RSPCA

Comments

• dpinn1 April 12, 2010 at 10:39 a.m.

  I just want to say, for Kennel Club who are supposed to be protecting the welfare of dogs they are not living up to it. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has Syringomyelia he has to cope with a piercing headach at least once a day and there is nothing we can do to help him. His brain is now in a too smaller size skull. I can't begin to imagine his pain. Every single day I have the fear of it getting so bad he will have to be put down and I'm now totally put off by the idea of a pedigree.

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• novasigma March 5, 2010 at 10:29 p.m.

  I don't think that all pedigree dogs suffer. For me, the test is whether the dog's physical characteristics interfere in any way with living naturally, or whether it is susceptible to dangerous inherited diseases.

  I have a Doberman, and, as far as I can tell, she suffers no ill effects as a result of her pedigree. She can run much faster than I can, she can walk for miles and miles, she can climb up hills and slopes, she can swim and dig and chew and all the other dog activities. In other words she has retained her natural 'wolf-like' body to a certain extent.

  On the other hand, we have seen dogs that can hardly walk or breathe, and THAT is a major problem. When a dog can't be a dog because of it's body, then a serious act of cruelty has been committed in breeding that animal. That's my opinion anyway.

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• animalrspca February 10, 2010 at 4:31 p.m.

  Pedigree dogs deserve to be breeded properly meaning have the right owner and have access to the right care. It is cruel to put any animal under stress.

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• dobbin December 23, 2009 at 4:26 p.m.

  I think in the main PDE has done far more good for the welfare of dogs than the KC have ever done, maybe JH should be given the position of chairman at the KC.The reality is that show breeders NOT puppy farmers, dealers or traffickers have caused dogs to suffer, was it for the betterment of the breed ?
  Absolutley NOT, was it for the betterment of the breeders?
  Absolutely.
  Here is why, breeders that show do it because they want people to see THEM , the dogs must therefore win and qualify for Crufts or you are classed as an outsider (that needs to change).Winning ensures a better return for litter sales, we have all seen the ads
  'Champion sired', most of these exhibitors are unemployed, they dont pay taxes and they earn a healthy wage for breeding or farming their animals, anyone who believes they dont make money is deluded.

  I for one thank
  Jemima Harrison for giving dogs back a voice in the shady world of UK show exhibitionism.

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• dpinn1 October 4, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.

  I have a Cavilier King Charles one of the most affected pedigree dog. His name is Louis he has Syringomylia if you want to know about it search it but i cant find the words to discribe his pain. Hes only 3 years old and doubt he will live any longer than 5. I will do anything to help him but unfortunately i can't. So instead I'am helping his kind and all pedigree dogs. Don't let any dog go through the pain Louis has to. So the Kennel club should feel guilty about disgusting case of inbreeding.Instead buy a healthy mongeral the best of a healthy dog belive me its worth it.

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• Mags53 August 22, 2009 at 5:49 p.m.

  No-one is saying that some breeds of dogs don't have problems - the kennel club has taken some very strong action about some breeds to force the breeders (and the judges, etc.) to improve the health of the breed. BUT, there are many breeds that do not have inherited health problems that stop them from leading a normal life. And, the reason that peigree breeds exist IS NOT to do with how they look for beauty, they were bred for specific uses, e.g. herding, hunting, guarding - their size, colour, temperament are all part of the use that man had for them. Nothing wrong with that BUT many are no longer used for their original purpose so what has happened is that they are often now only kept as pets and some of the people who own them like to take them out and show them - nothing wrong with that. The problem is that some people who judge like certain exaggerated breed points/types and so breeders breed for those - then they eventually come to look like cartoon versions of how they once looked - that is what is wrong and that is being addressed by the kennel club and good, decent breeders/dog lovers. Don't write off all pedigree dogs because some are not too good - and at least with a pedigree you know what you're going to get size and temperamanet wise.
  JUST PLEASE DON'T BUY FROM A PUPPY FARM - GO TO THE HOME OF THE BREEDER AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE REARED IN THE BREEDERS HOME NOT IN DIRTY, DARK, SHEDS, ETC. AND THAT YOU SEE THE PARENTS (AT LEAST THE MUM) WITH THE PUPPIES. YOUR BREEDER WILL KEEP IN TOUCH AND WILL CARE ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF "THEIR" PUPPY AND THEY WILL QUIZ YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE A FIT AND PROPER PERSON TO TAKE HOME ONE OF THEIR "BABIES".

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• kinkiii August 16, 2009 at 11:44 p.m.

  im saying nobody thats a dog lover cares wot it looks like long as its healthy, learn to read proper

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• pegasus August 16, 2009 at 9:44 p.m.

  Mags53, I understand what you're saying, but it's clear to me that some breeders (not all, by any means) are unscrupulous in their goal of the so-called 'perfect dog' - even if 'perfect' means 'not being able to breathe properly.' I have a hard time believing any vet would endorse that kind of breeding. And yes, Mark Evans has his opinion and I have mine - I just happen to agree with what he said that afternoon. What annoyed me the most was that this woman interrupted him when the rest of us were listening to what he had to say.

  Kinkiii, please try to write correctly, I had a very hard time understanding what you'd written.

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• kinkiii August 16, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.

  its humans who design the dogs then kick off when stuff goes wrong with them. All you people that bought dogs for how they look and stuff is just cruel its like nowt to do with you whats pretty and whats not the dogs dont care. and then they kick off bowt temprement like sell pit breeds as family pet then they kill other dogs and you blame it on the dog.you bred it into it so dont kick off when it does its natral thing you made it. id say stop the pedigrees let them choose their mate

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• Mags53 August 6, 2009 at 9:42 p.m.

  Mark Evans is as entitled to his opinion as anyone BUT that is all that it is - his opinion. He hasn't always been opposed to pedigree dogs AND there are many decent and good vets out there who approve of pedigree dogs and, indeed , breed them - their opinion is just as valid as his. Just because he has access to the telly and shouts loudly does not make him right.
  No-one is saying that some pedigree dogs do not have issues BUT, then again, so do some crossbreed dogs - just as some humans (not pedigree) have health issues - it is nature, nature causes problems by itself sometimes. BUT, better control of some breeders and their practices is needed and the KC is being very, very stringent in the way that it is dealing with them.

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• pegasus July 29, 2009 at 9:04 p.m.

  I was fortunate enough to see (and meet) the fabulous Mark Evans at the AGM, last month (and the wonderful, inspiring Dr Jane Goodall, who signed a book for me). He stood up and gave a talk with such power and conviction that, even though I was already aware of most of what was going on, I was seriously impressed. Someone had the nerve not only to interrupt his talk but to suggest he was wrong. Not very sensible to argue with a vet who's been in practise for X number of years and very, very rude for her to interrupt him in the first place.

  Whatever the RSPCA decides to do re: pedigree dogs, I fully support that. Those poor animals have a really hard time (this is me not going off on one) and something needs to be done NOW.

  To suggest all pet-owners would be affected is absurd. Some of us actually care about animals and whatever can be done to make their lives better is just fine by me.

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• Mags53 July 22, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.

  Gnaomim: the scenario in your opening para is indeed what is done by all responsible breeders and the RSPCA rehoming centres. Plus, breeders will keep in contact with the people who have got one of "their" puppies.
  Breeders have different views about what is acceptable for their puppy; yes, some will not let you have one if you're at work all day, others will say "ok" so long as you have another dog and/or someone will let it out during the day for a loo break, others will say that the puppy (once house trained, you can't expect a puppy to wait 8 hours to go to the loo)will just sleep while you're not there and, so long as you give it lots of walks/activities/love when you are, the dog will be fine. You just may have to wait some time before you get one (anything from weeks to years).
  People who love animals will think that making people wait for the right one for them with fewer "unwanted" ones being bred (and ending up in rescue centres) is what's needed.

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• gnaomim July 15, 2009 at 9:14 p.m.

  First of all... we all need to be careful what we wish for. I agree that something needs to be done about irresponsible breeders and over-all animal cruelty but there needs to be a line. If we clamp down so hard on animal issues to protect animals... It could lead to some scary places. Suppose we manage to make things super secure; breeders must obtain special permits and have all of their dogs tested and registered before they can be bred, people have to come and examine the facilities before they are allowed a permit and there are perhaps, twice yearly inspections to ensure the animals are being treated properly, all dogs not fit for healthy breeding are fixed and the sale of all pedigreed dogs becomes highly restricted. Sounds ok, right? Safer for the dogs and helping ensure the purity of the breeds.
  Now look at the other end of that, what would most likely happen as a result of all that. They can't crack down on breeders without cracking down everywhere else, the breeders would cry foul! The people doing the regulating would be forced to restrict the sale of ANY dog. Prospective owners would have to under-go scrutiny before being allowed to own a dog, pedigreed OR from a shelter/rescue because of human nature; we don't like it when we feel like something's unfair and those who feel like they're getting the short end tend to make a lot of noise. In this case, it would be the breeders saying they're being discriminated against. So... in the long run, it could become SO hard to pass the qualifications for owning an animal that very, very few people would be able to. What if YOU didn't qualify? Suppose it got so bad, so strict that you had your family dog of the past 5=10 years, removed from your home because you and your husband/wife both work 8 hours a day and are therefore deemed unfit to care for the dog?

  Animals MUST be protected! That's the long and short of it. BUT, we need to be careful that we don't inadvertently make it impossible for anyone to enjoy being able to HAVE a pet. Imagine how many animals would be euthanized if the wrong policies took effect and good people who take good care of their animals start having their pets taken away from them. It's hard enough to find homes for all the stray dogs and cats in the world NOW. Already thousands are killed because shelter don't have enough resources/space. Imagine if it became even harder in our attempt to make the world safer for the animals.

  All I'm saying is that we need to be very, very careful how we fix these problems.
  One of the BEST ways to go about it is to work to slow or even stop the pedigree trade by raising awareness. Encourage people to adopt animals from breed specific rescue groups or from animals shelters in their area, rather than buying a pedigreed puppy. Educate the public.

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• HorsezRock June 10, 2009 at 7:32 p.m.

  I cant believe people would breed ill or unfit dogs just to win and be famous, I never thought crufts could sink so low!

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• Hannah67 May 31, 2009 at 12:57 a.m.

  To Pixi - why do you say "mass culling of puppies"?

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• Pixi May 30, 2009 at 8:42 a.m.

  This is HORRENDOUS!! Mass culling of little puppies! If I got a puppy I wouldn't care if it's eyes were too far apart or if it's nose wasn't quite in the right place! I'd love it whatever it looked like!

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• Mags53 May 17, 2009 at 10:34 p.m.

  Deborah - probably because they were pedigree sums it up, the RSPCA's stance since the 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' programme has made it difficlt for them to do anything to aid pedigree dogs without looking hypocritical. In any case, will the police not take up the case - the RSPCA do not have the monopoly on animal cruelty prosecutions - their power may not extend to dead animals (?). They do seem to waste lots of the money donated for animal wlefare in political matters that they should stay out of.

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• Hannah67 May 13, 2009 at 7:54 p.m.

  Deborah – I’ve sure the RSPCA had it’s reasons not to prosecute. Prosecutions can be extremely expensive so they need to pick and choose carefully. Perhaps it was because the dogs were already dead. Could they track people that did it?

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• deb0rah May 12, 2009 at 3:02 p.m.

  I found 3 emaciated dead afghan hounds IN BIN BAGS, discarded like rubbish by the family that own them YET THE RSPCA HAVE DECIDED TO NOT PROSECUTE is this because they were Pedigree??!! They slate all dog breeders yet these 3 breeders are distraught with grief (the oldest bitch was just 3 1/2 years old) and have all written to the RSPCA demanding action to be taken against this family and the RSPCA have not even bothered to reply!! The say breeders dont care etc...what rubbish. These breeders care a GREAT DEAL and what is being done about getting some justice for these dogs??? Nothing!! They take donations to prosecute acts of cruelty yet because these dogs are dead and they cant get any publicity photos they are not interested!! Disgusting. They have been bombarded by mail from angry afghan owners and yet havent even replied to alot of them!! So what is all the millions of pounds used for? New headquarters, IT people etc etc. What about some justice for these dogs!! (

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• Jess_loves_animals April 22, 2009 at 6:27 p.m.

  It really isnt fair on dogs that because of their looks they are not good enough or have to suffer went certain parts of their bodies dont work properly anymore. let dogs be dogs!

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• Mags53 April 19, 2009 at 11:30 p.m.

  Claireprefersaniamls - breeds of dogs weren't bred for their looks but for their function, e.g. bloodhounds have large nostrils to increase their ability to scent and large ears so that when they put their nose to the ground they channel the scent to their nostrils; hounds to give them speed and endurance; retrievers to enable them to retrieve without causing damage but with enough stamina and power to carry something whilst clearing fences, etc. (does any of this equate with dogs who are unfit and in pain). Even the colour for some was chosen to make them better able to do the job for which they were developed. Then some 150 years ago a group of men met in a pub to show off the best of their dogs and so dog shows were born - they were NEVER meant to be beauty contests but rather a way for people from different parts of the country to show off their animals so that someone may want a dog from them for themselves. It is poor judges and breeders who believe that they should be breeding/judging dogs for beauty rather than function and those who dismiss a good dog because it hasn't been "trimmed" or "tarted-up" are doing us all a great disservice. A pedigree dog is one for whom you can get a family tree (or pedigree) so that you know where it has come from, and you can know what you are getting - responsible people who have a pedigree dog avoid puppy farmers/traffickers who just do not have the dogs interests at heart.

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• Hannah67 April 16, 2009 at 5:49 p.m.

  I think that people need to remember that not all dogs suffer as a consequence of being pedegree, though I understand that certain breeds do suffer. It would be great if there are ways to stop any suffering though without wiping out a breed.

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• Maddiexx April 15, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.

  This is cruel I had no idea that it was a major problem!! Its terrible to put our dogs though this how can the breeders live with themselves when they know that the dogs they are breeding have problems resulting in pain!! I have no idea how the problem could be solved but its good that it is now noiticed as an offence to animal welfare and that people know that something has to be done!!

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• Mags53 April 14, 2009 at 8:55 p.m.

  Whippet - I agree that some breeds of dogs have been so over exaggerated that they have issues BUT they are in the minority. As to my primary knowledge, some of the top animal geneticists tell us that inbreeding coefficients at 4% or less are fine and NONE of my dogs have more than that, that means that somewhere along the line one may have been mated with a 2nd. cousin. Shame on you for misleading people about the scale of problems in pedigree dogs, I have just taken my 9 1/2 yr old pedigree to the Vet for the first time since he was 1 yr old. And, to all those who keep saying "stop breeding dogs and get one from rescue" - where the heck do you think that rescue dogs come from? Immaculate conception? Oh, and Whippet, if you're a vet I suppose now that you're going to say that I should have mutilated my boy by having him castrated and that I should have insulted his body year after year after year with unnecessary boosters - all just to swell the coffers of some vet somewhere. Vets don't like pedigree dog breeders because they invariably know more about their breed and their breeds needs than the vet and the vet can't screw money out of them for totally unnecessary procedures - now there's a campain worth fighting.

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• Hannah67 April 12, 2009 at 8:53 p.m.

  To claireprefersanimals: if we stopped breeding dogs then there would be no dogs left! Remember dogs can be bred responsibly, and I do disagree that it is cruel, it would only be cruel if the dog/puppies suffered. Remember in a lot of cases can result in healthy and happy puppies. Also, if we "let dogs be", then there would be even more unwanted dogs as they would breed uncontrollably. I do agree though that there needs to be better rules and regulations on breeding pedigrees as it is proven that many breeds do suffer.

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• claireprefersanimals April 9, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.

  ''Pedigree'' is created by breeding for desirable looks.
  Most pedigree dogs are actually inbred and prone to many diseases.
  How about we all stop breeding dogs?, considering over a million healthy ones are destroyed every year, for not being ''pedigree'' enough to be re homed.
  Let dogs be, stop breeding, making dogs have pups then ripping them away from them and selling them for hundreds of pounds its heartless.
  In the wild dogs live in packs, breeding is so cruel.

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• whippet April 6, 2009 at 9:06 p.m.

  To Mags53 and sirius,

  I see you are still harping on about the 'benefits' of eugenics in our canine friends. Such a shame that your lack of knowledge betrays your primary education. Think about what you are saying and then apply that to human kind...can you see any problems?

  I have my own veterinary surgery and the majority of dogs that I see are pedigree dogs with hereditary problems. Some of these dogs are so inbred and suffering to such a degree that they will be prescribed medication for the rest of their natural lives. These are the lucky ones. I have dealt with quite a number of dogs, that unfortunately, have been laid to rest due due hereditary problems. This is as sad for me as it is for the owner of that dog.

  I ask you please to seriously research your views on the benefits of owning a pedigree dog.

  Whippet

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• sw179518 April 2, 2009 at 1:41 p.m.

  Dogs shouldnt be judged by their looks! If you had a x dog that, although healthy, could look a bit shaggy, would you treat it as if it was a monster, even though it could give you uncontrolable love?

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• Mags53 February 22, 2009 at 6:58 p.m.

  Breeds of dogs came about to serve a certain purpose, such as herding animals, guarding aniamls, hunting for animals for food, etc. The standards were drawn up AFTER the different breeds had been in place for years and years (some since Egyptian times!!) they were drawn-up not to allow 'beauty' contests but to give a template of the different breeds and how their purpose/use had defined their build/type, etc. DOG SHOWS ARE NOT BEAUTY SHOWS, they are a place for people to compare representatives of the breeds to make sure that they are fit, healthy and worthy of being included in the breeding programme to maintain the future of the breed. The problem arises when people (including soem judges!) THINK that they are beauty contests and reward extremes that they think make the dog look glamourous, etc. Has anyone got a comment about the crossbreed dog that's been born without any eyes? See, ALL animals sometimes throw ones with issues. There is a register for dogs in place to enable you to check the inbreeding co-efficient - it's held by the KC! AND, many pedigree dog owners now do have their dogs tattoo'd, microchipped and DNA profiled - and most HAVE to be health checked before they can be bred from WITHIN THE RULES OF THEIR BREED CLUBS AND THE KC. Everyone needs to stop throwing the baby out with the bathwater - and no, the RSPCA DON'T need more powers, they need to concentrate on their charity work and STOP getting involved in politics and wasting our money!!

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• faithrose30 February 18, 2009 at 12:59 p.m.

  Hi, i own 2 pure breed alaskan malamutes, to which i have had them both neutered and micro chipped and theyve had all there jabs and have a yearly booster too. They are perfectly happy and healthy and im also in contact with both parents,which is great.

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• Shrike_xX February 16, 2009 at 5:44 p.m.

  Ok. A lot needs to be done to help dogs, but the same principles apply to all pet animals. And all of the following would go along way to solving alot of issues:
  * It should be made law to get your animals microchipped with a finger print of dna to trace the animal back to it's owner.
  * I think the age for buying a pet should be 21 or 18 with written consent and a contract that if anything goes wrong the parent ot guardian is held responsible
  * You should be made to spay or neuter (sorry can never spell that lol) your pet, unless your pet is on some kind of book (like they have in zoos) to make sure it's not mating with a related animal, and that the animals already have a GOOD home to go to, before the animal is allowed to breed, and this should be the responsibility of rspca officers for which more jobs should be made available, or they should introduce the same principle as Special Constables for the Police Force.
  And for this post...
  * The pedigree dogs need to stop being breed until dna tests are done to work out who's related to who. There also needs to be some crufts judges sacked for imposing such ridiculous ideas of whats ok. Did you know bloodhounds have to have their eyelids now have to be tucked in to make them look acceptable even though they've been breed to be so droopy looking?!

  Tell me what you think :)

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• Agnetha February 14, 2009 at 10:16 p.m.

  this is the real world which ever breed you buy it will love you and treat you as the most wonderful person in the world

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• ZDrache February 13, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.

  I think the concept of rewarding outer "beauty" is ridiculous applied to people, let alone dogs. Surely dogs should be rewarded for obedience, health, personality and presentation? Instead of how well they conform to some ridiculous physical standards?

  I've nothing against people wanting a certain breed because they find it the cutest, (I adore sausage dogs and Yorkshire terriers,) but when it gets to the point of King Charles's having skulls too small for their brains, it's frankly sickening.

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• nicki Rose January 30, 2009 at 11:42 a.m.

  (i would like to appolgize for my word useing within this comment), all the people/dog owner who put their dog thought the imbreet should be f**king shot,

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• babymonkey75 January 27, 2009 at 9:31 p.m.

  We purchased a lovely little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a breeder by the name of Mrs Quinton from Brook Farm Kennels, Aston Eyre, Movile, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire. This breeder has been breeding CKCS for over 33 years so we thought she would be a reputable breeder and as she was charging £575 for her puppies we stupidly thought that we were getting a good quality pup.

  When our little dog got to 6 months old, we noticed she started to scratch her right ear.

  As our Cav got older the itching got worse.

  We decided to take our dog to see a specialist in London which is some 147 miles from where we live. He did 2 MRI scans. One on our dogs brain and one on her spine. The result of these scans showed that she had Syringomyelia in her brain and spinal cord.

  As we were told by the vet that we saw, this disease is caused through interbreeding/line breeding. We got our dogs pedigree to see if we could see anything on it and to our horror we found that our dogs Gt.Grandfather is also our dogs father. However, we also noticed that the pedigree had been signed and dated 11 months before our dog was born so now we dont even think it is her pedigree.

  We contacted the breeder, Mrs Quinton, to inform her that our dog had been diagnosed with this terrible condition and she would need to inform the owers of the rest of the litter that our dog came from. She was not interested one bit.

  We have recently told the breeder that we are going to go public about the way she is running her business as we have the MRI scan pictures as proof that she is breeding incorrectly. Even though the breeder is adamant that she has done nothing wrong in the way that she breeds her dogs, she has offered to pay for all of the Veterinary treatment that our dog requires. Now, Would you pay for something if you were damn sure you had done nothing wrong.......Im sure I wouldnt!

  These breeders need stopping in the way they breed their dogs. We thought we would have our little dog around for a long time but now it seems that her life is going to be cut short and come to a painful end. The breeders are causing distress and pain and un necessary suffering to innocent animals and also causing distress, cost and emotional heartache to the animals family.

  We found out that we couldnt have anymore children in 2007 so we purchased our little Cavalier to be our "baby". Now we have to face the fact that some day soon she is going to be taken from us and to us it will be like losing our child.

  We wish we could take the syringomyelia out of our dogs brain and spine and plant it into the body of MRS QUINTON from BROOK FARM KENNELS, ASTON EYRE, NR BRIDGNORTH, SHROPSHIRE.

  If you or anyone you know are thinking of purchasing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, please DONT buy one from Brook Farm Kennels.

  Rant over (for now). Thanks for reading.

  Karen xx

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• Jimmy-Jen January 26, 2009 at 7:41 p.m.

