Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Vorlage:Infobox Television Pedigree Dogs Exposed was a BBC One investigative documentary, produced by Jemima Harrison, which looked into the health issues facing pedigree dogs in the United Kingdom.

The Kennel Club, the governing body of dogs in the UK that runs the prestigious dog conformation show Crufts, was criticized for allowing breed standards, judging standards and breeding practices that were said to compromise the health of purebred dogs.

The programme generated much criticism of the Kennel Club. It also caused various sponsors and trade exhibitors including Pedigree, Hill's, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and UK's largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust to withdraw their participation from Crufts and other Kennel Club events. The BBC has decided to withdraw its coverage of Crufts for 2009.

The Kennel Club initially denied the filmmakers' assertion that many dogs suffer from diseases and stated that "the vast majority of dog breeds are healthy." Due to strong public opinion, it later rolled out new health plans and reviewed breed standards for every breed. Some breeders have condemned the Club for overreacting.

Plans are underway for a sequel.

Content

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can suffer from mitral valve disease and syringomyelia

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was shown to be in agony due to a condition known as Syringomyelia, which occurs as a result of the skull being too small for the brain. Veterinary Neurologist Dr Claire Rusbridge described the brain as a "size 10 foot that's been shoved into a size 6 shoe" and estimated that up to 1/3 of the breed suffers from this problem. Another problem that plagues the breed is heart disease. Cardiologist Simon Swift explained that about half of all Cavaliers aged 5 would have heart murmurs and the rate increases, such that by age 10 to 11 almost all Cavaliers would have the condition.

About three-quarters of the 7 million dogs in the UK are pedigree breeds, and the programme revealed that they chalk up 10 million pounds' worth of vet fees every week. Leading geneticist Steve Jones attributed one of the key problems to inbreeding. RSPCA Chief Vet Mark Evan singled out competitive dog showing as responsible.

Drastic change

Old photos of the Dachshund, Basset Hound, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Pug and German Shepherd Dog were shown to illustrate how much the breeds have changed over the past century. The German Shepherd used in the show ring was contrasted with the working German Shepherd, which still looks much like the German Shepherd of old.

The Basset Hound was called a "deformed, congenital dwarf."

Crufts Judge Terry Hannan insisted that the working German Shepherds are anatomically incorrect, and that it is the show dog that conforms to the breed standard. When it was put to the Chairman of the Basset Hound Club that they were breeding deformed congenital dwarfs, he rejected that accusation, claiming that current Basset Hounds look very much like those of the 1800s. When shown a photo of a Basset Hound from sixty years ago, he was less than impressed.

Countering Bulldog breeders' claims that the breed's extreme traits, such as severe underbite and facial wrinkles, are for historical fighting purposes, historian David Hancock pointed out that "the way in which breeders try to justify the short face, the excessive wrinkling and the physique it now depicts as being traditional is just simply untrue." The programme stated that bulldog heads have become so large that the majority are unable to give birth naturally and puppies must be whelped by caesarian section.

The Boxer breed was presented as suffering from heart diseases and high rate of cancer. One Boxer was shown having an epileptic seizure.

Dogs were initially bred for practical functions such as hunting and guarding, but according the programme, in the middle of the 19th century they became a status symbol, and dog breeding became a sport. The function of the dog then took a back seat to appearance.

RSPCA Chief Vet Mark Evans called the Crufts show "a parade of mutants" and "a freakish, garish beauty pageant that has frankly nothing to do with health and welfare." He pointed out that breed standards take no account of temperament and fitness for purpose.

Eugenics

The ridge on the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a distinct characteristic of the breed. The Ridgeback Club's code of ethics states that "ridgeless puppies shall be culled".

The programme traced the Kennel Club's history to the eugenics movement, on which it said purebreed dog breeding is based (see Purebred dogs and eugenics). A Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder interviewed on the programme advocated the culling of healthy ridgeless puppies because breed standards forbid ridgelessness in the breed. The Chairman of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club stated that she considered ridgelessness a genetic fault. The ridge is a genetic trait, the presence of which is claimed to make the dog more prone to suffer from dermoid sinus (a condition related to spina bifida in humans). (The program appeared to mistakenly claim that the ridge itself is a form of spina bifida.) One in twenty puppies are born ridgeless. A section of the code of ethics of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was shown to state that "Ridgeless puppies shall be culled."

When asked about the practice of culling healthy puppies, Kennel Club chairman Ronnie Irving denied knowledge of such practices and said that they were not acceptable. It was shown that after the interview, the Kennel Club wrote to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club condemning the practice and requested that the club review their code of ethics. The breed club said that the Kennel Club knew about the code of ethics, as they have to be ratified by the Kennel Club every year.

