Not the Puppy mills necessarily this time-all of us guilty

[Misti1]

If we dare to watch it and face the truth, there is a special that the TOday
show discussed. It comes on tonight on BBC AMerica for those of you who have the channel. It caused quite a stir when aired in Britain, and it is about the breeding practices ( and yes this includes the "reputable" breeders too), that have brought certain breed standards to the aesthetics that we humans desire, but in SOME instances have caused distress and pain for the animals. They used the King Charles spaniel as an example in which a certain skull formation that is desirable in appearance, has resulted in a skull too small to accommodate the brain, resulting in great pain and disability. This is a genetic flaw that now affects full 30% of the breed population.


I have long been aware of Dashunds being bred longer and longer to be the "weiner" dog we desire, but resulting in broken backs and spinal damage that often leads them to have to have little rolling cart back supports in old age.

Which brings us to the yorkie.....I can bet the farm that it will be the propensity to breed them smaller smaller and smaller that will be the culprit in this breed (nothing we didn't already know).

Well suffice to say it will not be the "happy" little documentary this evening, but in case any of you might want to watch it to be informed, I just wanted to let you know it was out there.

[MI Yorkielover]

I saw something similar on the Smithsonian channel the other day and they replay it from time to time. It discussed designer breeds' genetics and how so called "mutts" or mixed breeds are not necessarily healthier dogs because they can pick up the genes of the dogs they are mixed with such as a dog with hip dysphasia from one breed and then mixed it becomes mixed with another breed that may suffer from a propensity for blindness for example. It was interesting

[orlnurse]

I saw that this morning too..it was so disturbing. I had to look away and just listen. Nonetheless, it is necessary to bring awareness to the public especially to BYB, and breeders who encourage in-breeding.

[Darlene68]

I saw a program that talked about the same thing, and how much breeds have changed over the years, not necessarily for the good of the animal, it was all about aesthetics.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Misti1

If we dare to watch it and face the truth, there is a special that the TOday
show discussed. It comes on tonight on BBC AMerica for those of you who have the channel. It caused quite a stir when aired in Britain, and it is about the breeding practices ( and yes this includes the "reputable" breeders too), that have brought certain breed standards to the aesthetics that we humans desire, but in SOME instances have caused distress and pain for the animals. They used the King Charles spaniel as an example in which a certain skull formation that is desirable in appearance, has resulted in a skull too small to accommodate the brain, resulting in great pain and disability. This is a genetic flaw that now affects full 30% of the breed population.


I have long been aware of Dashunds being bred longer and longer to be the "weiner" dog we desire, but resulting in broken backs and spinal damage that often leads them to have to have little rolling cart back supports in old age.

Which brings us to the yorkie.....I can bet the farm that it will be the propensity to breed them smaller smaller and smaller that will be the culprit in this breed (nothing we didn't already know).

Well suffice to say it will not be the "happy" little documentary this evening, but in case any of you might want to watch it to be informed, I just wanted to let you know it was out there.

While most of this documentary has elements of truth in it, what most people are unaware of, is it's origins PETA. Last year they put this out during Crufts.

On the positive side, it has prompted the Kennel Club in Britian to step in and begin a program that forces all breeders to breed responsibly.

[Misti1]

I have a cocker spaniel obessessed friend who had the original mother, then kept one of her daughters, and that daughter "accidentally" mated with her own brother, then my friend kept a girl from that litter.

Well the great granddaughter was the first one to die. She had some spinal problem between the 4th and 5th vertebrae or something. My friend could never wrap his mind around the fact that his original and her daughter are alive and well, but the "baby" died first. (wouldn't make any difference at all in which order they go, he will be equally as devastated. But it doesn't surprise me at all the Sybil would die first as she was not well bred at all.

[JeanieK]

I do think that something should be done about the breeding practices that have caused health issues, such as the King Charles spaniel and the English Bull dog that cannot even reproduce without assistance, and those breeds that have breathing issues.

One would think that the breed clubs themselves would change the standards when they see this happening.

[misslissa]

my mother has a pug that she got free from a breeder because she has bad knees she was breed to be a show dog and they breed her sister to her father in order to produce pugs of the line that they wanted dont get me wrong she is a great dog but she cant breath in cold or hot weather she has to wear a coat in the winter and summer because she is black will have a heat stroke if the sun hits her to long and her scull is weak and she lost an eye to dislocation because of this the vet said she may only last 6 or 7 years

[cheryl19]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I do think that something should be done about the breeding practices that have caused health issues, such as the King Charles spaniel and the English Bull dog that cannot even reproduce without assistance, and those breeds that have breathing issues.

