Pedigree Dogs Exposed – TV Show to Reveal Inbreeding and Health Defects in Canines
Published on August 15, 2008 by Freelance Contributors · 23 CommentsGenetic health defects, inbreeding and shortened lifespans. Just some of the allegations leveled against certain pedigree breeds for decades. Now a BBC One TV show is to highlight some of the issues that have caused controversy in the canine world for years.
The extent of inbreeding in purebred dogs and how this reduces their genetic variation is revealed in a new study by Imperial College London researchers. Inbreeding puts dogs at risk of birth defects and genetically inherited health problems.
These issues and the researchers’ findings are highlighted in an upcoming TV programme entitled “Pedigree dogs exposed,” which will air on BBC One on Tuesday 19 August 2008 at 21.00 BST.
Particular dog breeds are believed to be prone to particular health problems and birth defects. For example, Dalmation dogs are predisposed to deafness, many Boxer dogs have problems with heart disease, and disproportionate numbers of German Shepherd dogs have an abnormal developmentof the hip joints known as hip dysplasia.
Inbreeding in pedigree dogs arises because certain dogs, prized for exhibiting the characteristics desirable for that breed, are used to father many litters of puppies. When dogs from these litters come to be mated, some will be paired with dogs having the same father from other litters. Over generations, more and more dogs across a particular pedigree are related to one another and the chances of relatives mating increase.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed airs on BBC One on August 19th.
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it is sick most of these so-called doglovers crossing direct bloodlines ie bro/sis laws should be passed to prevent this i agree that some breeds are bred for a purpose and if so maybe the showdogs should be tested on this ability.I myself have 3 dogs lab-x mongrel and a german shepard my shepard is a ped but of working rather than show background yet he is heathiy as a bull{as are my other two} and admired by all who think their words one of finist shepards about and where do i get him ballymena dogs trust ironic same as other two.i will always get rescue dogs and have been blessed with heathly happy dogs.
I was upset and disgusted at the actions of these people. I have spent most of my life wanting to go to crufts, and have now decided that what it stands for is floored. How can people be able to present sick dogs for best in breed? It has made me so very angry and there is nothing I can do. I am lucky to have a healthy labrador ment to be ped but we bought for being a good natured creature. I will never be buying a ped dog, I would rather rehome a dog that needs a home rather than a dog that may have problems that could have been prevented. I do understand that it is not all breeders or breeds of dogs but how is one to tell this for sure? Breeders are not forced to health check each dog they are asked to. Who cares if breeders stop registering there dogs if they are not prepared to prove there dog is of full health in every way. I would rather the Kennel Club have fewer breeders that are solid healthy breeders than have lots that breed deformed unhealthy dogs. Its about money as far as I can tell and please correct me if i am wrong. They state they are using guidelines from 1873 and if you look at these pictures and the dogs of today they are so very different and no one can tell me the dogs of today look better.
I could go on forever. We should have happy healthy dogs not deformed unhealthy ones.
Watching that documentary made me feel sick. WHY ARE PEOPLE SO MEAN?!! i have 2 dogs, and my jack russel has slight breathing problems but not siverly (thank god!!) i feel very sickened that people has the guts to say these dogs look better like this.its just like saying::
“YOU WOULD LOOK CUTER WITH A SMALLER BODY, WELL A CRUSHED SPINE MORE LIKE!!”
I HOPE THAT EVERY ONE AGREES WITH ME. CRUFTS, AND PEOPLE THAT THINK THEY CAN MAKE SHOW DOGS LIKE CRUFTS OR THE KENNEL CLUB THEY ARE WRONG IT IS JUST DAMAGING THE DOGS. THEY ARREN’T MAKING THE DOGS BETTER…………….
THEY ARE MUTATING THEM!!! ANY ONE THAT DOES NOT AGREE IS COMPLETE SICK LOONEYS!!!
To the last person that commented – Yes, i agree with you (just to give you some support there – though I dont think you need it we’re all pretty much decided on the same thing here).