  Reply to VeganxChick -

  I know what you mean. Day in, Day out. From second to another, all dogs are all friends and it dont matter what they look like.

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• hellofrankie January 23, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.

  pedigree dogs are a joke! ones with medical conditions which have been inbred have stupid breeders to blame. many dogs get put down because they are physically disabled due to inbreeding.
  I saw a programme not long ago about ridgebacks and was horrified to discover that some breeders drown the puppies who dont have the "ridge" - even though the ridge is a defect
  these breeders claim to be passionate about dogs but if they really cared they'd be happy with any dog. dogs with the ridge in their back have problems and by drowning ones without - they are killing healthy dogs
  it sickens me and upsets me

  Frankie

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• VeganxChick January 20, 2009 at 11:24 p.m.

  I have never understood why so many people think Pedigree dogs are better then a mongrel. At the end of the day, dogs are there as your companion, your friend - NOT a fashion accessory! I think coats on dogs like greyhounds or little dogs to keep them warm when going out for a walk when it is cold is perfectly acceptable. But those coats like the Paris Hilton's of this world put on their dogs not only look tacky but are completly unecessary as far as the dog is concerned.

  I think Pedigree Chum did the right thing in no longer supporting Crufts. As much as I love dogs I never watched Crufts. Its a case of this - who's benefit is it for - the dog or the owner? You can bet its not the dog!

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• cazzie50 January 15, 2009 at 10:01 a.m.

  There should be more stringent rules as to how & why? I feel it is abominal that U pay for a licence & one can just breed willy nilly.....With no thought to the effects it has on the dogs/cats etc......Shame Shame Shame on the breeder that do!
  And I feel equally as strongly about pet shops.....They have NO right to keep the pets as they do & then expect BIG $ for "WHAT'?
  They are not vaccinated nor spade & left in a little box/cage with nothing. If I had my way I would ban all Pet shops selling live stock
  Or I would make it so hard for them Perhaps they need to go thru accreditation yearly

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• wolstie January 5, 2009 at 2:10 p.m.

  I own 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks, mother and son. I bred from my girl this summer, she is a show quality dog, although I don't show her. We had a litter of 6. I placed these pups in the best homes I could find, and not for the huge prices you see some going for. I kept a dog pup, and having found a dermoid sinus in him we have recently had this removed. Yes, its been costly, and painful for him, but he is a happy pup with a fantastic temperament and will heal perfectly well, I would never have put him down. His mum has now been spayed, and he will be neutered later, I would not breed from either of them knowing that this had occured in this breeding line. I love the breed for their looks, temperament and loving nature. There is nothing wrong with wanting a pedigree dog, at least you know what your getting, but they should'nt be bred regardless of genetic, hereditary or other faults. There are responsible breeders out there, but the bad few, who ARE only in it for the money need to be weeded out. The KC along with the RSPCA should have breeder control, and enforce health checks for all breeding dogs. The KC should also refuse to register pups bred from parents who have had no health tests at all (my own dog was hip scored and in very healthy condition before the mating, as was the sire) I did all that I could to ensure we had healthy, fit pups, unfortunately the dermoid sinus was present in this one pup. It is not a result of interbreeding as the sire had no dogs in his pedigree that were in my girls pedigree. Lucky for him, I kept him and dealt with it, some breeders would have just culled him. And by the way, ridgeless pups can also have the dermoid sinus, it is rare that it occurs in the ridge itself. The ridge is NOT A DEFORMED SPINE, its just hair growing in the opposite direction, if the spine was deformed then they wouldn't be able to run so fast, and spend hours swimming, playing and chasing each other around!!

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• Bonzodog December 26, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.

  I have two dogs. One is a ridgeback/whippet cross, the other is a labradoodle. They are the best dogs you could wish for. The way a dog looks shouldn't matter: if it's happy and healthy, NOTHING else should matter.

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• georginga December 26, 2008 at 5:46 a.m.

  I grew up with Setters, and as far as i'm aware responsible breeders for these dog types, and i'm sure the same applies to other pedigrees too, research the sire before they pair him with their bitch to ensure minimal chance of hereditary problems, eg hip defects seen in gun dogs. I have no doubt most responsible dog breeders who get into their business do so due to a love of the breed / dogs and thus take utmost care to avoid the terrible problems that sometimes befall certain breeds due to the inbreeding that has gone on over so many years!
  Naturally the BBC show in question picked up on a certain breeder who was ignoring her duties, but you will always get some who spoil things for others, making everyone else look bad too... I'm sure if the Kennel Club introduced some sort of service to assist in the pairing of dogs and bitches to avoid these conditions in their offspring, with some certification to say it has been undertaken then it would be welcomed by both responsible breeders and potential owners cautious after hearing about some of the harrowing conditions some dogs fall victim to... as long as no guarantees were attached to it!
  In fact by supervising breeding of pedigrees in a more regimental way this could also assist in the wiping out of that far more cruel and horrific system of PUPPY FARMING, which we still seem yet to be able to eradicate from our 'animal friendly' land. Harrods is even selling puppies in its store for obscene prices, in a manner far removed from the recommended 'meet the parents' or at least 'meet the mother' Who is to know what condition these puppies were born in, at around £1000 a go they could be farmed intensively then sold on for a very tidy profit! But then wot else would you expect from a store which sells fur! I do wish we could make them reconsider their policy on both these issues.

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• Chloe December 18, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.

  I don't think any of us are trying to say that all pedigree dogs are deformed and being maltreated. But cruelty is occuring and that is what we are saying should be stopped, you can't deny that some breeds are being abused, with snouts that cause breathing difficulties etc. there is scientific evidence of this. You only have to look back at how dogs used to be, what they used to look like, to know that some of the traits we are breeding into them are damaging them. I for one am not accusing every pedigree dog owner of cruelty in that they are being mistreated. However, it is human opinion, our perception of how these dogs "should" look and our dictation that has led to most of these problems, and that is what I think should be stopped. If we stopped artificially breeding these animals what would happen? They would eventually return to their original shape/size/colour, the phenotype that they first evolved into in order to survive. They wouldn't have had such high incidences of breathing problems, because they would have adapted to overcome the short snout causing the problems. What we are doing to some pedigree dogs is reversing the effects of evolution.

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• Mags53 December 14, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.

  Chloe - no it isn't. What it is is evidence that these days the media, biased or not, is more powerful than the whole truth. The person who made the docuumentary has openly admitted that she biased the programme to get a reaction. No-one is saying that some breeds do not have major issues but they are by far the minority and the programme said ALL breeds were affected and that just is not true.
  My biggest problem with this, because I know that the breeds that I have are healthy and that there are tests in place to make sure that they are, is that I can now NEVER again watch a BBC documentary without feeling that I am being misled and that what it is saying is just not true; that makes me sad as I trusted them to always be honest and unbiased BECAUSE they should be as we pay for them to be honest.
  Also, I am extremely disappointed with the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and PDSA because they have allowed a media farce to affect their behaviour and again they are reliant on OUR money - if there are such bad issues then the very last thing that they should do is move away from the pedigree dog world BUT they have. They should be being much more involved, they should go to Crufts and set-up displayes showing all of the pedigree dogs that they have seen that have health issues and help to force through change.
  I personally do not care if Crufts is on the telly or not, it managed well before telly and can and will do so again. There are thousands of us who own and love pedigree dogs and we will always go to Crufts and Discover Dogs.

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• Chloe December 14, 2008 at 11:07 a.m.

  Surely the evidence that the BBC has ditched showing Crufts is evidence enough to show that there is sufficient evidence of cruelty?

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• Mags53 December 12, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.

  Well, have just arrived back from my latest visit to a championship dog show where 4863 pedigree - yes, pedigree - hounds, terriers and gundogs were entered. I have to say, given that they are all mutants who are in great pain and are all suffering from the most dreadful illnesses and deformaties they ALL seemed well, happy and fit (try chasing after one if they manage to get away to see if they are fit-for-purpose)!! Vets MUST have some excellent drugs available to them to be able to so successfully mask the horrendous genetical problems that the dogs all suffer from, I wish that the same drugs had been avilable to me when I had an immune system problems 30 years ago, perhaps then I wouldn't have been disabled for so long!!!

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• voice November 30, 2008 at 10:49 a.m.

  I watched pedigree dogs exposed and was horrified. i was angry at the old school sort of breeders talking about 'furnishings' and the sight of the German Shepherds who evn a child could see were lame and looked abnormal and I couoldn't believe they were in the show ring.

  However, I think the programme was biased and should have showed more view points from nice breeders, rather than just the uncaring ones. I think the programme should have showed what the kennel club have done, and showed some of the good in health tests. I really think this programme is going to alienate the breeders and therefore KC will have no control over progession.
  i also think the rspca just wiping there hands of the KC was a silly move. how is the rspca going to be able to have its say now.

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• voice November 30, 2008 at 10:19 a.m.

  sirius u are obviously very passionate about dogs and are one of the caring ones. but please read my arguement posted below as well as this one.

  at my work (a vets)an owner brought her 10 week old husky puppy in for vaccinations. she had told us the story of the breeder.
  the breeder had wanted to but the litter to sleep because she did not think they were of showing standards. the vet refused so the breeder handed the puppies into husky rescue. once the puppies were weaned the breeder went back to husky rescue, took her pick of the puppies she wanted to keep and abandoned the ones she thought weren't good enough. I realise this is probably a fairly isolated case but killing healthy dogs for looks does happen. may be the kennel club don't agree with it, i don't know, but many beeders do and I cannot see how they can call themselves dog lovers. there are many loving caring breeders out there and it is a shame they are now all being discriminated against.

  personally when i do get a dog of my own, i will go to a rescue centre. if the right dog for me that i there at the time is a pedigree, i will get a pedigree, but if it is a mongrel i will be just as happy.
  dogs are dogs and whatever there looks they deserve to be loved and treated with respect.

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• voice November 30, 2008 at 10:12 a.m.

  Mags53 I would just like to say I disagree with u about your comments on neutering.
  if an owner if no going to breed form a dog it is unfair psychologically to not castrate him. imagine having the hormones that make u wnat to mate consantly circulating the body telling him to do it everytime he smells a bitch in season. yet he is retrained and cannot carry out what nature is telling him to do. that dog will be frustrated, and quite often will vent that frustration through aggression and destructiveness.
  yes surgery has a small risk but what about testicular tumours and prostatic health problems, perineal hernias and the list goes on?

  Bitches may not get as frustrated but it is sad to see someof them go through pseudo-pregnancies.
  and again, surgery has a small risk involved but what about pyometras, mammary tumours that metastise to the lungs etc. these are life threatening. the risk of urinary incontinence is not completely understood yet but i think the risk of incontinence outways a pyometra.
  (a pyometra is a severe infection of the uterus and can kill a otherwise healthy dog very quickly)

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• voice November 30, 2008 at 10:02 a.m.

  Many pedigree dogs are happy and healthy, and many breeders are lovely caring people. It is a shame that the nasty ones are pulling the reputation so low.
  I am a veterinary nurse and agree that all dogs get sick but nobody can deny that some breeds pass on healh issues. how many king charles spaniels have I seen being treated for heart conditions, how many spaniels have I seen with really disgusting ears, how many squashed faced breeds have I seen with BAOS?, how many germa shepherds have i seen with pretty much everything going wrong. Some of these illness are do to with the aging process and but there is no way anybody can deny that these health issues are more likely to be there at some point in a pedigree's life.

  I am not saying stop breeding them. just stop breeding to such an extreme. the breeds have been exaggerated. the victorians were stupid. they didn't have veterinary experts in those days. look at how they treated there servants. if they werent from a good family they were shunned adn the kids coldn't go to school. we've moved on in all these areas so when are we gonna move on when it comes to dog breed?

  I am also not saying ban dog shows. many dogs enjoy them and owners. But healthy happy dogs should be considered a championship example of a breed. not a dog that is suffering.

  The kennel club have started the hip and elbow dysplasia scheme and many eye health tests to enjoy that healthy breeding is considered. however, i dont think enough breeders are taking part. people who are buying dogs need to be more educated into what they are looking for so that breeders are forced to do the necessary tests.

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• Dobiegirl November 29, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.

  KC needs to bring in health tests, simple as!

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• Rabbit crazy November 29, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.

  I think dogs should be born naturally.
  There isn't really anything else to it, there was someone on my street who had the most ugliest dog in the world!
  It had a squashed face with stubby little legs and she hardly ever took it out for a walk, and when she did try to it wouldn't go so she stuck it in her handbag!
  Thank lord she left with that horrifying little rat!

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• PlaygirlNix November 28, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.

  I have a pedigree Beared Collie, he is now 16 years old and we have had him since he was a baby. In the first 13 years we only had to take him to the vets for his boosters and once to get checked out after getting attacked by another dog. Admittedly the last 3 years he has had to go alot more due to various different things such as skin problems & ear infections, but these things the vet has confirmed are down to old age!! I honestly think i've had to take my rabbit to the vets more and i've only had him for 2 years!!

  And his breeders weren't in it for the money (although i'm sure it must have been nice!) They were serious dog lovers. I have never seen such a loving home.

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• sirius November 25, 2008 at 10:24 p.m.

  5427 well I am pleased y our Meg is so loved and well cared for. However please do make such daft statements regarding pedigree dogs, ALL dogs be they have a pedigree or not can get an infection and just because a dog is a pedigree does not mean IT will get an infection!!! The vast majority of breeds do not have ANY exaggeration and lead happy healthy lives, the prime concern for any good breeder is the health and welfare of the dog they breed and a prime concern is the temperament of the dog and its offspring, in fact knowing the personality and temperament a dog is in fact the appeal for many people to own a pedigree dog, as with most cross breeds and mongrels the health and temperament of the dogs are often the breeders (if there has been a breeder involved) last concern. The Kennel Club for a long time have campaigned that dogs be “Fit for purpose and Fit for life” (another point the makers of PDE chose to ignore). As for short legged dogs not being able to run one of my breeds is shorter on the leg and can outrun ANY dog you would like to name.

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• 5427 November 25, 2008 at 5:11 p.m.

  I REALLY don't agree with breeding pedigree dogs. OK, so not all pedigree dogs have problems and infections but It's sick the way people breed dogs to have squished faces and legs so short they can barely run. I have a dog called Meg. She's a mixture of different breeds and she must be the happiest dog in the world! She's free from infections and she can run so fast. We didn't choose her because of the way she looks or what breed she is, but because she is so happy and we love her to bits!

  My point is that I think dogs would be so much happier if they could do the things that they would love to do, and not get infections due to appearance.
  Ellie x

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• Genie November 25, 2008 at 11 a.m.

  Sirius, i think you're wrong. Tammeazile has a point. okai so it may not be completely accurate coz in most cases pedigree doesn't mean pain but on the other hand in some cases it does!

  we wouldn't not be friends with someone just because they're deaf or onli have 3 fingers so why should our dogs be any different? They shouldn't be bred for certain looks and expectations.

  Natural is best!!

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• sirius November 24, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.

  Tammeazile, Where on earth do you get the idea that pedigree dogs = pain, the VAST majority of pedigree dogs are happy healthy and loved and are produced by people who care for their welfare by having ALL the relevant health checks done, raising them in the correct way and with loved and kindness and ensuring they only go to good homes. The PDE programme has made the work done over the years by good breeder , the BVA and the Kennel Club and twisted it to suit them selves.
  Niblats yes I agree everyone is entitled to their own opinion, BUT I HAVE NEVER CONDONED the destruction of healthy dogs just because of their colour or markings!!! Pleased check back all I have put on here and see that is the case.......what you have said about me is deeply offensive. The Kennel Club HAVE NEVER told anyone to kill puppies because they do not look like the standard, please check your facts before making suck claims. There has been so many people obsessed by the breed standards on this blog and blame them for how THEY THINK dogs are, the vast majority of dogs do not match the standards 100% (that is why there are so few champions and even they are not 100% perfect and no one has bred the perfect dog) . Please Please Please people go to a local dog show and just watch the dogs there talk to the owners and the breeders about their dogs and how they love and care for them and do not listen to the rubbish and lies that was in PDE. Niblats I can understand how upset you must feel think of any dogs life being destroyed but what comment do you have on the 7,506 dogs destroyed by the RSPCA last year that is almost half the number they found homes for yet they had £320,000,000.00 last year to look after those dogs.

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• Tammeazile November 22, 2008 at 4:16 p.m.

  We have to start thinking about why we buy dogs. They are called man's best friend right? They're not a fashion statement but a companion, do we really care about what our friends look like? It's got to the extent where dogs are being bred to look their best not to be sold for their friendship, loyalty and comics. We are animals ourselves, so when it comes to friends would we rather have a friendly, comforting and funny but ugly friend, or one that's in a lot of pain and can't do much for you but looks the best. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with disabled people but when it comes to our pets its down to their breeding which we can do something about, it's our falt they're in pain.If the demand for the pedigree dogs ceases they'll stop breeding dogs like that. Pedigree means pain for the animal. It needs to be stopped.

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• niblats November 21, 2008 at 9:37 p.m.

  sirius, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if you think that the influence from the kennel club to kill some breeds of healthy puppies because they don't have the so called right markings on their fur or the influence to breed some dogs with health problems is the right thing to do, to living breathing animals then thats your opinion. But I think that the kennel club are contradicting themselves, by helping to save animals lives but telling people to kill the ones that they don't think look right. No I don't think that all the kennel clubs work has been a disaster, but I think that they are influencing people to do the wrong thing like letting people think that they can just put a dog down with no second thoughts only because it does not have the so called right markings.

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• Mags53 November 14, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.

  By the way, let's just remember that the station who broadcast this bias is the same one that broadcast the Russel Brand/Jonathan Ross programme that has caused so much trouble. It is basically flawed. The RSPCA is the same organisation that happily takes money raised from pedigree dog shows but then stabs them in the back - that claims to have the interests of all animals at heart but is moving away from helping pedigree dogs due to a knee jerk reaction to a very biased programme.

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• Mags53 November 14, 2008 at 8:48 p.m.

  I have had pedigree dogs now for 34 years and as yet have never had one with an hereditory problem. I have had one with a retained testicle due to trauma (common in humans who aren't interbred) and one with a wheat intolerance (same as me and I'm not interbred). Except for accidents they have NEVER needed veterinay attention for any condition (maybe a few more visits when they're over 10 years old). They have GOOD pedigrees, are shown (if they like it - most do) and I qualify them for Crufts. Sooooooooooooo NOT ALL PEDIGREE DOGS HAVE PROBLEMS. I have three with me now and they are all fine.

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 12:34 p.m.

  K9Love most of the breed standards do not need re writing in any way (the last major review was under the direction of a former President of the British Veterinary Association). The vast majority of people who breed dogs do not show them and pay little or no attention to the standards, so changing them would have no effect. Your description of breed standard dogs I also find as offensive as you have found criticism of working dogs saying that you think they cannot walk properly have you ever been to a major show and seen the thousands of happy health fit animals there?

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.

  The accusation you have made if unfounded is as bad as the one you took offense over. I am sorry your dog has an allergy problem but these can be brought on by so many things and have very little if anything to with their genetic background but often by their environment, food or as the result of a previous condition. If they appear to have problems with their back legs I assume you have had it hip scored or his patella’s assed by your vet and as a dog handler I assume you must be aware of all the KC/BVA health checks . The fact that you went to buy a pedigree dog I assumed that YOU had checked out the breeder in advance (and they your suitability to be a dog owner too) you asked and seen proof of hip and eye status of the parents and you had seen the pedigree so you could decide you thought in your view it was acceptable, after all of this you could of done prior to even seeing a

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.

  puppy let alone choosing one (such options you would of not had when buying a mongrel), if you did like what you had been shown you SHOULD not of bought the dog, The KC would and do provide all potential owners advice on what they should look for and ask when looking for a new puppy. As for having dog licenses like in the past the good dog owner would buy them and a bad one would not, so not solving any problem. As for vets putting down healthy dog none would do so for purely cosmetic reasons, however if you see my previous posting the RSPCA does not have a good record in that area.

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• K9LOVE November 14, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.

  Hi, I work with Dogs Day in Day out as a dog handler, i have a Pedigree Labrador who i get a vets bill on average once a month for due to Allergies, and he appears tired on his back legs on occassions, his pedigree is very interbreed and i fear i may not hold on to him as long as i would hope. i have a "Mutt" cross breed Spaniel, for search work, he only goes to the vets for a Vac once a year, i love all my dogs, but in the long run i would like a dog to be healthy, i dont care what they look like. The Kennel club needs to review every breed and re-write the breed standards, also stop interbreeding. mom and dad should have diffrent pedigree lines from 4 generations, i also found it, in very bad taste that working dogs where told they where not the correct standard, my working german shepherd can do everything and can walk, where breed standard dogs can hardly walk. I also feel that the kennel club should speak to people breeding working strains of dogs as the dogs are healthy, workable and people friendly. And Vets should be Finned if found to be putting Dogs to sleep, just because of there looks. i'm also a great believer in bringing back dog licences, maybe if someone sensible looked at everything from the dogs point and not us mere humans they would see, dogs came to be mans best friend,and we are killing them slowly, what friends are we to them.

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• kmarsh November 14, 2008 at 3:50 a.m.

  i think that is is just plain wrong what they do to the porr animals they neva did any thing 2 u. so just leave them alone please so i can sleep easier at nite and i dont have 2 worry how those dogs r getting treated. so i say please 4 every 1's pice of mind dont hurt tha little animals. please. cause i have had 2 tell some 1 about some animal abuse

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 1:34 a.m.

  Ok lets get some balance on this subject. The producer of the programme has now publicly admitted that she wanted to shock people and did not think that the Kennel Club or those associated with it should be able to be given a voice as to what major steps and work have already been achieved in the world of canine health via it many schemes and practices and policies. There is now acknowledgement that most of the information given was either misleading, vastly inflated or downright lies. She said it was not her job to ensure that the programme was balanced in any way or should show the WHOLE picture in the world of pedigree dogs but just what SHE wanted to show.

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 1:32 a.m.

  Yes in the past and I mean over 40 years ago it was custom for some breeders to cull puppies be it because they had a large litter and the bitch would have trouble rearing them all (this normally advised by a vet) or it was because the puppies may have a fault (and not a aesthetic one) but if in some breed all white animals would be born deaf many breeders would have such puppies humanely destroyed. However this type of practice has all but been stopped in the last 30 years and to be honest I have not heard of anyone who has done so for many many years, the producers of the programme picked on two selected breeds and then tried to bend the truth to make it look like the Kennel Club condoned such policy which it has and does not! People forget that most show dogs are first and foremost people well cared for and beloved pets sharing their owners lives and homes, they have to be of good temperament (after all how many dogs would take to having complete stranger inspect every part of their body up to 60 or more times a year) and be surrounded by thousands of other dogs.

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 1:32 a.m.