One would think that the breed clubs themselves would change the standards when they see this happening.

Good post

[diane boden]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

While most of this documentary has elements of truth in it, what most people are unaware of, is it's origins PETA. Last year they put this out during Crufts.

On the positive side, it has prompted the Kennel Club in Britian to step in and begin a program that forces all breeders to breed responsibly.

I agree it is having somepossitive effects over here. The K.C have recently announced they will no longer regester litters of Dacshunds pups where both parents are blue merls as it can lead to hereditory deafness. Though on the down side people are still getting pedigree pups just from the BYB over here and unwittingly puppy farms as they are atvertising that the pups arnt K.C reg so there fore more healthy??? They completely miss that these dogs arn't health tested and as the litters are unregestered it leaves the 'breeders' free to breed from the bitches at every season.

[livingdustmops]

I have followed this every since it happened and I don't believe PETA filmed it..I think the BBC did and then PETA jumped on the bandwagon. Here is an article in regards to this:

Pet Connection Blog ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’ producer blasts PETA

Now having said this, I really don't care who made the documentary because it helped bring change in England which hopefully will come over to the states. I believe health should be the number one concern in any dog and shame if it is only about looks and animals suffer.

Here is the video:

Documentary - BBC - Pedigree Dogs Exposed Video...

Top Show Dog Judges Discuss the Importance of Rewarding Health First
09-Feb-09
The top show judges in the country, some of whom have appointments at Crufts 2009, attended a Kennel Club seminar on Wednesday 4th February, which set out the central role that the show world will play in safeguarding the future of pedigree dogs.
Chairman of the Kennel Club, Ronnie Irving, addressed 83 judges at the Stoneleigh Education Centre, to discuss the recent changes to some of the breed standards and to emphasise the judges’ responsibility only to reward healthy dogs.
The judges were also reminded of the power that the recent changes to the show regulations has given them to remove any dog from competition that they believe may not be able to “see, breathe and walk freely and be free from irritation and discomfort”.
Speaking at the conference Ronnie Irving told the judges that the “future of pedigree dogs is in your hands”. He added:
“In most of the breeds there have been no changes or only minor changes to the breed standards. Where the changes are more extensive the Kennel Club is not expecting the breed to change overnight, you can only judge what is before you. Your duty is to find the balance between health and breed type and know that health comes first. The two are certainly not mutually exclusive but where there is a clash the Kennel Club is in no doubt that health must be paramount.
“It is in your hands where the future lies. We can use dog shows to benefit dogs and prevent exaggeration, by ensuring that judges only reward those dogs that are healthy. There is no doubt that it is the show breeders who are going to solve health problems and stimulate new DNA research projects. It is they and we who have put money into this in the past and will continue to do so in the future.”
The seminar was interactive and the judges were asked to highlight any additional health concerns that they may have noticed in breeds, while the Kennel Club outlined its intention to hold regular annual or biannual meetings with the judges in order to ensure that they continue to work with Kennel Club and share information about the health of all breeds. It was also made clear that the Kennel Club would not “defend the indefensible” and support the breeding and rewarding of those dogs that are unhealthy, to the detriment of the vast majority of healthy pedigree dogs.
Ronnie Irving’s speech was followed by an address from Mike Herrtage, MA, BV, from the University of Cambridge who reiterated the Kennel Club’s view that there is an unsubstantiated belief that pedigree dogs are generally unhealthy but that in the “tail end”, where problems do exist, it is the judges’ responsibility to address this and to protect the reputation of the pedigree population as a whole.
Additional judges seminars will be held prior to Crufts 2009 to ensure that all judges who have appointments are clear about the revised standards.
Zena Thorn-Andrews, Crufts Best in Show judge 2007, said: “The seminar has really brought home the importance of what judges do and the real difference that we can make to the health and reputation of pedigree dogs. I always put healthy dogs forward to win prizes but the revised breed standards have gone a long way to addressing the issue of exaggeration.
“I breed Dachshunds and all 19 clubs agreed the suggested changes to the standard and came back with their own recommendations, which were accepted by the Kennel Club. It just shows what we can achieve if we all pull together and I think that these seminars are a really good way of ensuring that we all keep in mind that we share the same goal: to breed and reward happy, healthy dogs.”

