Jul
Head Of BVA Responds to K9 Magazine Criticism
Following the decision taken by BVA president Nicky Paull to offer backing from Britain’s leading veterinary association to the re-televising of Crufts dog show via the niche, special interest channel More 4, K9 Magazine revealed that some vets were unhappy by the move and felt their industry association should not be so closely aligned with an event that still has a cloud hanging over it. K9 Magazine has since spoken to the BVA president to find out why it was so keen to give backing to Crufts coming back to to TV
BVA support for Crufts not met with unanimous support of vets
K9: The RSPCA’s scientific report into dog breeding earlier this year concluded that the Kennel Club and competitive breeding for the show ring had caused and contributed to significant health problems in dogs.
To date, the root and branch reform recommended by that report haven’t even begun, let alone been measured for success, is it not too soon to be endorsing Crufts for a return to TV considering there is still a very dark cloud hanging over it and its role in causing many of the problems they now seek to ‘highlight’?
Nicky Paull: I would agree that the show ring will have contributed to some of the health problems particularly those related to the look of the dog such as conformation or colour.
But with less than 2% of the pedigree dog population being shown and a large number of pure bred dogs who are not even registered, the BVA believes we have to instil into all potential dog owners and all who choose to breed dogs an understanding of the health and welfare issues of every dog, not just those that show.
The BVA is very keen to see the RSPCA’s report discussed and particularly the top 14 key points that they have listed. This was brought up at the 2nd of the BVA AWF stakeholder meetings and I see there is a crucial role for the BVA to encourage all the stakeholders to discuss these points at a dedicated meeting.
The BBC programme revealed that the public clearly wants to see things change and by putting Crufts back on television we can make sure that the public is also involved in the debate. Crufts will continue whether it is televised or not so we believe that by committing to highlighting both sides of breeding, More 4 can keep up the momentum for change and help educate members of the public who may be considering buying a puppy. If the More 4 programme fails to highlight the problems then we will be the first to criticise it, but our dealings with them so far show that they are committed to addressing the concerns about breeding, as well as highlighting the good practice.
K9: The PDSA, RSPCA, Dogs Trust and BBC have pulled out of Crufts along with some commercial organisations, by giving it the backing of the BVA does it not show that vets are – by association – out of step with the feelings of both the public and animal welfare organisations or excellent repute?
NP: I can only repeat that there is a still a massive amount of information and education to be done regarding the breeding issues. At Crufts in February there were 160,000 people going through the doors and the BVA believes that it was crucial to get the messages regarding all the problems and the steps needed to start to improve things to out to all those who attended. The Blue Cross did attend and did a superb job at getting information on dog health and welfare out to all those who attended by going to the Blue Cross stand or even speaking to the representatives of the Blue Cross who were walking around the show. The BVA was there under the Canine Health Scheme banner and so was the Animal Health Trust who are doing a large amount of the research we will need to gain the best science as to how we approach many of the problems we have to deal with. I would have very much liked to have been alongside the RSPCA, the PDSA and the Dogs Trust continuing to promote good dog health and welfare to such a large audience and I really hope that they may reconsider that role again in 2010.
K9: In hearing from More 4, the backing of the BVA was a major contributing factor in their decision to justify the return of Crufts to the TV. Does it not concern you that exaggerated, unhealthy dogs such as Bulldogs, Pekingnese, Pugs, Cavaliers – most of whom will have been born pre-2008 – will appear on screen, once again ‘normalising’ the abnormal – will do so having been given the backing of the BVA, which could lead to accusations of supporting a totally unreformed event?
NP: Support from the BVA may have been a factor in More 4’s decision, but we did not discuss that specifically with them. However, we are pleased that their approach so far has been to get advice on how the programme can make sure health and welfare is at the top of the agenda. We believe we have to start somewhere. There has been veterinary input into initial breed standard changes instigated by the KC and they are now once again under veterinary review. Will it be enough – no – but is it in the right direction – yes. And by actively televising Crufts enabling discussion of breed standard problems in front of the viewing public we believe it will further encourage a focus on breed judges to adhere to the increasing pressure to judge on standards more focused on continued health and welfare.
K9: Of the vets we spoke to, none of them believed Crufts had ever been a showcase for good health in domestic dogs and none of them believed that this would change – given how defensive the Kennel Club has been about the extent of the problems in pedigree dogs. What leads you to believe that anything will be different now?
NP: I am very aware within BVA that there will be a wide opinion amongst our members but the Kennel Club have made some moves in the right direction as regards the breed standards and in strengthening the focus on health and welfare assessments by the monitoring and referral of any dogs of concern to the show vet. Recently there have been announcements that this is being widened to general and group shows. Is it enough – no – but is it a move in the right direction – yes. By showing Crufts on national television it will give everyone the chance to view how well this works.
We believe that working with the KC, and getting the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and others involved too, is the best way to encourage ongoing improvements. The more open this all is the better.
You can read the rest of this interview, in full, in K9 Magazine issue 29
It says on the comments guide to “be nice” so I will try. How about this approach.
Nicky Paull is no doubt very sincere in these views, but I am very heavy hearted to learn that someone in the role of President of the BVA can be so politically naive and lacks any media savvy. If I am wrong I will be the first to return here and admit so Ms Paull, but I believe there will in the end be no need for that. For any DFS Crufts coverage (I believe that is what it will be known as)that is in any way influenced by the KC will be nothing other than a nauseating hagiography of breeds of dogs crippled by disease. And you can see evidence of this already Ms Paull if you care to take a look. The KC’s press release of the 20th July is headlined “Eradication of inherited disease in dogs moves a step closer”. When you read beneath the title there is as usual not much substance. Don’t get me wrong the planned research into 25 inherited diseases is to be embraced but it is a drop in the ocean when put against the acknowledged total of about 400 inherited diseases found in purebred dogs.
No Ms Paull I fear you will learn the hard way that the KC is consummate in hyperbole and spin. They have pulled the wool over your eyes on this occasion as there will be scant mention of health problems in that TV coverage.
Philippa
Philippa,I have just read the K C’s Press Release, and wonder what are the approx. 25 inheritated diseases to be being Researched over the next 5 years.
Could this Press Release, just be Spin by the KC ,incase the APGAW Committee, and Professor Sir P Bateson Committee, in their Reports with Recommendations to be ,I believe issued shortly,that the KC is trying to get the Heat taken of them.
I can only comment on the Cavalier Breed, but their Serious Health Problems are well known, Syringomyelia and MVD Heart Trouble,some Cavalier Breeders,have said that they will not be involved with the Research ,EBV Scheme, which will be starting shortly, it was also recently mentioned at the UK CKCS Club ,that the MVD Problem is no better than it was 18 years ago, that a good number of Cavalier Breeders are not heeding the CKCS Club’s Breeding Guidelines,if as was mentioned by the Deputy Chief Excutive in the Press Release, that they will be depending on the support of Breeders to help in Eradicating Inherited Conditions in Dogs, hopefully for the Cavalier Breeders who are not Health Testing their Cavalier Breeding Stock. ,his comments will be a wake-up call ,and they will be giving support to rid Cavaliers of those two Diseases afflicting the Breed….Bet Hargreaves