An absolute mutation. I would probably look better with my jaw half shaved off my face and my ankles tighten so I stand on my pretty little feminine tiptoes all day long, a nice tension machine designed to BEND my spine and an extra pinch of inbreeding for good temperament but HUMANS dont work like that… These so called humans who are breeding these dogs should be condemned and their dogs taken away. This is cruelty – You are allowing dogs to give birth (which carries its own very severe risks all on its own for the mother) and then suffer the consequences of dying dogs. Puppies coming out with club foot and god only knows what else. Mr K.C kennel club exsecutive I ask, Would you impregnant a blood relative to ensure they had a flawed mind like yourself? NO – because its morally wrong and the offspring would more than likely be incredibly sick. – Here I write things previously written in all shapes and forms, but how long is it Mr KC, exsec before your ignorant mind is changed? How many times will your bitches have to endure birthing weak failing puppies? So commonly named for the ones too inbred to survive is “Failed puppy syndrome” WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE FAILED. Are you a master of science? biology? geneology? If you KNOW human inbreeding cannot be done without reprocussion how is it you cant possibly see that it’s the same for ANY Mammal?!?! Genetics are a severely complex and dangerous thing to be tampering with YOU ARE NOT GOD – So stop damn well playing like you think you are!
I have just watched Pedigree Dogs Exposed on i-player – I am appalled and shocked. I agree with everything that has already been said here and I have developed a profound distaste for The Kennel Club, the showing world and the arrogant, cruel and self-interested breeders. Surely the Chief of The Kennel Club, surely these breeders are in denial!? The scientific evidence is a no-brainer. I am incredulous and deeply sickened once again at the way that humans can treat these loving animals. I cannot understand why The Kennel Club is so defensive in the face of such conclusive scientific evidence? What do they have to hide?!! I cannot understand why they would not want Open Discussion and Transparency within their organisation and why they would not want to be co-operating with and supporting the work of vets, scientists and other professionals. I could not believe the arrogance of The Kennel Club to dismiss the scientific papers on the prevalence of deformity in pedigree dogs as ‘simplistic’. I could not believe the arrogance of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder who thought that it was acceptable to have perfectly healthy puppies, born without a ridge, culled. The Kennel Club are ‘worried about losing breeders’ !!!? why? Surely those breeders who truly care about animal welfare and truly care about their dogs wanting them first and foremost to be healthy dogs who will go on to lead long and pain free lives would support Kennel Club guidance to protect these animals?! I wonder where these breeders are. I would like to hear from them. It is a huge responsibility to be breeding animals of any kind and I have no respect for anyone who breeds either animals that are going to be unwanted or animals that are knowing being bred from sires/ dams that have genetic deformities! The Kennel Club should be leading the way here, they have the power to, I am beginning to wonder if there isn’t some kind of Mafioso ring involved!! ? The Kennel Club cronies act as if their hands are tied. Ultimately, let Parliament lead the way. Breeders should not be allowed to inbreed, inbreeding should be prosecuted, breed standards should be revised and all animals should be tested for genetic deformities – I cannot believe that the woman with the sick Best In Show cavalier i) won best in show ii) went on to breed from the dog.
As a breeder and exhibitor of dogs I was very upset to see how one-sided the programme was. I myself have 3 different breeds, none of which have health problems. The show focused on 4 breeds but went on to exaggerrate how all breeds are unhealthy. I always health test my puppies and brood females and have done for the last 10 years, as have all the breeders I know. I admit the people featured in the show were a disgrace to the dog showing society but they are a very very small minority which the show unfortunately focused on. I am also very upset that people would suggest its all about money. I have one litter a year and each litter cost me in excess of £3000 after all the food, vet checks and equipment needed to look after them, so how could it possibly be about money? I do not know anyone who breeds sister to brother or grand father to grand daughter.It is also outrageous to suggest that we would show unhealthy dogs. I feel the lady who produced this programme did it to spark public debate and outrage and make herself a few quid in the process which is very sad. It has damaged the good work breeders have been doing for decades to eradicate diseases from certain breeds and may have a big impact on the progress now so I hope this lady, who clearly knows nothing about the dog showing world, is very proud of herself. She manipulated the the information given to her and ultimately created a programme of bad taste and bias opinions.
Smash,
You say:
“It is also outrageous to suggest that we would show unhealthy dogs”
Did you actually SEE the show?
It clearly showed a dog being shown, and indeed winning, that had been diagnosed with a congenital disease.
I’m afraid when people attempt to bat away the criticism raised in the show, they really need to far better than just come out with a defence based on factual inaccuracies.
Yes i did see the show. what i saw was a minority of disgraceful breeders who do not represent the dog showing society in any way. Im my opinion they should be thrown out of the kennel club and not allowed to breed again. I understand the criticism show in the programme but it was completely exaggerated to the extent where I found myself shouting at the television because the it was pure sensationalism in most parts. To cast the responsible majority of breeders into the same category as those monsters was outrageous. Even more offensive was to compare us to hitler which was in bad taste and very disrespectful to those who suffered at the hands of him (ie most of my late family). I have never made money out of breeding, sometimes I barely break even. My number one priority is that my puppies go to a loving home and live a long healthy life. I know where all my puppies live and regularly keep in contact with the owners and In all my 10 years of breeding I have never had a dog die of a genetic disease.
