Comments

  • tartantroozerz February 8, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

    I would like to donate the proceeds of this ebay auction -

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170778869570?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

    Please feel free to bid.

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  • Waltraud February 7, 2012 at 8:51 a.m.

    I suppose that there is also in-breeding which is never good for any animal or human - AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW, IT IS NOT A NEW KNOWLEDGE - Reclaim the original evolution animals.-LIKE DOGGYMAN- I COPIED IT - ITS RIGHT !

    BUT THE WORST PROBLEMS ARE THE KILLINGS OF OVERPOPULATION.

    ANIMALS HAVE RIGHT TO LIVE PROTECTED BY HUMANS !
    THOSE WHO ARE CRUEL TO ANIMALS CANNOT BE RIGHTEOS HUMAN BEEINGS.

    IF AUTHORITIES PLACE A BAN ON STRAYS AND THE OVERPOPULATION BY ILLEGALIZING PUPPY MILLS AND STORE/MASS/ AND P E D I G R E E - BREEDS and THE INTERNET SALE, BY GETTING ALL MUTTS/STRAYS AND FAMILY DOGS AND CATS NEUTURED/SPAYED THE NEVERENDING PROBLEMS WERE MOSTLY GONE!

    THEREFORE WE HAVE AUTHORITIES HAVE TO PLACE THIS BAN.
    THOSE WHO WANT TO ADOPT PETS MUST CONTACT SHELTERS ONLY.
    THE BAN ON PUPPY MILLS AND (STORE)BREEDING/MASSBREEDING HAVE TO BE ETABLISHED IN LAW !

    WHAT IT SO DIFFICULT FOR AUTHORITIES AND NEED YEARS AND YEARS TO START WITH ? ? ?

    FURTHER AUTHORITIES HAVE TO MANAGE, DEMAND AND SUPPORT SHELTERS AND REALLY QUALIFIED TEAMS TO PROTECT THESE ANIMALS BY THEY COULD BE ADOPTED FROM PERSONALIZED OWNERS.

    IF THIS WORKS, SHELTERS CAN WORK PROFITABLE AS WELL AND THIS CRUELTIES HAVE AN END!

    AUTHORITIES HAVE TO PLACE IMMEDIATELY A BAN ON ATROCITIES, ON KILLINGS TO ALL LIVING CREATURES BY APPLY STRONGEST JUSTICE TO PERSONS RESPONSIBLE !

    THESE KILLINGS AND ABUSES ARE UNBEARABLY FOR CIVILIZED SOCIETIES. KILLINGMONSTERS SHOULD GET SEPARATED FROM OTHER HUMANBEINGS FOR DON´T DISTURB THEIR FEELINGS IN A NONHUMANE WAY !

    IF TORTURERS LIKE TO DO SUCH THINGS AND AUTHORITIES LOOK AT THEM WITHOUT ANY CONSEQENCES - THERE IS FACT, that THIS TORTURERS NEVER WILL HAVE RESPECT FROM SOMEBODY INCLUDED THE AUTHORITIES. I BELIEVE THEY MAKE NO STOP TO KILL A HUMAN AS WELL. NEWSPAPERS TALK !

    (Sorry for my bad written english - I´ll exercise)

    „The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.“ Mahatma Ghandi

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  • emsyclarke January 30, 2012 at 9:37 p.m.

    I think the point of this campaign is to help people realise that there are a lot of health problems that can be caused by overbreeding. And there are more coming to light every year, with advances in vetinary medicine (just like with us humans!). It isn't about slamming breeders who care about their dogs and do everything they can to make sure that they are healthy but it is to make EVERYONE aware that this is what is happening now. Out of the 6 dogs we have in our house, two are mine and they are the two that have long term medical conditions. One is pure breed and one is a mixed breed. Most people would not have spent the amount of money I have on these dogs as neither has been insured, my mistake as I should have learnt the first time, they would have just had them put to sleep.

