Dear God! For those of you who haven’t yet watched the programme, I highyl suggest you do - it is a serious eye opener.

From owners constantly breeding mother to son, brother to sister, grandparent to grandchild - and the head of the kennel club’s complete stupidity (and to be fair, the rest of the inbred fu**s who were portrayed on the programme as being more inbred than some of the dogs they’ve been messing with) to blatant nazism/master race mentality.

I truly hope that this hits Crufts and they do not allow dogs to win that are genetically bred to have deformities (that some see as prize winning qualities)

I challenge anyone to disprove the statement that mongrel breeds are more healthy and live longer than pedigree’s - the insurance on pedigree dogs is much higher than mongrels, not because of their pedigree, but because insurance companies know they ain’t gonna last as long, they will have illnesses throughout their lives.

Damn inbred posh f*****s!

it was really interesting when they showed pictures of what the breeds used to look like before 100 years of eugenics. Most of them looked much nicer! The most shocking was the pug. It was a totally different dog!

I didn’t actually watch the programme, but heard about it from my mum, But I have heard that the bbc is considering not showing crufts and I hope they don’t. But after hearing that I realised this must have been a pretty damn horrible programme.

As a breeder and exhibitor of my (very healthy) ESS I feel I need to respond to the comments on this site. There are over 200 pedigree breeds recognised by the KC in this country - this programme featured less than 20!
All breeds have health issues which have developed over generations. Over the past few decades with the modern advances in technology we are able to pinpoint the causes of these diseases in very many cases DNA test so we can breed responsibly with a view to erradicating them. This has been a success in Irish Setters.
I agree the footage was shocking and outragious which is exactly what the programme makers whated to show an uninformed public. The majority of breeders health test ALL stock and then make responsible decisions as to whether to include that particular dog in their breeding programme. Breeds have changed over the years just like humans have - we are no longer apes are we? The exagerations in breeds which cause health issues are now being penalised in judging to discourage breeders from following this practice. I agree the KC should only register puppies from parents who have been health tested for the issues relevant to their breed. How many pet dog breeders health test? Very few as they do it purely for financial gain. Every breed has a parent club who lay down rules are to breeding policies i.e. age, tests required - if you do not follow these guidelines believe me they come doen on you like a tonne of bricks. The programme attacked the WRONG group of breeders - most show breeders care about the health and welfare of their dogs above anything else, can the same be said for the “free-ad” breeders or puppy farmers. Please read the statements issued by the KC for the other side of the arguement as the programme was biased and very one sided.

I agree with I Hate Inbreds, but maybe not quite as strongly! Vicky would you care to explain your beliefs on breeding dogs when so many are condemned to death because of a lack of homes?

I hate Inbreds - have you ever considered the real reason there are so many dogs looking for homes from the rescue organisations?

It is because there are so many totally irresponsible, uncaring and frankly totally useless waste of space folk who get a puppy (or adult and don’t look after it properly then dispose of it for spurious reasons. Often after damaging it’s well being, temperament and also its health. Then there are those who let their bitch roam and finish up dumping a poorly reared unwanted litter on oversubscribed rescue.

To imply that pedigree breeders - and I mean caring decent breeders, who health test their dogs and rear them, socialise them and do their very best are somehow to blame for the rescue situation is insulting and I am sorry to say appears niaive and not well thought out.

I of course abhorr those who have created breeds that can’t breathe properly, have serious inherited illnesses and yet still carry on regardless and breed them. However even these breeders are not to blame for the dogs in rescue - that lies squarely with those who dumped them there. (I will exonorate those who are taken seriously ill, have to go into care or die!)

If all pedigree breeding stopped, and all dogs were then obtained via the rescue centres there would be no dogs at all within a generation - why? because all the rescue dogs would have been neutered before being rehomed!

yes I have a pedigree pet, my second small terrier breed, the last one lived to 15and 3/4 and never ailed a thing in it’s life. The one I have now is part line bred - there are 2 Ch dogs that appear twice in the 5th generation. my boy is almost 9 now, fit as a fiddle and full of life. I still get birthday and Xmas cards from the lady who bred him. How dare anyone say because I have him I am condeming another to rescue or worse - I didn’t dump a dog because I couldn’t be bothered.

I have also a mongrel taken on when I heard she was heading for the RSPCA becuae her owner was going into a home. In fact some local children came to tell me because they knew I would help.

There is a place for both pedigree and crossbreed/mongrels - a dog is a dog and they all deserve a good life and caring home.

My issue is with the programme’s interviewee’s advocating killing ‘cosmetically inferior’ animals - I will not advocate breeding dogs, even if the dogs are being given away free of charge to a good home.

Where dogs are sold there is room for “designer” pets - i.e. no i don’t like that one with the white ears aka no I don’t want a…ahem… black baby thanks.

The underlying point still remains, breeders are NOT breeding responsibly, the breeders who reach top level events (hmmm, kennel club sponsored too!) are therefore given more accolades when they win, allowing more inbreeding through word of mouth promotion (i.e. so and so won crufts this year, we should buy from her) - so what if there are responsible breeders out there, the programme was not pointing them out - The programme was pointing out the inherent problems with breeding in characteristics.

Do you think that a standard dog breeder would win crufts given the insanely “high standard” (their words) required to do so - no - the Kennel club head honcho’s have a big ole smile on their face with every penny earned in revenue from these shows and sponsorships from animal testing companies like Iams.. (http://iamscruelty.com)

I run Cocker Spaniel Rescue & Welfare South East.
For years I have been battling with the money grabbing organisation known as The Kennel Club.First it was to get them not to register Cockers known to carry hereditary & life threatening defects,many of which were extremely painful.Thankfully The Cocker Spaniel Club took over & now DNA tests are regularly carried out to eliminate these diseases. My next “soap box” with the KC was puppy farmers, the KC register thousands of puppies from these disgusting breeders who,like the KC only want to make money.
All the campagning by hundreds by animal welfare organisations falls on deaf,or in the case of the KC, stupid,ignorant ears. Lets face it-it’s all down to money & sad people needing to be someone in there sad little lives.
Unfortunately I don’t have a web site,but please feel free to contact me on darchise@hotmail.co.uk

John - your argument claiming dogs would become extinct if everyone adopted - are you aware we put thousands of healthy dogs to death, for want of a home every, single, year. Claiming extinction is an insult to those dogs needlesly destroyed. The fact is there are more dogs and puppies in the UK than there are homes available. Production needs to be halted until the rescues can, at least, get a grasp of the horrendous situation.