  Most show dogs spend a very small percentage of their lives at shows, and if they did not enjoy the experience they would not and could not be successfully shown by their owners.Breed standard are only a guide/blue print for an ideal and only a very small will be a perfect fit to that (and only in some judges eye) and all standards have a wide variance within them so to think that a dog is discarded because it does not meet a standard 100% is a stupid statement to make!! You must also remember that many of the standards in existence are based on the Country of origin or the FCI and not just by the Kennel Club,

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 1:31 a.m.

  yet the producers did not make any comment as to how other breeds look around the rest of the world. The type of GSD shown in the programme is the one favoured in other parts of Europe and again no reference to this was made. #1Doggy Lover the person you state was the KC Manager is in fact its Chairman and is a very knowledgeable and caring man (his family have had dogs at the highest of lever for many generation) the tone of questioning he faced on the practice of Line Breeding and not In-breeding was both insulting and calculated. Although to humans the practice of mating a bitch to its grandsire would seem quite unacceptable (and rightly so)

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 1:30 a.m.

  in NATURE this in fact a common occurrence and for many pack and herd animals, or to put it in another way if an area has many stray dogs it will be the strongest and normally most aggressive dog that will mate with all the bitches in an area as he is the dominant, he will mate them regardless of what relationship he is to them be it father, grandfather or even brother, and many mongrels and cross breeds would be the result of such matings. Line mating to a common ancestor (four or more generations back) can be used to fix type in a breed , and yes it may bring out a genetic fault but it is as likely to prevent a gene being inherited and eradicate a genetic disorder and the actual

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 1:30 a.m.

  Eddlol you could not be more wrong the Kennel Club do not and never have had such a rule.........what make you think they have?

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 12:54 a.m.

  According to the annual report in 2007 the RSPCA rehomed/released (released means gave back to when dog was lost) 15,787 dogs yet it Humane euthanasia(ie destroyed)7,506 dogs more than HALF the dogs it rehomed!!! In fact in 2007 the RSPCA euthanized 66,489 animals (granted it less than the 72,042 they destroyed in 2006!!).

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 12:54 a.m.

  Their income in for 2007 was £114,100,000, it has £83.2 million in fixed assets, it has £123.5 million in investments so over £206 million pounds in assets and investments alone. Yet it spent £8,189,000 on campaigns and media work £1,349,000 on its Governance costs, and it it paid just 18 of its employees a total of £1.2 Million pounds in one year. So you asked can my source be trusted?

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• sirius November 14, 2008 at 12:53 a.m.

  Well its all there in the RSPCA Annual review for 2007 – Trustees and Financial report (on the RSPCA web site). If the people at Passionate Productions really cared about animals perhaps they should of investigated the people who pay the that former TV presenter as their CHIEF vet!! And ask why an organisation who had access to over £320 million pounds in one year still destroys over 7,500 dogs...now that is a dogs story that should be exposed

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• Genie November 13, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.

  Dogs are not trophies!!

  They should be able to live normal lives not have their future depnd on what standards they reach.

  Culling dogs because they not breeding material is just disgusting. what right do we have to determine their future like that?!

  Dogs that don't meet standards should be handed over and re-homed so that they can be loved and have a normal life not killed.

  It's not their fault so why should they be punished for it?

  I'm ashamed to be the same species as anyone who thinks that this is acceptable...

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• #1 Doggy Lover November 11, 2008 at 6:26 p.m.

  when people cull pups just bcause they dont meet "breed standerds" its just Cruelty!!!

  and also on the tv programme pedigree dogs exposed the kennel club manager admitted mating grandparents and grandchildren thats just wrong!!!

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• eddlol November 11, 2008 at 8:13 a.m.

  its mean to kill ridge back pups just because they dont have a ridge. those pups have NOT got a desies and the kennel club say its a rule.

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• Mags53 October 26, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.

  mebecki - dogs don't want the same life as a human, they want the same life as a dog. They want freedom to express natural behaviour, to have the chance to run and sniff, and to eat decent food; they want the kindness and loyalty of their owner, whom they will follow to the end of the earth.
  niblats - the KC represent pedigree dogs and crossbreed dogs, and not all pedigree dogs are disasters; hardly any of them are - before you make statements like that find out what percentage have problems then compare that with the percentage of humans and other species that are "disasters".
  I think that people are mistaking pedigree dogs as all having been bred on puppy farms and, therefore, having behavioural and health issues - they don't have.

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• sirius October 25, 2008 at 11:08 p.m.

  Niblats the primary objective of the Kennel Club is 'to promote in every way, the general improvement of dogs'. This includes its work with pedigree, cross breeds and companion animal. So what makes you think they are NOT working for the benefit of ALL dogs............ can you names one organisation that raise so much money for canine causes each year (through its charitable and its educational trusts, well over £3,000,000 donated todate), defends the rights of ALL dog owners(campaigning against the use of electric shock collars, dangerous dogs, puppy farming, chemicals testing on dogs, dog and cat fur, dog control orders and access at local and national levels of goverment) the school education schemes (SAS), the YKC, the good citizen training scheme, all the health checks schemes with the BVA,Discover Dogs, Scrufts, Working Trials and the setting up and running of the Petlog Scheme, and this is just a very small amount of work they do each year.......so Niblats would you say all this work has been a disaster??

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• niblats October 25, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.

  quite frankly, I think the kennel club should stop and think about whether they are representing pedigree dogs or pedigree disasters.

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• mebecki October 17, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.

  I think that pedigree dogs should get the same life style as if the dog was a human. They shoulld get feed and have a proper home.

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• sirius October 16, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.

  Well Dawnie you put in your blog the following “My puppy is 25 weeks old and is very sick, i have had numerous visits to the vet, with her being treated for a severe case of kennel cough and masticatory myositis and she has now developed problems in her front legs. Inbreeding is causing these animals great distress and i would like to see these breeders and the kennel club brought to task” both the conditions you say your dog has are common to all dogs regardless of what or how they may be bred, neither are the caused of a genetic inheritance. Yet you go onto blame breeders and the Kennel Club for inbreeding, so if they are not linked why blame them?!? Resistance to infectious disease is not just about genetics, it also is to do with nutrition, environment, previous infections/illnesses . Masticatory myositis can affect many breeds/and non breeds of dogs as it would appear not to be inherited, yet the mode of inheritance or the frequency in dogs is still being investigated by breeders working WITH the veterinary practitioners, good breeder do care and strive to improve the health and welfare of their dogs. You say about needing stricter guidelines on breeding healthier dogs the following is what the KC recommends “Before breeding from a dog or bitch, the Kennel Club advises breeders to investigate whether there are any possible inherited conditions that may affect the breed. Breeders can do this by discussing the matter with the breeder of their dog, the relevant breed club or clubs, the Kennel Club Health & Information Department or, possibly, their veterinary surgeon. There are several health schemes currently in operation to assist in the prevention or control of some diseases (including DNA tests), and where they exist, the Kennel Club strongly recommends that both sire and dam are tested” The following is from the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club report for 2007 “Joint Veterinary Screening Schemes with the B VA, The three schemes (KC/BVA Hip and Elbow Schemes and the KC/BVA/ISDS Eye Scheme) have continued to see increased submission rates. Approximately 11,500 certificates were processed by the BVA for the Hip Scheme, 1,400 for the Elbow Scheme and 18,000 for the Eye Scheme. The Kennel Club has made a commitment to use this health screening data to provide more informed feedback on the impact and progress of the schemes to breeders, with the intent of encouraging greater use. To this end, 5-year rolling mean hip scores for all of those breeds where more than 100 dogs have been scored are now being calculated. In almost all cases, this mean is falling year-on-year, indicating that hip scoring is having the desired effect, namely reducing the average hip score in future generations.” So in 2007 alone in just three of the schemes almost 32,000 examinations took place and these schemes have been running for many many years now, the work put in by the BVA,KC and breeders show THEY CARE and HAVE been taking action.

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• Dawnie October 16, 2008 at 7:38 p.m.

  i never once said that kennel cough is caused by inbreeding i know it's a virus, however the other health issues my dog has, has just made me think that in general these dogs would be healthier and have a fightng chance to overcome some of the more commom ailments if stricter guidelines on breeding were put place.

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• sirius October 16, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.

  Well Whippet let’s check out some of YOUR claims on here on the 27 Sept you criticized Mags 53 by saying "The reason that dogs trusts and animal welfare society's are so full of un-homed dogs is because people of your ideology have set standards of how a particular animal should look” Well there are over 850 Breed Rescue representative covering ALL the registered breeds(I can send you a list if you like), covering all over the country funded entirely by Breed clubs and individuals within breeds. The homes that any rescue dog is placed in are vetted to high standards, and the care of the dog is put above all other concerns, RSPCA REFUSE to work with breed clubs (unlike Battersea). Pedigree dog owners and breeder take great responsibility for their own breeds. If you look at the vast majority of dogs in rescue centres they are cross breed or mongrels, so how do you support you claim that the set standards of how a dog should look is the reason for these homes being full of un-homed dogs?!?!?!

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• sirius October 16, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.

  Well Whippet you think I am boasting do you?? Why is that?? All I have written is things that I can back up with evidence by recognised published bodies and also after a lifetime in dogs (both pedigree and non pedigree) with over 35 years of experience in breeding and showing dog, working on Breed Club Committees, raising funds for welfare homes, dealing with breed rescue, as a Trustee of a canine welfare charity. My dogs first and foremost are my pets and companions. The breeds I have like ALL DOGS (not just pedigree) have some health conditions and I have worked over the years to reduce these, like all in my breed have, people who have devoted much of their life to a breed see themselves as just custodians and strive to keep that breed healthy and happy and protected. I am sure Mags 53 can stand up for their self, but you say that my comments are ill informed, subjective and disrespectful and without substantiation, please tell me just which ones have been and (as you say they are wrong tell me what proof you have?) I have only replied to comments posted by others. Tell me how many breed standards have you read and disagreed with there are approx 210 of them, just how many of them do you say are wrong? you say that breeds need to have their gene pools widen, are you not aware of the many hundreds of dogs imported from across the world each year to here to do that? The numbers of puppies from AI produced from dogs abroad (supported by the KC) each year, or the dogs that the KC have put on its register to allow gene pools to be extended (the Working Bloodhounds last year, the allowance of boxers to be crossed with Corgi to have a natural shorten tail) the practice you say takes place of inbreeding has for the past 30+ years rarely taken place with the exception of Puppies farmers who cannot be bother to, widen their gene pools (they are also unlike to register any dog with the KC but still will want to call them pedigrees). On 27/9 you said “Breed standards = profit. Either financial gain to a breeder or a farmer” so what of the people who now advertise cross breeds in the paper for £300, are they doing it for the love of dogs or money? You said that animals “should evolve by evolutionary laws” the vast majority of breeds have done so be that the climate or environmental areas they have come from, can the same be now said of the “Designer Breeds” like Cockerpoos or Labradoodles??? You said from a professional point of view that I need to do more research, please what is your professional standing and how much ACTUAL scientific and practical research have you done? You like to brand others with shame and labeling them as not being animal lovers.................. well be open and listen to others people knoweldge, experience and views, learn before you decide to shame others quite so quickly.

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• Mags53 October 16, 2008 at 12:25 p.m.

  I post to these blogs from both a professional and personal viewpoint, with many years experience of owning and breeding animals. I view all subjects objectively not subjectively and do not have pre-conceived views on topics, I always look at the facts from all sides before forming an opinion - and am always willing to change my opinion if new facts prove that I am wrong; I accept that people are entitled to their own opinion and no one opinion is always right or wrong. I have never said here that all pedigree dogs or other types of pedigree animal are ALL free of devastating health problems BUT refute absolutely the premise that ALL pedigree dogs, etc. are genetically compromised and suffer lives of pain and ill health - because I have owned them for years and know that they are not. The damage done through this programme is that the RSPCA have alienated people who would have helped with improving things by stating, categorically, that ALL pedigree dogs are genetic mutants (and that term has a very specific meaning in genetic terms) and live a life of pain. Owners and breeders of pedigree dogs have worked for years to raise funds for the RSPCA and the RSPCA themselves have been given thousands of pounds by the Kennel Club for research projects raised by donations from the dog showing, working and competing world. It saddens me when extremists with a biased and sweeping view of subjects think that they are right in everything they say and take people who have a little knowledge with them. I wonder how many people who are posting here are aware of the actions taken by the KC since this programme? Actions that were already in the pipeline for the benefit of some of the breeds badly affected by health issues - and yes there are some where I think that the people who breed them should be horse-whipped - but as I've said before, these breeds are very much in the minority.

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• whippet October 15, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.

  Can I just say from a professional view point, regarding the comments of Sirius and mags53, that you really do need to do some more research before boasting such comments to this blog. Your comments are as ill informed as they are subjective. They are also disrespectful and without substantiation, and therefore are not worthy of reply. Call yourself s animal lovers...you are the very people we are campaigning against.

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• Mags53 October 14, 2008 at 7:47 p.m.

  I've just noticed that one or two comments here seem to indicate that people show their dogs at shows for financial gain. I'd just like to point out that at most shows all that you win is a piece of card saying what place you were awarded. The Crufts Best in Show winner receives the sum of £100 for beating several thousand other dogs - so we don't do it to win money - it costs you money.

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• sirius October 12, 2008 at 12:39 p.m.

  Jelly cat yes it was a long comment but it is a very big subject of which many people only pick on one point and not the whole picture.

  Megank, well if you want to blame the anyone for how Greyhounds are the Kennel Club is the last place, as they are a vulnerable breed ie there is less than three hundred dogs registered with them each year (in truth only about 10 litters are registered) the shape of the modern greyhound is all to do with racing dog, of which the Kennel Club HAVE NEVER had any say/control. If you a programme wants to expose THE biggest exploitation of dogs it should be the greyhound industry which has very little regulation or control and thousands of dogs are discarded by each year , after all how many other breeds have to have National Rescue trust for them? As breed Pugs and Bulldogs are things I do not find attractive (but many do thats why they are popular pets) however again many believe what they are shown on TV when just ONE old photo or ONE copy of a painting is SELECTED/USED to what the PRODUCERS of a programme say a breed SHOULD look like. Look at a number or old books and paintings and you will see there were many many different TYPEs within each breed as there still are today!!! (a little anatomy point for you a pig has a snout, a dog has a muzzle), Bulldogs and Pugs ears have stayed the same over 100 years and are no different now as they were then!?! So not sure why you say they are smaller?!?

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• megank October 12, 2008 at 9:41 a.m.

  did you know, pugs, bulldogs, and basset hounds werent always like they are now!! they had long legs, little ears and long snouts. But because of imperfect breeding, they had become small , squatty, wrinkled nosed dogs that many think are ugly.
  Greyhounds are becoming vunerable to this as people are force breeding them to become better athletes, but instead what they'll get is a bad backed dog with limp legs that has to be put down.

  Please help put a stop to this and help protect our beautiful dog breeds!!!

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• Jelly Cat Jen October 12, 2008 at 9:21 a.m.

  This was WaaaaaaaaaaaaaaY to looooooooooooooong

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• sirius October 12, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

  Sorry manage to put my blog the wrong way round!!! well I am not a techie when it comes to PC, but please look at what I have said and I willbe happy to discuss or defend any point I have put and listen to what you think.

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• sirius October 12, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.

  PART 3 NOtned yes the KC does have it head quarters in London but so does the RSPCA (I wonder if saying that will stop this blog?) but every year all the profits it makes from Crufts and any from the registration system goes back into canine Welfare via its charitable trust (the RSPCA have just had £45,000 from it) it also provides education support for schools and children on how to handle care and behave around dogs, it produces a Rescue Directory each year that lists the thousands of people who work for breed rescues and general canine charities and send it free to all police stations and vets all over the country and to anyone who requests a copy . KT & Dilian well you might disagree with Crufts but have you ever been to it (or the other 28 general championship shows held each year?) what people forget is all the dogs shown are living with people and are in the vast majority of cases people much loved pets. In fact most show dogs are far better tempered as they need to be physically examined by the judge (in some cases up to 5 judges in one day) and be in a ring with many many others dogs. The KC will in fact ban any dog who has been proved to have bitten a person or another dogs at a show, and will not allow any progeny they may be produced to be registered (there for stopping them from being shown or bred from) are any mongrels tested in this way? Sorry if this has upset many people but this is just the tip of the iceberg as to the misinformation by this programme and many comments post by people who have not looked at the full picture. Just to quantify myself I have been involved in dogs for over 40 years and am a third generation of a family who have shown, bred and loved their dogs, I work for a local canine society, I judge at Championship level shows (and temperament and soundness is key above anything for me!!!) and I am a trustee of a canine charity who deals with rescue and street dogs . I will be the first to admit that there are many bad practices in pedigree dogs but this programme was unbalance , bias, inaccurate, and in some cases has now made the plight of all dogs far worse, to quantify I now see people purposely breeding mongrel litters with NO health checks, no guarantee to take back the dog (as all responsible breeders do) but charge instead £ 400, which just goes into the pocket and the poor dogs I suspect into rescue centre in a years time!!

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• sirius October 12, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.

  PART 2 The KC and the many vets schools have been working (and funding)not just in this country but all over the world to find new DNA test to reduce and eliminate. This program set out to sensationalise and showed just how poor it was researched and biased it was. The claim that £10M is spent each week on dogs at vets, did they say on what?? This would include vaccinations, check ups, caring after accidents, infections and diseases , these thing affect ALL dogs. The claim the Members of the Kennel Club were followers of HItlers was deeply offending!!! Eugenics is not a Evil plot to produce a PURE BLOOD race, it is the same thing practice by horse breeders or plant growers or anyone who looks to preserve a species/breed, the main proponent of this is Mother Nature herself, after a Lion is cat and so is a Tiger but they do not mate together do they!!! And as for in breeding in a wolf pack only the dominate female allowed to breed, and then when she is usurped normally by her daughter then only she will breed, well this means that genetic material of the pack will get reduced far more than any one who may line breed. As for the sad shot in the programme of the Boxer who fitted, the produces failed (they say it was an error) to mention that it does so only once a month and not as it was portrayed in the programme a several times a day, but I agree once a moth is too much. However did the mention all the work done by breed clubs and the Kennel club on this matter...No of course they didn’t, the same as the vet who was interviewed for an hour but only a few seconds of film was used and out of context as it did not match the message the producers wanted to give!!! In reply to Jess who rightly say many cross breeds and mongeral dogs need home, but can she tell me how many of these are checked for hip eye, patella, temperament problems?? No because people who breed them cant be bothered!!! And yes they do suffer with these problems. .

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• sirius October 12, 2008 at 12:16 a.m.

  Having read through the comments on this site I find it hard to understand how many people manage to get some simple things , the person who thinks their dog has Kennel Cough as it is inbred!!! ITS A VIRUS ANY DOG CAN CATCH IT!!!. (well the produce of the programme think that her dog got cancer as it was inbred, so does that mean all people who have cancer are inbred!!, of course not emotions and sense do not always work together) Jean Levit not about one of her poor dogs that suffer with epilepsy it would of appeared to have bought from a Kennel that sell on dogs such places are dealers/puppy farmers and not reputable breeders who do such health check (did you have the status of the pups parents hips and eyes given to you?) if you had researched yourself with the help of the Kennel Club or Breed clubs you could of gone to a good breeder, yet you say you don’t register dogs at the KC as you say it is cruel and so is Crufts , yet they are the one who have and are doing the work and test you have chosen not to take advantage of?!? As for Penny who call for a country wide database of dogs who have failed test, well this is run by the Kennel club who publish all passes and fails of dogs in the KC/BVA test in the Breed Record Supplements 4 times a year (again the programme failed to mention any of this!!) As for Chloe who praises Mark Evans whos says dogs shows are cruel for dogs, yet how many have visited? (I doubt ever been to a dog show,?) If he has how many in the past year? Five years? 20 years? And how many of the dog there did he examine ? surely he must have his own personal evidence to back up the claim that show dogs are mutants and cripple?!?, as for discrimination for the colour of a dogs coat it has been proven that some colours are linked with hereditary problems (ie pure white boxer are often totally deaf), the vast majority of dogs have developed over many hundreds of years by either the environment they have come from or the purpose they were used for (a basic principle of Darwin) For well over 30 years good breeders have had their dogs checked through the Kennel Club/B.V.A Health Scheme for many conditions (over £20,000,000 on hip scoring alone in recent years) this has enabled them to breed sounder healthier dogs, and have reduced many problems that breeds have faced in the past

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• Laila October 11, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.

  I cant help but feeling angry and disgusted with the people breeding dogs that will have poor quality of life due to inbreeding. I cannot understand that this is being allowed. It simply has to stop, before it gets more out of control.

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• Mags53 October 7, 2008 at 9:33 p.m.

  The Kennel Club aren't strict about what you show and the breed standards. They may "own" the standards but it is the seperate breeds who define their standards. The breed standards are relatively vague and allow for a great deal of individual interpretation, that's why you get so many different types within breeds, and you do have some very different types within the same breed. Judges who reward over exaggeration are a problem - quickly followed by breeders who breed to that to win BUT not all breeders and judges do this. So long as the dog is actually registered with the KC you can show it; this does largely mean that it has to have had parents, etc. that are registered. Basset hounds that are still used as pack hounds a very different from the ones that are now shown BUT I could get a pack hound and show it so long as I had made sure that it is KC registered - I may not win with it but the KC would allow me to show it - it would be the judges who wouldn't reward it. The KC and breed clubs have done lots of work in recent years to improve the health of breeds who have health issues - no-one is saying that they don't need to do more and in some cases to be much more stringent with a few breeds that have issues. BUT, as I said at the start, alienating all people who own and breed pedigree dogs by saying that they are all mutants, with ill health, who live a life of pain is counterproductive and, frankly, so far from the truth, that only the easily duped, the ignorant or the prejudiced would take it seriously.

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• cullamubba October 7, 2008 at 9:02 p.m.

  i dont think it is what actually happens in the shows themselves, i think it is the way it is judged, or rather the strictness of the kennel club.
  if they werent soo strict on what they were looking for, breeders wouldnt feel the need to exaggerate the features the judges look for, the gene pools wouldnt be soo small and the diseases wouldnt be soo much of a problem.
  at least noadays people are more aware of what they are doing and breeders that may have bred their dogs the wrong ways unknowingly, may now be aware of it and so it is happening less but if crufts and the kennel club continue to be soo strict on what they consider to be the 'perfect look' of each breed, the problem will still exist in breeders insistant on achieving this look.
  also whilst these breeds are promoted on crufts, the public will still want them making it a worthwhile buisness for things like puppy farms.
  no one is questioning what happens in the shows themselves, or at least i'm not. it's the message they are putting across to the public and more importantly what is not being told, i.e. what the BBC documentary did tell.

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• Mags53 October 7, 2008 at 6:15 p.m.