Apart from Ridgebacks, other examples of cosmetic culling that were mentioned included Great Danes with nonstandard markings, white German Shepherds, and white Boxers, although it was mentioned that cosmetic culling is not as common as before, as more breeders choose to neuter individuals who do not meet breed standards.

The programme pointed out the irony of selectively bred dogs being in poorer health than mongrels.

Inbreeding

Deliberate inbreeding, including mother-to-son, father-to-daughter and brother-to-sister matings was said to result in serious genetic disease being perpetuated in many breeds. A 2006 report by Companion Animal Welfare Council called for major changes, stating that "inbreeding needs to be controlled" and that "animals with genetic defects should be barred from breed shows." Irving rejected the claims in the report, saying that it was based on emotion rather than science.

A 2004 paper authored by the Kennel Club's own geneticist Jeff Sampson mentioned that "Unfortunately, the restrictive breeding patterns that have been developed as part and parcel of the purebred dog scene have not been without collateral damage to all breeds..." and that "increasingly, inherited diseases are imposing a serious disease burden on many, if not all, breeds of dogs." Yet when interviewed for the programme, Sampson claimed that "the vast majority of dogs we register [...] will live long, happy, and healthy lives." A study by Imperial College, London, showed that the 10,000 pugs in the UK are so inbred that their gene pool is the equivalent of only 50 individuals.

Health testing

The Irish Setter, one of only two breeds among the more than two hundreds breeds registered by the Kennel Club with compulsory health testing.

It was shown that of the more than two hundred breeds registered by the Kennel Club, compulsory health tests exist only for the Irish Setter and Irish Red and White Setter. The Kennel Club defended the lack of health testing requirements, saying that it would drive breeders away from the Club. The president of the British Veterinary Association Nick Blayney agreed with the Kennel Club, stating that "if it becomes too reactionary and loses the support of the majority, it would cease to have any influence. They are doing the best they can in a very difficult situation."

The programme pointed out that no official system for recording hereditary diseases exists, and claimed that any health screens that exist are "often inadequate or ineffective." In the Cavalier breed, responsible breeders have used heart screening tests since 1995, but because many ignore veterinarian advice to only breed dogs over a certain age, there has been no health progress in that front. The Kennel Club defended the lack of improvement, stating that things could have been worse had nothing been done.

Positive steps

The programme acknowledged the Kennel Club's attempts to fix the health issues, in the form of the Accredited Breeder Scheme, and funding for DNA tests, but said neither solved the issue of inbreeding. It also acknowledged that Chairman Ronnie Irving had spoken out about exaggerated traits in some breeds. Some breeds standards, such as the Bulldog's, have been changed to temper the exaggerations. Instead of a "massive head," the new breed standard calls for a "large head." The Kennel Club has also added health and welfare issues to the curriculum for judges. But the programme warned that all that would come to naught if breeders continued to deny the need for change, or interpret breed standards anyway they like.

Sick champions

The programme showed examples of individuals with serious inherited diseases being crowned show champions. Such individuals are not forbidden from being bred and some go on to produce offspring who inherit the same diseases.

It was reported that the 2003 Crufts champion – a Pekingese – had to sit on an ice pack to have its photo taken. The programme explained that the breed tends to overheat due to its inability to breathe properly, as a result of its flattened face. The dog was revealed to have undergone a soft palate resection earlier, to fix a problem caused by the flattened face. Professor Dan Brockman from the Royal Veterinary College explained that the condition is inherited and is very likely to be passed down to later generations. Despite that, the Crufts champion had sired 18 litters.

The programme stated that people in the dog world who try to do the right thing find it tough going against "a system that often rewards doing the wrong thing." It pointed out that the Kennel Club had started funding research into Syringomyelia in Caveliers but that breeders were not taking the issue seriously. It also pointed out that because of her proactive approach to the Syringomyelia issue, Cavelier owner Carol Fowler had been subject to vitriolic attacks in online mailing lists. Breeder Margaret Carter also took up the issue after her own dogs were diagnosed with the condition, and she is lobbying for change as part of the Breed Club's health committee.

A Cavelier that won a Best-in-Show was revealed by Carter to have the condition. (One and a half months after the programme aired, Carter was removed from the Cavelier Club Committee for this "breach of confidentiality".) Despite veterinarian advice not to breed from the dog, the dog went on to sire 26 litters, adding to the 8 litters sired before the diagnosis. Dr. Claire Rusbridge expressed her incredulity: "If you took a stick and you beat a dog to create this pain that you could get from Syringomyelia, you'd be prosecuted, but there's nothing to stop you from breeding a dog that can be painful."

When told that the Kennel Club was not doing enough, Irving rejected the claim that many breeds were in trouble, and stated that the Kennel Club and its Charitable Trust are doing much to fix the problems in "some breeds." The programme ended with RSPCA Chief Vet Mark Evans calling for a "complete top-to-bottom review of breed standards and the rules and regulations of dog showing to move it away from its obsession with beauty through to quality of life...".

