RSPCA pulls out of Crufts

[ChrisH]

The RSPCA hasn't 'pulled out' of Crufts, just suspended plans.

The RSPCA has suspended plans for stands at Crufts next March and Discover Dogs this November.

I honestly don't understand the objections to any of the following recommendations being implemented. .

Possible ways forward
The RSPCA has commissioned an independent review of the science in this field, and will be discussing its findings with relevant experts and stakeholders later this year.

Amongst a raft of specific recommendations, the following themes have been identified as possible ways forward.

# An overhaul of the rules and requirements for pedigree dog registration and competitive dog showing (including breed standards). Health, welfare and temperament should be prioritised over appearance.


# The development and implementation of health and welfare-focused breeding strategies for individual breeds. This should include pro-active steps to increase the genetic diversity of dog breeds.


# More data collection and scientific analysis on causes of disease and death in dogs.


# Education, especially of would-be owners, to encourage demand for dogs which have the best possible chance of leading healthy, happy lives as pets.

It might be as well to go and read what it is all about 'from the horses mouth' so to speak. Note the word 'save', no-one is out to destroy any breeds, in fact, having seen the BBC documentary, I would suggest the recommendations are the best way forward to avoid the awful suffering of some.

News - Urgent change needed to save pedigree dog

[Giselle]

I had not read RSPCA's actual announcement. Out of curiousity, I asked this:

What is a "disability" or "deformity" defined as, considering they are targeting the breed standards themselves?

Lucky, my heavy-coated, bracycephalic, low built dog, must be an abhorrent monster.

The response was this:

For sure, the short noses being bred to standard for Boston Terriers and other bracycephalic breeds would be at issue. From discussions with the vets I see regularly, I've learned the veterinary community is quite displeased with that development, they see more and more of those breeds coming in with issues as time goes on and the snout gets shorter. It is not Nature's way.

Perhaps I'm reading this wrong, but this implies to me that almost all breeds are not following "Nature's Way" and, thus, their standards should be revamped, as is also implied through this:

# An overhaul of the rules and requirements for pedigree dog registration and competitive dog showing (including breed standards).

An overhaul implies drastic change to me. I was given the impression that the RSPCA finds certain breed standards "unnatural" and thus aims to revise such standards - a feat I strongly disagree with.

That's what my objections are. I think there are a lot of things wrong with dog breeding today, especially involving the conformation arena. But revising standards is NOT the way to go.

[ChrisH]

The Dogs Trust: (Media Centre), withdrew their involvement with Crufts in September, and now Pedigree pet foods, after a 40year association, has done the same. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7690521.stm

I, for one, am glad they have made such a decision. There really does need to be a change of heart, and thinking, regarding the standard of some breeds by both the Kennel Club and breeders.

Note: I wrote 'some breeds' . I am not anti-breeders, I have a pedigree dog myself, just against the real suffering that strict adhering to standards can bring to certain breeds.

[lute]

This is so unneeded! The rescue community will never agree with the dog show/breeding community. Why not have a booth at the show for no other reason than give rescue an option to new dog owners. Spectators come to dog shows looking for dogs, looking for a breed. If rescue is there, I've seen several people go that direction because there was a booth at a dog show.

I agree with no dog is nature's way. Where in nature do you see a Bichon, Chihuahua, Aussie, Great Dane, Ibizan Hound, etc? All these dogs have some sort of characteristic that is there because of breeding. As for the bracycephalic dogs, what if there was no reputable breeders? The BYB and puppymills would take over and there would be countless more health issues. Reputable breeders work to reduce these health issues in their particular breed.