BBC programme 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' what do you think?

Question

I think THANK GOD for the BBC for exposing this utterly cruel, narrow minded and sad pastime for people with nothing better to do than preen, prod and inbreed their dogs to such an extent that some dogs live in agony for the whole of their shortened lives. Some dogs have been inbred - not in the name of health or excellence of what the dog was originally bred for but purely for looks - so highly that they only have a 10% gene pool - in some countries these breeds would immediately be put on the endangered dogs list.

Did you know that an unacceptably high level (any level is unacceptably high actually) of King Charles Spaniels suffer from brains too big for their skulls so they live in absolute agony their whole lives. Also, 1 in 10 Rhodesian Ridgebacks are born without a ridge and one breeder said she was disgusted when her vet wouldn't put down a healthy puppy just because it didn't have a ridge. The ironic thing is - ridgeless ridgebacks don't suffer with the life threatening disease dermoid sinus that the dogs born with ridges do! It's crazy. And for those of you who DARE to defend this outdated, cruel activity - I have been studying canine psychology for years - I haven't just watched this one programme and made my mind up. Breeders are sick, cruel people who need to grow up and learn some humanity.

Oh - by the way. I have a RIDGELESS Ridgeback. She's gorgeous, happy and healthy.

Answer 1

you know that people do this aswell. by making out with cousins..........

and yes its cruel  

Answer 2

Seems to me you've already made up your mind - so, why are you bringing it up here?  This isn't a debate forum.

One thing I know- any time someone makes an all inclusive statement they are usually wrong.  "Breeders are sick, cruel people who need to grow up and learn some humanity." - wrong.  Some breeders may be, but not all, and of the show breeders not even the majority as they would be ostrasized right out of the breed.  

You don't like breeders and don't like purebred dogs- fine.  I don't like narrow minded bigots who ask questions that they don't want answers to.

Not all breeders are the evil scum you are portraying them to be.

Answer 3

Dear me, how eager you are to see only one side of a problem.

Did you not know that the Kennel Club already has a list of Vulnerable Native Breeds & is trying to help them?

Did you not know that the Kennel Club has a charity for raising money into doing research into inherited diseases?

Did you not know that breeders of CAVALIER King Charles (not King Charles which is a different breed) have been working hard to eliminate a number of difernt conditions in the breed & that many CKCS actually  have a longer lifespan than many other breeds?

Did you not know that the Kennel Club did a major overhaul on breed standards over 10 yrs ago to help cut out over exaggerated features in certain breeds?

I have been a breeder for over 30 yrs - I'm not ashamed of it, I'm neither cruel nor sick.

http://www.doggenetichealth.org/

Answer 4

Well done the B.B.C.

I have been saying exactly the same for years!!! Having been the owner of many pedigree breeds over the years, most developed genetic problems, some severe, some trivial. I came to the conclusion that the problems came from in-breeding, which occurs in ALL pedigree breeds. I have a friend with a new Cavalier puppy, bought in good faith, from a REPUTABLE breeder. Her last Cavalier, also came from the same breeder, and had to be destroyed because of severe health problems, and the new dog is also showing the same illness traits. Neither of us was aware of Syringomyelia, and after watching the programme, it's become apparent that my friends 2 Cavvies are sufferers, although the breeder failed to mention the condition, and was quick to accept the £700-00 per puppy!!!

I am also pleased the fiasco. a.k.a. Crufts was hi-lighted, and the organisers of this "sick" pageant, shown in their true colours.

I am against pedigree breeding whether "backstreet," or reputable, as there is an element of interbreeding in all breeds, and breeders are aware of this.

  Yes, I know, that if all breeding were outlawed, all breeds would eventually die out, but I think I would rather live in a world without "man's best friend" than see them mutating into unrecognisable sickly man-made moneymakers.

  For the time being, there are millions of unloved, unwanted "mutts" crying out for homes, and there is no need for designer money making, inbred, sickly breeds, with their bits of paper, and qualifications for the sick pageants!!!  

