We’ve been reporting on the whole Kennel Club and Crufts debacle from the beginning, so it gives me great pleasure to announce that it looks like it may all be crumbling down at their feet. The BBC is considering ending their coverage of Crufts dog show, and if that happens… well, that could be the final nail in the coffin for the Kennel Club. Organisations such as the Dogs Trust, the PDSA and the RSPCA, as well as sponsors Pedigree, have already jumped ship. The media and the general public are all agreeing that the breeding of pedigree dogs for aesthetical reasons is inexcusable. But with no coverage on the BBC (and really, what other channel is now going to take on such a doomed project?), this signals the end of a show that puts the looks of a dog over his health, and even his life.

Now we need to all pool together and send messages of encouragement to the BBC, and help them see that dropping their coverage of Crufts is the best decision they could possibly make for dogs born into the world of pedigree eugenics. Remember the scenes from Pedigree Dogs Exposed of the pug gasping for breath, his face so flat he damages his eyes if he bumps into things; and the cavalier King Charles spaniel writhing in agony, who needed to be put to sleep to end his pain? This is our time to shine, people! The end is in sight, let’s send the Kennel Club to the doghouse.

As usual we’ve been keeping an eye on all things Crufts related. I’m letting Matt loose on this one as it’s one of those areas that gets his “heckles up” apparently… Over to Matt!

So it appears that the Kennel Club has made a step in the right direction, in implementing a review of breeding standards for all pedigree dog species in the UK - but actually when you read between the lines, it all boils down to a case of the fox looking after the chicken coop! Let me show you some examples of their extremely inane “stringent” changes:

Pekinese breeding and qualities looked for by the Kennel Club

Old rules: Head large, skull broad. Nose short and broad. Wrinkle, continuous or broken, should extend from the cheeks to the bridge of the nose. Muzzle wide with firm underjaw. Profile flat with nose well up between eyes. Eyes large. Short body heavier in front than rear. Coat long, with profuse mane extending beyond shoulders.

New rules: Head fairly large, skull moderately broad. Nose not too short. Slight wrinkle may extend from the cheeks to the bridge of the nose. Muzzle must be evident, but may be relatively short and wide. Eyes not too large. Relatively short body. Coat moderately long, with mane not extending beyond shoulders.

So all they’re doing really is hiding genetic abnormalities, not removing them altogether – and this is just one example of the so called changes they’re making (I’m definitely seeing a lot of adjectives tagged on to the old rules to make it look like they’re making drastic changes, when actually they’re doing very little, “moderately”, “relatively”, blah, blah).

All in all, it is quite apparent that the majority of breeders who raise pedigree dogs only care about aesthetics – when all the dogs want is to be loved for who they are and to be healthy.

Image: FuglyDog / CC

As I posted on Tuesday – the Dogs Trust was considering its support of Crufts in light of the recent decision by the RSPCA to withhold its support of the event. It has been reported that the Dogs Trust has now completely withdrawn all support of Crufts demanding that the Kennel Club officials review breed standards to ensure that the main focus is the health and well-being of dogs, not the aesthetics of the breed.

The BBC, thought to be considering its coverage of any subsequent events, announced that it is to appoint a panel of independent experts to investigate the changes necessary to improve dog welfare at Crufts

If anyone should like to write to the BBC and have their say…

The RSPCA has decided to pull out from Crufts in response to the BBC Documentary “Pedigree Dogs Exposed” which shed light on the over-breeding of pedigree dogs and the sometimes fatal inbred genetic deformities that plague them. Mark Evans, chief veterinary advisor to the RSPCA stated “Dog shows using current breed standards as the main judging criteria actively encourage both the intentional breeding of deformed and disabled dogs and the inbreeding of closely related animals”

The BBC, which broadcasts Crufts is also said to be considering future coverage after the documentary sparked an outrage when it aired last month. The Dog’s Trust was horrified over the culling of puppies that did not meet the dog show breed standards – and asked for proper inspections of their certified breeding programme – or it would also have to consider its position at any subsequent shows.

Real shame if Crufts were to be stopped eh? (Don’t all write in at once)

IMAGE: CC | Ross Goodman

Pedigree dog breeders who claim to love dogs must be wincing after watching BBC’s top TV show tonight. Pedigree Dogs Exposed lifted the lid on what happens to the victims of the pedigree dog breeding world and kennel clubs like Crufts.

Scenes like a pug gasping for breath, his face so flat he damages his eyes if he bumps into things; a cavalier King Charles spaniel writhing in agony and must be put to sleep to end his pain; and a boxer who is fitting uncontrollably, all greeted UK viewers like a stinging slap on the face. This is unashamed eugenics.

Thanks to decades of more inbreeding than a hillbilly horror film and striving for aesthetics over health, millions of dogs are suffering and dying – all for a rosette. As one veterinary neurologist said of the King Charles spaniel, “The cavalier’s brain is like a size 10 foot that has been shoved into a size six shoe – it doesn’t fit.” And do I even need to mention the thousands of dogs that are waiting in rescue shelters for a loving home, some of which will have to be euthanised due to the lack of thus loving homes?

Watch the funny video below and then go visit the BBC iPlayer to see the more serious TV show. Both are essential viewing.

Check out The PETA Files for a list of the Top 10 Most Over-Bred Dogs and their ailments. On it you’ll find Yorkshire Terriers, German Shepherds, Bulldogs and more.

Crufts is upon us again, and are we excited? You bet. To coincide with the launch of this year’s event starting tomorrow, we’ve decided to air the hilarious KKK video that our pals at PETA US put together for the American Kennel Club.

Put simply, shows like Crufts only allow dogs that have been bred from pedigree to enter, which encourages breeding and ignores the thousands of animals waiting in shelters for a loving home, many of which end up euthanized due to overcrowding. Breeding dogs is irresponsible and can be likened to the Ku Klux Klan. Yes this is outrageous, but it is also completely valid.

As you’ll see in the fab video below, both the Kennel Club and the KKK believe in the “sanctity of pure bloodlines” and a “master race” (or “master pedigree”).

Make sure you pledge to end animal homelessness by adopting from shelters and getting your furry friends spayed and neutered. Caring for a dog with the glossiest coat or cutest paw-shake is great, but being a responsible guardian and loving your companion animals regardless of their looks or background is vital.