programme on BBC1
 

There's a programme on BBC1 now called 'Pedigree Dogs exposed' is just starting and is about the dangers of inbreeding. Looks very interesting - but there's a warning that it contains upsetting scenes. Just thought I'd post in case anyone was interested.

I saw it too, but I am too scared to watch it in case it will upset me too much.

Yeah am kind of wishing I hadnt watched it. I dont know a thing about dog breeding so from that point of view it was quite interesting but it was upsetting to see dogs that were suffering from inherited illnesses - especially some poor king charles spaniels whose skulls were too small for their brains and they were in constant pain - I had to wipe away tears. xx

It was very upsetting and what was most upsetting is how the ladies questioned about the suffering of the inbred champions, were 'upset' to be asked about it??!!! Somehow in their warped mind they felt they were being wronged!? They obviously preferred to pretend it wasn't happening and win the trophies for their dogs, have lots of inbred puppies from the champions, which they can make a lot of money out of and just ignore the fact that the animals are suffering!! These are NOT dog lovers, but money lovers. I think it is heartless and disgusting. Those spaniels were screaming in pain from having a brain too big for their skull. I know that not all pedigree dogs are suffering from inbred physical problems, but the ones that are, should NOT be given trophies??!!! I couldn't believe it when I saw that one getting a trophy. Am I the only one who thinks this is a crazy thing for Crufts to do? I was not impressed by the spokesman for Crufts, either.

I have to admit that I know little about showing and breeding, but from what I have seen tonight I am very upset by the actions of some people who should know better.
Rant over.

Yvonne

Cruel
 

I agree that the programme was upsetting but I'm glad I watched it and I hope it has educated many people. I think that some of the show breeders are in it more for the prestige than the money. I know it costs ALOT of money to breed and to show dogs, I think these people are just selfish snobs wanting 'fame' in the dog world. I'm sure they do love their dogs in a way they just have a warped sense of what love means.

Please do not think that everyone who shows a dog is uncaring - I have shown both my yorkies and I can assure you they get the very best of care and attention. Showing is my hobby although I do not breed but I am concerned with the breed and I am very careful where I purchase my yorkies from. Some of the problem is caused by people purchasing dogs of any breed without first knowing how to care for them and not being too careful where they are obtained from. This encourages bad breeding as it becomes just a money making racket. Any good breeder will be sure that the pedigree of the dam and sire are well matched and that health issues are dealt with. Do not tar everyone with the same brush there are many good and careful breeders out there.

It's up to the Kennel Club now to Re-write the breed standards and to stop allowing dogs with health issues from being shown as well bred from!:mad:...it has gone to the extreme now and the dogs are suffering...I couldn't believe how different some breeds looked no more than 100 years ago! :eek:

Well, speaking as someone who has shown & bred for a number of years, I was absolutely appalled at the attitude of some of the breeder/exhibitors on the programme.

They don't seem to care at all about the welfare of the breeds they are custodians of! Think it was an absolute disgrace that dogs were winning classes, even best of breed for God's sake, when it was known that they had health defects.
You're supposed to breed to improve the health, temperament & soundness of your breed, not destroy it.
I know little of Cavaliers or Ridgebacks but this was a disgrace.

There are schemes for health checks in some of the breeds that are prone to known weaknesses. Anyone buying a puppy would be well advised to find out about ones that relate to the breed they are contemplating & make sure that the breeder they are buying from has carried them out on the parents.

Luckily the breed I show, Skyes, is a hardy one with no problems, other than the fact that it's becoming extinct in this country being at the top of the Native Breeds At Risk list at the Kennel Club. Even so, last year we all voluntarily submitted swabs from our dogs for DNA testing, to be sure that nothing was creeping in.

xx
Meggie

hi i watched this the other night and found it very upsetting that they can allow dogs that have a disease to win comps let them bread over 30 litters and pass this on to there puppys, this is wrong and dogs that cant even walk properly, how sad is that poop little dogs
Tracy x

I watched the programme and I am still can't beleive that there are so called respectable or highly recomended breeders that are actually breeding from unfit dogs.
I feel so sorry obviously for the dogs themselves but also for the cavalier lover who has gone to these recomended breeders and purchased a pup thinking that it is of good breeding and it has won such and such at dogs shows and basically thinking that they have a good dog and handing over alot of money only to have heartbreak further down the line when they find out it has hereditary problems.
These breeders do not care about the breed of dog at all if they did they would not want to pass on this crippling disease to future generations.

Sharon, Charley :aimeeyork & Bertie :aimeeyork xxx

I posted this, thought those that posted her would be interested.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/eur...ml#post2244399

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