[livingdustmops]

Toy Group Breed Standard amendments
13-Jan-09
Any underlined text indicates a change or addition. Square bracketed text indicates a deletion.

Affenpinscher
Head and Skull Fairly small in proportion to body; domed forehead, broad brow and marked stop which is not indented. Muzzle blunt and short but not flattened sufficiently to cause difficulty in breathing or wrinkling of skin. Nostrils large and open. Chin prominent with good turn up. Distance between dark eyes and black nose forming an equal sided triangle.

Australian Silky Terrier
Eyes Relatively small, round, dark as possible, not prominent, keen intelligent expression.

Bolognese
Temperament Friendly but reserved with strangers.
Feet delete reference to removal of dewclaws.

Chihuahua
Size Weight: up to 2.7 kgs (6 lbs), with 1.8-2.7kgs (4-6 lbs) preferred. [Delete - If two dogs are equally good in type, the more diminutive preferred].

Chinese Crested Dog
Feet [Delete ‘Extreme’]. Hare-foot, narrow and [delete ‘very’] long. [Delete ‘with unique elongation of small bones between joints, especially in forefeet, which almost appear to possess an extra joint’.] Nails any colour, moderately long. Socks ideally confined to toes, but not extending above top of pastern. Feet turning neither in nor out.

English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan)
Eyes Dark to black, without light shading from iris. Relatively small, almond shaped, obliquely set and sparkling.

Griffon Bruxellois
Head and Skull Head fairly large in comparison to body, rounded but in no way domed, moderately wide between the ears. Hair on skull in roughs rather coarse. Nose always black, [delete ‘as short as possible’] with large, open nostrils [delete ‘high set sloping back to skull with deep’] and definite stop between muzzle and skull. Relatively short, wide muzzle, neat lips, with good turn-up. Chin prominent, in roughs furnished with beard.
Eyes Black-rimmed, very dark, [delete ‘large’] round, clear, alert and not too large.

Japanese Chin
Head and Skull Fairly large in proportion to size of dog, moderately broad skull, rounded in front, and between ears, but never domed. [Delete ‘Nostrils large’.]Nose large with open nostrils, black, except in red and whites where the colour can be appropriate to markings. Muzzle [delete ‘very’] short, wide, well cushioned, i.e. upper lips rounded on each side of nostrils, jaws level.
Eyes Moderately large, dark, set far apart. Size should be in proportion to size of skull. [Delete ‘Most desirable that’] Small amount of white shows in the inner corners, giving characteristic look of astonishment. [delete ‘(wrongly called squint) which should on no account be lost’.] Eyes should be forward facing, not set on side of head.
Forequarters Legs straight with strong, fine bone, giving slender appearance, well feathered down to the feet.
Gait/Movement Stylish, straight in movement, [delete - lifting the feet high when in motion], with good reach and elevation when in motion, no plaiting, and showing no weakness in hind movement.

King Charles Spaniel
Head and Skull Skull moderately large in comparison to size, well domed, full over eyes. Nose black with large, wide-open nostrils, [delete ‘very’] short and turned up [delete ‘to meet skull’]. Stop between skull and nose well defined. Muzzle square, wide and deep, well turned up, lower jaw wide, lips exactly meeting, giving nice finish. Cheeks not falling away under eyes, but well cushioned.
Eyes Relatively [delete ‘very’] large, dark, set wide apart, eyelids block square to face line, pleasing expression.
Feet Compact, well padded and feathered, toes well knuckled, round cat-shaped foot, well cushioned, pasterns firm. [Delete ‘Occasionally central pads and nails fused together’.]

Lowchen
Eyes Round, dark, relatively large and intelligent. Unbroken pigmentation of eye rims, pigment to be in accordance with coat colour.

Maltese
Coat Reasonable [delete ‘good’] length, never [delete ‘not’] impeding action, straight, of silky texture, never woolly. Never crimped and without woolly undercoat.

Papillon
Forequarters Shoulders well developed and sloping. Chest rather deep. Forelegs straight, slender with strong, fine bone. Elbows close to chest.
Hindquarters Well developed, well turned stifle. Legs when viewed from behind parallel. [Delete - Dewclaws on hind legs removed.]

Pomeranian
Ears Relatively small, not set too wide apart, nor too low down, but carried perfectly erect.