What the show failed to tell the public was that most of the examples of sick dogs shown in the programme were from PUPPY FARMS!!! which have nothing to do with the Kennel Club. They are shunned by the whole of the dog showing society and are what is really wrong with dog breeding. Maybe the lady should have done some good and used this media attention to highlight this problem instead of making sweeping and far from accurate assumptions about people like myself.
Puppy farmers breed litter after litter of puppies not caring what happens to them as long as they can get some money. It is unfortunate that this programme has left viewers with a mistaken impression that all pedigree dogs are riddled by disease when in fact its the puppy farmers that are causing this problem.
As an avid dog lover and having watched the BBC Documentary ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’ I will NEVER again watch Crufts. I’ve always had my doubts about some of the dog show fraternity but this has really cemented my disgust at malpractice and abuse in the pursuit of perfection.
I hope to find some major petition that we can register our objections to this inhumanity to the government.
This is the thin end of the wedge, as a layperson I didn’t even realise until I thought about it how friends & acquaintances owning dogs with good pedigrees have had such devastating health catastrophes with them.
I was left in tears, let’s hope this documentary will be the start of action for those poor silent victims.
its a disgrace. the woman that had her king charles cavalier crowned champion, bred 26 litters from him knowing that he had syringomyelia! thats knowingly spreading disease! there is no excuse, she is a disgrace. i hope bbc do not show crufts i am beginning to doubt what it represents as a competition and fear for these poor innocent creatures. HUMANS ARE CAUSING AGONY TO THESE DOGS!
Well, I watched the documentary with an open mind and I was quite disgusted with the attitudes of some of the dog breeders featured in the documentary. It appeared that some of the breeders knowingly bred from their dogs that they knew had pre-existing health conditions and that they were aware that these conditions may be passed onto to future generations. As a pet owner, I am aware of the common illnesses and diseases that may affect the breeds of dogs that I own, and I believe that the registered dog breeders of the Kennel Club should be made to test their breeding dogs in order to ensure that their dogs do not have these pre-exisiting health conditions. This would help the reputation of both the Kennel Club and registered dog breeders. However, the most important thing is that the future generations of pedigree dogs would be healthier and prospective dog owners would feel happier and more confident that their dogs had been bought from breeders who had undertaken such tests and that the Kennel Club had been active in ensuring that breeders adhered to such testing. I own both a cross-breed and a pedigree dog, and as the documentary suggests, my cross-breed does appear healthier, wih much more infrequent visits to the vets than my pedgree dog who has to visit the vets evert 2-3 months for a ‘condition common in the breed’. Perhaps, I may get one of those beautiful Rhodesian RidgeLESS puppies next time, rather than them being euthanised!
I love how all you pet owners are sucked into what ever is on TV these days. GROW A BRAIN FOR GOODNESS SAKE! ITS SENSATIONALISM!
READ THE FACTS AND STOP ALL THIS HISTERIA!
I think all concerned dog lovers should contact their MPS and ask for a bill to be passed preventing in breeding of father to daughter and brother to sister matings which help to cause these health problems shown in the BBC programme and to make breeding from & selling dogs with known hereditary diseases such as syringomyelia illegal.Perhaps a petition should be set up too.
RUTH- First of all, after watching this programme and being appauled by it I jumped on my pc and researched furhter into rhe subject taking into account all sides of this debate so yes i do have a brain!
While I am aware that a majority of breeders do everything to make sure their pups are healthy and go to good homes of which I feel sorry for out of this and certainly dont tar you with the same brush and im sure most people are intellegent enough to do the same. The fact remains that this still goes on and why should ANY dog have to suffer the health problems of those we saw in the programme. And for what?? vanity or a rosette in crufts. That is diplorable on the breeders behalf and worse, its abuse. I also feel for people buying these peds completely unaware of potential health problems in that particular bloodline and in some cases not being able to afford medical bills for the pet that is now a member of the family. That must be heart breaking. And as for the kennel club saying these breeders will go underground continue to breed these dogs for aesthetic reasons and breed perfection. WAKE UP, they are dog breeders not drug dealers. They will jump through hoops to get the perfect blue print breed so change the breed standard- its not rocket science. And yes this programme may be biased but it has informed the general public of the brutality of some individuals, which I myself would not have known about the extent of cruelty inflicted on these dogs by people who are licenced by a well respected organisation which regulates breed standards and lets these people get away with it. which shows us a completely different side to pedigree breeding giving a more complete picture. I will certaintly will not be watching crufts again as i in no way suuport this and will be writing to my local m.p. to lobby for change.