Answer 5

Banging my freaking head against the computer.

Did you not read the other dozen questions on this?  Do you not know what a well-balanced, properly researched TV programme looks like?  Can you not tell AR propaganda when you smell it - let me give you a hint - it smells like the stuff that comes out of the back end of uncastrated male cattle.

I guess this is better than the 2958374 "pittbull" questions every day???

Add: so  - you are against breeders?  Then where the h**l are the next generation of puppies going to come from?  Or do we kill all the dogs and start over from wolves?  Or, right - there aren't many wolves left in Britain, are there.  But yes, let vilify all those responsible dog breeders out there.

Add: there will always be dogs - and where do they come from?  Responsible breeders that actually to health and genetic testing?  That are involved in rescues?  That fund the canine health research that ALL dogs benefit from?  No - there will come from idiots who believe in the myth of "hybrid vigor" and think that just because the dog is cute, it needs to be bred.  Yes - there are bad breeders out there - but the good outweigh the bad.

Answer 6

There has been a lot of trouble with German Shepards in our country. They were so inbreeded (if that is correct grammar) that they went crazy because of the pain they suffered from. In the end, they had to use the "bad" shepards for breeding to get healthy genes in the next generation. My Shepard is actually from that inbreed generation, but he seems to be fine luckily. Now old and happy and bossing over my Dobermans, (who are the kindest dogs I've ever had surprisingly)

Not all breeders are like that though. Some (the majority I believe) genuinly care about that the dog should be healthy and friendly, because very few dogs become show dogs anyway.  

Answer 7

i think people need to stop asking this every 2 minutes and look down at the questions asked exactly the same as this earlier.  What does dog psychology have anything to do with the topic on hand?  BTW I passed english class, hand me the latex gloves I'm good to perform surgery.  "Breeders are sick cruel people who need to grow up and learn some humanity."  So your saying by showing a perfectly healthy dog and breeding them with a perfectly healthy dog of different blood lines that they are evil scum and deserve death?

Since we're talking about this, I have blue eyes, that means I should NEVER procreate with another person of blue eyes b/c we can link back our heritage to the same person... kinda a stupid thought isn't it?  *its the same for dogs*

ADD: So Meller, what do you propose, we shut down breeders all over the world, then what?  They would still fornicate, ONLY, without artificial intervention we would lose breeds and be filled with mutts.  Please explain how continuing a breed and trying to make it better is cruel.  Oh and do try to be civilized and give actual information rather than just rant... kinda proves the point that only simple one track minded people will believe what television says, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you said the well trained rottie next door would bite my hand off randomly... wow

ADD2: Meller, since you took dog psychology, perhaps you can help me out... please explain with your expertise how stopping the practice of breeding would halt the passing on of genetic defaults, can you even explain that?  You are ranting, and you've yet to answer one of my questions leading all of us to see your incompetent in this area/field and have no concept what so ever of genetics.  If we stopped breeding practices (artificial intervention) well we would have dogs with more illnesses, please use your outstanding knowledge to explain this to me...

Answer 8

I have taped it on Sky Plus but i don't think i will bother judging by all the negative comments.    

If the kennel Club to a stronger approach to how people breed and with what they are allowed to breed.  Only then would the healthiest animals be bred with.

It costs approx 20,000.00 GBP to set up a DNA test for each known hereditary ailment for each breed.  Where should this money come from.   Possibly the rich people at the Kennel Club who charge 10.00 GBP per puppy registered, whether it is healthy or not.

Addition:

After watching the programe i say BIG thumbs up to the BBC and everyone who is against breeding dogs that have not had there health tests.   As i have said before the Kennel Club are equally to blame as they should not register any litter unless the Sire and Dam have had all the tests for a breed that has known problems as a direct result of Kennel Blindness.

Answer 9

I think it's disgusting that breeders are calling it AR bulls***t. Instead of name calling the people who genuinely care about dogs, stop lining your pockets and rubbing each others egos, own up and make a change to improve the health of our pedigree dogs instead of destroying them.

