"Pedigree
Dogs Exposed" - BBC 1, Tuesday 19th August, 2008
Once more this controversial subject
hits the headlines as a BBC documentary has found that pedigree dogs are
suffering from genetic diseases caused by years of inbreeding.
The BBC investigation says that looks are emphasised over health in pedigree
show dogs.
The programme focuses on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels whose brains have
grown too big for their skulls causing a debilitating condition called ‘Syringomyelia’,
Boxers that suffer from Epilepsy, Greyhounds dependant on steroids, Pugs
with breathing problems, Poodles with gender issues, Dalmatians and deafness,
German
Shepherds with hip dysplasia and Bulldogs that are unable to mate or
give birth unassisted.
It is the United Kingdom Kennel
Club that sets the breed
standards for pedigree show dogs. Dogs that suffer from genetic diseases
are not excluded from the show ring in fact some do go on to win ‘Best in
Breed’ despite them having serious genetic illnesses.
Physical traits required to meet the breed standards such as short faces,
screw tails, wrinkling and dwarfism can cause health problems. To win the
coveted prize some breeders strive to exaggerate physical traits by inbreeding
their stock.
One study carried out by scientists at the Imperial College in London
has revealed that of the 10,000 pugs in the UK only 50 of them are true and
distinct individuals.
Professor of Genetics at University College London, Steve Jones said:
"People are carrying out breeding which would be first of all entirely illegal
in humans and secondly is absolutely insane from the point of view of the
health of the animals."
"In some breeds they are paying a terrible price in genetic disease."
One of the people interviewed in the programme to be shown tonight is RSPCA
chief vet Mark Evans who says:
"The welfare and quality of life of many pedigree dogs is seriously compromised
by established breeding practices for appearance, driven primarily by the
rules and requirements of competitive dog showing and pedigree dog registration."
The UK Kennel Club has responded in true style to this controversial issue.
Caroline Kisko, spokeswoman for the club claims that they are all working
tirelessly to improve the health of the pedigree dog. She said:
"Any dog may be shown but it is up to the judge to decide if it fits the
breed standard... It is when characteristics become exaggerated that health
problems can occur. This is something that the Kennel Club does not encourage
and actively educates people, including judges, against doing as part of
its 'Fit For Function, Fit For Life' campaign."
The aim of this latest study carried out be researchers at the Imperial College
London was to look at the extent of inbreeding in pedigree dogs and as to
how this reduces their genetic variation.
Genetic problems arise when pedigree dogs that have won competitions for
exhibiting characteristics desirable for that breed are then used for breeding
purposes. One stud show dog can father many litters which in turn, over generations,
leads to dogs being paired with others that are in fact closely related to
them.
On August
8th 2008 the UK Kennel Club released the following statement on their website:
"For more than two years now the Kennel Club and others have been co-operating
with a TV production company called Passionate Productions who have been
making a film on the subject of canine health. We agreed to take part entirely
on the basis of that company’s written assurance that the programme’s ultimate
message was “intended to be a hopeful one, showing how science and breeders
can combine to preserve our purebreds for the future.” That message
fits precisely with the view of the Kennel Club, and so we set about giving
information and interviews to the production company, and encouraging others
to do so as well.
Sadly we soon discovered that the members of the production company seemed
to have pre-conceived and extremely biased views on the subject. Alarm
bells rang when we found out the biassed nature of many of the questions
being posed both to ourselves and to others. The vast majority covered negative
issues – few if any were about the positive aspects of purebred dogs.
We now know that the BBC, which has bought the programme, will show it on
BBC1 at 9pm on Tuesday 19th August. From the beginning the Kennel Club
has worked consistently to explain our point of view on canine health both
to the production company and latterly to the BBC, describing the vast amount
of time, effort and money the majority of breeders put into breeding healthy
dogs. We have also ensured that other interested parties have made the same
point to the BBC. In so doing we have of course acknowledged that there are
problems in some breeds, many of which originally stem back to the Victorian
era, but we have stressed that we are today in the forefront of using science
to address these issues.
We have also explained the work done to eliminate from breed standards any
exaggerations which might cause problems. We have described the work going
on to ensure that show judges pay particular attention to issues which could
be detrimental to the health or welfare of dogs. We have outlined the many
DNA and other health screening programmes which exist, and have given details
of the Accredited Breeders Scheme and our latest “Fit for function: fit for
life” campaign.
Finally, we have been at pains to remind the BBC of the requirements in its
Charter to be rigorously impartial and balanced in its reporting.
Despite all of this we still fear that, when broadcast, this programme may
omit much of the positive information supplied, with the result that it will
be damaging to the reputation of pedigree dogs, dog breeders and the Kennel
Club. We hope that, in the process, it will not end up damaging the very
dogs which, throughout, the programme makers have claimed they are so anxious
to help.
This is of course looking at the worst case outcome. It may be that
our efforts have been understood and borne in mind as the programme has been
put together and that we have done enough to balance the content and tone.
Whatever the eventual result you can be assured that the Kennel Club will
go on working for the benefit of pedigree dogs and that we will continue
to communicate the many positive messages which are there to be told.
Ronnie Irving, Chairman."
The programme will reveal some historical factors that have contributed to
these genetically inherited diseases and goes on to explore what measures
breeders can take to tackle the issue.
One thing is for sure, the programme, with its images of a Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel writhing in agony because its brain is trying to burst out
of its skull is bound to further heighten the controversy surrounding today’s
pedigree dog breeding market.
Make no mistake….whilst undoubtedly some breeders implement good breeding
practises and genuinely care for the welfare of their stock; others see dog
breeding as a means to make a quick profit.
Pedigree dogs account for three quarters of Britain’s seven million pet dogs
and while pet ownership continues to rise and fuel the demand for puppies,
so breeders are churning out more and more litters with little thought as
to the parent’s genetic relationships. Vets reap the rewards from the downside
of the dog breeding industry to the tune of £10 Million being forked
out by dog owners every week.
The BBC is now considering their close relationship with Crufts following
this four year long scientific study. Mark Evans, RSPCA’s chief vet said:
"When I watch Crufts, what I see is a parade of mutants. It's some freakish
garish beauty pageant that has nothing, frankly to do with health and welfare....
We've become completely and utterly desensitized to the fact that breeding
these deformed, disabled, disease-prone animals is either shocking or abnormal."
While Steve Jones, professor of genetics at University College of London
also says:
"If dog breeders insist on going further down that road, I can say with confidence
that there is a universe of suffering waiting for many of these breeds and
many, if not most, will not survive."
We can no longer close our eyes to the suffering of pedigree dogs born with
genetic defects. Solving the problem may require new legislation to increase
controls over the breeding of pedigree dogs as despite Caroline Kisko’s assurances
that the Kennel Club are striving to improve the breed standards so that
extreme physical traits are omitted, there are still thousands of dogs born
with serious genetic complaints.
Eamon Hardy. Executive producer for the programme said:
"In light of this programme, the BBC will request a meeting with the Kennel
Club to discuss the implications and potential impact of the film."
reprinted with kind permission from Martin Popham
Dog Trainer & Obedience Specialist
www.K9Obedience.co.uk - Free Dog
Training Information & Discussion Forum
