The Barking Blondes: Crufts 2015
As with any beauty pageant, this year’s Crufts had its dark side.
We aired our fifth outside broadcast live from Crufts at the NEC last week.
Since 2009 and the reaction to the Panorama documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, we have been the only BBC presence at the largest dog show in the world.
So we eagerly enquired of the host, The Kennel Club, as to what has been done to deal with the issues raised in the afore mentioned documentary. Issues such as the in breeding and over exaggerated features causing ill health and poor quality of life to some breeds.
Both our bull breeds were included. The Bulldog has been over-bred to have a massive wrinkle almost covering its nostrils that limits its breathing capacity hugely. Its stocky shape has been exaggerated so that Bulldogs can’t even give birth naturally, which has to be wrong. The Bull Terrier is criticised for its big ‘egg’ head – the list goes on……..
The Kennel Club was formed in the late 1800’s to register and oversee the well-being of pedigrees as an advisory body. They make standards and recommendations to dog breeders, like the AA does for motorists.
Since the Panorama documentary massive investment by the Kennel Club has provided genetic testing for a host of congenital conditions across hundreds of breeds. In collaboration with the Animal Health Trust using modern science to improve the health of the dogs they breed through health testing.
To encourage breeders to use these tests The Kennel Club has introduced its Assured Breeders Scheme where members are vetted and proof of testing their breeding stock is mandatory. They’re also invited to use a free Kennel Club service that helps promote genetic diversity. With a wide gene pool and a low in-breeding co-efficient, dogs are likely to be healthier.
It is up to the individual breeders to embrace change and be committed to the health of their breed. Only a ‘united front’ from breeders will bring change and reduce any ‘extreme’ physical features in breeds like the Bulldog.
The Kennel Club urge prospective buyers to research a breed and individual puppy before buying it. Apart from ensuring that you’re choosing the right breed for your lifestyle and home environment, its essential to be very wary of any dogs for sale on popular internet sites.
However, this wasn’t the most contentious issue at this years Crufts.
The joint owner of an Irish setter which died at its home in Belgium the day after Crufts….says she fears the dog MAY have been poisoned at the event.
A spokesperson from The Kennel Club says they are saddened to hear of the animal’s death and will work with the police to help investigation.
One of the joys of Crufts is that you can mingle with the exhibitors….and long may that continue. The thought of them all becoming “out of bounds “ is unimaginable.
There are also alarming images on social network of an international dog owner, ill treating his dog in the carpark.
None of the above has been proved…….and lets hope there is an acceptable explanation to all of it.
But our gut feeling is the Hollywood block buster , comedy movie “Best In Show” …is taking on more and more significance.…..Another case of human beings continually letting themselves down and failing to learn from Mans Best friend
Barking Blondes by Jo Good & Anna Webb, published by Hamlyn, £12.99 www.octopusbooks.co.uk
Tagged in: barking blondes, The Dog Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment