Anyone catch this program? They say we're supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, but this documentary clearly demonstrates the opposite, reduced the other half to tears in some parts, extremely shocking and I don't even own a dog. I don't think people will look at Crufts the same way again.

Available on Iplayer

HQ was talking about this in his blog. I know nothing about what goes on.. whats wrong with breeding two of the same breeds? or am i totally confused?

Nothing, if they're from two different dog families. However there is increasing evidence that inbreeding is becoming a comon thing, Grandfather dog mating with grand daughter dog, you get the picture, and this can lead to all kind of genetic defects, just as if humans were to do it, YUK!

Eww! So why do it? I did see something in the paper connected with this and how alsations used to have a square frame but now the back legs are shorter, making the spine tilt downwards or something.

Why would breeders want that?

Yeah there were many things on the programe which looked at how breeds have changed over the last hundred years, its still Available on I-player if you get the time in the next five days have a look, but be warned there are disturbing scenes.

Yea I heard this on the radio, the inbreeding can caue sevre pin thughout the dogs life and all this just for good looking dogs? I think it's outrageous and I can't believe people do that

I saw the prog..........................Don't get me started.........just don't.





Either the kennel club deals with this, or the kennel club must go!

Get in and make your vote count.

Psst....just dont tell the queen. I'm breeding My retreiver with a lab. So as to discount any major defects . but i'm doing it with a reputable breeder ...so all's good . I know quite a few breeders all KCC and none of them would dream in inbreeding. what some breeders have in mind is fashion so they deliberately inbreed to bring out a defect that is fashionable. I've never owned a ridgeback german shepard simply out of principle I like my shepards chunky

Just joined and added my vote, I've never thought crufts was about the dogs, They are too preened poor things, that isn't how normal dogs behave. Way too much inter breeding and they aren't exhibits, they are dogs and should allowed to be so.

I don't think anyone could have put that any better. Welcome aboard Val

Thank You Jason, I'm a dog person and hate cruelty, crufts in my eyes is cruel.

It's not so much crufts, as the kennel club allowing the inbreeding. If the dog owners pressured Pedigree Chum (the sponsors) then we'd see some action, the kennel club would see money drying up and move their arses.

What is happenening is a symptom of the whole of society, everyone is trying to use everything as a piggy-bank. This time it's the dogs.

But you are right in saying they should be dogs first....and if they are good enough to show, that's just a bonus.


Some reading this thread might think I'm being dog obbsesive -and as regards Toff (my dog) I am - but what is happening to the breeds comes under the heading of deliberate cruelty, there's no other way of putting it, it's deliberate cruelty for money.

How can breeding a King Charles Spaniel with a genetic fault (their skulls are now too small for their brain) be classed as "loving your dog" . Yet the breeders are charging thousands for mother + son offspring.

Bulldogs can now not mate or have pups without help.

Boxer dogs are now almost certain to have epilepsy.

the list goes on and on....would we breed humans for Downs Syndrome or hereditary blindness?


(Yes HQ is on his soapbox, but on this topic anyone who thinks breeding bad dogs is a good thing is in for a fight, and I won't back down)

Good move, Large Poodles and Labs are a going thing in the UK.

It's time to give the doggie melting pot a stir I think. and alloys are always stronger.

Another thing I hate is tail cutting, I've got a Jack Russell, his 4th home,he won't be having another but his tail has been cut, why? he's not a working dog, never has been poor little love, everytime I look at his little stump it makes me sad.

That's illegal now. The vets should not dock tails for cosmetic reasons.

I thought it was but Monty is only 3 so I don't know how long its been illegal but I'm sure its longer than that. I don't even know who his first owner was, our other Jack has her tail but she was only 9 weeks old when we got her so we're her first and last owner.She is just a few months younger than Monty.

I know someone who has fox terriers . They have never docked . But one of the other pups bit the tail off this particular pup and now they can't sell it because it looks docked. Gee it's a gorgeous pup too . Pity