    I have a Cavalier King Charles who is 5 years old and suffers from a genetic condition called syringomyelia. We only discovered this about 6 months ago when he started suffering from extreme epsiodes of pain when doing nothing out of the ordinary that we could see. He is now on two different drugs for the rest of his life, which we hope will be a long and happy one. He is no longer suffering with the pain so I am happy to keep him on the drugs while that continues.I also have a Lurcher who suffers from an immune system issue, which is common is this "breed", and he has been on a low dose of steroids since he was 2 1/2 years old. He was not expected to last much beyond 5 or 6 years old. He is now nearing 8 and going strong.

    The cavalier is a puppy that we bred oursleves. We have the mum and his two sisters, a Chihuahua, and a Lurcher. We did want to have puppys from one of his sisters but now that is not a possibility as this is a genetic disease and she may be a carrier if she doesn't develop it herself. Maybe breeders don't always find out that dogs they have breed develop these conditions, but maybe that is what needs to happen so that they can stop breeding from that dog. I realise that it would be a time consuming task to track every dog that had been bred from that source but if we are so concerned about doing right by these animals then a little bit of admin shouldn't be putting us off.

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  • catscowsgiraffe January 22, 2012 at 7:32 p.m.

    I think this is really unexceptable! I hate the way people use animals to get money/for their own benefit. People should remember that animals, are really, equal to them.

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  • jasminetigerlily January 16, 2012 at 8:11 p.m.

    dog and cat breeding needs to stop now, its just a money making operation and the animals are not always bought into a good home situation, at the end of the day dogs have emotions and how would we feel if we were used for breeding kids every year?

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  • radulf January 7, 2012 at 5:33 a.m.

    For what I'm seeing here, there has been a misunderstanding. I don't see why responsible breeders should worry about it, since the goal of this campaign is to make a change to improve (and maybe even solve) the health issues that some breeds have because of their extreme physical features. I'm well aware there are responsible breeders that test out their dogs for potential health problems, but to a breed like the bulldog, the respiratory and overheat issues (because of their flat faces) and the need of cesareans to give birth (because of their over size head and narrow hip), are problems considered to be something normal within the breed that the dog and you have to cope with (and warning about it doesn’t make it right), problems that could be solved if the standard were to change. And bulldogs are just one of the breeds facing this kind of troubles.

    And it’s true, there are a lot of other issues with dogs (puppy mills, backyard breeders, BSL, etc.) but that doesn't mean this problem should be overlooked.

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  • Galadriel January 6, 2012 at 11:47 a.m.

    I don't suppose it would be possible to put a ceiling on the legal price of a puppy. That would ensure a level playing field.

    I have, with only two exceptions, always adopted rescue dogs and they have been wonderful companions. Both of the 'top quality' bought pedigree puppies died of genetic conditions.

    I have, at present, a rescued pedigree Mini Poodle who cost his first owners £750.00 from a puppy supermarket. Needless to say, he has a battery of health (physical and mental) issues including severe Hip Dysplasia which has rendered him to the lifestyle of a ten year old instead of the two year old he actually is.

    It's heartbreaking to see him wanting to play with other dogs and our grandchildren and screaming with pain when his hip slips out of joint. He doesn't try to play any more and I have to lift him up and down from the couch/car etc.

    He has a permanent limp and is in constant pain. Anti-inflams make him ill and I will have to decide at what point it's all too much - all because someone wanted to make a buck.
    Shameful!

    We will not change human nature, so we have to try to educate the dog-buying public about the real cost of unnecessarily expensive puppies.

    I might add just here that I did have, when I was very young, a short dalliance with the world of the dog-show so I do have experience from that world as well as that of the breeder.
    I did a LOT of research of both disciplines with the idea of joining their ranks but, thankfully, thought better of it and started to rescue instead.

    We need to work TOGETHER for the benefit of our canine friends - it's no good taking lumps out of each other, that benefits no-one.