Pug
General Appearance Decidedly square and cobby, it is ‘multum in parvo’ shown in compactness of form, well knit proportions and hardness of muscle, but never to appear low on legs.
Head and Skull Head relatively large. [Delete - but always in proportion to body], round, not apple-headed, with no indentation of skull. Muzzle relatively short, blunt, square, not upfaced. Nose fairly large with well open nostrils. Wrinkles on forehead clearly defined without exaggeration. Eyes or nose never adversely affected or obscured by over nose wrinkle. Pinched nostrils and heavy over nose wrinkle is unacceptable and should be heavily penalised.
Eyes Dark, [delete very] not too large, round [delete ‘globular’] in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and when excited, full of fire. Never protruding, exaggerated or showing white. Free from obvious eye problems.
Body Short and cobby, wide in chest. Ribs well sprung and carried well back. Topline level neither roached nor dipping.
Tail [Delete ’(Twist)’]. High-set, curled [delete ‘as] tightly [delete ‘as possible’] over hip. Double curl highly desirable.
Gait/Movement Viewed from in front should rise and fall with legs well under shoulder, feet keeping directly to front, not turning in or out. From behind action just as true. Using forelegs strongly putting them well forward with hindlegs moving freely and using stifles well. A slight, unexaggerated roll of hindquarters typifies gait.
Coat Fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither harsh, off-standing nor woolly.
Colour Silver, apricot, fawn or black. Each clearly defined, to make contrast complete between colour, trace (black line extending from occiput to [delete ‘twist]’ tail) and mask. Markings clearly defined. Muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead and trace as black as possible.

[livingdustmops]

Kennel Club changes breeding rules after BBC suspends Crufts - Telegraph

Kennel Club changes breeding rules after BBC suspends Crufts
The Kennel Club is to change the "unhealthy" breeding rules which led to Crufts being dropped by the BBC.

By Urmee Khan, Digital and Media Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:13PM GMT 14 Jan 2009
The BBC pulled out of the dog show after it was embroiled in the row over the welfare of pedigree dogs, leaving the event untelevised for the first time in 40 years.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed, a BBC1 documentary last year, claimed some of the Kennel Club's standards were effectively encouraging dog owners to breed ill-health into their pets.
Latest news videos, news clips, breaking news reports and current affairs footage - News Nows, News Features, Celebrity Video, Weird Stuff - Telegraph TV - Telegraph
It revealed that decades of inbreeding has caused epilepsy and cancer among some entrants at the event, described by a leading vet as showcasing "a parade of mutants".
The corporation subsequently suspended coverage of the Crufts dog show in 2009 after The Kennel Club refused to comply with the BBC's demands that 14 'at risk' breeds be excluded from the competition.
Crufts attracted 150,000 visitors last year and an average of three million television viewers each day.
The Kennel Club has now said it will change the standards – the ideal which show dogs must try and match - to ensure that all dogs are "fit for their original function". It will also ban the breeding of close relatives.
There are a number of breed specific amendments, for 78 breeds.
They have been revised so that they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely.
Under the "strict new rules", the standard for Shar Pei dogs will no longer include exaggerated folds of loose skin across its neck, skull and legs and breeders must stop encouraging "excessive weight" in Labradors.
Owners of Clumber Spaniels will be banned from "exaggerating substance" – the size of a dog's body and muscle – so that they would be fit for their original purpose of working in the field.
Marc Abraham, Kennel Club veterinary advisor, said: "The changes that have been announced today will leave breeders and judges in no doubt about their responsibilities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs, first and foremost."
The Kennel Club denied suggestions that the new guidelines were bought in as a result of the BBC decision to suspend coverage of Crufts.
The Kennel Club is tied into a contract with the BBC until 2010, meaning it cannot offer the rights to a rival broadcaster. The BBC pays an annual six-figure sum to the Kennel Club for the television rights and could face a legal battle if it decides to suspend payment for the coming year.
Concerns raised by the documentary have already led to the withdrawal of Pedigree, the main sponsor, and the RSPCA. The animal charity welcomed the BBC's decision, describing current breed standards as "morally unjustifiable".
Mark Evans, the RSPCA's Chief veterinary adviser, said watching Crufts was "like seeing a parade of mutants".
He said: "Many characteristics which are considered desirable in pedigree dogs – as defined by the breed standards which the Kennel Club promotes – are actually shocking deformities which affect the welfare and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of dogs.
"There are now recognised to be more than 450 inherited diseases suffered by pedigree dogs and we believe the intentional breeding of deformed dogs and close inbreeding is morally unjustifiable and must stop."
Kennel Club spokesman Caroline Kisko said: "We said in the autumn that a new review standards would be bought out, long before the BBC pulled out of Crufts. As far as we're concerned, we're looking for different broadcasters. We're currently under BBC contract, whether they choose to broadcast for the next year or not."
The revised standards will be used to judge dogs in Crufts 2009.
A BBC spokesman said Crufts would not be shown in March. He added: "We remain open to the idea that Crufts will return to the BBC and this is an interesting development."
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2009 Terms & Conditions of reading Commercial information Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Kennel Club dog breeding shake-up 'not radical enough', RSPCA says - Telegraph

