1) Breeding for looks (breed standard) at the expense of function. One has only to spend time in the company of competitive breeders and the very first thing they often talk about is how the dog looks, physically, so function, health and even temperament comes after appearance for many – that is the nature of the dog show, whether we like that or not, it is.

2) Competitive showing clouds people’s judgements and some people breed from dogs that should never be bred from or they use stud dogs who are unhealthy. Money, pride, prestige – take your pick, but we all know that this happens. Not all, for sure, but some people are more motivated by personal glory than is healthy for their dogs.

3) Closed registry and ancient rules and regs on breeding. Outcrossing is the answer to so many problems (not all, but many) and it is treated like a dirty word by both the KC and many breeders, again, breeders who are too consumed by what THEY want rather than what is right for the future health of the breed they are supposed to love. Kennel blindness is very much alive and real – I’ve seen it!

Like you, Bet, I would hope the coverage is honest and informative. But I really can’t see it. So yes, if a Cavalier was being shown – put up the real, true facts about the very serious, very common health problems in that dog – almost like a warning on a packet of cigarettes – so that people get the truth, very clearly. I simply don’t see it happening though. It’s never happened before so I have no reason to believe it will happen now. I mean, it didn’t happen at last year’s Crufts with the online coverage.

As soon as a Dog is made up to be a Champion ,Bingo ,he or she becomes the Flavour of the Month.

I can only talk about the Cavalier Breed, .There is a also another Health Condition afflicting Cavaliers other than the MVD Heart Problem, called Syringomyelia, The Researchers into the Problems are just about to introduce a Scheme called Estimated Breeding Valuations, which could help in giving the Cavalier Breed a Future , but No ,some Cavalier Breeders are not going to be involved in it..

Many Owners of Cavaliers now know of these two Conditions in Cavaliers as a result of the PDE TV Film,and have been made aware to ask from Cavalier Breeders to see a Certificate showing that the Breeder has both MRI Scanned for signs of Syringomyelia and Heart Checked their Breeding Stock,for no signs of MVD.

Why has Nicky Paull glossed over the Health Problems in Pedigree Dogs?

Ryan has mentioned that many Dogs are suffering who will be taking part at Crufts, I hope it will be mentioned in the Crufts TV Program ,that 50% of Cavaliers will have a Heart Murmur at 5 years of age.!!

Bet Hargreaves