    Responsible breeders have nothing to worry about as they already have the welfare of their animals as a priority but I wonder if some of them would still breed if there wasn't such a high price-tag on the pups?

    I know a well-cared for kennel is an expensive business but I wonder if, in these enlightened times, it's ethical to make money out of creating a life you are ultimately not going to be responsible for...?

    At the other end, the puppy farms etc skimp to the bone on the care of their animals and make even more profit.

    I don't have the answer, but if we keep discussions open perhaps we may come to one.

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  • Galadriel January 6, 2012 at 11:46 a.m.

    I think we're all getting a wee bit defensive and need to take a small step back.

    Clearly, if you are a responsible breeder, the criticisms are not directed at you, but at the breeders who don't take enough care with their animals and I know some show breeders do fall into this category.

    I also question the cost of this campaign, as well-meaning and ethical as it is, as most peeps who donate to the RSPCA do so with a view to caring for and alleviating the need to euthanize the dogs on death row.

    The puppy farms and supermarkets are places of hellish and unparalleled misery and these places need to be eradicated forthwith. However it's a complicated issue as these unscrupulous people just move somewhere else if challenged.

    The answer is education of the public. If silly people with too much money to spare are prepared to pay these dreadful human beings ridiculous money then, human nature being the awful thing it is, some peeps will take advantage of this and pump out pups to demand, regardless of pedigree or 'designer' (weren't pedigrees 'designer' too in the first place?).

    If the public refused to pay ridiculous prices then the puppy mills would soon disappear, so would most unscrupulous breeders.
    It is, as usual, all down to the love of money.

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  • debzsc January 6, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.

    It is the in-breeding of near relatives that causes genetic defects to occur more often than in nature and certain conditions within certain breeds. I have a springer spaniel with severe hip dysplasia which she was born with and if you look at her pedigree, it shows evidence of in-breeding. Once someone has taken a dog home, I doubt that they would give it back to the breeder but nobody would elect to have a dog with a health problem, given the choice. Breeders could eliminate these sorts of problems but perhaps rely on us being a nation of softies to get away with it. I know it's not the same but one wouldn't accept an appliance with a major fault, it would get sent back to the supplier. I love my dog but if I had known what health problems she had at the time of choosing her, there is no doubt that I would have picked another puppy or even gone to another breeder.

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  • pixie92 January 3, 2012 at 12:48 p.m.

    People are aware of these issues, however eradicating breeds is impossible. The RSPCA need to focus more on working with the Kennel Club (even though they are incredibly stubborn, cruel and selfish) to highlight problems within breeds and tell them whats healthy and whats not. Also they need to focus on the backstreet breeders that only care for money.

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  • sealbear3 January 3, 2012 at 11:58 a.m.

    I am an owner of a Chihuahua, NOT because it is labled as a ''handbag dog'' purely because I LOVE this breed!

    My family have grown up with dogs ranging from Bulldogs, German Sheppard’s, staffs, Shar pei's and Chihuahuas.

    I do think there is an obvious issue with pedigree dogs being mis-bred, but as others have stated, some dogs have known issues that can arise.

    If you know your breeds you would be able to immediately list issues certain breeds may face. Not necessarily because of the way in which they have been bred, but because they are known for that particular problem.

    You cannot say that a dog that is perfectly/correctly bred, will never face problems, it's just not reality.

    I definitely agree that time and money should be focused on the farms/shops/kennels, that in-breed etc.

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  • Boxerheart January 3, 2012 at 4:51 a.m.