  Whether Crufts is televised or not is a whole different argument, it was around for years before the telly got involved. There are hundreds of shows every year where people show their dogs, some of which qualify them for Crufts. Not shows like the Companion show held at the local fete, but run on similar lines to Crufts, which is just another championship show. These shows also sometimes include agility, obedience, etc. Crufts and other shows aren't just about the dogs, the handlers skills at handling their dog is also partly under test. The concept of Crufts and the KC isn't what causes problems in dogs but unscrupulous breeders/puppy farmers - they are what need to be stopped. I think that many people who have been blogging on this site have a limited knowledge about pedigree breeds and dog shows.

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• cullamubba October 7, 2008 at 11:08 a.m.

  i dont disagree with the showing of dogs or agility at all. i'd love to get my younger dog involved in agility. the problem with crufts is the perception it gives of pedigree dogs and that they are ment to look a certain way.
  years and years ago people picked certain traits to use in hunting or whatever and thats where to trouble start but to be fair, people all those years ago didnt know what damage they would cause in the future.
  the problem now is that it is still happening when breeders (again not saying all breeders) are fully aware of what it's doing and the reason it is still happening is because soo few people are aware of the problems so are more than willing to pay hundreds for a pedigree pup that may well have health problems.
  i'm not saying all pedigree breeds have health problems because i have a pedigree westie and a pedigree sheltie and nether have had any health problems, or at least no genetic ones.
  the problem with crufts is that it is promoting these breeds to the public sat at home watching, most of whom wont be aware of the problems.
  so i dont disagree with showing in general and i'm not saying that dogs dont like it cos i know my dogs love anything like that where they get attention and praise but crufts is way too specific on the dogs look etc which is why it shouldnt be televised because it gives the wrong message to people watching.
  the people showing and alot of the people who actually go to watch are probably well aware of all of this stuff anyway so it doesnt need to be stopped altogether just revised on how it's judged, and promoting a better message to those watching. i just dont think it should be on tv.

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• Mags53 October 6, 2008 at 8:13 p.m.

  I don't think that dogs should be neutered/spayed just so that owners can let them roam - I don't believe in putting any animal to an operation for no good reason - cats are a different matter, it is cruel to try to keep them at home all of the time. I know that accidents happen but that's what the morning after pill is for. I know LOTS of people who have spayed bitches a huge percentage suffer from a degree of incontinence and neutered dogs are often mounted by both dogs and bitches, it's cruel to do this unless they need it to cure a medical problem. And, I still say that NOT ALL PEDIGREE DOGS ARE SICK AND IN PAIN. Please do not brand all breeds the same - lets get everyone on board to help to sort out the breeds that do need help AND to expose the breeders who breed from dogs that have not been health tested. I have a dog with me now who is 9 years old and has not been to the vet since his last booster jab at 1 year old (I don't believe in annual boosters because they can cause damage) - he is fit and healthy AND A GOOD PEDIGREE WHO HAS COMPETED AT CRUFTS. I show my dogs as I have fun and so do they - and if they don't have fun I don't make them, they are after all my pets, going to shows is what we do together, some people do obedience or agility, I do shows. By the way, you can show speyed and neutered dogs.

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• cullamubba October 6, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.

  I've been doing alot of research on this subject for a course i'm doing and i'm finding it very hard to find anything good that comes from crufts to actually make a good arguement for an essay.
  but anyway my main reason for posting is i've noticed that at least 1 person on this topic has said that theres no reason to spay/neuter dogs just because they have health issues, and also that theres health risks involved in the procedure.
  i would just like to set this one straight. dogsdo not have the mental capacity (as much as we might like to think so) to understand the implications of bringing more pups into this world whether we are talking inherited health issues or just adding to the growing overpopulation problem in this country. they breed by instinct, they do not have an emotional need to breed so there is no way you can compare them to a human who will bring a child into this world and care for it for at least 18 years and never stop loving it.
  there are no major risks involved with the procedure itself and any health issues that occur because of it such as incontenence in females, is soo uncommon that it barely stands up as an arguement not to spay/neuter.
  as for believing that you can simply not let ur dog out to be able to breed, i find that very naive. accidents happen and spaying/neutering is the only way to ensure you will not bring any more unwanted pups into this world when shelters are already heaving with perfectly good dogs looking for homes, many of which will never get and will end up being put down.
  the whole crufts issue only adds to this problem as breeders are bringing more and more pups along and encouraging the mostly unknowing public to buy them.
  i'm not saying people should stop breeding altogether, but it should be regulated and people should be encouraged to go to shelters more than breeders.
  i have 2 pedigree dogs myself, both bought long before i was aware of any of these issues but i can safely say had i known all of this i would have gone striaght to a shelter!

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• skaletto October 5, 2008 at 8:56 p.m.

  there should be an end to it - and puppy farming - there are enough dogs in shelters who need help, they are the ones who need homes.

  it's not only the kennel club that are wrong here, it's also the customers of the kennel club. people should boycott getting the 'perfect pet' - that's the only way this will stop. however there are certain members of society who just simply do not care for animal welfare; they just want a cute pet!! i can almost guarantee that even after this programme, some people will continue funding crufts and the kennel club.

  my dog is super cute and he's a rescue - as dollymay62 said, you can't beat a cross breed!!

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• whippet October 5, 2008 at 7:39 p.m.

  I agree totally with you Dawnie, we could still have our breeds of dog, for they already exist, but, because of the kennel club, they are becoming increasingly inbred to meet 'show standard' requirements. Very sad, not just from a Canine point of view, but from a humane point of view as well. We need to boycott such establishments, and add variety to these dogs gene pool. Stop showing dogs, stop breed standards, stop inbreeding. They are living creatures that look up to us...lets show them some respect.

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• Dawnie October 5, 2008 at 1:53 p.m.

  I wished i had seen this program before buying my Cavalier King Charles puppy from who i believed to be a reputable breeder. My puppy is 25 weeks old and is very sick, i have had numerous visits to the vet, with her being treated for a severe case of kennel cough and masticatory myositis and she has now developed problems in her front legs. Inbreeding is causing these animals great distress and i would like to see these breeders and the kennel club brought to task. How dare these individuals be so arrogant in their attitude towards inbreeding. We as a society do not tolerate inbreeding amongst humans and the same should apply to all animals.I am not sure my puppy is going to survive her illnesses and this has made me more determined to ensure irresponsible breeders and puppy farms are closed down .

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• Horse Love October 5, 2008 at 12:23 p.m.

  In a way the pedigree dog industry is rather like human modeling. there is a set standard that has to be met to be 'perfect' and 'beutiful' so all my peers spend they're time dieting and worrying about they're shape height and weight in oder to be perfect. If it wasn't for the modelling they wouldn't bother and they would stop starving themselves and having plastic surgery. The way I look at it though all people and dogs have good and bad featcures wether they are models or barmaids and should be appreciated for they're individual good featcures.

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• Lex October 4, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

  I have had Cavalier King Charles Spaniels since I was six years old. For 19 years I have had this breed in my life and they have been such loyal and fun pets. I currently have two, one of which has a heart murmur and the other which was given the all clear two weeks ago (It was such a relief). Working in the veterinary profession I see so many Cavaliers coming into practice who are in very sorry states. The owners, who bought these pets from reputable breeders believing that the dogs were healthy. I just hope that it is not too late for my beloved breed. What I saw on Pedigree dogs exposed was not at all surprising, however I was absolutely sickened when a dog won best in show when it was diagnosed with syringomyelia. I am glad that she was confronted. In my opinion, she deserved to be outed because what she did is sickening. She should not be allowed to own these beautiful dogs.

  Now, the Kennel Club have logged a complaint with Offcom against the BBC for their documetary. What were they afraid of? That finally their lack of ethics has been brought to the attention of the British public? That the Head of the Kennel Club himself is involved with inbreeding his dogs? Who knows. The fact still remains that the poor dogs are the ones who are suffering. I saw well done to the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust for pulling out of Crufts, Discover Dogs etc.

  I could not believe the audacity of the Ridgeback breeder who said they had to go to an old vet to get the healthy ridgless pups put down. What century are we living in? When healthy animals are put to sleep and for what? Nothing. These are healthy dogs who are being put to sleep, just because they don't fit in a breed standard? It is about time that the Government do something about this because in a few years, certain breeds are going to be disappearing and the Kennel Club will only have themselves to blame.

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• EKC September 30, 2008 at 7:22 p.m.

  I did some work at a vets a while ago, one of the most distressing things i saw was a bull dog, having been artificially inseminated by the breeder, now having to undergo a ceasarean section to birth 3 pups, one still born, the other two died within 24 hours. I found out that most bull dogs cannot naturally give birth because of their size and build, surely that's nature saying it's gone too far, how are people allowed to continue breeding them?

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• vigilante September 28, 2008 at 7:42 p.m.

  I have not read every item on this subject but what I could not understand was.how did the rspca with the new animal law let the cavies'that were suffering with this problem and reguarly fitting and being held to the floor,
  exibiting to what only be discribed as 'stress and unnecerssary suffering.how can you go to someone door to check their animals, having failed to eleviate those dogs suffering or did it do some good by helping to raise funds for yourselves.you have to live by what you preach!!!.

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• whippet September 27, 2008 at 10:06 p.m.

  In response Mags53- Breed standards = profit. Either financial gain to a breeder or a farmer. There is no consideration to the animals here at all. What you are talking about here is breeding animals to an accepted standard. They will obviously be: inbred, genetically demised and suffering pain all their lives-just to suite our requirements. I tend to put the needs of animals before my own. The reason that dogs trusts and animal welfare society's are so full of un-homed dogs is because people of your ideology have set standards of how a particular animal should look. I think that what you are advocating is eugenics with in animal species. Something that does equate to a Nazi Germany.

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• Hayley1 September 27, 2008 at 7:22 p.m.

  The Crux of the problem is inbreeding at all levels
  .
  Reducing genetic diversity results in unhealthy dogs
  .
  What needs to be done? Ban linebreeding, open the stud books and insist on occasional outcrosses to other breeds. It's really not that difficult.

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• Mags53 September 23, 2008 at 11:34 p.m.

  Response to whippet - are you opposed to any thoroughbred or pedigree animal? I don't see anything wrong in breeding to a known type or trait, i.e. pedigree breeding, per se, such as Hereford or Jersey cattle, Sussex sheep, Rhode Island Red chickens, Indian Runner ducks or for that matter wild animal species that conservationists are trying to keep pure bred. Does that make all people who want to maintain these different breeds, both domesticated and wild, Nazis? By the way, written down breed standards (for dogs, cattle, chickens, etc., etc.) came AFTER the different breeds were developed for the purpose for which they were developed, for example, the trait of herding or guarding livestock, the size of the animal they were expected to herd or guard against, the terrain they herded over and the colour they needed to be to make sure that they could either blend in with the animals they were herding/guarding or stand out from the animals they were herding/guarding - some of these breeds are still used for the purpose that they were developed. Examples, sheep guarding in the mountains of Europe, hunting for the natives in Africa - yes, it's not just us British "Nazis" who have developed breeds to help us with our lives - you try telling someone who needs a guide dog that they can no longer be guaranteed one because it's more difficult to get hold of a dog that will be trainable because soemone somewhere decided that it was no longer ok to breed to a standard so that you know what size and temperament and capability any puppy may have. I suppose that you either think that we shouldn't keep pet dogs or, as we should no longer decide what we mate our dogs to, that we should just leave them wandering around mating with what-so-ever they want to mate with - the RSPCA and Dogs Trust are stuffed full of the results of this. No-one in their right mind thinks that it's ok to breed animals with genetic defects but not all pedigree breeds/dogs have genetic defects and some mongrels are born with genetic defects. In fact, genetic defects are rife in the human species and we don't interbreed - although we are pedigrees, I suppose, as we conform to a standard, it's just not written down.

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• rspca under 8teenz September 22, 2008 at 6:59 p.m.

  Watching this program made me think of all the pedigree dogs in pain it must be hell for them and the breders can only think about the money.This has actually put me off pedigree dogs.You look how many diseases German shepherds have they have to be hip scored,eye scored and loads of things.Maybe in some way we could breed them back to how they were.But still it would take a lot of work and more than one.

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• whippet September 20, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.

  In response to your comments Mags53-can you imagine if the human race had "breed standards" imposed upon it? Could you ever imagine legislation that allowed that" some breed standards have been changed in recent years to try to ensure improvements in some breeds where breeders and judges have allowed exaggeration to creep in". These are surely the words of a Nazi Germany. To quote "one of the breeds still look much the same as they do in the old paintings that I have dotted around the house" so evolution has been denied its course here then, and the genetic demise of these animals continues. Shame on you. Animal lover.

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• Mags53 September 20, 2008 at 2:10 p.m.

  Welcome to Eisor and German Shepherd for your comments. The kennel club in this country (and most of those abroad) are run as non-profit making bodies AND do not profit from puppy breeding, monies that they make are reinvested into the world of dogs, they run health schemes and co-operate with organisations, like the RSPCA, and pay for research at places like Cambridge Veterinary School (in fact, much of the data used by this dreadful programme was taken from a reasearch programme paid for by the KC at Cambridge in their intent to improve the health of dogs). The KC also allows non-pedigree dogs to be registered with them to enable them to compete in KC regulated Agility and Obedience shows. They run a VOLUNTARY registration scheme - and dog shows are NOT beauty shows, they are confirmation and movement shows - no aspiring judge goes on a beauty seminar BUT they do go on confirmation and movement seminars. The breed standards have been much the same for years so in reality the dogs bred today should look as they did 100 years ago - some breed standards have been changed in recent years to try to ensure improvements in some breeds where breeders and judges have allowed exaggeration to creep in. I have gundogs and they are still multi-functional - one of the breeds still look much the same as they do in the old paintings that I have dotted around the house. So, please, stop blaming the KC, all breeders and all breeds for all of the ills in the pedigree dog scene, most dogs and breeds are as fit and well as the human species who own them - generalising that they are all the same is stupid and is never going to get anyone anywhere - especially the dogs. As for people who breed brother to sister; mother to son, etc. - that is seriously frowned upon BUT wild animals do do that, to animals that isn't seen to be the same as it is to us humans - thinking that animals think the same as us is a bit like buying them clothes and dressing them-up - they are not people, in fact, they are better than most people and would be very amused at the furore about this as they gallop about trying just once more to catch that bird on the edge of the field!! I'm not saying that some breeds don't have issues, that some breeders (especially puppy farmers) aren't money grabbing at the cost to the dogs and that some dogs are not very ill - but saying that that is the KCs fault and that all breeds,breeders are as bad is like saying that all humans are cruel to their animals!!

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• whippet September 19, 2008 at 9 p.m.

  I think we need to a) educate the public a lot more on animal welfare, something that should be instilled in people at an young age and b)except the fact that dogs (like all other creatures) should evolve by evolutionary laws and not those imposed by some self imposed jumped up establishment. Any establishment that exploits or makes financial gain from animals should be outlawed.

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• chatname September 19, 2008 at 8:11 p.m.

  I think the answer lies in educating the public. I've had Terveuren Belgian Shepherds for a number of years and as a breed they can have health problems. The answer is to go to a breeder who carries out health screening and who cares about the breed, I've been good friends with the breeder of my first belgian for 18 years. Don't get me wrong I love all dogs and have had cross breeds and mongrels also. If people are going to buy a pedigree puppy they should thoroughly research the possible problems can occur with the particular breed that interests them and ask for proof from breeders about what health screening they carry out on dogs that are bred from. If the breeder doesn't carry out health screening designed to eliminate problems in the breed DO NOT BUY A PUPPY OR DOG FROM THEM. Also ask if it would be possible to speak to other people who have bought puppies from the breeder in the past. Most caring breeders would be happy and proud to do this. It's important to at least see the Mother with the puppies, temperament is as important as physical health. Whatever you think of shows like Crufts, they are a good place to go to see the breed that interests you and talk to breeders and people who have puppies of that breed. Go to more that one breeder, RESEARCH AND DO NOT BUY A PUPPY ON A WHIM. I'm not forgetting all the wonderful rescue dogs waiting for homes so please don't think that I'm only in favour of pedigree puppies. It should be possible to prosecute breeders who consistently breed dogs with crippling health problems, it's cold blooded cruelty to deliberately breed for characteristics that can cause deformity and pain. Would be possible to put advertisements on TV which tell people that they should ask to see proof of health screening of the parents when buying puppies? There are some breed clubs that advocate temperament testing which might help to screen out overly aggressive or nervous temperaments, and help to cut down the number of dog attacks but perhaps that's another issue.

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• shakeyjake September 19, 2008 at 5:45 p.m.

  As an owner of boxers (can i say these are rescue dogs not puppies) i am alarmed by the rules of how a dog should look as per the kennel club. My last boxer was a white boxer, and according to KC rules at that time, should have been a dead boxer as his colour was not acceptable! He unfortunately also suffered from epilepsy, a common illness in this breed and this was probably the reason for him being in rescue. His illness (apart from the expense) was very distressing for him and ourselves. I doubt he or i would have had to go through this if people stopped interbreeding and modifying dogs unecessarily.

  Liz

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• T.L.C. September 19, 2008 at 4:03 p.m.

  Kennel Clubs supposedly have strict guidlines in which the breeders must follow. Sadly it all boils down to the almighty dollar bill. Across Canada and the U.S. dogs of poor health and condition are entered into showrings because the handler/breeder has the money to pay entry fee. Ive even seen cases where a promisary note was given, allowing dogs to be entered without payment.
  Rigid guidelines MUST be followed in order to protect the dogs and also the unsuspecting, uneducated buyer. Clubs must make mandatory inspections and must remove any and all breeders who make infractions on ANY rules. Pedgrees can be falsified and these too must be checked through legitimate databases. Licenses MUST be revoked and SURPRISE kennel inspections must take place. A one time infraction should receive a lifetime expulsion in my opinion.
  From hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, cherry eye, heart murmors, Wobblers Syndrome and epilepsy dogs having ANY of these illnesses should be removed from any and all breeding programs....this is up to the kennel clubs to monitor NOT the average joe public or Humane Societys!
  I have seen all too often stories like this one. Breeders who breed solely for income and who do not care when a dog, sick, healthy, deformed or on death's door get a whopping cash grab from the sale of that puppy and then leave the outcome, pain & expense in the hands of that owner.
  Sires and Dam's having major medical issues, being bred continuously to promote cash flow. Its insanity!
  The laws are lax and unjust and protect no one. Your puppy dies of a hereditary disease and the reimbursement is a replacement puppy from the very same breeder who sold you the sick one! And it goes on and on.
  Someone needs to step up to the plate and take action against unscrupulous breeders, who will, in time decimate countless breeds & break millions of hearts in their quest for greed.
  T.L.C.

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• German Shepherd September 19, 2008 at 11:51 a.m.

  The programme was completely sensationalist and unfair. It was unfair to associate the Kennel Club with Nazisim.

  It also failed to mention the health schemes which it has in place such as the Accredited Breeder Scheme. Furthermore, it did not mention that dogs who do not look healthy are not permitted to enter shows nor did it mention the charitable work undertaken by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

  I, too, visited Crufts this year and found that the dogs were completely happy and were comfortable in the show ring. Did anyone mention that the KC stated that dogs who appeared to be distressed would not be allowed to part? No. I didn't think so!

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• Eisor September 19, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.

  The TV program was sensationalised. The British Veterinary Association were not happy that hours of filming and interviews they gave willingly were left on the cutting room floor. Breeders and people like myself a pet owner who does care were not happy the program was so biased and did not give viewers the truth. For example when syringomyelia was discovered 7 years ago in cavaliers (it is a disease which affects all small dogs jack russell terrier types yorkies etc) the breed was found by Clare Rusbridge to be 90% affected. In seven years the breeders have got this down to 30% affected. The program has made breeders question why are they bothering if they are not being shown to be the caring people the majority are?

  I have emailed and written constantly to Jemima Harrison over theyears and Jemima and I have had a lot of discussion on this, she said she wanted to shock, she was not interested in showing the improvements being made. I have sent her lots of information on the cruel puppy farms the dog dealers the commercial pet shops and the puppy smuggling trade and pleaded with her to make a program on this but I have not had a single reply to these. I have to ask why not? If you are concerned about animal welfare why are we going on about pedigree dogs when there is so much worse suffering to be sorted first?
  I gave information to a dog lover to watch for a dog dealer operating in her area, she watched and we were rewarded when with the help of the RSPCA we were able to get him banned from trading in the sick puppy farmed dogs he was regularly smuggling into the country.

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• Eisor September 19, 2008 at 10:28 a.m.

  In the comments here I have noticed several things which I must take up with the posters.
  Firstly the majority of pedigree dog breeders do worry about the health and welfare of the puppies they produce, and do welcome all puppy owners keeping in touch and letting them know if they have problems. One reason for this is that if the breeders do not get feedback how can they possibly know that things are not going well?
  Hip Displaysia is a typical problem to get to grips with it breeders need to have every single puppy they breed x-rayed, not just the one they keep to breed on from. How many pet owners are willing to pay for this? I know from experience that nobody bothers at all!

  I run eye testing clinics for dogs, they are always full of pedigree dog breeders testing their stock. We only see pet owners if something is wrong and of those the majority I see are not pedifrees! Many are first crosses like cocker poos and labradooldes, and more than that I see crossbred dogs of indeterminate breeding.

  I ran a campaign with a breed to try to get every puppy tested for glaucoma, the results are interesting, all the breeders who belong to the breed clubs came and got their dogs tested. Pet owners said "Why should I it is expensive and I am not going to breed from my dog he/she is only a pet" The fact that glaucoma is the most awfully painful way for a dog to go blind didn't bother them at all. I was amazed.

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• dogwalker04 September 19, 2008 at 1:40 a.m.

  I feel the Kennel Club is to be blamed for the deformities,afflictions and diseases currently dominating the dog breeds for pets.
  I thought it was well made but very harrowing. Dog shows like Crufts should be banned..
  It’s just a beauty show and not something that reflects how healthy the dogs are…
  More should be made of how FEW defects the animals have and that means breeding dogs that are NOT related.
  Which as you know is going to be difficult due to there originally being so few that were the first dogs used as stock.

  I think it is disgusting that close relatives (mother to son, Father to daughter etc) are encouraged to breed. We all know that this is what causes defects etc in animals and humans…

  In the wild the puppies would be chased from the family pack to go out to be on their own, to fend for themselves.

  The stress and pain caused by people sticking to a Breed Standard that is so outdated is laughable (if it wasn’t so heartbreaking)!

  The breeders that were on the program were so narrow minded that they shouldn’t be allowed to breed dogs. All they care about is how much money they will get for the inferior puppies they breed..
  More must be done to stop this and breed dogs that can do the job they were originally bred for..
  What good is a German Shepherd if it can’t walk because the slope of it’s back inteferes with it’s gait and isn’t able to herd sheep has it was intended?
  Who cares that a Rhodesian Ridge back hasn’t got a ridge? Its just a cosmetic defect that the dogs don’t need anyway ,but breeders want it even though it causes ill health in the animals.