Reaction

The programme, which spanned a production period of two years, was watched by 3.9 million viewers.

After the programme aired, BBC, which has broadcast Crufts for 42 years, announced that it was considering cutting its ties with the show. Various sponsors including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and UK's largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust have since pulled out of the show.

Before the programme aired, the Kennel Club issued a statement warning that the programme may be highly biased. After the airing, it released multiple press releases questioning the neutrality and "sensationalism" of the programme. It also lodged a complaint to broadcasting regulator Ofcom claiming "unfair treatment and editing". The Club too was considering their association with BBC, saying that they are confident of finding another broadcaster should things turn sour. The BBC has stood by the journalism in the documentary.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club calls "absolute nonsense" the programme's claim that the ridge "serves no purpose" and says the ridge "defines the breed from any other large brown dog without a ridge which might be considered a crossbreed i.e. mastiff x pitbull or boxer x mastiff." Regarding the code of ethics statement which says "Ridgeless puppies shall be culled at birth," the Club points to the statement that follows, "if a breeder finds this morally impossible the puppy shall be homed..." as indication that culling is not mandatory. They have since revised their code of ethics to say "no healthy puppy will be culled."

The RSPCA stated that it is "concerned about the unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and disease affecting pedigree dogs."

In his speech at the Welsh Kennel Club championship two days after the programme aired, Kennel Club Chairman Ronnie Irving said that “If this programme teaches us anything, I hope it will teach the ‘purists’ in some breeds that they simply must get a move on and realise that in these politically correct and well informed days, some old attitudes are simply no longer sustainable." Maintaining that the majority of dogs are healthy he said that "the roughly 90 % of us who thankfully have healthy breeds must continue to guard against exaggeration and must bring pressure to bear on the laggards, otherwise we will – all of us – continue to be tarred with the same brush."

Dogs Today editor Beverley Cuddy, who said in the programme that "dogs are falling apart" and "the number of genetic problems are increasing at a frightening pace" disputes the Kennel Club's 90% figure. She points to a Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association health survey, which shows that 37.4% of dogs had at least one serious health issue by age 5, and adds that the Kennel Club had to discount conditions such as hip dysplasia, slipping patellas and hereditary cataracts to get their 90% figure.

On October 5th 2008, Margaret Carter, who revealed the health condition of the Best-of-Breed Cavalier in the film, was voted out of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (CKCSC) committee by its members in a Special General Meeting for "breach of confidentiality." The Kennel Club has expressed concerns with the decision by CKCSC. In January 09, backed by grassroots members, Carter sought reelection to the committee, but was elected without a ballot being required as she was the only nominee. She has since withdrawn her nomination and quit the breed club after the club chairman, vice-chairman and secretary announced their resignation in response to Carter's nomination. Carter told The Times: "My only interest was to improve the health of the dogs and it has never been my intention to damage the Cavalier King Charles club where I have been a loyal member for more than 30 years... The top showing people and breeders are the ones most threatened by health testing. They either want to win in the show ring or make money and they don't want health problems talked about." Club chairman Lesley Jupp said that "Her presence on the committee was unacceptable in the circumstances. Some people would have found it very difficult to work with her".

On October 7, 2008 the Kennel Club announced that it is rolling out new health plans. Breed standards for every breed are under review and show judges will be required to take health into judging considerations. It has also requested regulatory powers from the Government, which would allow the club to take actions against breeders who do not comply with health standards. Some breed clubs have condemned the Kennel Club for overreacting. The bulldog breed council has rejected the new Bulldog standard, saying that they are "at a loss to understand in what way the health and general welfare of the breed could be improved by the proposed changes".

On October 24, principal sponsor Pedigree Petfoods withdrew their sponsorship of Crufts - estimated at between £0.5 to £1.5 million per year - ending a 44 year relationship. That was followed by major sponsor Hill's Pet Nutrition's withdrawal from the event one week later.

On December 12, BBC dropped Crufts 2009 from its schedule after failing to agree terms with the Kennel Club. Their request to drop 12 "at-risk" breeds from the main event was rejected by the Kennel Club, who called the request "unreasonable" and said that it would compromise their "contractual obligations" and "general responsibility to dog exhibitors and our audience." The Kennel Club's contract with the BBC is worth a six-figure annual sum and ends in 2010.

On January 12, the Kennel Club released the revised breed standards, which will "not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely." "This will help to prevent the practice of exaggeration, where features that are perceived to be desirable, such as a short muzzle or loose skin, are made more prominent by breeders, and which can have detrimental effects on a dog’s health." Rules to ban close inbreeding (parent/child and sibling/sibling) would take effect 1st of March 2009. Show rules have been changed to state "more clearly than ever" that judges should only "reward those dogs that are healthy representatives of their breed." Judges will also have the authority to eject unhealthy dogs from competitions. A Club spokesman said that the changes would take "several generations, to have an effect."