    I have been breeding Boxers, showing Boxers and doing obedience training for 30 years. A Boxer is an agile and strong and active dog, and if correctly bred for correct proportion OF muzzle width and depth to skull - suffers no difficulty in breathing. A Boxers head was bred for a purpose still useful in this working breed today. Overall - The Boxer still looks and can perform the work his ancestors did and the forebear of the Boxers did. (I am sick of lounge chair procrastinators rubbishing my breed I have dedicated my life to.) You can't tar all breeders or all breeds or all individuals within a breed with the same brush. As a breeder, I health test. Do the designer dog breeders encouraged by these campaigns? No, they don't (and not because they don't have to,either..they just don't care). By the way... an aside while we are on about hybrid vigor - human beings are the most genetic diverse mammals I know - yet how riddled with disease are we?. Even with all our health care! Our animals drink the same water we do, and if they are lucky will eat the same healthy low additive home cooked meals we do..but many don't, many are fed on rubbish, the same processed ingredients that are in our food chain in fast and processed food that makes us all sick. There is an element therefore of nurture and environment with what afflicts all living things in this world also.

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  • actuallyfigthingforanimals January 2, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

    this realllly pisses me off, yer its bad, but all these breed aliments e.g. German Shepards and there hips, have been common knowledge for years, ever since the bbc aired that programme about dog breeding, everyone is tryng to get on the band wagon... the rscpa are supposed to look after animals and fight for animal welfare, but now the pipe up about inbreeding dogs to make themselves look good... maybe if they did there job properly and actually acted on possible cruelty cases and strays that need a temporary home instead of concentrating on cases that make them look good with a large media attention!!!

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  • KatWood December 28, 2011 at 4:33 p.m.

    All the problems starts in in-breeding. I have two weims and i have done everything to get them from working family not show one. Simply because off growing problems. And what means small procedure to help the dog breathing or other one when the dog cant see properly as to long skin on eyes! that is over breeding and its putting more money in vets pockets like £20! per hour is not enough. Good to look at are not needed yearly injections and poisonous dog food! and toys which nobody checks for safety i.e plastic bones for hard chewers! well maybe we should eat plastic bottle after drinking from it! well done breeders and pedigree! that's why people think twice before getting the dog and that's one RSPCA is packed with over bread poorly dogs as the owners cant afford treatment :(

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  • Cambstreasurer December 27, 2011 at 7:01 p.m.

    I would say that the pug owner who states:

    "Weeks after we brought Ernie home we noticed he did cough and splutter with his breathing especially when running about with our other dog and did not hesitate in taking him to see the vet who recommended getting his nostrils widened which is a common procedure. We didn't hesitate a few weeks later he was booked in for the day and it was a simple procedure and he was home that evening. His breathing is 100% better."

    demonstrates exactly what the problem really is. It isn't desirable to breed animals who will routinely need surgical treatment in order to manage activities such as breathing!

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  • Junobug December 26, 2011 at 6:11 p.m.

    There's already been a lot of very important points made here. I struggled to understand, from the sensational 'tabloid' emotive language used, precisely the intent of this campaign. Are the RSPCA proposing a total restriction on pedigree breeding. We're already seeing the results of the programme 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' with many people believing that if a dog is a KC recognised breed then it is going to be unhealthy therefore cross-breeds and 'designer' dogs are the best way to go. Of course this means that the same unscrupulous breeders that breed for profit are the same people who are producing untested, poorly reared, ludicrously priced 'designer' breeds. There has to be a recognition of the consequences of unscientific political statements such as those made by the RSPCA over the past few years. Until that happens we cannot hope to begin to make positive strives towards regulating the ethical breeding of healthy dogs. The RSPCA could start by being more transparent with the public about its status as a political body. If it were to do that then perhaps it might encourage the KC to begin to consider the pet owners that register their dogs with them and engage more with the general public instead of continuing to behave like a supercilious men's club.

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  • sandgrubber December 25, 2011 at 11:52 p.m.

    Strange campaign. Pedigree breeders are much more likely to test their dogs for health defects and breed only acceptable dogs than are puppy farmers or backyard breeders. Yes, show animals of many domesticated species have been bred for extremes. But not all dog breeders are show breeders, and in many breeds, conformation judges look for balance and moderation.

