BBC Panorama Pedigree Dogs Exposed. Did you see this documentary?

Question

Today the Kennel Club hits back on its website claiming to care about the health of dogs.

Who do you trust more to care about canine health or know more about genetics? The KC representing breeders, who want to make money, or vets and genetecists who have dedicated years of their lives to independent objective research and made their own professional observations?

I remember some 20 years ago a cousin mentioned to a dog breeder (from whom she bought a German Shepherd pup) that the dog she bought now had difficulty walking. He said this was how the breed was meant to look. I had to disagree with this idea even then. I don't think any breed is meant to be crippled to be a good specimen.

Answer 1

I forgot that along with soldiers and police, stories about dog breeds also set Mrs GC off...

Answer 2

Big dogs are now prone to hip and joint problems due to in-breeding/intensive breeding.  Many terrier breeds are losing their sight early and going blind.  Many terrier breeds, especially the Westie are prone to allergic skin itch.  All these problems are made worse by breeding dogs from unsuitable stock and near relatives.  Rotties are not screened for temperament and can become psychotic and vicious, even with an experienced handler because the temperament of the parent dogs was not screened.  All because of greedy, stupid, tunnel-visioned, over opinionated so-called "expert breeders" who are too pitiful to know when they are wrong.

Answer 3

I didn't see it, but I recorded it (will watch tonight)

I work for a rescue centre, so detest breeders.

That might sound extreme, but when you get 20 emails a day with dogs which are being put down (usually rotties and staffies, or greyhounds) you lose patience with people who are adding to the problem to make money.

we get in a lot of pedigree dogs as well as the mongrels, and they tend to be dumped because of over breeding (ie dumped puppies) or health problems.  Particularly ear, nose and throat problems.  Which is a pain, because it costs so much to treat them and it's harder to rehome dogs with longstanding problems.

People need to grow up and stop breeding until the dogs which are alive NOW have homes. I know of 6 staffies being put to sleep today because there is NOBODY for these dogs.  And yet look in every newspaper and you see adverts for more staffy puppies at £x*x each.

People make me sick sometimes.

The Kennel Club is an extension of this, actively encouraging people to add to the problem.

Answer 4

I think it was a very one sided programme and the idiotic breeders on there won't help matters

Good breeders always preform health checks and would NEVER cull a pappy just because it does not conform to the breed standard

As for the women who was using her Cav to stud even though she knew he had a serious heart defect

Well she should be shot

Out of the 200 odd recognised breeds, only a very small minority suffer with serious health problems

My breed for example are prone to hip dysplasia

The way around this is to hip score the parents of any potential pups, if the score badly then you don't breed from them!

It's simple really

The KC dont help either by allowing untested parents to have litters that they will happily register

Answer 5

I didn't see the prog but sounds like the BBC are hypocrits because they have been covering CRUFTS for many years.  The antics of dog breeders in the name of money knows no bounds, dogs are breed with their mothers and sisters.  The Kennel Club have a lot to answer for by playing God in the name of the 'perfect' breed.  The happiest and healthiest dog is a mongrel.

Answer 6

I worked for Dog World a few years ago. Even the secretaries there have pedigreed ex-show dogs as pets. They are dumped when no use anymore. It is sick. This is equally bad.