Pedigree Dogs Exposed - TV Show to Reveal Inbreeding and Health Defects in Canines

[GSDOWNER]

Genetic health defects, inbreeding and shortened lifespans. Just some of the allegations leveled against certain pedigree breeds for decades. Now a BBC One TV show is to highlight some of the issues that have caused controversy in the canine world for years.The extent of inbreeding in purebred dogs and how this reduces their genetic variation [...]

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[GSDOWNER]

About bloody time these issues are being aired on TV; hope they name and shame some breeders too

[LOVEGSD]

Can't wait to see this, will be very interesting. I hope some breeders are feeling nervous!!!

[GSDOWNER]

Originally Posted by LOVEGSD

Can't wait to see this, will be very interesting. I hope some breeders are feeling nervous!!!

lol I hope some are

[kita]

Just hope it is going to be balanced and not totally anti ALL pedigree dogs.

This is the statement the Kennel Club have given about the programme:

Statement about the forthcoming BBC programme ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’ – BBC1, Tuesday 19th August, 9pm
08-Aug-08

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 biased 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



After all there are some good breeders out there. The public just has to be taught how to find the breeders that do all the tests etc.

Far to many people just go to any breeder of say GSD's and don't know what to look for, what tests to ask for (eg hip scores and what they actually mean). How many people actually know that a hip score of 1:3 is better than one of 32:40?

What we need is TV programmes that explain all these sort of things, not one that just slags off ALL pedigree dogs, irrespective of breeding.

[GSDOWNER]

After all there are some good breeders out there. The public just has to be taught how to find the breeders that do all the tests etc.

Far to many people just go to any breeder of say GSD's and don't know what to look for, what tests to ask for (eg hip scores and what they actually mean). How many people actually know that a hip score of 1:3 is better than one of 32:40?

What we need is TV programmes that explain all these sort of things, not one that just slags off ALL pedigree dogs, irrespective of breeding.

There is a lot of really good breeders out there and I wish to god I had done my homework or knew what to look for. I hold my hands up I did not even know what a hip score was, let alone understand what the score actually meant ,

I agree with what you have said and I hope the programme will outline these issue but reading the KC statement I am unsure now,

*Waves to Sue long time no see*

[LOVEGSD]

Thought I'd just bump this back up to remind everyone it's on tomorrow night

[zack the dog]

I Will Definatley Be Watching It, Im Sure I Have One Of Those Dogs With Bad Breeding, They Dont Care What They Produce Nor Who They Sell It To, If We Didnt Have The Money For Training And A Behaviourist For Zack He Would Have Surely Been Put To Sleep By Now As I Couldnt Have Coped With An Aggressive Dog Such As Zack Without Help And Advice

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by zack the dog

I Will Definatley Be Watching It, Im Sure I Have One Of Those Dogs With Bad Breeding, They Dont Care What They Produce Nor Who They Sell It To, If We Didnt Have The Money For Training And A Behaviourist For Zack He Would Have Surely Been Put To Sleep By Now As I Couldnt Have Coped With An Aggressive Dog Such As Zack Without Help And Advice

It's disgusting isn't it!!! Zack is very lucky to have owners who can give him the help he needs. We are all hoping this programme highlights the issues but we'll have to wait and see......

[GSDOWNER]

The Kennel Club is so not happy about this program being aired tonight

BBC ready to dock Crufts coverage after ‘Nazi-style’ breeding - Times Online