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  • teapot_45 December 24, 2011 at 9:49 p.m.

    it's over breeding thats the problum. people breeding for the the money and dont carea for the welfare of the animal. i know of a few people who think dog breeding is a easy way of making money and its people like that that give breeding a bad name.

    i also think that the rspca are forgetting about the ever incresing habbit people are having to cross-breeding and calling it a "new breed" mixing differant types of breeds for they looks with out taking in to consideration the health problums of mixing two differant breeds together.

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  • gemmalvin December 23, 2011 at 3:17 p.m.

    I think people are missing the point here. Perhaps the RSPCA has not really made this clear. As well as making sure people are making informed choices about the pedigree breed they decide to buy, this is aimed at show breeders who should be aware that many of the gene pools of many breeds are too small, resulting in inbreeding and genetic diseases. Many kennel club breed clubs are opposed to outcrossing which would help to reduce or eliminate the faulty genes in many of todays pedigree dogs. For example, Fiona the Dalmation, who in her generation was outcrossed to a pointer to eliminate the gene that causes many fatal cases of ueric stones in dalmations, although she is now considered a pure bred dalmation (despite the outrossing) there is outrage in the dalmation kennel club that she is not a pure bred dalmation and is going to contaminate their defective pure bred line.

    Although not aimed at all breeders and definately not at pedigree dog owners, this is more to make people aware of the problems surrounding these expensive dogs.

    Did anyone here know that show breeders use a champion sire as many times as possible meaning hundreds of litters are sired by the same male dog? For example Yogi, a crufts winner, has populated a significant amount of his breed, which will surely result in inbreeding and more defective genes in his breed.

    I'm pretty sure as well, a german shepherd was used as a sire many hundred times, only to die at 8 years old from a condition which now affects millions of kc pedigree german shepherds, all down to the club breeding so many litters from one dog. Without outcrossing, this problem will only get worse.

    The breed standards need to reflect the working health of the dog not just the 'show' aspects that render the animal uncomfortable and unhealthy for life, unable to do the job that they were bred to do.

    Unfortunately for the RSPCA i don't think they have provided enough information to specify the problems clearly enough in their campaign.

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  • amyholding December 21, 2011 at 5:16 p.m.

    I cannot speak as a dog breeder although would like to think of myself as a loving dog owner.

    I am absolutely appauled by the generalised nature and sweeping comments the RSPCA feels necessary to make which unfortunatley tars us all with the same brush.

    Whilst I have no doubt bad breeding occurs there are a lot of breeders out there who do an amazing job.

    I am the loving owner of two dogs - a Hungarian Viszla who is 6 years old, still bounds around like a puppy and we never have to take him to the vets other than for boosters, and a 16 month old Pug who is in exceptionally good health.

    When we decided on getting a pug we know the risk factors involved as far as skin irritations, eye infections, breathing difficulties go because we are responsible and we did a lot of research into breeders especially Kennel Club accredited breeders and actually visited several of them before we decided on the breeder we wanted to approach to give our puppy a home.

    Weeks after we brought Ernie home we noticed he did cough and splutter with his breathing escpecially when running about with our other dog and did not hesitate in taking him to see the vet who recommended getting his nostrils widened which is a common procedure. We didn't hesitate a few weeks later he was booked in for the day and it was a simple procedure and he was home that evening. His breathing is 100% better.

    When he was 6 months old we noticed a bit of a limp and so again we took him to the vets who advised us that it could be that he was suffering from hip dysplasia but they wouldn't be able to tell for sure until he turned 1 year old as his joints were still soft and his hips could knit together in time. About 7 months later we noticed a vast improvement and the little guy doesn't limp anymore and is the picture of health.

    So you see RSPCA, I wanted a pug because yes they look cute and have a lovely temperant and make wonderful loyal pets but I certainly didn't choose a pug because of their looks and my pug's health, the same as my Viszla's has always been my top priority and the health of my dogs as paramount importance.

    Maybe you should consider working with Organisations like the Kennel Club and deal with bad breeding which as I have previously said I am sure goes on but don't tar breeders who are doing a good job or dog owners who love and care for their pets with the same brush and assume we are all so fickle and don't put the health and welfare of an animal first!

