Appalling is my first reaction. Disingenous, dangerously out of touch with what is going on. With the exception of an approximate reality in % of dog ownership and throughput with HVB's. Here is one extract I take issue with
John Lyons gave a presentation on The Kennel Club’s (in England) response to the 2008 and 2009 inquiries into dog breeding in England.
The impetus initially was a BBC documentary aired in August 2008 about genetic issues “bad breeding practices” there. The Kennel Club owns the breed standards, unlike in theUS where the parent clubs own them. England also has a very active animal rightspresence, and The Kennel Club reacted to this pressure and started re-writing the standards of 58 breeds. In November 2009 a government inquiry began by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare, which is a non-scientific, political organization
in England. AKC disagrees with the direction that The Kennel Club took in this matter and believes they are losing control of purebred dogs in England and giving in to outsidepressure. Another difference in England is that The Kennel Club does not do inspections, so they cannot assure the public they are protecting dogs under their registration auspices as is done by AKC. AKC has its own health and welfare advisory panel, has inspections, and the clubs own the standards. All these things distinguish our situation from England’s. We need to continually educate the public on all we do to breed good, healthy dogs, test for health problems, work to eradicate them through CHF
and other initiatives, give health guarantees, and utilization of CHIC. We need to reassure the public that we are part of the solution, not a source of problems. We also need to continually demonstrate why various breeds look the way they do, move the way
they do, etc., by showing the history of the breeds and the purposes of the breeds. Docking and cropping is a prime example, in that breeds that are the subject of this practice have a historical basis for doing so. The standard for various breeds exist because of what the dog was initially bred to do. We must continually remind the public of what we are preserving.
The red highlight represents what I believe to be incorrect. The Kennel Club for sure took action, and issued a letter to all Parent Breed Clubs to review their standards and to recommend to The Kennel Club revisions to same, vs a vs health.
The damage to purebred dogs reputation has been done, and been done Worldwide, with this BBC expose. Let me remind you all before you get too complacent that the old adage "those who get their message out first" tend to win the perception game. Also as all are aware we have some large opponents with deep pockets that must be chuckling about this expose. Nothing better to help support their crusade. I'm talking AR groups. I during this expose timeframe, in my own non dog business, got questions and comments from at least 10% of my clientele. Ummm, ya think the general public is unaware?
Each and every breed club better get on the bandwagon as far as their breeders go, and mandate breed specific health tests, that are supported by the most current scientific research.
Fallacious argument, as most of the breeds today do NOT do what they were bred to do. So just exactly what are you preserving? The looks? Looks without health is worthless.
From what I've read, what I've observed and felt, there are real risks vs a vs any pet ownership over the long term.
I have large and small dogs and live in a big city. Some things were brought home to me as to how the public in this city views dogs, and was made clear to me in bas-relief when I went on vacation a couple of years ago.
Camping in Lake Superior I encountered over 90% of people who understood dogs. Who understood large protection breed without any education on my part. Who kept their children under control, and whose children on their own knew how to approach or not large breed dogs. What a relief!. Who when approaching our campsite and our dogs barked, and I apologized said no apology necessary, they are doing what they were bred to do. How refreshing!.
In the city where I live, I'm used to ppl reacting with fear when I walk my large dogs. But what took me aback, was ppl's fear when I was walking my 4 lb puppy Yorkie. Ya gotta be kidding me! Has the public's perception of dogs been so marginalized for an adult to skitter in fear from a small dog?
And so the AKC can insure the public vs a vs the health of the dogs they are purchasing??? Poppy cock.
I don't know what the answer is. But I am disappointed in our major registry clubs, saddened and more importantly frightened about the future of purebred dog and even just dog ownership in our continent.