Answer 10

Those SOB breeders only care about money ... you only have to walk into a breeders den and watch the sad eyes of the poor animals to see this. Don't bother listening or even acknowledging people that say this behaviour is acceptable they are sooooo not worth it and it will only make you feel worse.

One of my dogs is a Cavie and I nearly punched the wall watching that programme.

The only compassion that breeders have is for themselves .... the greedy fvckers.

btw, your grammar is fine.

Answer 11

Brainwashing by animal rights n**i propaganda is all I can say.  I show and occasionally breed, and I assure you I have NOT seen anyone intentionally breed dogs with physical deformities and compromised health.  Any RESPONSIBLE breeder knows that breeding a pretty dog that has health problems will annihilate the breed in the end.  They either cull or spay/neuter the animals with defects.  If you believe all that hogwash on TV, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale for only $500 dollars.

ADDED:  Right.  So let's eliminate all the responsible breeders who are experts in their breed and are dedicated to preserving the breed, and open our arms to puppy mills, or puppy farms as I belive you all call them, who don't give a d**n about what they produce, as long as they make big bucks.  Use independent thought, and stop being lemmings running over whatever cliff the telly points you to.  Let's have all our shelties look like this: http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff25/...

instead of this:

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff25/...

By the way, that first one was bred by a John Q Public from petshop parents, and will be blind by next year due to PRA, which the parents *could* have been tested for.  But hey, at least he isn't "inbred", right?  At least he doesn't look like that lovely, healthy, well-bred show dog!

Answer 12

To a good degree, correct, but remember the BBC's preponderance to exaggeration and overreaction.

Don't forget that the BBC's ratings depend on how much they can shock the public.

Also, BBC is known for its deceptions.

BBC isn't all it's cracked up to be - Remember the "Blue Peter" scam?

Answer 13

I watched the show and found it very upsetting and it highlighted some very important points but I felt that it was very one sided. I think what was going on in the show was absolutely disgusting but I don't think an hour long show can show the whole dog breeding world, there are many breeders out there who care about the health and quality of life of their pups. Hopefully after the BBC has highlighted these problems to the public the Kennel Club may bring in health screening before breeding and stop breeding between father and daughter etc. The thing that did really annoy me in the show however was the woman who had the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that won the show and had the brain defect and allowed him to sire all of those pups knowing he's pass the condition on. Sadly although the BBC highlighted some brilliant points that needed to be brought out into the open I think they should have also shown all the really good breeders who do health checks and really care about the health of their dogs. By the way I don't really understand what dog psychology has to do with this?

Answer 14

I watched this and was freaked out. It was sad but good that they tried to expose people to the truth. I did think it was a little extremist though. The way they put some statements annoyed me.

Answer 15

I could only bare to watch the very beginning.

Very one sided programme, with very OTT statistics. There are many breeders that do NOT in-breed, if anything i think this programme is discriminating against ALL breeders. If there were no responsible breeders all dogs would be backyard bred cross breeds.

EDIT: The media says many things about dogs and as someone said the point of these types of programs is just to shock. Look at what the media says about bully breeds.

EDIT2: No one here is condoning in-breeding at all.

Answer 16

after watching this i have realised to what extent i have been fooled, and by top breeders.........mentors, friends.

i am actually deeply shocked to see HOW bad these problems actually are.

i am amazed as to what breeders and judges will tell people about certain breeds " mainly mine", and i have been kept in the dark to a LOT of goings on.

as someone new to the world of breeding "better" dogs, and as a person who loves her dogs like nothing else, i am comletely re-thinking this whole thing.

i am being honest with you people.

i have bred two litters......with "top" mentors (apparently), and two litters two many with the lack of awareness i have obviously recieved.

i currently have my second litter (b1tches first litter) now, their 5 weeks, and i look at them now thinking............what might i have done.

eventhough i have been TOLD by the breeder who bred my dogs, and who i studed them too that they are free of herreditory defects, and that their is NO history of them in the line, a line that is probably over 50 years old, i now know that is bollox, i have even been told my dogs dont need testing untill their older,!