Kennel Club dog breeding shake-up 'not radical enough', RSPCA says
A shake-up of dog breeding standards by the Kennel Club, which would see the end of the traditional British Bulldog, do not go far enough in preventing animal cruelty, the RSPCA has said.

By Murray Wardrop
Last Updated: 1:58AM GMT 15 Jan 2009
The Kennel Club has ordered strict new rules affecting 78 different dog species to stop incestuous breeding which can cause the animals ill-health.
Among the breeds targeted by the move is the British Bulldog, which would lose its trademark jowls and wrinkles in favour of smaller faces, longer legs and leaner bodies.
However, the RSPCA has said that the revised standards are not enough to significantly improve animal welfare.
RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans said: "We haven't yet had the opportunity to look at the Kennel Club's reviewed breed standards in detail, but our initial concerns are that the changes don't appear to be radical enough to really make a difference.
"We also question how the standards may be interpreted in the show ring."
A BBC1 documentary last year, called Pedigree Dogs Exposed, claimed some of the Kennel Club's standards were effectively encouraging dog owners to breed ill-health into their pets.
It revealed that decades of inbreeding has caused epilepsy and cancer among some entrants at the event, described by a leading vet as showcasing "a parade of mutants".
It led the BBC to suspend coverage of the dog show Crufts after The Kennel Club refused to comply with the BBC's demands that 14 'at risk' breeds be excluded from the competition.
The Kennel Club has now said it will change the standards – the ideal which show dogs must try and match - to ensure that all dogs are "fit for their original function". It will also ban the breeding between close relatives.
It said the move, part of its Fit for Function: Fit For Life campaign, will ensure pedigree dogs have the best chance of living happy, healthy lives.
They have been revised so that they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely.
Under the rules, the standard for Shar Pei dogs will no longer include exaggerated folds of loose skin across its neck, skull and legs and breeders must stop encouraging "excessive weight" in Labradors.
Owners of Clumber Spaniels will be banned from "exaggerating substance" – the size of a dog's body and muscle – so that they would be fit for their original purpose of working in the field.
Many British Bulldog breeders have reacted angrily to the changes and the British Bulldog Breed Council is threatening legal action against the Kennel Club.
Its chairman, Robin Searle, said: "What you'll get is a completely different dog, not a British bulldog."
Marc Abraham, Kennel Club veterinary advisor, said: "The changes that have been announced will leave breeders and judges in no doubt about their responsibilities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs, first and foremost."
The Kennel Club has denied suggestions that the new guidelines were bought in as a result of the BBC decision to suspend coverage of Crufts.
Mr Evans said watching Crufts was "like seeing a parade of mutants".
He added: "Many characteristics which are considered desirable in pedigree dogs – as defined by the breed standards which the Kennel Club promotes – are actually shocking deformities which affect the welfare and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of dogs.
"There are now recognised to be more than 450 inherited diseases suffered by pedigree dogs and we believe the intentional breeding of deformed dogs and close inbreeding is morally unjustifiable and must stop."
Bulldogs are prone to skin and coat problems, respiratory disorders, orthopaedic conditions, and soft or cleft palate.
Most are born by Caesarean section because their large heads and proportionally small hips make natural births difficult.

[YorkieMom6]

Is airing again now - watching.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I do think that something should be done about the breeding practices that have caused health issues, such as the King Charles spaniel and the English Bull dog that cannot even reproduce without assistance, and those breeds that have breathing issues.

One would think that the breed clubs themselves would change the standards when they see this happening.

I totally agree and the King Charles also has another defect with the skull, I don't know exactly what they call it but it's a deformity at the base of the skull that causes hydrocephalus as they grow and a cyst often grows in the area like a callous from the bones rubbing together. Unfortunately this is being seen more and more in the yorkies as well. I learned about this condition when it happened to mine.