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  • Sarber December 21, 2011 at 1:46 p.m.

    Doggyman: I'm sorry but it dosen't sound as if you are aware at all. Yes, some German Shepherds do have hip and back problems, as do many other dogs (and even cross breeds believe it or not! seams they have not been mentioned here even though they supposedly descend from unhealthy deformed mutants), but show breeders at least are working-and have been working-for years to breed healthier dogs. And, GSD's ARE still hip scored, even more so now the technology has become more readily available.

    As for your other comments, tail docking is BANNED ,and has been since 2007.

    As an owner and breeder of what you call "hairless dogs" (i'm supposing you mean Chinese Cresteds), i don't quite see your point. Are you saying they are unhealthy because some of them are BORN hairless? Are you aware that you get can coated versions in the same litter? (and indeed in other hairless breeds) Cresteds have been around for literally thousands of years and about half of them are NATURALLY born hairless (an the other half, naturally coated), i don't see your point that they are unhealthy because of that.

    I'm not sure if your blaming show people for fighting dogs, and if you are I can inform you that many show breeders have vigorously campaigned for it to stop (more than i can say for the RSPCA who again sit on their large profits and do nothing for the welfare of animals in need)

    As for your last point, responsible show people check potential homes as much as they can and refuse to give puppies to people that will not give them the bast life possible.

    I'm really not sure what the RSPCA is trying to achieve here, this scheme is just going to push the public into buying from puppy farms and byb's as those dogs are not from the "unhealthy pedigree mutants" and show dogs. This scheme is incredibly biased and shows any person with a pedigree dog as a cruel evil person who is only intent on breeding deformed unhealthy un health tested dogs to win prizes. How wrong they are.
    Oh and finally, it is obvious from the article that the RSPCA have never read a breed standard.

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  • mand December 20, 2011 at 10:44 p.m.

    I have been involved in pedigree dogs for over 35 years. Since the late 1980's I have been an occasional breeder of Pedigree dogs - being Rottweilers & Pembroke Corgis. I will say that I have been opposed to Tail Docking and welcomed the Docking Ban and I love my breeds with their tails.
    However - I do not breed unhealthy dogs - quite the opposite. I have my dogs health tested, I hip score my Rottweilers, I breed for temperament and health.
    I have never to my knowledge had one of them that I own nor have bred ever bite anyone.
    If All Pedigree Dogs I have are to be included in this ridiculous overstatement above then please tell me why most of the Rottweilers I have kept or have stayed in my family have reached well over the age of 10 years old. I have 11 dogs that share my life - currently 4 of those are classed as Veterans being over 7 years - two of them are almost 12 and almost 14 years. I am hardly ever at the vets with any of those 11 dogs (touch wood). I am very choosey where I home any extra puppies that I may sell and I do turn people away - I don’t breed often, normally when I want to keep a new puppy - but it is MY right to choose where they go to live their lives. Perhaps the RSPCA should stop over sensationalizing issues and concentrate on stopping the people who are genuinely CRUEL to animals - just as their names suggests - THE RSPCA - the 'C' is for 'CRUELTY'! Don’t try to encompass the whole of the dog breeding word in one simple statement that has no substance. What is their answer - we should ALL breed mongrels instead? If they perhaps concentrated on that population and stopped the willy nilly breeding of cross breeds that get dumped in rescue centres needing home then perhaps they wouldn’t be quite so busy!
    Stop trying to attract attention by broadcasting such swooping statements that have little relevence to many breeds of dog.

    Stop trying to attract attention by broadcasting such swooping statements that have little relevance to many breeds of dog.

    Do you not realise that you alienate the very people who have been a backbone of support for you for years? Those same breeders and show people who have held dog shows to raise funds, who have constantly put money in your collection boxes - especially at Crufts - talk about bite the hand that feeds!