i am thefore taking matters into my own hands, testing my dogs, not breeding untill i have really really resurched into the complete history of the breed etc health etc, and IF all goes to plan will be starting a PROPER breeding programme, on my own terms, not from what other breeders have told me, but from i actually know is solid FACT, and hopefully work with others who are determined to do the same.

i know its such a long way off but my friend who also breeds cavaliers and myself will be attemping at least the first stages of improving at least this breed, i do hope others out there who currently breed do the same.

i really dont know who could defend thiese practices.

i am amazed and deeply shocked as to what breeders and judges will cover up to WIN. how can people live with themselves knowing what they do to these amazing animals.

i am now going back to cuddles with my dogs, and wory like crazy untill i have my advise me on scans tests etc, and asap.

before taking a breeders, judges word................follow your own heart, if you belive the trueth is being exagerated or even coverd over then trust yourself..........never let yourself be talked arround.

untill you have talked to these people you would not belive what they deny!

sory about my spelling but just real angry and upset

Answer 17

Will somebody give a god dam tape of this BBC c**p so i can see what poeple are talking about?!

Edit: Go Kips mom,Ive never seen ya so fiesty!!!

Answer 18

I was really shocked.  I can't believe that its been allowed to happen

Answer 19

I half aggree with you but also hald dissaggree as well.

i aggree with 'Ista' yes there are a lot of bad breders that are more conserned with winning in the show ring than they are about the health of there dogs but there are also breeders out there that are more consurned with there breeds health.

I think that like anything dog showing and breeding can be improved with things like; all breeders must do the health tests befor breeding the dog, and that at the shows the dogs handler must produce a clear health test before the dog can be judged.

I also dont aggree with breeding close relitives like borther and sister or mother and son, as yes it can help lock in good traits but it can also lock in bad traits and can increase the chances of the pups developing genitic problems. I think the KC should ban these close breedings.

I also totaly dissagree with culling healthy pups just on a cosmetic reason, i think it should only be done to pups that have a health problem that cant be cured and will cause the dog to suffer.

Also i think that some breeds need to be bred back to how they use to look, i mean take the bulldog where most cant even give birth dur to the big heads and narrow pevelis.

Answer 20

I watched the show, and it was a fascinating watch... sadly i wasn't surprised as even a high schooler would know inbreeding would have negative effects in the long run... i just wondered how long it would be till it was made apparent to all!

it's just sad that some of these dogs, the pug in particularly is so inbred that it bares no resemblance to the pugs of 60 years ago

...i am not condemning all pedigree breeders as i am sure the majority would do anything to make sure their dog is healthy and well and that it'll pass on its genes healthily! however i think its a deserving kick in the teeth for those who have said that mixed breeds, 'mongrels' and 'mutts' are those who are ridden with disease when that is statistically not the case...

and to the OP, yes many of the users of this board are mainly pedigree dog owners, which is why u'll see this post rated down and many other post that mentions mixed breeds in a positive light rated down also...

Answer 21

I am a pedigree dog owner, and i am educated enough to know that programmes like these are always a little biased, however i was still shocked by this programme.

There is no escaping the sad reality of the dog breeding world, i also felt that the kennel club reps contradicted themselves many times and certainly did not impress me with their arguments!

while i take issue with your comment about all breeders being 'sick, cruel people' in fact, many are very responsible who take the health and well-being of the animals seriously, while some are undoubtedly 'playing god' this programme chose to highlight this side of dog breeding, with breeders knowingly passing on defective genes and disease through their stud dogs, i also absolutely do not agree with the practise of culling healthy puppies for cosmetic reasons, no argument will ever convince me that this is right!

I have recently been considering welcoming another dog into my family, i have always had pedigree dogs, however this programme and my own research has led me to definitely consider rehoming a mixed breed dog, i will certainly never be giving my money to the uncaring organisation that is the kennel club again either way!  