Pedigree Dogs Exposed producer Jemima Harrison calls the change "long overdue." RSPCA chief vet Evans welcomed the ban on close inbreeding but said that the breed standard changes were not "radical enough to really make a difference." He also expressed concern about how standards would be interpreted in the show ring. While some breeders have shown their support for the new standards, others are upset with the new standards and have threatened legal actions against the Kennel Club. The Chairman of the British Bulldog Breed Council said of the new Bulldog standard: "What you’ll get is a completely different dog, not a British bulldog. There is no jowl, no upturn of the nose and the legs will no longer be wide in front and narrow behind."

The Kennel Club also announced the selection of Sir Patrick Bateson to head an independent review into the "registration, breeding and showing of dogs." It will be funded by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust. The review is expected to start in February 2009.

In February, the results of an independent scientific report commissioned by the RSPCA concluded that "exaggerated physical features and inherited diseases cause serious welfare problems in pedigree dogs." Quoting Arman (2007), the report states that "Society and sections of the veterinary profession have become 'desensitised to the welfare issues to such an extent that the production of anatomically deformed dogs is neither shocking, nor considered abnormal'". It also states that "Breeding practices and efforts by breed societies and kennel clubs, to date, have been ineffective at protecting the welfare of many breeds of domestic dog" and that "changes in breeding and selection practices are urgently required." The Kennel Club states that the report "fails totally to recognise the real steady progress and advance of scientific knowledge that has already been made in the area of pedigree dog health."

The Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) released the results of its "inquiry into the health and welfare issues surrounding the breeding of pedigree dogs" in November. The report mentioned the "serious problem with the health and welfare of many pedigree dogs" and how they can be caused by current breeding practices. It made various recommendations: Breed standards should be based less on "visual aesthetics" and more on whether the dogs would be "fit for purpose". Where available for particular breeds, health tests should be strongly recommended and individuals not tested should have their test status reflected in registration certificates and should not be eligible for Champion titles.

The inquiry also stated that "the KC should make the decision about whether registering dogs or dog health and welfare is their primary objective and focus their attentions more precisely on this when taking this issue forward."

More4 was criticised for their plan to broadcast Crufts 2010. "Until the problems of health and welfare are dealt with, the showing of certain dogs with problems associated with inappropriate breed standards is wrong". A More4 spokesperson stated that its "coverage will place a particular emphasis on health and welfare issues, providing a high profile platform to keep these issues in the public eye – something that has been welcomed by the British Veterinary Association."

The APGAW report indicates that the low breeding standards practiced by some in the the KC's Accredited Breeder Scheme - a scheme meant to help potential dog owners identify responsible breeders - may allow the public to be "falsely led into thinking a puppy they buy from an accredited breeder registered with the KC will have no health or welfare problems associated with its breeding history." It called for more random checks and robust enforcement of the scheme and states that "the use of the word ‘pedigree’ should be tied to a high standard of breeding (for health and welfare) across the board with the KC not just with the few that decide to join the Accredited Breeder Scheme (ABS)." Vorlage:Cquote The report warned that if the health measures implemented by the KC fails, government regulations might be necessary. The Kennel Club has issued a response to the report. PDE producer Jemima Harrison condemned the KC's response, stating that they are downplaying the criticism of the KC in the report and misrepresenting the findings.

Ofcom was set to release the results of its ruling on November 9 but complaints by the BBC regarding the way the investigation took place pressured Ofcom to hold off publishing the ruling. According to The Times, Ofcom upheld three of the nineteen complaints against the BBC; The comparing of pedigree dogs breeding to the eugenics movement, and the unfair treatment claimed by Rhodesian Ridgeback and CKCS breeders. The Kennel Club has stated its loss of confidence in the Ofcom complaints process.

As a consequence of the programme, cat breeders have too come under pressure from veterinary and animal welfare associations, with breeds such as the Persian, Scottish Fold and Munchkin being singled out.

External links

• Kennel Club's response to the issue of pedigree dogs health in 1985 (video)
• Designer animals or breeding for welfare? (video) - British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation
• Best of Breed? Pedigree Dogs Face Disease (video + text) ABC Nightline
• Crisis in the kennel: Is Crufts cruel?
• Top dogs and low tactics: how the pedigree of Crufts came under a shadow
• Extent of inbreeding in pedigree dogs revealed in new study Imperial College London
• Flaws on paws - Welfare problems in breeding pedigree dogs New Scientist

• Pedigree dog breeding in the UK: a major welfare concern? - RSPCA
• A Healthier Future for Pedigree Dogs - Report of the APGAW Inquiry