NOUSH i agree with some aspects of your arguement but you said
“majority of breeders do everything to make sure their pups are healthy and go to good homes of which I feel sorry for out of this and certainly dont tar you with the same brush”
But then you completely contradict yourself by saying
“i will certaintly not be watching crufts again as i in no way suuport this”
so yes you are tarring them with the same brush as the mojority of the breeders that exhibit at crufts are not like that.
I suggest you read up properly and once you are a dog breeder you will understand how ridiculous this programme was. Yes some dogs are unhealthy but i think if you do read up on facts you will realise they are one of the healthiest species around thanks to clever breeding. Look at humans for example were plagued by different illnesses and diseases, Why? Because we are the result of constant out-crossing which introduces lots of different diseases. A very very small percentage of dogs may have a genetic inherited disease but can you really tell me that you know of a single person that hasnt been to the doctors because of an illness or disease?
The makers of this show clearly wanted to make a few bucks and what way better than targeting those pet owners of britain sat on their sofas with their dogs sat next to them. Of course its gonna pull a few heart strings, that was the whole point!
Your pet is going to die one day of something, so stop all this histeria. I agree with Ruth.
Chris Hyde said:
“and once you are a dog breeder you will understand how ridiculous this programme was”
“A very very small percentage of dogs may have a genetic inherited disease”
I must totally disagree, I don’t need to be a breeder to understand the damage that show breeding has done to the majority of breeds. Very few are capable of their original purpose never mind the inherited defects and diseases.
I’ve been involved as a full time trainer and handler for 35 years, my dislike of the show circus has remained steady in all that time. This programme simply revealed the some of the worst excesses of the human glory hunters.
Dave the DOG where exactly are these figures you obviously hold as evidence to such a sweeping and inaccurate statement? Im suprised they didnt ask you to be part of their programme as one of their experts. I have four different breeds and 5 field trial champions as well as my hunting dogs which hunt point and retrieve. I also have a trained Hamiltonstovare (swedish fox hound) which is an infamously difficult breed which does exactly as it would have done a hundred years ago.
You have to train dogs in order for them to carry out their original jobs and i very much doubt your capability as a handler and trainer if you have had that many dogs not able to carry out what they are bred for.
It’s lack of experience on the owners part and not bringing it up feeding it a healthy diet.
All breeders that do this are wrong and know it. We have seen our dog die from renal failure and the breeder lied about it being a known problem. Several of the relatives have had serious issues with this same problem. But stopping would cost them money and it isn’t illegal.
As my vet said none of these people are vets or geneticists thus they have no idea as to what they are doing but are content to remain ignorant and maintain the lies. There is a petition to stop this just do a search and you will find it.
i have recently bred my boy dog with a breeders bith both completly unreleated, i bred with gd intentions to maintain sound temprement health and show quality. when i contacted the kennel club to see iv the owner of the dam had registerd the pups i found out she had registerd them in a differant bithes name which i was NOT happy about, just to let you know the kennel club did not seem botherd 1 bit , actualy they sed to me you will av to speak to the owner of the bitch as mistakes can be made, i replyed once yes but twice no especialy when the bitch is dead!!!! they replyed well mistakes can be made.???????? crufts its all about money, a load of bull….
its not about breeding pups for money its about breeding quality the unreleated proper way, imean lets face it if ur a nice looking girl you wouldent breed with your dad just so you could have nice kids would you ???????????
That is a whole load of rubbish!!!!! not all dog breeders act like that the people who do are few and far between, crufts shouldn’t be affected by this. if a dog has a illness or disabilty it should not be bred from i agree but that is no reason to assume all dog breeders are like this.
Ryan o’meara, smash is right. why should breeders who spend all their life improving the breed be penalised for the few idiots who don’t give a damn about the breed and just want to make money. It is not about the money but the best for the breed!!!!!!! Pet owners or animal right activists or anybody who doesn’t understand the complexidly of breeding dogs which are happy and healthy should not point fingers or accuse all dog breeders of breeding dogs inhumanley.
No, it gets even worse. When a dog loses (or breeders get rid of) a litter of undesirable puppies they use her as a foster mom for the “good” litter of another dog. People are sick. Fortunately I have found a Cocker Spaneil breeder in Ohio that works with several others in the area to prevent those inbred birth defects and high mortality rates. You can have pedigree dogs without the genetic problems, as long as you pay attention to what you are doing, and care about the animals you are doing it to.