News & features

Updated: October 2008

Crufts controversy

The RSPCA and Dogs Trust have pulled out of Crufts following a BBC documentary, which highlighted the inherited genetic health problems of pedigree dogs and breed standards, which, it is argued, put 'form' over 'function'.

Seventy–five per cent of the seven million dogs in the UK are pedigrees, and the issue of pedigree dog breeding has drawn heated debate for many years, but the documentary appears to have prompted a call to action.

According to the documentary, deliberate mating of dogs that are close relatives is common practice and the Kennel Club continues to register dogs bred from mother–to–son and brother–to–sister matings.

Scientists at Imperial College, London, recently found that pugs in the UK are so inbred that, although there are 10,000 of them, it is the equivalent of just 50 distinct individuals – making them more genetically compromised than the giant panda.

The documentary also showed a cavalier King Charles spaniel, suffering from syringomyelia, a condition where the skull is too small for the brain, which is estimated to affect up to a third of the breed. Veterinary neurologist Clare Rusbridge explained: "The cavalier’s brain is like a size 10 foot that has been shoved into a size six shoe – it doesn’t fit."

Steve Jones, professor of genetics, UCL, said: "People are carrying out breeding which would be, first of all, be entirely illegal in humans and secondly is absolutely insane from the point of view of the health of the animals."

The RSPCA has commissioned a review of breeding practices and recommended measures to prevent harm to the animals.

Commenting on The Dogs Trust’s withdrawal from Crufts, a spokesperson said: "We have always had regular dialogue with the Kennel Club about our recommendations for pedigree breeding. However, we have reached a tipping point prompted by the programme where we hope that our decision to withdraw will encourage a faster response from the Kennel Club."

Caroline Kisko, from the Kennel Club robustly defended its position, saying: "The Kennel Club is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of dogs through responsible breeding and will continue to use Crufts as a platform to educate breeders and the public about the importance of joining us on this quest."

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