Answer 22

truly shocking

Answer 23

There are good and bad people in all walks of life and dog breeders are not immune to unscrupulous people. Some run nothing more than puppy farms, don't care about in breeding, puppys born with genetic and other defects HD is a real problem with bigger breeds. it always pays to check out the breeder before even looking at their puppies,  

Answer 24

Yes there are some bad breeders out there. But you can't judge the many by the few.

Otherwise...

All pitbulls are evil attackers of children and babies.

All rottweilers are untrustworthy.

All chihuahuas are yappy little ankle biters.

All dobermans are aggressive.

All people of whatever race are pick your stereotype.

It just doesn't work that way.

Answer 25

some people will do anything for a quick buck

Answer 26

My dad looked after a Rescue Ridge-back that had a hole just above the back of its tail - it was a nice dog, and would happily spray the room and people in the room with Spinal Fluid when it wagged its tail.

The truth about the Kennel club is: they are not sick, or evil, they are are simply a misguided race of people that crave breed "perfection" and money.

I met many people in the dog world, most were thick and simply in it for the money - the rest were just in it for the money.

I noticed quite a few of the sick b*****s on the show wore crosses - obviously the fruit of the tree called Christianity - sick, sick, sick - the cross will not save them when their time is up - the dogs are simply the fruit of their labour, and their gift to this world.

They should be allowed to continue their crazy breeding games - as soon all these sick breeds will die out...  They unfortunately will not die out, they will simply find another natural resource to rape and pillage - as that is exactly what this horrid "Leviathan"' does

Simple case of :  THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND, undoing the great work of millions of years of evolution in 100 Years

Answer 27

I saw it, and was in tears when I saw that Boxer have the fit, and the Cavalier King Charles screaming in agony. Like the guy said, it would be illegal to take a stick and beat the dog until it was in that much pain, but to knowingly breed and pass this pain on is not. It is absolutely disgusting and I sincerely hope enough people watched this so we can do something about it.

It is illegal for a mother and son to breed (humans) and for father and daughter, grandparents to grandchildren, yet in dogs they see that this is perfectly ok! What on earth happened to morals? And ethics? It has been proven time and time again that inbreeding causes a compromised immune system, yet they are still doing this. And the stupid cow who showed her Cavalier then said no comment when she was asked about the brain condition, then said no he doesn't have it!! Why say no comment in the first place? I never thought I would say it, but it seems that a lot of breeders are not there for the good of the breed and trying to improve on the breed, they are just in it for as much money as they can get. The behaviour of the KC is atrocious as well. They should be closed down and another organisation should be put in charge of this, one who knows what they are talking about.

I got so angry I was shouting at the TV last night, when that woman said that a Rhodesian Ridgeback not having a ridge would be put to sleep, the stupid cow knows that the ridge is actually a defect and can be bred out of them to make the breed healthier. I was also appalled when I saw the comparisons of the dogs when they looked healthier, happier, and less like man made playthings. The dogs looked fantastic back then, why have we done this to them?

And the skulls!!! I couldn't believe the English Bull Terrier and the Bulldog. What are we doing to these animals?

Slowly killing them.

And the ignorant, pigheaded, money grabbing breeders don't even care!! I have a puppy and I was going to get another from a breeder but am now going to a rescue centre.

Answer 28

I'm very very upset having watched it, but I'm glad i did because i was quite oblivious before..i have two cavalier king charles spaniels, its so frustrating..is there anything we can do? who was that woman who was campaigning to do something about it? how to get in contact with her? I'm absolutely disgusted in the kennel clubs attitude, turning a blind eye to it all....and as for the woman who said she has her perfectly healthy puppies put down if they are ridgeless...i hope she gets what she deserves. what a vile woman

They shouldnt be selecting cavaliers suffering from Syringomyelia as winners of dog shows....and they certaingly shouldnt be breeding from them what a stupid woman!!

They obviously dont care about the pain their dogs will be in for the rest of their lives...

Im so upset i cant even think what to write...