  I think the Kennel Club should be investigated and people bought in who DO care about the dogs… healthwise and conformation.
  Less emphasis should be placed on conformation and MORE about healthy puppies who don’t get the deformities etc that are so detrimental the each specific breed.
  Something needs to be done NOW!

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• Mags53 September 18, 2008 at 10:05 p.m.

  k.ate - there is no need to spey or neuter them, just be a responsble dog owner and don't let them out to mate - then the rescue centres wouldn't be stuffed full with unwanted cross-breeds. Speying and neutering can cause health problems and are unnecessary procedures - as everyone seems to be comparing dogs to humans, how would you like it if you had an hereditary illness (e.g. poor eyesight, arthritis, osteoperosis, gene for breast cancer, etc.) and someone whipped your testicles off/womb out? Some Bulldog lines (families) are fully capable of giving birth naturally - I do however agree that they are a far cry from what they were like when they were used for bull baiting - as no-one wants that practice back the breed has ceased to have a purpose to enable people to measure fit-for-purpose - should these breeds just be allowed to become extinct? Whilst we're on it, as we humans also carry and pass on hereditory illnesses and genes, and we've not followed the practice of close in-breeding where does that leave the argument that these health issues have been caused by in-breeding in dogs? You see, although the various breeds may have been originally created by close in-breeding for type (and yes, I expect sometimes too close for comfort), that was more than 100 years ago when the different breeds were created to perform specific jobs, close in-breeding is generally frowned upon and many of the breed clubs actively discourage members from doing such breeding.

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• k.ate September 18, 2008 at 7:35 p.m.

  I think that all dogs that are ill should be automatically neutered. The same should apply to bitches that are not capable of giving birth normally. Naturally, she would die during a birth and her ill genes would not be passed to another generation. After the first cesaerian, the bitch should be neutered. Perhaps that would mean that bulldog disappear, but who does profit from the bulldog's existence? Certainly, not bulldogs themselves.

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• Mags53 September 18, 2008 at 12:56 a.m.

  1. The KC have overseen changes in breed standards to promote healthier dogs (changing statements that could encourage extremes);
  2. They have laid down a requirement for all judges that they penalise any thing that causes ill health;
  3. The RSPCA distancing itself from pedigree dog breeding, the KC, CRUFTS and Discover Dogs is counter-productive - like turning your back if you see something is being done that is wrong;
  4. Again, this programme made sweeping statements that lumped all breeds together - that is wrong; there are many, many breeds and thousands of pedigree dogs that do not have any health problems, that lead long and healthy lives, and that still perform the job for which they were originally bred; that still look like they did years ago and that still are capable of working and of winning at shows.
  5. Pedigree breeders and the show world are not at fault - but, SOME people who breed pedigree dogs, SOME judges who judge at shows and SOME breed club members encourage or have become used to extremes that need to be changed - the KC and many, many people who show their dogs want this to change BUT alienating them by making the type of statements made in this programme and comparing them with nazis is NEVER going to help anyone or any breed.
  6. By the way, I would be interested in the RSPCA Chief Vets comments on the Californian Sea Otter that at one point last century was down to just 50 animals, but who, thanks to careful protection and quite obviously a need for some close-inbreeding has now managed to hugely increase their numbers - and they manage to live as wild animals - does he think that they are all mutants?? By the way, I do not agree with close in-breeding coefficients UNLESS as with the otter, it is for the benefit of the animals NOT breeders.

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• sammyvanstaden September 16, 2008 at 2:49 p.m.

  I did watch the programme, by the way. My mum and stepdad were repulsed as well as me and I wrote the KC a letter. I sent it off three weeks ago AND THEY SILL HAVEN'T REPLIED! If that has happened to anyone else please say

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• sammyvanstaden September 15, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.

  When I saw the documentary about this I was absoloutly DISGUSTED. How could they do this sort of thing to dogs? All they want to do is to make their dogs look pretty but they should care more than that about the actual welfare of their pets. The suffering these people cause! This is exactly the same thing that HITLER did in the holocaust and anyone would be disgusted if that happened to humans again but they dont care about the animals! I feel so bad for the animals.

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• ZaraandTessie September 15, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.

  There are some really good points on this page about the dog breeding.
  I have made a group on Face book and I am trying to get as many members to join the group as possible. Surely if we can get together and make a stand then surely the government will make inbreeding dogs against the law.
  Shows should be about showing the dog for its purpose, not vanity. All dogs are beautiful and should not be made to suffer. If I had the money and the space I would take them all in. And I'm sure the majority of you feel the same too.
  As the title of this webpage states... Animals don't have a voice so we need to stick together. You are all welcome to join my group on facebookhttp://www.new.facebook.com/people/55544875#/group.php?gid=45516551832

  The images of the dogs on the programme were quite upsetting but I thought this is to make a point to infrom us, that this type of thing really happens.

  Has anyone seen the articles on the news about a man holding his daughter prisoner and getting her pregnant, then the children were taken away because they had problems.

  Why can't this behaviour be made illegal to do it to animals as it is with humans?

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• rspca under 8teenz September 13, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.

  I think its absolutely disgraceful what breeders have done to these dogs.I go to Tring museum a lot
  and I personally think they were better looking back then.All I can say is the Kennel club has a lot to pay up.Especially for German shepherds (banana backs),Cavalier king Charles spaniel,British bulldog etc, etc.I have had a corgi cross collie,2 German shepherds(which both had straight backs)and now I have a puppy which is a German shepherd cross Belgian malinois.I have only one suggestion to (hopefully)to stop this EXTREMELY STUPID behaviour PETITION TIME!!!

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• LilMisB September 11, 2008 at 3:50 p.m.

  when i watched this programme i was disgraced with the dog showing world. just because a dog may not have a percific marking or curl in its tail, doesnt mean it should be killed!

  every dog is unique in its markings but they are just the same in the inside... dogs should be treated as humans they may not be exactly the same but you wouldnt kill a baby if it didnt have the right coloured eyes would you.

  i am only young yet i still feel strongly about animal welfare unlike those cruel people who will quite happily kill a innocent puppy because they cant show it...:(

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• glanville September 10, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.

  It's nice you are all still going on about saving the breed's, dose that mean helping
  pitt bulls as well you know the one's that's been crying out for us to help them for year's and yet are answer to that is KILL THEM all Even though that it's human's again that teaching them to fight or die. The only difference now is we are killing them by breeding them we need to BAND THE DEED'S AND SAVE THE BREED'S ALL OF THEM.

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• bobthedogman September 10, 2008 at 9:51 a.m.

  I have always believed the problem lies squarely with the Kennel Club who appear to change the BREED STANDARDS to suit what the main breeders of each breed produce rather than making them conform to the original standard also by reducing the gene pool available therfore intoducing close breeding practises which are not of any benefit to the dogs, which after all are our supposed to be our first consideration
  Its not the dogs wishes to be put in this situation it's peoples vanity and ego

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• WolfGirl September 9, 2008 at 3:14 p.m.

  I watched the progamme Pedigree Dogs exposed, and it showed some destirbing things. When they showed a dog having a fit, I cried. How could some people DO this??? It's sick and there's no point!!!

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• Greyhound1405 September 6, 2008 at 9:09 a.m.

  Pedigree OWNERS, report EVERY case of a breed specific sick dog, to both the Breeder and The Kennel Club. Then they can have no excuse to lie and say that they know of of no other cases of defects, illnesses etc. Also report that you have done this to the RSPCA, so that they can follow up and sue breeders who continue to sell mutant puppies (like the CKC owner who won in the show then sold puppies even after her dog had been diagnosed), or put down perfectly healthy ones (E.g. Ridgebacks' owner in the film). Stop the cruelty now before these poor creatures completely die out just for show dog owners snobbish vanity.
  Also KC have a publicly accesible register of these cases, so we can avoid going to these selfish greedy breeders, until they have put their house in order. Name and shame them! KC we will support you and go to your accredited breeders IF we can trust you. At the moment it is looking as though we can't trust you... I brought my Westie from one of your accredited breeders and he has 'the Westie skin problem'!
  OWNERS if all else fails write to your local paper. Keep this ghastly business in the public eye. It is nearly as bad as Puppy farming. The onus is on you owners because some breeders appear to be unscrupulous and unless it does more to stop them, the KC is not at present doing enough to deter the bad breeders.

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• CharleySW September 5, 2008 at 7:14 a.m.

  Yes maybe one sided but in some casses quite true. Some breed are in desperate need of an overhaul in order to make them fit for the purpose - which is? firstly to be able to survive fit and well secondly to work at whatever task they were designed for. Both my breeds, shown and worked, are relatively unaltered except for having grown a longer coat. The are still fit and well and can do the job they were designed for. As to pedigree dogs costing so much at the vets I wonder if it has been taken into account the amount we spend on health testing each animal in my breeds before even considering breeding I will have run up a bill of more than £1000 on each dog just to prove that they have good hips, e;bpws and eyes. Other breeds have more extensive testing and can cost many thousands of pounds before the breeder decides to have a litter. There are also the breeders who do not test and do not spend vast sums of money - are these the ones producing healthy dogs? They are certainley the ones who are not contributing to the so called cost of pedigree dogs. In not testing are they producing good puppies well ask the puppy farmers and they will tell you their dogs never have a days illness they have no vet bills ergo do they have healthy puppies? They dont have vet bills because the dogs die after being bred on every season. They dont have vet bills because they dont care about the puppies they breed.

  Back to the programe. Yes it highlighted the need for change in many breeds and I whole heartedly agree with that. What it also did is make the good and responsible breeders think twice. Look at it this way each litter can bring in thousands of pounds but it doesnt come close the thousands of pounds the good breeders have spent getting their dogs to that standard. We will no doubt see some breeds dying out completley now that docking has ended (well done for stopping that nasty stuff) and hopefuly the breeds with congenital problems will be repaired or restored to their former state when they were fit for purpose but should this type of programe stop the responsible breeder where will you go for your puppies. The puppy farmers will have a field day.

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• Audrey August 31, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.

  I would like to see the RSPCA going to summer show, I was at Gedling show Nottingham today 24th August, and was shocked, when a couple came up to me and asked if I wanted to buy a puppy she had in her jumber,it was a bull dog pup, I asked how old it as, she said 4 weeks, I told her it was to young to leave it's mother, and had not had it's injections, she replied so what, we have another 7 to sell, I asked how she would vet people who were to buy, I won't tell you what she said next, surely someone should be trying to protect little animals, it looked so sad, broke my heart.

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• lil_los@hotmail.co.uk August 31, 2008 at 8:17 p.m.

  im completely repulsed that those poor dogs have to suffer all because greedy people want money, there are better more fulfilling ways to earn money such as .. GET A PROPER JOB, not one that requires breeding animals for money. grrrr what is the freeking point!

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• Mags53 August 29, 2008 at 10:19 p.m.

  E Hipps - not sure that you should join in a debate when you haven't seen what is being debated, and not impressed that you didn't watch, if we don't look we don't learn - a bit like people who turn their back on images of starving children because it "upsets them" - as if the starving children aren't upset but they can't switch over!!

  Chloe - I love and adore dogs, I belive that I like dogs better than I like most people, I'm one of those busy body people who step in and give my opinion if I see someone mistreating an animal - and yes, some dogs who are taken to shows don't enjoy it and because it's obvious that they don't enjoy it they don't win and so next time they get left at home whilst the ones who enjoy it are shown. Most people who show their dogs are showing their pets; and many people who show their dogs also work their dogs for the purpose for which they were bred and you only have to see a gundog enthusiastically doing what it was bred to do to know that these dogs are having fun. This programme showed very few of the many breeds and showed only unhealthy ones of those breeds, if they did a programme on humans and only showed those with impaired abilities or who were ill in hospital I'm sure that someone somewhere would say that humans should stop breeding!!

  I suggest that if any of you who have voiced such strong and biased opinion, based in most part on a one-sided 1 hours worth of sensational television, are really interested in a proper debate based on the good old standard of both sides being given the chance to give their arguments, that you pop along to your newsagent this week and get a copy of Dog World and read the pieces written by the different breed clubs detailing what they have been doing to ensure the future health and well being of their chosen, and much loved breed - these breed club enthusiasts don't breed to make money but because they love their breed, they love having their chosen breed living with them with all of their breed traits, they are not the puppy traffikers/puppy farmers written about elsewhere on this site. For example, you might find it particulalry interesting to read about the work being done with Rhodesian Ridgbacks with the so called "spina bifida" related issues - go on, do the decent thing and find out all of the facts from both sides before forming such strong views. I did, because I wanted to find out if there was any truth in the reporting in the programme - and if the slant of the reporting was fair and right. I believe that the programme reporting was of the standard of the red-top papers that seek to form the minds of those who don't have a mind of their own.

  So, before we go in for the genocide of pedigree breeds, aka the Nazis, lets get all of the facts from all sides, and from all breeds not such a small minority, and lets see if they are indeed unhappy, unhealthy mutants.

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• E Hipps August 29, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.

  I didn't watch the program because i thought it was really horrible and it would upset me but i think what it said on it was horrible and i think that the government should rethink its laws etc. so that these awful things don't happen.

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• janey August 28, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.

  I think that because the Kennel Club is meant to be a responsible body - not a money making machine that does not care about animals, how the bulldog gets his massive chest the eyes etc - due to bad breeding, inter breeding thus causing animal suffering, stress anxiety and many operations to correct the "idea of perfect" - animals need to be born,a nd allow to develop not be moulded before even concieved due to "standards" - I shall write to my MP, and I shall continue to support and voice my opinions for the good of animals.

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• bh August 28, 2008 at 6:22 p.m.

  I have written to my MP , the Queen and the kennel club . Here is a link to a petition that seeks to lobby the government for the UK to sign and ratify the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. which other european countries have signed.

  http://www.petparliament.com/viewarticle.php?sid=15&aid=87

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• Carol NW August 27, 2008 at 7:51 p.m.

  Chloe commented

  'although your experiences of pedigree dog showing may not be horrific you can't discard the fact that many many dogs being showed are in fact unhealthy and unhappy.'

  Can you explain to me how exactly do you know this? If I told you the majority of show dogs have to have 2 tails would you believe that at face value as well?

  Horrific is not a word I would ever associate with showing by the way.

  'How can other pedigree dogs be used for jobs such as guiding the blind when their life spans are reduced due to inbreeding and disease, and it is in fact them that need the help?'

  As the majority of dogs trained as Guide Dogs are bred by the GDA themselves and are registered Pedigrees does this make them bad breeders. These dogs work in active service until the age of 7 when they are retired and you only have to read the GDA's magazine with it's obituaries of the passing of these wonderful dogs, most well into their teens, from old age to see how their so called inbreeding has reduced their life span. Not

  I am not condoning bad breeders but it is all too easy to take these 'opinion's' at face value without looking in to what is being said. All that these negative comments tell me is I might as well breed any old dog to my bitch and sell the crossbreeds off without bothering about health checks costing hundreds yes thats right hundreds of pounds which I have had done in the past.

  The KC and other such organisations have not had their heads in the sand, they have been working hard to clear these problems up as they appear. For instance PRA commonly known as 'night blindness' has been virtually eradicated in the Irish Setter, if you buy a pedigree Irish with legitimate papers from the Kennel Club then you know your dog will never suffer from that health problem - without papers you've just spun the barrel in a game of Russian Roulette.

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• Sue August 27, 2008 at 4:22 p.m.

  I believe there are genuine responsible breeders out there and there are healthy pedigree dogs, who may in fact constitute the majority, but as with lots of things, it is the minority who give the majority a bad name. I believe that backstreet breeders are on the increase. If you have a pedigree bitch and you live on income support, how easy is it to persuade one of your mates with a similar dog to loan his dog for stud purposes and then sit back and let nature take its course while you count the profits? As the credit crunch bites, the problem will get worse, and these people don't care about inbreeding as long as they get their money. There will always be a market because these people can undercut the bona fide breeders. Our town is full of Staffies! Sadly, so are our local animal shelters. I didn't see the programme on TV which prompted this debate, but of course it will have been sensationalised, because that is how the media get their viewing figures. It has successfully highlighted an issue which exists, but I think it is a bit simplistic to lay all the blame at any one door. I don't agree with breed standards if achieving them places the welfare of the animal second. I think irresponsible breeders who gamble with the animals' health to win shows are a part of the problem, as are puppy farms and backstreet breeders for whom it is all purely about the money. I can accept that healthy dogs enjoy shows, just like they enjoy agility or any other activity which stimulates them. I see nothing wrong with dog shows, as long as the primary focus is on health and the results accurately reflect that. Unfortunately, in some cases, this is not what happens, and I am glad tht the programme highlighted it and sparked this debate. More regulation of bona fide breeders will not prevent the backstreet breeders and puppy farms from operating. For me, these people are at the root of the problem, and I think it should be tackled from the bottom up. Unfortunately, the answer of quite how that could be successfully achieved is not so easy.

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• Chloe August 27, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.

  Carol NW and Mags 53, your thoughts are very interesting. However, although your experiences of pedigree dog showing may not be horrific you can't discard the fact that many many dogs being showed are in fact unhealthy and unhappy.
  How can other pedigree dogs be used for jobs such as guiding the blind when their life spans are reduced due to inbreeding and disease, and it is in fact them that need the help?
  Everyone knows that dogs are being mistreated on a daily basis, the public should be well aware of this what with the great efforts of the RSPCA and other charities. But not everyone is aware that it is also the pedigree dogs that are being looked after unfairly and treated with lack of care. The programme did a brilliant job in making us aware of that so that something can be done, it doesn't forget the fact that other dogs need help as well but allows our focus to be drawn to other animals in pain and suffering.
  Well, that's what I feel and I know that I knew little of the suffering of pedigree dogs before the show and far from making my forget the suffering of crossbreeds at the hands of abusive owners it has inspired me to make a difference about how other dogs, the pedigree dogs are being treated. Granted its not all the pedigree dogs that suffer cruelty, but if you heard of any dog, any dog at all, be crossbreed or pedigree, would you not want to help them by making the public aware of what has been, and is still going on?

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• Carol NW August 27, 2008 at 10:50 a.m.

  The reaction on this list alone clearly shows why such programmes as the one being discussed are biased and sensationalism. Would the scandal have been half as interesting if it had been show as ‘some pedigree dogs have health problems but dog breeders, the Kennel Club and other organisations such as the BVA, Optigen and the Animal Health Trust are working together to try and improve the health and well being of dogs and educate the buyers and owners of these dogs as to what health checks should be carried out’?

  Saying that all pedigree dogs at Crufts are unhealthy mutants is on a par with say that all crossbreed dogs are fit and healthy and have wonderful temperaments – without fully testing every single dog it cannot be proven.

  Speaking from experience I took on a crossbreed dog from the RSPCA many years ago, did I have a home check? NO. Did I have a lot of forms to fill in? NO just the one with my name and address and signature. Did I have a Home Visit? NO. Did I have a follow up phone call to check on the dog? NO. Was the dog fit and healthy? NO. Did the dog have any serious hereditary health issues? YES. Would I go to the RSPCA for a dog again? NEVER.

  Perhaps another programme could be shown on TV exposing the cruel practises of the non-pedigree dog owners and breeders. There would need to be very little research to find dogs and bitches roaming the streets uncared for, you only have to run through some archive clips of the Animal Hospital programmes for that. It would be easy to film dogs being dragged around on days out in high temperatures running serious risk of hyperthermia and dehydration, how would you like to be out in the sun in a fur coat? The obvious neglect of non-Pedigrees could easily be shown, matted coats, dirty ears, long nails, overweight due to incorrect diet and lack of exercise. All crossbreed litters are from indiscriminate pairings which could be closely related for many generations – it cannot be proved otherwise. If you only spend a few pounds on a puppy from the local paper and it turns out to grow big and boisterous not to worry it can always be dumped on the local rescue and another one bought.

  I can hear many voices shouting ‘That’s not me, I don’t treat my dog like that’ well now you know how the Pedigree owners are feeling. Maybe you should take the log out of your own eye first.

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• Mags53 August 27, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.

  The RSPCA can help pedigree dogs by not participating in programmes that are so biased that they alienate breeders who are responsible, and who breed dogs that are fit and healthy and that still do the work for which they were originally bred. Owners and breeders of pedigree dogs are also appalled at the health issues with some breeds and the indiscriminate culling of healthy puppies by anyone (and be assured many crossbreed litters, i.e. in the most part accidental matings, are culled). Dog shows are not "beauty" shows, they are conformation and movement shows; places where people with a common interest gather to look at one another's dogs to try to find the best and fittest for the parents of their next puppy. Don't tar us all with the same brush, help us to change the minds of the breeders and judges who think exaggeration and flash-and-dash are good, and that moderate and fit-for-purpose are secondary. Pedigree dogs are ones that, because they have been bred for a specific purpose with traits and temperament that can be relied upon, play a useful role in the lives of many, such as the blind, the police, search-and-rescue teams, etc. I've had crossbreeds and pedigree dogs for many, many years and you need to be aware that the one that had the most health issues was a crossbreed. In fact, I have one of my latest "mutants with terrible health" sitting with me now, he is 9 years old and has not required ANY veterinary help in his whole life. The KC have made many breed clubs change their breed standards over the last few years, they are trying to get changes made without pushing the breeders away as then their influence will be gone. I hope that in all of the furore that has been caused by such a biased programme that someone remembers to investigate if the allegation about the Spaniel stud dog is true, and that any work being done by the KC and breed clubs to make those who knowingly breed from unhealthy dogs accountable has not been destroyed. And, let us not forget, there are so many crossbreed dogs in rescue centres because of the pet owners who allow their dogs to breed indiscriminately; have a go at them but don't ask me to ever have another dog whose parentage (and therefore the unknown health issues) is unknown and unproven as that can be heartbreaking as well. And, yes, I do show my dogs SO LONG AS THEY ENJOY IT, I have 3 boys and 2 are shown and one just goes to the show for the day out (he loves his days out) - I can assure you that they love it and as with all animals, if they don't enjoy it they won't do it; if they're forced to do it eventually they stop being taken as they just refuse to do what is asked of them. So please, RSPCA, do not make sweeping statements that are not factual, saying that ALL pedigree dogs are unhealthy mutants is like saying that all working class children have rickets.

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• seaflowers August 25, 2008 at 6 p.m.

  The Kennel Club needs to be more accountable. A vets consortium may be a useful moderating panel for them!

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• k9kathy August 25, 2008 at 5:27 p.m.

  Just a quick comment.
  I thought the lady who has her healthy ridgeback pups put to sleep because they dont have a deformed spine showed exactly the same cold hearted mentality that fox hunters show when they state that their "sport" is not cruel !!
  Money money money....thats what its all about.

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• sam150150 August 25, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.