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  • hammystaff December 20, 2011 at 10:21 p.m.

    ALL dogs can suffer with the issues raised above, the single most aggressive dog I have come across was a small mongrel rehomed to us from a shelter when I was a child, he wanted to bite anything that moved, his behavioural issues had nothing to do with breeding, my grandparents had a collie cross with hip dysplasia, and, surely all disease, disability or pain is unnecessary, whether due to inbreeding or not?
    Speak to the AHT and ask them where the vast majority of their funding comes from to enable them to develop tests for canine health problems.......it comes from pedigree dog breeders and the Breed Clubs they are associated with.
    In my breed, the sbt, almost every show oriented breeder health tests their breeding stock stringently. We eye test every 12 months, we have our dogs DNA screened for genetic abnormalities like L2 HgA and Hereditary Cataracts. We only breed from animals that have wonderful temperaments, and we are super careful where we home our puppies.
    You are aiming at the WRONG target here my friends, we are NOT in the business of producing maimed cripples with a lifetime of ill health in front of them, we do our UTMOST to produce healthy, happy, family pets....remember we are breeding in order to produce puppies for ourselves, that live in our homes, with our chidren, why would we WANT to produce animals for ourselves that are unhealthy or unsuitable for family life????
    Go for the real culprits, the back yard breeders who have no care for the future of the pups they produce as long as they bring in the £££££ the puppy farmers who keep their breeding stock in appalling conditions and have gotten away with it for decades!!!

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  • hayleej December 20, 2011 at 2:24 p.m.

    I understand that a lot of dogs are bred for looks but it's your responsibility as a potential buyer to find the best breeder you can, to make sure the dogs are happy and healthy and if you come across a breeder who is potentially causing problems with their pups you do the responsible thing and report them. I also disagree with some of the above comments and don't think it's a complete waste of money, I know a countless number of people wanting pedigree dogs but they don't have a clue about potential health problems, I recently talked somebody out of buying a pug because they didn't know about the breathing problems. People need to be educated because they're too lazy to research the breed they want, the idea of a pedigree puppy is wonderful but once things flare up and the vets bills arrive those once lovable puppies become abandoned and unwanted dogs.

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  • doggy December 19, 2011 at 11:51 p.m.

    rspca..how much has this paper advert cost ????
    people donate to you to help animals not to run
    campaigns against pedd dogs..next you will be on the commitee of the kc !!!!

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  • pedigreedoglover December 19, 2011 at 10:45 p.m.

    I think this campaign is a complete and utter waste of the money donated to the RSPCA by people who want to help animals. The vast majority of pedigree dogs are healthy. Pedigree show dogs aer not bred for looks; they are bred to be the best, the healthiest possible specimins of their breeds. The RSPCA should work with the Kennel Club and get their facts right before spending all this money on an unnecessary campaign - money that could actually be used to help animals.

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  • tillystripes December 19, 2011 at 1:47 p.m.

    Maybe it would serve the dog population better if the RSPCA did something about the puppy farms instead of targeting the dog show people who spend hundreds of pounds testing for health problems and research into dog health.
    Yes there may be some rogue breeders as there are bad people in any hobby but do not tar everyone with the same brush and go to print with misleading advertisements.

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  • honey2011 December 19, 2011 at 3:17 a.m.

    I have a beautiful loving Pug and l get so stressed with her breathing problems and her eyes she is the love of my life and l get annoyed that her problems stem from in-breeding

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  • Doggyman December 18, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.

    I am certainly aware about this issue. From German Shepherds with back and hip problems, to Bloodhounds with acres of skin, Pugs and Boxers with facial deformity and breathing problems, hairless dogs, tail docking, Daschunds, fighting dogs, Staffies as fashion dogs with ignorant owners, etc.
    German Shepherds were once hip scored for attractive selling purposes. Don't know what has happened to that really. I suppose that there is also in-breeding which is never good for any animal or human. Reclaim the original evolution animals.

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