Barking Up The Wrong Tree

BBC Kennel Club Programme

It certainly seems that the BBC documentary last night on the Kennel Club and the state of our pedigree dogs kicked off a bit of a debate across the UK.  This is just my little opinion on it – to see an honest, independent discussion of the programme, see Pedigree Dogs Exposed: The Aftermath.

There were a couple of extra comments on my earlier article about whether to buy KC or DLRC puppies this morning and everybody seems quite passionate about it, so here’s my personal viewpoint on the matter.

I believe that the Kennel Club does encourage a certain amount of ‘in-breeding’ by specifying certain physical attributes on its ‘breed standards’. These breed standards supposedly state what is considered a good point in a breed. For some breeds, they aren’t so bad, but in dogs such as pugs, as I’ve mentioned in my Pug dog breed profile, one desired trait is the tail curling over the back. A double curl is particularly good. As the BBC pointed out last night through x-rays of pugs, constant inbreeding has achieved this in some dogs but also means the spine is curved, causing health problems. In addition, breeding to achieve such as flat face causes them breathing difficulties. None of this is good and I don’t think anyone could argue otherwise.

I think the discussion now has to be how it can be rectified. I don’t think the Kennel Club should be abandoned. It does a lot of good in promoting dogs and their well-being, and it’s the only official dog club we have with any real influence on representing dog owners on matters of legislation and such like. However, I do believe they need to re-think their physical breed standards for competing. Bear in mind, there are few people who do look to show their dogs and breed for the standard. Most people simply want a pedigree pet and to know the sort of dog he’ll grow into.

Mongrels are fine, but can come with just as many health problems. In addition, you can get unwanted problems, such as you could take on a little puppy to find he has some Great Dane in him, so you end up with either training issues, unwanted dogs or health issues.

So what can the Kennel Club do? Should we have health tests on all dogs before breeding? Is it possible to legislate?

There are health tests out there that are recommended, but few (three I believe) that are compulsory. Breeders will continue to breed as long as those physical standards are in place so perhaps they should be relaxed or removed.

Pet owners can tell a good breeder. Most dog breeders, myself included when my shih tzu had her two litters, provide a family tree from the Kennel Club. That should show if the mum and dad are related in the last 5 generations. Check also how many names on the family tree are in red. Red names mean champions in Kennel Club approved shows. If there are plenty then perhaps the breeder is breeding to get a champion and you should check the family tree carefully.

I don’t think this BBC programme will stop people from buying pedigree puppies, and I hope it doesn’t, but I do hope it raises awareness for professional dog breeders that they need to stop inbreeding and I hope the Kennel Club will re-assess what it deems to be the qualities a breeder should be breeding for.

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Aug 20, 2008 | 2 | News