  Vikki....You say " Ask breed club secretaries for a good breeder."
  Featured in the programme was a breeder showing her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which although is known to the whole of the breed club to have been diagnosed with the excruciatingly painful disease 'syringomyelia' went on to win best in show, and since being diagnosed has also gone on to sire tens of litters.
  Good breeder? I think not! The woman should be prosecuted, for knowingly inflicting untold pain on these poor animals, not to mention the thousands of pounds worth of vet fees the unsuspecting new owners of these puppies will incur.
  Maybe the government should insist that breeders should compensate the owners for vet bills etc if they have bred dogs they know to carry these diseases. It's about time these self righteous hypocrites were brought to book.

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• greebo2007 August 25, 2008 at 3:50 p.m.

  Its not just dogs but pedigree cats as well that can suffer, I always wanted a siamese cat, I now have a apple headed siamese cat that was rescued and if ever there was an example of too much over and inbreeding he is it, he is ugly with deformed tail, skinny legs and feet and the poor thing cannot retract his claws properly. I love him to bits but his appearance is dreadful. He has suffered infections in his feet and legs cos of the deformities and cannot walk properly and his eyes run constantly. ps he is happy now and spends loads of time on my bed. So I think pedigree breeding needs to be addressed for all types of domestic animals.

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• ailim August 24, 2008 at 10:20 p.m.

  In answer to the above question, an urgent review of breed standards for every breed of dog needs to be started to try to get back to a normal healthy state.
  A vets certificate should be produced for every dog that enters for the show ring and inbreeding should be stopped completely.
  I don't know how long all this would take and if it would be in time to save some breeds from extinction.
  Its time to show how we really love our dogs.
  people interested in starting a petition should go to Petitions.number10.gov.uk This will get a message to a wider audience. Petitions will be open again on September 1st when parliament reconvenes.

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• Gillski August 24, 2008 at 5:02 p.m.

  I didn't see the program but have heard all about it. It is well known that pedigree dogs are largly inbred, that is why a certain breed tend to suffer from a certain problem. We as dog owners must start to take some responsibility - if people did not rush out to buy a lab puppy or a westie puppy there would be less of a market for the people who are doing this. If you are considering buying a dog why not visit the animal resuce centres, there are so many loving, well rounded good dogs that are not pedigree that need homes but people are too snobby when it comes to buying them. Pedigree puppies fetch a ridiculous price where a rescue dog is less than £100 - it is no wonder this is happening.
  My rescue dog happens to be a pedigree (I think) but I did not know this at the time. I worry terribly that he may suffer because of what he is and will do for the rest of his life. The only way this will stop is if we as owners stop it!

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• xx..canine luver..xx August 24, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.

  When I watched that program the other night I didn't even realise how bad it was!!! It just made me wonder why we would let it get this bad and that people would take it that far!!!
  I went to crufts last year but I wasn't aware of all the problems and this one in particular!!
  I've been doing some research and trying to find old pictures of dogs to see how this disguisting method has changed these amazing creatures... for the worse!!!! If anyone knows any sites that have old pictures of dogs, I would love to know. Then I can send it to everyone I know to show them the damage that these sick people have caused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• shanouck August 23, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.

  I will never watch cruffs again...its just alot of fraudsters! showing animals - i thought the whole idea with winning cruffs was that the breeder had the best and healthiest dog in the show!! This is not the case there deformed,Some with severe deformities... My cross breed is far healthier as i am sure many other cross breeds are that some of you own"..They should be the ones in the show - NOT these FRAUDS!! As for putting healthy puppys down because they have not got a ridge on there back; just makes me flipping SICK!! There are alot of people who can not afford a puppy or who can afford only to pay very little....so why arnt these puppys being offored free to loving homes instead?? This woman who breeds ridgebacks that was on the show and who does put puppys down (and sees that there is NO harm in it? and its the right thing to do? needs to be on the end of my mouth..What are you on Lady?
  All these breeders care about is WINNING the cup they do not care about the dog in general and how healthy the puppys are that are breed from them, And as for the Kennel Club, run by a total bunch of idiots-that thinks in-breeding is acceptable needs a kick up the A*** Soon or later these dog breeds will become exstinct as like the programe states alot of in-breeding will result in dogs being infertile; So the Kennel Club (WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF THE BREEDS BEING EXSTINCT...So then what are you idiots going to do then? Wake up before its to late to clear your name in history!!

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• Chloe August 23, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.

  Vikki...are you sure you were watching the same programme as the rest of us? Only i think the rest of us believe that culling healthy puppies because they do not have ridges on their spine that cause severe health problems IS cruel. Although you may not do this to your puppies, and although your experience of puppy breeding is not horrific that doesn't mean that inbreeding and cruelty Doesn't Occur, because it Does, as you saw on the programme.
  How can anyone believe that showing sick and unhealthy dogs on tv is fun? What kind of message is that to people who watch it?
  "Where was the owners of the sick dogs in the programme compassion. These dogs were obviously suffering and should have been given peace along time ago. Not made to suffer for a television programme." - isn't that exactly what Crufts is doing? Showing thousands of suffering dogs for the amusement of the owners? The dogs on "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" were there to make a point, not for our viewing as a fun tv programme! Crufts seems to turn a blind eye to any health problems and in fact letting dogs win when they are suffering life threatening illnesses.
  The TV programme was an eye opener and I hope that everyone watches it and understands the message being protrayed here, it is an important one and one that needs to be addressed immediatedly for the sake of thousands of dogs!

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• Suzanne August 23, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.

  Well I have just spent lots of money on a pedigree puppy, and i looked back at the bloodlines and i was shocked that there was really close breeding at great grandparents, which ofcourse the guy was on this programme with rather large dogs! i will not name, i think its a absolute disgrace, i do not show my dog and never will, but if anyone should breed from a dog, it should be monitered by kennel club and if bloodlines are too close refuse to register puppies under the kennel club, and that would soon stop them from doing it, i have had the same breed before and had no health problems but the bloodlines were not close at all, my puppy of 5 months, has had to go to vets on lots of occasions, skin problems, eye problems, and just found out a heart mur. im absolutley appalled at the state of the breed now, im 42 years old and can see a big difference in pedigree dogs, Kennel Club are just after money, everythings money, when it comes to actually improving breed they dont give a stuff! They dont moniter anything, the kennel club are a bloody disgrace!

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• KayleighLouise August 23, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.

  Boycot the KC they claim to be the good guys, but are just more interested in cosmetics of the dogs.

  String up the breeders - as they are evil too - they dont care for the welfare of the dogs, they only want the money.

  dont watch crufts - seriously, i used to be an avid veiwer but now i know what goes on with the breeding of the show standard dogs, i will not be supporting it.

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• pipsqueak August 22, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.

  I watched the whole programme and found it very disturbing. Why is it not classed as cruelty. It should never be allowed in any breed of animal, as it also happens in cats aswell. As the reported commented on, that would he breed with his daughter? Animals
  feel pain aswell, the only difference is that they cannot speak for themselves. They need to put a very tight watch on the and stop the interbreeding to stop the cruelty that is happening and ban any clubs etc that incourage this. Or take it further and stop showing dogs in crufts and other shows altogether!

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• kitkat4589 August 22, 2008 at 9:47 p.m.

  I Would Just Like To Say That The RSPCA's Veiws, Oppinions And Research Shown On The BBC's Pedigree Dogs Exposed Was Heart Breaking!!As A Dog Owner Myself (To A Mongrel Who Was The Runt Of The Litter And Has Now Outlived Her Whole Litter!!) I Think That Culling A Dog For Cosmetic Breeding Is Creul And Unjust. The Kennal Club And Crufts Should Be Ashamed Of Themselfs For Allowing Such Atrosoties To Take Place In Pedigree Breeding!Its Exactly The Same As Killing A Human For Having A Mental Or Physical Disability, Creul, Unjust And Just As Barbaric As Hitler Himself!!

  I Hope That With Enough Support, We Can Kill Of The Negitive Breeding And Make Crufts A More Just Sport(With Events In Dogs Health And Personality).Showing These Sort OF Programmes Is A Brilliant Idea And Should Be Done More Often And Hopefully Cure Britan Of This Barbaric Sport.

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• HeatherM August 22, 2008 at 9:13 p.m.

  Unfortunately I could not bear to watch the entire programme as I found it too disturbing.

  It is about time that the government stepped in and stopped this barbaric practice that has been going on for so long. What human has the right to dictate what a breed of dog should look like? Proper legislation should be brought in for the breeding of pedigree dogs that should be monitored and run by an organisation that is interested in the health and welfare of the animal and not on the vanity and greed of man.

  Please let me know if a petition is started to campaign Downing Street.

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• Alexandra August 22, 2008 at 8:53 p.m.

  I have read this blog with interest after watching the BBC programe the other night. I think it is clear that intensive in-breeding should be banned, and that it is right that we should be working to save the pedigree breeds and ensure that only healthy dogs are promoted through breed standards. Why does it matter if the breed standards change? I'm sure that the old school show-goers would prefer it to stay the same - but to them it is the prestige of winning that matters however much they love and cherish their dogs. I am of course, disgusted by the attitude that "non-perfect" dogs must be culled. I cannot see how this can be seriously justified

  I have just been on the Kennel Club website and on the Crufts website and I am suprised by the response to this issue, which has clearly moved the dog world. The Kennel Club has chosen a defensive approach, focusing on the tone of the programme and highlighting the research programmes and guidelines currently in place. I don't feel this is enough. I don't feel they have taken into account the emotional nature of this issue and there is no clear sense that any in-depth dicussion or investigation will take place now that these breding practices and poor attitudes have been revealed. The Crufts website has no acknowledgement at all that the programme even aired. Can we assume that they are not taking this issue seriously and that Crufts will not be affected at all by these issues? I for one have always loved watching Crufts and have wrongly assumed that Kennel Club registered dogs and show dogs would be an example of the healthiest dogs around. Crufts is a platform which connects all corners of the dog world and has a huge amount of media weight. I feel we want to know that they as an institution, are committed to promoting healthy breeding programmes and encouranging better attitudes within the breeding community.

  Do not let them sweep this under the carpet. Write to The Kennel Club and express your views. Write to your MP and keep up momentum so we can hopefully encourage a better response and force change.

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• sam150150 August 22, 2008 at 7:33 p.m.

  *As for the Chief vet from the RSPCA. Just who does he think he is! 1. Without the pedigree dog there would not be crossbreeds at all - maybe a good thing! 2 What about all the healthy dogs the RSPCA puts down every year. Maybe most people do not know that most German Shepherd, Rotties, Dobermans and Staffies are automaticly destroyed when they are given to them as they are considered un rehomable. *

  Firstly....Without the pedigree dog there would be no crossbreeds, yes that's right, there would only be mongrels, lovely even tempered, healthy mongrels.
  Secondly....I know catagorically that the RSPCA does NOT euthanise GSD's, Rotties, Dobies, or staffies automatically. The only dogs that are euthanised are the ones that pose an immediate danger to staff or members of public. ( A dog that has already bitten, or is exhibiting aggression )
  ALL dogs are put on a behavioural assessment before they go up for rehoming, if they don't pass first time, they go back on assessment.
  The RSPCA rehomes to responsible adopters, they do home checks, EVERY member of the family has to go into the centre to meet the dog, they have to take it out for walks ( before adopting ) They do a post adoption home visit, to check the dog is settling into the family. If there are behavioural problems after the adoption, the RSPCA will advise and help at every opportunity, and if the dog is not settling in then they take it back, and start all over again. How many breeders do this? very few if any. Why? because dog breeding is a money making business, and the RSPCA shelters are full of dogs with issues that have been sold,from breeders and dog supermarkets, to owners who have no clue what they are taking on. ( Border collies are a prime example ) Anyone can buy a pedigree dog, if they have the money, it's too easy, but if you want to rehome an RSPCA rescue dog, be prepared to fill out lots of forms, have your home visited, revisited and even after all that possibly told, " I'm sorry, but you are not the right owner for this dog "
  Why is this? because the RSPCA is about finding the right home, one that the dog deserves, not about how much they can get for the animal.
  The RSPCA also gets hundreds of phonecalls every day from people who have bought these inbred pedigrees, asking for help with vet bills, because the illnesses and health problems are so severe they can't afford the vet bills. You walk into any RSPCA animal hospital, and the majority of dogs waiting to be seen are pedigrees.

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• RSPCA August 22, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.

  There has been a very strong public reaction to the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed and particularly in support of the RSPCA's position on this issue.

  The documentary has sparked a huge amount of public debate, which has shown just how important the health and welfare of pedigree dogs is to everyone. However, it is a highly complex issue, with no quick-fix solution. For a full statement on this issue, please visit www.rspca.org.uk

  We understand that lots of people are keen to take action on this issue. For now, we suggest you write or email your MP to voice your concerns, and ask for tougher regulations under the Animal Welfare Act for breeding of dogs.

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• CockerCharlie August 22, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.

  found this fact in a magazine the other day and it really shocked me.

  1.2 MILLION puppies are born everyday- six times more than the number of human babies!!!!!!!

  There has to be something that can be done!!!!

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• Greyhound1405 August 22, 2008 at 9:29 a.m.

  Vicki, Vicki, Vicki
  Did you not watch the same programme as the rest of us?
  Negative reporting eh? What else can you call the cruelty of purposely breeding dogs with known faults, known side effects of illnesses in just about all mutants, sorry dogs, just so that you can show off with your 'pretty' dog. Look back 50 years and see what the dogs are supposed to look like Vikki. Your vanity at having a pretty dog outweighs the real purpose of a dog, which was originally bred for specific jobs, ratting, gaurding, herding etc.
  Companion dogs are not just meant to bolster your vain, snobbish ego's.
  Yes some tests are done by reputable breeders, but you missed the point that breeders are puposely inbreeding very close relatives, thus producing what we can all see (bar you and the unscrupulous breeders) are obviously dogs in pain, whether it's fits in bulldogs, hip dysplasia in Alsations, Allergies in Westies (my dogs problem), heart problems in numerous breeds etc.
  The Chief Vet of the RSPCA is what his title says. Whilst no person or arganisation is perfect, at least they do NOT purposfully inbreed mutants. Yes too many dogs have to be put down, because of irresponsible owners and so-called bad breeds. But I believe, There are no bad dogs, they are only as bad as their owners have made them.
  You say the sick dogs should have been put down and not kept alive for the TV programme. But isn't that what what you are doing in diplaying mutant, sick dogs at dog shows. Keeping alive obvious mutants and sick dogs for your collective vanity. As an example the Alsation 'best in show' a perfect example. It could barely stand with its back legs too low to enable it to stand properly. If that is best, what the hell does the worst look like???
  And the little Peke sitting on ice to enable it to breathe. Why are you so blind to this obvious cruelty.
  You say that you hope to improve dogs by better breeding. You are trying to Play God, just like Mr Hitler did with humans. STOP before you destroy the gene pool of the few good dogs left.
  Of course you love showing your dog(s). We all love our dogs. It's just that some of us can hear warning bells and want you all to heed them before it is too late.
  Make enforced health checks and bann inbreeding of close families. Breeders, earn the exhorbitant fees you charge. Yes the Kennel club exists for the right reasons, but is doing pitifully little to enforce good practice. Too frightened of losing money from breeders that might then go underground? Get your respect back by taking action, NOW! RSPCA sue the breeders who flout the obvious wrongs of incestious inbreeding.

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• vikki August 21, 2008 at 9:08 p.m.

  The BBC article on pedigree dogs was a very negative piece of reporting. The majority of dog breeders are very responsible and follow their respective breed clubs advise on health testing. This is insisted on by the Kennel Club in various codes of ethics that clubs have to abide by. Where was the reporting on what schemes are available for the responsible breeder so their dogs are bred as healthily as possible? Hip scoring, eye testing, heart testing, DNA tests and Optigen tests were not spoken about!
  Where a lot of dogs come from are the 'back street' breeder. 'I have a pedigree what ever so does the man down the street lets put them together and make money!' NO health testing or correct feeding. No worming. No diet sheet. Yes the Kennel Club is at fault for registering puppies who parents have not have health tests but not much else.
  As for the Chief vet from the RSPCA. Just who does he think he is! 1. Without the pedigree dog there would not be crossbreeds at all - maybe a good thing! 2 What about all the healthy dogs the RSPCA puts down every year. Maybe most people do not know that most German Shepherd, Rotties, Dobermans and Staffies are automaticly destroyed when they are given to them as they are considered un rehomable. Yet they spend thousands trying to 'cure' sick dogs that would be better put to sleep as there is no quality of life.
  Where was the owners of the sick dogs in the programme compassion. These dogs were obviously suffering and should have been given peace along time ago. Not made to suffer for a television programme.
  Nothing is perfect in any world but there are people who are trying to better the breeding of dogs (unlike the human being) and will carry on doing so. Maybe people should think more carefully before buying a puppy. Ask question about health tests. Ask to see certificates. Check they are accredited. Ask breed club secretaries for a good breeder. Joe public is at fault as much as every one else as they have to have it now and do not care where it comes from. Good breeders only breed when they want a puppy so people have to wait. I waited 2 years for my dog but was happy to do so.
  Pedigree dogs are not cheap.But neither is health testing, correct feeding. Most designer dogs are only cross breeds and most have not come from tested parents and still cost more than a good pedigree dog.
  Yes I show my dogs and they love going. They meet dogs of the same breed and socialise. If showing dogs is wrong then so must showing Horses, Cats, Cows etc. I sometimes feel they RSPCA would only be happy if there were no animals at all!!

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• Greyhound1405 August 21, 2008 at 8:40 p.m.

  Cannot the RSPCA with all its clout sue every case of breeders inbreeding, producing known defects. It is very clearly animal abuse. If Joe Public treats an animal badly we would be fined, so come on RSPCA name and shame bad breeders and fine them. They are in it for the money. So show them crime does not pay. Incest is wrong in the human world, we know the results. It is all to clear that eugenics does not work for animals either. INBREEDING IS WRONG.

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• soos August 21, 2008 at 6:58 p.m.

  I too thought the reaction of the Kennel Club to the pain and unnecessary suffering of pedigree dogs just for their looks was disgusting. I've just lost my beautiful Boxer Sasha (on 8th August)to lymphoma at 8 years old. My parents Boxer is currently having chemo for the same condition and their other Boxer was put to sleep in February 07 also because of cancer. None of our dogs came from the same breeder but they have several of the same relations on thier pedigrees. Inbreeding must be stopped in order to prevent some of our most beloved breeds disappearing completely. Bex I will help with your campaign any way I can and will email you separately.

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• gloria August 21, 2008 at 6:02 p.m.

  I was pleased that the programme went out. Its well overdue. As the owner of two cavaliers with Syringomelia I know exactly what its like for the dogs. The programme was heart breaking but very true for many of us. The Kennel Club didnt want to help me and now I know why. They are just as bad. Something has to be done to stop the Breeders. Its all about money for them.Its easy income. The dogs cannot speak for themselves so we must continue to shut and keep this in the public eye.

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• TEENA August 21, 2008 at 1:42 p.m.

  Hi, please do something to stop this immoral abuse, it seems insane that these breeders and the kennel club are allowed to practise these sick, but legal activities. They should be prosecuted now for what we now know, why has this not been highlighted more by the RSPCA, and others? The education needs to continue more on TV, so more people know? then that way we can do more, even the stigmatisation will help our dogs, lest be honest i would not want to show my face? Ironically, the bull breed and other breeds are ignorantly demonised and their owners frowned upon by under educated people in regards to dogs.Usually their veiws are based upon what is said by the fear mongering press, and the joy of responsible dog ownership is being lost. I am tired and dissapointed that we live in a society of ignorant, abusive, selfish, greedy, and jugdemental people, where their children have attacked more children, even killed more children than any dog breed. Where the so called respectable and educated, can hide and deceive under a pretence of love and care when all they are is twisted and a disgrace. I am so angry of the hypocrisy of dog owners and lovers, they encourage breeders by demand for status symbol on a lead,whilst they watch healthy dogs die for MONEY. Moreover, the Kennel Club should be closed for practicing and dictating the breed standard and allowing through registration the in breeding and breeding of sick dogs,etc,etc,etc. Stop their money making machine and put legal standards in place, or is that too difficult or inconveniant??? NO, SO SHUT ALL THE PRACTICE DOWN NOW WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY OR AT THE VERY LEAST CAMPAIGN TO THE MASSES, LET US ALL KNOW MORE, NOT SMALL POCKETS OF PEOPLE HERE AND THERE ASKING FOR DONATIONS, LEAFLETS ARE KNOW GOOD NOW, EXPOSE THESE PRACTISES THROUGH THE MEDIA AND LET IT SERVE SOCIETY AS OPPOSED TO SCARING IT. WHAT IS THE RSPCA PLAYING AT? I KNOW THIS SEEMS HARSH BUT YOUR AS BAD, YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, AND HOW LONG, BETTER THAN THE ORDINARY CITIZEN, BUT WHY HAS IT TOOK YOU SO LONG? WHAT ARE YOU DOING ALLOWING THIS AND OTHER ABUSIVE PRACTISE TO KNOWINGLY CONTINUE? I DO NOT COMPREHEND THIS, KNOWING YET DOING VERY, VERY, LITTLE? SORRY BUT TRUE!!!!

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• LindaG August 21, 2008 at 11:27 a.m.

  I think that the Kennel Club need to address this issue as a matter of urgency. It's about time that animals with serious, inherited diseases were not allowed to enter shows such as Crufts and certainly not be allowed to win.

  The fact that dogs who are knowingly passing on these health issues to their puppies and their owners/breeders are being allowed to continue with this practice is a very bad example and it should be prevented.

  If they were not allowed to enter or win titles such as "Best in Show" etc then perhaps the breeders would get the message and stop this dreadful malpractice.

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• amber August 21, 2008 at 11:10 a.m.

  I have never seen anything so disgusting,in fact it upset me so much I had to turn off the tv, to do this to poor defenceless animals is inhuman and these people who call themselves animal lovers and do this to create something different have a lot to answer for,and I think that the RSPCA should be given the authority to go to the kennel club and sort out this barbaric practice.AMBER

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• Sue August 21, 2008 at 11:01 a.m.

