and have never really seen 2 dogs REALLY playing. Dogs can spar and wrestle with one another, with growling, and teeth baring. This is normal.

http://www.thebalancedcanine.com/how-handle-interdog-aggress...

Sandrine Pantel Jun 28, 2015:

Il est interdit de laisser... Then maybe "Il est interdit de laisser les chiens se battre sur la piste"?

Bridget Jean (asker) Jun 28, 2015:

You're right Sheila, the text isn't about organised dog fighting. It's about Crufts yearly Dog Show in Birmingham (selected breed dogs).
I think that maybe the English should be rephrased. In my opinion, as the dogs are sitting on benches waiting to be judged, it means that the owners must make sure that their dogs don't escape to fight with a dog being judged on the ring. And I can't use "combat" in the translation.

Sheila Wilson Jun 28, 2015:

They aren't talking organised dog fighting Just wanted to note that combat would have been inappropriate in the source as that could have implied the banned practice of dog fighting (for money). Sparring would be more the dog's own idea, attacking other dogs to show them who's boss.