  Well, this subject has really created a stir, as it should! Some of the comments suggest that dog shows should be about healthy dogs, and I totally agree. I have a farm Border Collie (from working parents). I didn't have her because she was pedigree, I had her because within days, at the age of 6 months, she was going to be shot. I accept that there are responsible breeders out there, but with the greatest of respect to them, I would never go to a breeder for a dog. All pets in my household of 2 dogs and 7 cats are rescues, and they always will be. I do not, and never will, understand the need to breed dogs (or cats) when as a nation we destroy so many healthy pets every year. If we are going to show our dogs, and I can understand people wanting to show off their pets, let the standard be about health - about a nice healthy coat, the right weight, good temperament, and about educating people as to how to keep their pets in good condition. If dog shows were all to do with these standards, and not KC breed standards, then the message would eventually filter through. I also agree that pedigree dog shows ought to be subject to much greater scrutiny, there should be more regulation of breeders, and dogs with genetic deformities or abnormalities should be screened out and be ineligible to participate in these events. To Jean Levett I would say that it will be difficult for you to prove that the breeder was at fault, and as the onus is on you to prove your case, you may be on a sticky wicket. It is possible of course that your dog's condition is not down to inbreeding. I have known of mongrels developing epilepsy, and it could just be a matter of rotten luck, the same as it is if a human develops the condition. I also think that all breeders should be registered and monitored and that the problem of backstreet breeders needs to be tackled in a robust way. You have no idea how many ads I have seen in my locality for Staffie pups, and I'll bet a pound to a penny that these are backstreet breeders making a bit of cash to supplement their benefits. I would also be prepared to put money on it that the people who sell these pups will not pay any heed whatsoever to the sort of homes they are going to. All they will be interested in is the colour of the money. This is all sooooo wrong!

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• nikkiblade August 21, 2008 at 10:55 a.m.

  After watching Monday nights distrubing programme, I have posted a comment on the BBC News 'Have your say' page and also sent an e-mail to the KC itself (suprisingly enough I've had no response), however, I own 2 Staffordshire Bull Terriers neither of which are KC registered and to be honest I am relieved, for years I have been under the impression that KC registered dogs are the way to go, after watching the documentry I can honestly say I couldn't care less if some stuffed shirt with too much money and time on their hands told me my dogs weren't good enough for them because I would rather have my dogs with warts 'n' all happy and healthy and living a normal life, unlike these robots that these so called breeders keep churning out for the sake of fashion, they are more interested in their own status and are unaware that continuing to play god with these animals is doing more harm than good, neither of my dogs are considered 'breed standard', therefore, as thei faces do not fit in this industry they would have been destroyed, I believe this is about on the same level as aborting healthy babies, boycott the Kennel Club and the breeders who sell these animals and when the credit crunch hits their pockets let's see them get real jobs just like the rest of us!!!!

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• cas August 21, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.

  As the owner of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel who was diagnosed with syringomyelia 18 months ago, I was so pleased to see this terrible disease at last being publicised. When my dog was diagnosed, I wrote to the Kennel Club and the breeder and was met with denial and stonewalling. I thought a KC registered pedigree puppy meant a seal of approval i.e. a healthy dog. Now I know better.
  If the Kennel Club are unable to change with the times and enforce breeders to stop this obscene practice of inbreeding for cosmetic purposes, then a new government body is required with more 'teeth' to outlaw this behaviour. As a supposed nation of dog lovers, we owe it to all breeds to stop this unnecessary suffering.

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• Lou13 August 21, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.

  I'm new to the website and this is my very first post. I've just joined because I just couldn't believe this programme. I thought breeders were supposed to care for animals. If the cruelty wasn't enough - I just couldn't believe the attitude of the people shown from the KC and the breeders profiled. They clearly belong to a different age and just couldn't get the points being made. The really desperately sad thing is that most of the public - just like me - haven't heard anything about this before! So a wider campaign to raise awareness is desperately needed I'm sure.

  To begin - why not start up a petition on the Number 10 website - asking for signatures in support of regulating pedigree dog breeders? If we got enough names this would be ammunition for the RSPCA to press home with politicians just how the public wanted it. Just who oversees regulation and how its done is the next stage - what we need right now is for the Govt to realise that people want it. Perhaps you could lead on this Bex. I'm sure we could all find people to join in.

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• bex_101 August 20, 2008 at 9:46 p.m.

  EVERYONE...
  I Have Decieded To Start A Campaign.. As Well As To Start A Petition... PLEASE WE NEED AS MUCH HELP AS WE CAN FOR THE RIGHTS OF BEAUTIFUL DOGS... If You Are Willing To Help.. Please E-Mail Me At...

  tregent24@hotmail.com

  Please Help... Its About Time Someone Done Something.

  Yours Becky...!!x

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• rascalrules August 20, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.

  I think what should be done is a dog show designed to look at health, because heathly is beauty in my eyes! so we should make a show that includes all dogs, cross-breds, multi cross breds and pure breds (that are healthy). We can include the dogs personality and how well its trained! To help promote a healthier future for dogs! Lets take the kennel club on! HEAD TO HEAD! X

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• cooldudedoggywoggy August 20, 2008 at 8:42 p.m.

  i really agree with u lot it is terrible about all this pedigree stuff i cant bleieve the kennel cluc call a dadly illness fashinible!!!!!it is really really horrible i was in tears aswell i think the rspca should take over the kennel club n make the pedigree dogs ALOT happier!!!!

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• mutley August 20, 2008 at 8:21 p.m.

  Despite the fact that I was in tears within 5 minutes of the programme starting, I was so glad to see it was given prime time TV airing. Well done to the head of the RSPCA for some amazing direct talking, and well done to the BBC for showing this.
  I think we all need to start campaigning for legislation to stop the cruel breeding practices. But more than that, I believe we have to start trying to change people's general perception of the pedigree as the ideal dog. I totally agree with the references to Hitler and the exposure of links to the Eugenic movement - pedigree breeding is just facism for dogs! Start limiting an animal's gene pool and you are heading for trouble. Somehow we need to start promoting the humble mut like he's never been promoted before...beautiful, healthy, long-lived and unique - and a never ending gene-pool to breed from! Up with muts!

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• bh August 20, 2008 at 7:28 p.m.

  the gold standard must be beauty and health. The kennel club do not deserve their position . They have failed in their duty to protect the dog breeds . this must not be allowed to fade from people's minds. The issue has been highlighted to us all and we now must take action to insist on health checks before shows and to stop interbreeding of close dog relatives.

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• Dogsrule August 20, 2008 at 7:09 p.m.

  First let me say that I own a pure bred pedigree dog, a Gordon Setter bitch named Abbie. According to the Kennel Club, she's ugly and should have been put down at birth because her legs are too long for that breed's ideal and her snout is too long, but to me, she is the most perfect thing in the world. We are in close contact with her breeders and her mother was infact a crufts champion, but to me, she looked like a freak, as many of you may know, Gordon's are known as the largest gun dog yet skye barely came up past my shins and barely scrathching my waiste when she rarely stood up,she was so interbred it was unbeliebable. Would you believe me if i told you both Abbie's parents are ridiculously closely related? as a result of this, Abbie is plagued with heath problems. Her legs had to be broken as a pup because they grew too fast, she has cysts on her tail which worried me and my family for ages untill we found out they were 'only cosmetic' which is a relief, but apparently the bitches in the breed are prone to it and there is a likelyhood she will suffer from arthisitis in years to come. Last nights documtentary sickened me on so many levels, the throw away attitide of those at the top of the kennel club to incestous breeding, i have an example of interbreeding here on my bed right now, and believe me, it is to do with mating grandparents etc. i also wanted to punch that man's smug fface by claiming that his failiures were actually victories, and that woman who brazingly said that she's cull healthy pups just because they didn't have ridges!!! i call on the RSPCA to drag her in front of a judge on animal cruelty charges. Abbie was lucky that her breeders are at least caring enough not to kill a dog just because her bodies to big to show! I will also stae right here and now, unashamedly that i was reduced to tears within 5 minutes of the start and i didn't stop thoughout, the sight of that poor cavalier (a dog i would love to own one day) will haunt me to that day. I say, remove mr Irving, he doesn't know anything about dogs and put a true dog lover in charge like that brave woman who took her fight to parliament, I salute you madame, you have my undying respect!

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• puppylove August 20, 2008 at 7:07 p.m.

  Totally disgusted with the Kc, I knew things were bad but that was programme was shameful from start to finish !

  On our website we tell people not to buy pups at pet shops because they come from puppy farms, we tell them to go to a reputable breeder but my god are there any left in the UK !! If there are then its time they got together and showed the KC how to operate .

  When can we look forward to the RSPCA prosecuting some of these breeders ? The evidence is there for all to see, cruelty on a mammoth scale !!

  I hope the RSPCA will not be having a stand at Crufts either, your absence would speak volumes ?

  This country needs to join the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals , its my understanding the KC are against this so it MUST be good right ?

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• ailim August 20, 2008 at 6:42 p.m.

  I have just found this site and the horror of last nights programme 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' has moved me to do some thing and have a say in this.
  One of the concerns of the Kennel Club Chairman, was that he feared that breeders would move from the club and go out side if there were a reform of standards. I believe this is rubbish as these people enjoy the prestige of Kennel Club membership. The Chairman now has a wonderful opportunity to bring in reform to this closed shop and the expertise at the end of the phone from the various organisations who are battling to save endangered species around the world. Our dog breeds are near this state. A quick look at my dogs genetic difficulties showed four major problems, two of them uterine. It seems that we are very near the point of infertility that the programme highlighted.

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• amelia August 20, 2008 at 6:29 p.m.

  It was very upsetting the programme, but im glad i watched because it brought this issue to the attentions of lots of people!

  There should be a new law that means every pedigree dog must have health checks, if they have any health problems, they should be not allowed to be in the shows, i feel this will stop the breeders from breeding them, they obviously dont see the dogs as anything more than an object, in which they love to show off.
  I cant believe that they put down puppies that are born without the ridge, on the ridgebacks.
  These people make me sick, i can't comprehend how they are letting this happen, its like the don't understand what they're doing, yet i am 17 and can see perfectly well what is happening/ going to happen to these poor dogs!

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• Hayley1 August 20, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.

  This exposure has been long overdue. Having spent three years aspiring to be a responsible breeder I was deeply shocked and saddened to see firsthand the deceitful, self-preservation behaviour of top breeders. I became increasingly disillusioned with the show scene, and 'type’ worship and its effects on bloodlines.

  Worth noting that The Kennel Club’s accredited breeder scheme is based on recommendation of health testing, not a requirement, it’s an umbrella used to further falsify the health and ‘quality’ of the dogs produced. Frequently, clubs and breeders within them place blame on the back yard breeder and puppy farmer, although poor practice is undeniably a potential factor, the difference between the breeders at the bottom of the pile who bred without health tests, is those at the top who health test but often breed regardless of the results, we are supposed to look up to and respect the latter yet they know exactly the damage they're doing. Furthermore to rely on health testing is fundamentally flawed, modern population genetics has taught us that inbreeding/linebreeding is a far greater problem. Why are we ignoring science that has been around for ten years in favour of the lesser beneficial effects of health testing the small portion of the five hundred heredity diseases currently affecting our dogs.

  This could be a golden opportunity to improve things, unfortunately buyers seeking out a KC accredited breeders is certainly not the way to go in the current climate, which leads me to the question whether any of us, in the current climate, can justify breeding when the current overpopulation crisis leads us to destroy excess dogs week in and week out.

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• Loui25 August 20, 2008 at 4:57 p.m.

  I feel so helpless, what can I do to stop this. I feel the kennel club are just another money filled organization that will explain things away that hinder them gaining financially.
  How can we stand by and watch mans best friend in pain. This can be prevented and it's not.
  We need to stop the in breeding and have our dogs health checked. The dogs health should be a priority not how it looks. For a dog to be bred with its family member is disgusting how can people not see this affects a dogs health, is that not common sense?
  Do the dogs care about how they look? No!! They want to be able to breath and move as they should, they do not want to be on drugs or be in pain. Its us as humans that has made this a problem and we should be the ones to try and solve it. Why should a dog have to sit on an ice pack to win an award?
  Why should we be sold pedigree dogs for them to have hidden health problems then for us to foot the bill for the health care. If my dog was sick then as its owner I would do my upmost to care for them and love them as best I could. All animals get sick and have things wrong with them but to have it within its makeup to begin with is wrong.
  Well done to the vet for speaking up. I do hope this does not go away and that we can make a stand a put those people to shame.

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• working dog lover August 20, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.

  The RSPCA and the Government and Vets should get together and put laws into place, preventing the showing or breeding of any dog with a genetic disease. The Kennel Club has failed miserably to protect the health of dogs.

  Breed standards should be rewritten, not by the Kennel Club or the breed clubs, outlawing all the exaggerations that have crept into the breeds. Every dog should be tested at the big shows in particular to ensure they are moving soundly, in the way that horses are in 3 day eventing, for example. No-one should give the excuse, as someone did at Crufts this year, that it was a tiring show. Dogs are either fit or they are not, and if they are not, then they miss out - that is just hard luck.

  All dogs should be tested by law before they can be shown, and any that test positive for any problem should be neutered immediately to avoid accidental breeding. Breeders should be made responsible for the veterinary care for any dog they sell which is shown to have a genetic disorder of any kind. That way, they may come out of the Ark and look to returning their breed to a sound condition.

  It cannot be a coincdence that many Police Forces now breed their own dogs or use Belgian Shepherds to get a dog who is sound enough to work. Guide dogs are now bred by the Association to get sound dogs with good temperaments.

  No dog, like the German Shepherd winner at Crufts or the Neapolitan Mastiff should be given any prize in any show. It is better not to award any prize than to give it to deformed animals. All dogs in the show ring should, by law, be tested for all the possible known genetic problems, and the results of their tests published. If they fail any test, they should immediately be neutered and removed from the breeding and show scene.

  The tests for the Kennel Club Good Citizen Award should be tightened up too. I have seen dogs who are inherently vicious being given the Gold Award. The one dog had to be kept in another room while the other dogs were being tested - not a Good Citizen.

  If the Kennel Club cannot put its house in order now, then the responsibility should be taken away from them

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• puppyalert August 20, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.

  I watched the programe Pedigree Dogs Exposed, and would like to congratulate the company behind the filming Passionate Productions for a very thought provocking programe and the BBC for allowing it to be shown.

  The breeders that were exposed in the programe (one even lied and denied that her dog carried the condition that has caused so much suffering to Cavaliers that she had bred). The pekinese sitting on an ice block to keep cool due to overheating and an operation to assist with its breathing prior to winning best in show. What a con, how can a little dog that is suffering due to poor breeding be classified as best in show?
  To think that Judges can award seriously defective dogs such high accolades in the world of show dogs is deplorable. The breeding faults such as could be clearly seen in the German Shepherd for example, the arched back that so many breeders prefer and the back legs when viewed from behind appeared weak and distorted, in all making the dog looked very uncomfortable and unstable when walking on lead.
  The Kennel Club should not be registering litters of puppies and promoting responsible breeding if they cannot ensure that responsible breeding is taking place.

  On the flip side of the coin not only are pedigree dogs bred inherently unhealthy for the show world but for the pet shops too.
  The vast majority maynot be KC registered these days but most do originate from the same gene pool going back over generations. The situation is no different for them, they still suffer the same genetic and hereditary conditions as seen on this programe with show dogs. Sadly for the breeding bitches of the puppies sold in the pet trade, the suffering and misery goes on behind closed doors on puppy farms and commercial kennels. The breeding bitches bred from each season until exhaustion. Their offspring sold for over exagerated prices in pet shops.
  It is time that dog breeding was seriously looked at from the point of view of all that are involved in dog breeding, back yard breeder, puppy farmer, commercial breeder and hobby breeder. No one should be allowed to do so unless they are competant in genetics, animal welfare knowledge and all their dogs are screened for known hereditary conditions and were identifiable.
  Is it not time that the UK signed up to the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals? Maybe we would then see better breeding practices and welfare conditions for our dogs. But guess who does not want the UK to sign - the Kennel Club!!!

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• Dobie August 20, 2008 at 2:46 p.m.

  I have not been able to think of anything else since having watched last nights programme. I was in tears, I found it very difficult to watch. I find it very difficult to understand how people could let this happen. I have a beautiful 10 year old Doberman who is suffering from Degenerative Myelopathy. It is breaking my heart to watch him deteriorate and find in inconceivable that breeders and the KC seem to think that interbreeding is acceptable. I'am aware that all breeds have their share of problems but I suppose was a little niave and did not realise the extent of the problem.
  The government need to take serious steps to ensure that new laws forbid breeders to interbreed and breed dogs that have health issues. May be the solution would be to pass a law which makes it compulsory for every animal to be registerd and if they are not registered then the owner should be fined. Also for every dog to be checked over before they are bred, but if results show a defect then the animal should be neutered immediately. Hopefully this will ensure that illnesses are not passed onto other animals.
  I cannot get my head round why those breeders on the show would not acknowledge the problems. How can they not understand that by not interbreeding they would be saving the breed not destroying it, you would have thought loving something so much you would try to help them not to kill them! There are breeders whom agree with all of us who have posted a message on here and there support is crucial, it's just a shame not all breeders are human.
  Things will not change unless we do something about this! I think it has to start with the public, make a stand and boycot Crufts and breeders who agree with this sort of breeding. We need to make ourselves heard!

  So do what ever you can to help the suffering has to stop!!!

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• tinacee1 August 20, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.

  How long can these dog breeders deny that these illnesses are brought about by their breeding methods - it looks as if they don't care about the animals suffering. Other countries in the world such as Sweden have banned this close breeding why can't the kennel club do this too. These so called ‘animal lovers’ and so called professionals make me so angry.

  There should be more voices such as Carol Fowler who appeared on the programme.

  As Simon Wiesenthal said, For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing" I will do anything I can to help.

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• Charlie August 20, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.

  After watching the show last night, my partner and I were left to tears, I am so pleased that the BBC brought to everybody’s attention how these so called breeders are only interested in making money and not the dog’s welfare.

  We had a pedigree dog a Doberman called Scooby, he had just turned four and he died in three days, just started bleeding, we had spent over £4K on blood transfusions trying to save him, nearly six months on we all miss him especially our daughter she is nearly 4 and still asks if Scooby in heaven Daddy.

  I was thinking of using the KC puppy finder, but I will be giving that a miss from now on. How can I make sure that we get a healthy dog and not a mutant from now on?

  I think it would be a great Idea to set up a different club that actually supported the health of the breed and was not interested in making money.

  What about setting up a new club by the Vets and RSPCA that only promoted healthy dogs I am sure the public would be happy to spend more money knowing that they would get a healthy dog with no related parentage and the money was going to a good cause etc.

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• becky_132 August 20, 2008 at 1:02 p.m.

  I was horrified by this program. In the first few minutes seeing the Boxer having a fit I burst into tears. After losing our Beautful Girl Sasha in Feb this year (she has a lot of genetic health problems) it really upset me. We also have an 18month old Great Dane (Shyloah) who has been diagnosed with a form of motor neurone disease (genetic!).

  Considering call dogs 'mans best friend' what the KC and breeders are doing is torture! I dont know how they sleep at night.

  I hope that this was not a one off program and that the BBC will continue to try to do something about and report on the cruelty and torture that the KC and breeders are inflicting on these poor animals.

  SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!!!

  I think the BBC sould put some kind of petition one the website for all to sign and send it to the government. Clearly the KC wont do anything - it is time for the government to step in and together with the RSPCA and public we must make a change b4 its too late!!!

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• DebE August 20, 2008 at 12:21 p.m.

  I felt sick watching the first part of the programme last night and as an animal lover who would rather cuddle her dogs than show them my initial thought was that if humans were treated the way breeders treat their dogs there would be a human rights activist screaming for justice but it seems from last night's programme that it is okay to mistreat the most loyal member of the family you could ever dream of having. I don't wish to be rude but it just seemed like a lot of older people were stuck in their ways and blind to the pain and suffering they are causing the dogs and their owners. Surely something can be done to stop this suffering. How a dog can be judged as the best when it clealy has so many problems just shocks the hell out of me and if showing your dogs means causing suffering I am glad I don't do it. The RSPCA should be given more power to step in and stop this thoughtless breeding by people who just want to make money.

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• Naampet August 20, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.

  "The primary object of The Kennel Club is to promote in every way, the general improvement of dogs"

  What a load of rubbish. They couldn't care less because if they did care about dogs, they wouldn't let inbreeding occur, they wouldn't let dogs that clearly have a disability be named "Best in Show" in that stupid and ignorent competition called Crufts and they would want to change the minds of these morons who think it is more important for a dog to look good than it is for their health and well being. It is no different to animal cruelty. It is the fault of these people why Pedigree dogs are in such a mess today. And that bloke who tried to make it sound a bit more positive and saying "well at least we've done some research blah blah blah". Yes well done (sarcastic) but you're still allowing things like this to happen, these illnesses and diseases still occur a lot, so really that piece of research has been made redundant. But how much reasearch do you need to know that King Charles spaniels are going through that pain because it's inherited from their mothers and fathers? And how on earth can you put a positive spin on an issue like this?! He's clearly only trying to save his own skin. These people only care about winning a tacky rosette every year. And inbreeding, why do they let it happen?! Us human beings don't inbreed because it is DISGUSTING, it ruins the gene pool, and if we did inbreed we'd all be playing I spy wih my middle eye! So why should we let dogs go through the same pain and shame! It's like Hitler's view of an Aryan race and how they are superior to everyone else. We all knew that was a load of garbage. But it's exactly the same thing. These philesteins want nothing more than the 'perfect superior pet'. Well I have news for you lot. Nothing's perfect. And if you have to ruin a gene pool to get a 'perfect dog' then you are just sad sad people. Why should they allow dogs to carry on like this. Some people say when you're young sometimes it's hard to decipher from what's wrong and what's right. I'm 14 years old and I know full well what's wrong and what's right. But these peope are grown adults, people who are supposed to have common sense and knowledge. Well they don't. And we all know it. They need to get their heads out from their bums and get a grip on reality!

  These people love dogs? I'd hate to see them if they hated dogs.

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• BorderCollieMan August 20, 2008 at 11:03 a.m.

  Over many years of self regulation the KC has made little or no progress in solving these problems and in many respects it is not in their members short term interests to do so.

  As self regulation has failed it is now appropriate to legislate and take the solution out of the hands of the people with a vested interest in prevarication.

  I would think it inappropriate for an organisation like the RSPCA to continue to associate with the KC and would therefore urge a change in the Societies position on attending events like Crufts and supporting the KC by providing an illusion of respectability to their activities.
  It may be argued that to break such ties would close avenues of debate and therefore prevent the Society from influencing change, however as stated in the documentary, if a member o the public were to inflict such pain and distress on a dog by beating it with a stick, they would be prosecuted and I am of the belief that the RSPCA would be the first to bring such a prosecution under those circumstances.
  It therefore seems hypocritical to continue a close association with an organisation that condones and promotes such cruelty.
  The KC needs the RSPCA more than the RSPCA needs the KC so I suspect a break, under these circumstances would not only be appropriate but would also oblige the KC to face their responsibility and take these matters in hand.

  I would also feel it appropriate for the BBC to cease coverage of Crufts although I am aware that the existing contract is for a further two years. Under these circumstances, further coverage would only be condoning these inhumane practices and I would loose all respect for the Corporation if they continue to do so.

  There is much talk about how the new 2006 animal welfare act will enable cruelty and abuse to be dealt with in a preventative manner by giving legal powers to enforcement agencies, both public and private, to take action to prevent suffering in circumstances where it may occur.
  There is no doubt in my mind that the breeding practices outlined in this program are going to cause suffering to dogs in the future and that even if such suffering will only occur to a proportion of the dogs, it will occur.
  I would consequently hope that powers under the 2006 Act could be implemented to take action to prevent such events occurring, particularly on the basis that the consequences of these breeding practices are well known to those practicing them and are a direct result of past and current methods, therefore can only be construed as deliberate acts by the breeders that cause suffering to the dogs they are producing.
  Why not prosecute?

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• Sue August 20, 2008 at 10:14 a.m.

  Another programme I missed because I was out! I was aware of the problem however, and it all comes back down to one thing - fashion! I know of people who never show their pedigree dogs, but who for various reasons would not be seen dead in public with a mongrel on a leash. Why? I haven't got a clue. Maybe it is because their dog represents as much of a symbol of their status as diamonds or a flash car. In the same way that some yobs like to walk around with a pit bull to enhance their tough image, at the other end of the scale some people like to walk around with a pedigree pooch in a diamond studded collar and ribbons. This of course shows the real dog lovers how vain and fickle they are, but from their standpoint, it denotes their social superiority! Even people with a genuine interest in a particular breed should recognise the dangers which are inherent in the breeding process. There is no excuse for anyone who claims to be knowledgable about any breed of dog to be so ignorant on this issue. The problem is that breeders are constantly seeking perfection in the breed, and often this comes at a price, which unfortunately the dog pays. Yes, it is wrong, and some control should be imposed to prevent it continuing, but it isn't going to be easy. We tend to assume that people who will pay hundreds of pounds for a dog do it because they love dogs. I don't think that is the case. Some people will pay lots of money for a dog for the same reasons why they will pay lots of money for a designer handbag or pair of shoes. It is not about the dog (which is an expendable commodity), it is about them, their image, their ego, and it is a fashion statement. It is sad that we live in a culture of fashion and celebrity. Look at all the celebrities being photographed with miniature breed pedigree dogs in their handbags. Something else I have noticed is that there are a lot of people, many unemployed and struggling on benefits, who have latched on to dog breeding as a way of making money without declaring it. For these people it is purely about financial gain. If they are making a nice living out of it, they are not going to stop just because it is cruel, because the welfare of the animals is secondary to them. I wish I could stop it overnight, but I think any changes for the better will be a long time in coming.

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• tina August 20, 2008 at 8:32 a.m.

  The responses of the Kennel Club and of many of the breeders interviewed in the programme make it quite clear that they have no serious intention to voluntarily put a stop to these vile practices. Would it be possible under current legislation for the RSPCA to bring a prosecution against a breeder for these practices, on the grounds that they cause unnecessary suffering to the dogs? Or against the Kennel Club for encouraging such practices through the repugnant 'breed standards' system? I assume that this is not possible, in which case I would support a campaign to change the legislation so that it becomes possible.

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• kt&dillain August 20, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

  personally i disaqgree with crufts totally. i have a pedigree dog but would not under any circumstances want to show him. he is my pet and a perfect member of the family. we let him live and enjoy life, get muddy and jump in all sorts. but isn't the life dogs are meant to have??? not preened and made to prance around an arena... and then theres this business of breeding, its just plain selfish and heartless!!! leaving one of the most beautiful species with all sorts of pronlems... you wouldn't do it to a human, so why make innocent animals suffer!?!?!

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• Marc August 19, 2008 at 11:42 p.m.

  It's clear the Kennel Club and most (if not all) of its breeders, do not understand how genetics works. Any 'directed' breeding, which is essentially eugenics, will fall foul of problems that can't be diagnosed until they manifest themselves under screening.
  Frankly, the breeders and the Kennel Club are not being honest when they claim that they take animal welfare seriously, because when the visual and scientific evidence is front of your nose and you persist to breed for cosmetic reasons, you are being at best disingenuous, and at worst an animal abuser.

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• PThomas August 19, 2008 at 11:37 p.m.

  Crufts has always seemed a little macabre to me. Over-bred dogs paraded like Barbie dolls on a catwalk. Bellies and folds of flesh dragging on the floor, tiny dogs cocooned in long thick hair inhibiting any movement and faces squashed so flat that they can barely breathe. Dogs paraded for the vanity of the owners. These are not dog lovers. They are pimps.
  A caller on the Radio5 debate this evening suggested that in-breeding occurred naturally in the wild. What he failed to mention is that many species have died out as a result of "natural" in-breeding. The gene pool of any species needs to be as varied as possible in order to maintain its strength.
  This is human-kind deliberately perverting canine lineage for profit and superficial beauty. The Kennel Club suggested that if they were more strict with their guidelines, breeders would simply terminate membership and breed anyway. So, who is in control of the Kennel Club, The Director or the breeders.
  I hope we can keep the momentum going. If we dont, then we are storing up trouble for the future. By which time, it may be too late...

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• terri August 19, 2008 at 11:33 p.m.

  I would never see an animal of any kind suffer and accept there are problems in breeds but I would like to point out that this is a minority of breeds and most breeders love our dogs and breed carefully, perform health tests which are not cheap but well worth the costs to ensure healthy long living pups we also import dogs from other countries to improve the existing gene pool. I am not alone in this many responsible breeders are involved in research including DNA swabs which are collected from all dogs so if there is a problem we can hopefully identify it and not use selected dogs. Most breeders have morals and would not consider using closely related dogs. My breed is healthy, long living and spend lots of time on my sofa so please don't condemn the breeders who are working hard to breed healthy dogs who are capable of doing a days work

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• gess August 19, 2008 at 11:29 p.m.

  I'd just like to add my voice to support some of the comments below, I'm appalled and hope this raises public awareness when looking to purchase pedigree puppies. lets hope.........

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• Beth500 August 19, 2008 at 10:57 p.m.

  Yes bex_101, count me in, i am not sure how we go about it but i could certainly find out some details, my hairdresser is on the local RSPCA committe so i could speak to her as she would know what to do.

  my email is plutozens@yahoo.co.uk

  Beth500

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• corri August 19, 2008 at 10:52 p.m.

  I too was shocked & disgusted by the kennel club & breeders attitudes. Surely they are SUPPOSED to be animal lovers? I knew that alot of breeds have inheredited health problems caused by inbreeding, but not to that extent. Im glad it has been brought to the general publics attention at last. Firstly, i think, all inbreeding should be stopped. Also if all dogs regularly used for breeding had to pass certain breed-specific medical tests, & had 'proof of health' certificates, this could begin to reduce some of the problems. I do think the goverment needs to get more involved, as this is animal cruelty on a huge scale!

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• bex_101 August 19, 2008 at 10:46 p.m.

  I really feel a petition AND a protest OUTSIDE the kennel club is what we need. Who is with me.
  SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.....

  If we all unite then maybe we can bring it to the eyes of the law, just like that lady did with her cavalier spaniel. Like toni sam said, there is powers in numbers.

  If anyone agrees and wants to do more, e-mail me at tregent24@hotmail.com

  Thank You

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• bex_101 August 19, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.

  No offence but the kennel club has made ABSOLUTELY NO EFFORT to make this matter any better, as far as they are concerened its ok because they are just dogs and because they cannot say nothing, but its not right. The lady was right, it is EXACTLY the same as a father having a baby with his daughter and it is the EXACT same as having a baby with someone, knowing they have Aids or HIV. I think laws need to be put into place to stop this and i think now is the time to do so. Its really about time that animals are cared for and looked after. Some breeders do not care an ounce about the puppies they are selling, they just want to sell them, make a profit and go to crufts for a few trophies, its all due to GREED, MONEY and downright SELFISHNESS. I bought a beautiful Shetland Sheepdog and i love him and his breed so much that i would become a breeder as i get older but NEVER in my life would i treat some of the dogs the way that some breeders do. I think that two specific laws need to be put into place and they need to be NOW.

  Law 1... No animal is allowed to be breed with unless they are checked over by a local vet for any health problems, if any, the animal is NOT allowed to be breed with, if none the vet passes agreement and the animal is then allowed to be breed with.

  This will stop people buying a puppy or any other pet, to later find out that there are hundreds of problems and alos to not allow any suffering from either the animal or the owner.

  Law 2...There is to be no inbreedation of any kind, not grandparents, great parents, uncles etc, STRICTLY forbidden, it is wrong and very very cruel.

  This means that most inherited diseases will be passed on through parent to child.
  What annoys me the most is that when we takes dogs out for a walk, they MUST be kept on the lead as a part of the law, but why is this, as this is the only time a dog gets to run aruond freely and happily. In the kennel club's eyes, a dog cannot have their natural everyday run, but can have babies with their sisters.... RUBBISH.

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• toni sam August 19, 2008 at 10:39 p.m.

  Jess Cat no need to apologise we all feel same.

  Very disturbing!!!!!!!!!!

  Goverement intrested in everything except animal welfare. Feel bad that I dont vote as this is the only issue that intrests me & I feel strongly about.

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• toni sam August 19, 2008 at 10:32 p.m.

  Does anyone know how to start a pettion with your local MP or has someone started one anywhere.

  Hope everyone has sent email to KC because there's power in numbers.

  Thanks :)

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• Jess_Cat August 19, 2008 at 10:30 p.m.

  I understand that the Kennel Club has made an effort to help the problem, but it seems to me to be a very small effort. They claim that their main aim is to "promote in every way, the general improvemtn of dogs" - personally, I feel it should be changed to "ENFORCE in everyway...etc" If they made it compulsary, as part of their rules, that all dogs being bred from were scanned, before being bred from, then it would go a long way. Yet the chairman tonight came across as very reluctant to force the breeders to do anything - he appeared as more of a puppet than anything to be honest, and he would be, seeing as he is a breeder himself.
  Obviously not everyone in the Kennel Club has these ridiculous and highly outdated views that how a dog looks is eveything, and I hope they can now make their presence more felt, with the support of many behind them.
  I admit that my first couple of posts were rants, written in anger after what I saw, and I apologise if they came accross as aggressive. I just hate to see any animal being mistreated - if animals could talk, I'm sure that things would be very different. But as they can't, we have to fight for them, whether it's the many being abused in homes accross the world or the ones being bred with pre-mature, painful death sentances hanging over them from birth. I can assure you my rage is also felt when I see animals being mistreated in ANY way, it's just not fair.

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• Beth500 August 19, 2008 at 10:25 p.m.

  I too like so many others was absolutely horrified by what i have just watched on the BBC i was also moved to tears at the unnecessary suffering of those poor animals.
  I have checked the Kennel club site and also emailed them to state my views.And i wholly disagree with Mimi's statement that the Kennel club have an 'Extensive' health program in place! From the website i can acknowledge that they have 'Some' health programs in place but no way are they extensive!!
  My Cavalier died of heart disease 12 years ago-at that time the kennel club assured me they were 'looking in to it'. They obviously haven't been looking hard enough!!I have spoken to many Cavalier owners since then and out of 20 conversations i have only spoken to 2 owners whose dogs did NOT have heart disease!!

  Where do most of us go if we want to buy a healthy pedigree pup?? We go to see the Kennel Club Accredited breeders don't we, thinking they are the safest route in getting a healthy disease free pup!
  But no a Pekinese dog wins crufts but cannot breathe properly and has to sit on an ice-pack to stay cool!!It is all just unbelievable.

  Beth500

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• jean levett August 19, 2008 at 10:20 p.m.

  Crufts should not be televised on any channel and the Kennel Club should be closed down and demolished

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• mimi August 19, 2008 at 10:17 p.m.

  Hi Jess
  I know what you are saying but working day in day out with the very common problems, I just feel its more important to deal with the 'majority' issue because the animals I'm seeing don't have a roof over their head or food in their belly, nor love and attention and if there is no one to pay the bills - well, you can't expect the charities to have an endless source of money! - so you can guess what happens. I think the Kennel Club HAVE identified the problems and have spent time and money changing things over the last 10 -15 years. Unfortunately - the two KC representatives on the show tonight came across as Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum but I do know individual KC registered breeders who have done heaps on PRA (eye disease) and other breed related conditions and they shouldn't all be put in a KC/dog breeder pile and attacked.

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• notned August 19, 2008 at 10:10 p.m.

  I think the KC, should sort out its priorities. Sell there super duper mayfair HQ in London. Donate a large proportion of the profit to the RSPSA. Get rid of those old fuddy duddies at the top. And concentrate on there function: The preservation of mans best friend.

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• jess/tilli August 19, 2008 at 10:06 p.m.

  I am glad the bbc brought to everyones attention what goes on to pedigree dogs and how they are suffering. I was disgusted by the breeders and the kennel club they just care about how the animal looks and not about its welfare its animal cruelty these dogs are suffering for no good reason. The number one piority to any pet owner or breeder should be the animals health and welfare and i feel lots of these breeders are letting the dogs down. I hope that from this show crufts wont be shown on the bbc i certainly won't be watching. I also hope that people think hard before buying a dog and do their research or go to a rescue centre to rehome a unwanted dog. I think the kennel club should bring in new regulations to insure dogs are healthy and dogs suffering with conditions due to over breeding shouldn't be bread. Lets say no to over breeding and stop our dogs suffering.

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• Jess_Cat August 19, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.

  Mimi, yes, there are huge problems with millions of domestic pets that need to be tackled, but who says that they are more important than what's happening to those poor animals? Surely cruelty is cruelty, no matter who is doing it and on what scale.
  Personally, I felt the Hitler reference was quite justified - in fact, my housemates and I arrived at that idea before that segment of the programme.
  Dealing with people who mistreat animals is not a "luxury," even if it is only one person or a handful, never mind hundreds or thousands. Have you not seen the scle of the puppy farms?
  The RSPCA already has measures in place to protect animals suffering cruelty, but surely if the Kennel Club could assist them in any way/shape or form, then that would be a good thing. And by assist I don't mean a voluntary health care system, but a system that FORCES breeders to stop breeding dogs that are going to be in pain and struggle through their pitifully short lives.

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• toni sam August 19, 2008 at 9:57 p.m.

  I do believe intill new regulations vets, shouldnt stop putting puppies (if they are unable to rescue them as some breeders will not see sense) down as this will just force those dreadful breeders underground & start home pts.
  My heart went out the lady who was still fighting in the mermory of her king charles, my boy is only a cross G/dane but his legs are very weak if I got my hands on those breeders that caused all this pain for the dogs & there owners, they would know what it is to be in pain for the rest of their lives. Sorry just feel so strongly :(

  We need to hit them were it hurts no more buying peds we all need only rescue dogs or buy from responsable breeders (nomore believing responsable breeder because KC registered).

  Everyone send KC an email they will have to listen to us!!!!!!!!!Goverement should get involved they have stood back for to long.

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• jean levett August 19, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.

  LLArandale - you might be best checking the internet - there may be some form of mild epilepsy I hope it isn't, as it is not very nice I have to watch my dog have a fit at least 4 times per 10weeks even though she is on medication for it

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• mimi August 19, 2008 at 9:51 p.m.

  What a shame the BBC has spent 'two years' researching for this programme and then completely forgetting to mention that the Kennel Club have an extensive health care scheme in place to identify the serious breed problems mentioned! (all info available on the KC website) And the piece on Hitler! I generally respect the BBC but please! there is no need to stoop to a 'news of the world' style of reporting! I've worked in veterinary practices for 25 years so I've seen a lot. And yes there are breed related problems but PLEASE lets keep things in perspective...my clinic is not full of fitting Cavs and Boxers. I've never been asked to euthanise a healthy Rhodesian Ridgeback...but I am constantly dealing with unwanted, uncared for cats, dogs and heaps of rabbits with really common problems - fleas, flea bite allergies, infectious diseases, behavioural problems, strays and general poor understanding of what these animals need. And these are by no means pedigree animals I see. Lets sort all that lot out first and then we can have the luxury of dealing with just a few hundred misguided or foolish dog breeders.

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• jean levett August 19, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.

  i agree with you notned - he spoke a lot of sense tonight and he should be a MP

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• LLArrandale August 19, 2008 at 9:36 p.m.

  Chloe I completely agree with you and I cannot believe the ignorance that some of the breeders had on the show!!!

  I just hope that the show creates a lot more awareness and maybe some of the breeders watch it and see the dogs and owners that are struggling to cope! I also think it is important that we who are appalled at this show make ourselves heard!!! Lets not just sit back and leave the hard work to others like the RSPCA...if we all each sent a letter we could make people sit up and take notice!

  I have a pedigree beagle and the thought of something like that happening to him would make my world turn upside down! When he lies down and falls asleep he can sometimes shake quite violently, at first it appears he is shivering but it is more violent than that. Does anyone know what conditions can be inbred into beagles?

  I think the Kennel Club should be ashamed of its attitude but Im afraid they might not realise what they have done till it is too late. This is why I would love to get involved in lobbying for change...does anyone know of any way I can get hold of an address of a person who is already lobbying Parliament so that I could join them???

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• Jess_Cat August 19, 2008 at 9:34 p.m.

  The programme tonight was absolutely disgusting and actually reduced me to tears. It is unbelievable that in today's "civilised" society, we are subjecting defencless animals to cruelty for our own personal gain - and that's all it is. Dog's don't care if they win a prize at a dog show or not - all they ask from us is love and affection, which they give to us unconditionallly.
  The Kennel Club, as England's main dog club has a responsibility to protect the animals, never mind what the breeders say! They should bring in rules that force breeders to have all their animals checked for health problems and ban them from breeding if they breed puppies that will end up having a life of pain and misery. The dogs suffer and so do their owners, forced to watch an animal they chose to love and adore put through awful medical conditions that the breeders basically caused.

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• dollymay62 August 19, 2008 at 9:32 p.m.

  i have just watched the program and i think the RSPCA could do more , ie insisting that all dogs used for breeding have a health certificate from an independent vet.
  i think its the duty of the RSPCA to ensure that it is carried out. i only have mongrels you can't beat a X breeds.

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• FionaK August 19, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

  I just can't believe the disgust I felt watching this programme. All the breeders interviewed were the most selfish, self-centred, arrogant individuals. The Kennel Club should be ashamed of their lack of support, for what is clearly an appalling situation for these animals. Having already submitted support to the RSPCA for this campaign, I've also let the KC know the feelings their attitude has stirred. In agreement with 'notned' - Mark Evans should be an MP!! I hope the RSPCA will continue their drive to stop this.

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• toni sam August 19, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.

  How are these people alloud to get away with this sort of behavior we all need to pull together and ensure KC listen to us & change their regulations. Unresposable breeders have just shown themselfs as idiots only intrested in winning competions & making money, KC making membership money, not in the intrest of our beloved friends dogs. We must make them see a more compasionate way nomore close family inbreeding, culls of unperfect puppies according to KC regs & breeding that incourages genetic health problems.

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• notned August 19, 2008 at 9:24 p.m.

  Mark Evans should become a M.P. maybe something would get done then..

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• Chloe August 19, 2008 at 9:22 p.m.

  I have just finished watching the programme "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" and the first thing I have done is logged onto the internet so that I could find this site.
  I believe it's absolutely disgusting what we are doing to dog breeds all in the name of fashion. What have we become so that we judge dogs on how much loose skin they have rather than their quality of life and their health!?
  Is it so important that a dog be the right colour rather than be free from life threatening conditions? Why should animals have to suffer for our bigoted opinions about what a dog breed should look like?
  I hope all animal lovers feel as insensed as I do and log onto the internet now and make their voices heard. Animals can't speak out so we have to do that for them. I fully support the RSPCA in all they are doing to correct the breeders errors of judgement. The head of vets for the RSPCA was one of the most sane speakers in the whole show. How can the Kennel Club and Crufts turn a blind eye to such obvious cruelty?

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• b.m.lloyd August 19, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.

  hear hear Penny and Jean!

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• jean levett August 19, 2008 at 9:07 p.m.

  I have been watching tonights program and it is about time the Kennel Club is exposed for what it really is, they dont care about the dogs or the breeds the only thing the Kennel Club is interested in is money they dont care what breeders are doing as long as they register their puppies with them for the astronomical fees they charge.

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• Penny August 19, 2008 at 9 p.m.

  Why can't a nationwide database be created which requires vets to register all dogs with diagnosed hereditary diseases and therefore render them unable to breed. This is surely a basic lifesaver for the future of breeds!!!

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• churchpam August 19, 2008 at 8:56 p.m.

  Am I right in thinking that one of the vets defending the Kennel club is a top vet for the PDSA if its true then I shall no longer donate to them and I shall make sure they know why I no longer wish to support any organisation who can support such dreadful practices.
  I have never kept a dog but when I retire I intend to get a proper mut.

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• jean levett August 19, 2008 at 8:55 p.m.

  I am a dog lover. I have 5 Golden retreivers but unfortunately one of my dogs has epilepsy which is very distressing for any dog lover to watch. At the first vet check after I bought her I was told that she had a heart murmer. At that time there was no mention of epilepsy. The epilepsy developed just after she was 1 year old. My dog has cluster fits which are more difficult to control. I bought 3 dogs from the same kennels. The kennels that I bought the dogs from is a very reputable kennels in the area. I have no problems with the kennel but I do have a problem with one of the breeders they get their dogs from. I suspect that the litter that my epileptic dog came from has somewhere along the line been interbred and I was unfortunate to purchase the dog with epilepsy. I would not part with my epileptic dog as I love her so much but I do know that her life will be shorter than the others.

  We definitely need stop interbreeding and control the Puppy Farms there should be more restictions on the Puppy Farms. I dont register my dogs with the Kennel Club as I disagree with the club and I disagree with Crufts, it is cruel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Can anyone advise me if I can take legal action against the breeder of my epileptic dog

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• Penny August 19, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.

  The RSPCA and associated organisations really must continue to expose the horrific practise of breeding pedigrees dogs in this way. I hope this program tonight will gather support from the thousands of animal lovers who are against this dog abuse. It is pitiful to see the suffering of these so called pedigrees. I would suggest that the kennel club take an immediate stance to register all breeders ensuring no inter-breeding and immediately review all the breed regulations they expect which leads to genetic mutations and deformed animals. Well done on this program, only hope it can do something. I for one will never purchase one of these pedigrees and will continue to keep rescue dogs as pets in my home.

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• b.m.lloyd August 19, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.

  i'm still watching this programme and i am absolutely shocked, i can't believe (for example) the responses of not only, as animalwildchild also noted, the kennel club but the breeders! what planet are they on?! why would you want to cause such pain to and problems to your pet? it's horific.
  i wish i could suggest something that could be done. certainly more attention needs to be brought to this, some sort of RSPCA campaign? it would be a good idea perhaps to encourage adoption for the rhodesian ridgeback puppies without ridges in vets around the country? petitions for changing rules set by the kennel club (e.g. mother-son breeding etc)?
  bethan

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• animalwildchild August 19, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.

  WHAT PRICE for our vanity...is it fair to put our dogs through it ........NO

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