BBC announces it won't air Crufts Dog Show

The BBC says it will not broadcast the Crufts Dog Show (the British equivalent of the American Kennel Club's Westminster Dog Show) next year, a decision based on the findings of a BBC documentary that suggested many purebreds suffer major health problems as a result of breeding practices designed to produce show-winning dogs. 

Following the release of the documentary, "Pedigree Dogs Exposed," it appears the dispute between the BBC and Britain's Kennel Club centered around several breeds considered "at risk," including the Basset Hound and the German Shepherd Dog. The BBC further reports that:

The programme ... identified the Rhodesian ridgeback and cavalier spaniel as having serious congenital issues.

It showed spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxer dogs that suffered from epilepsy.

The Kennel Club has complained that the show was unfairly edited and did not properly reflect its "deep commitment to the health and welfare of dogs."

When the Kennel Club refused to ban the "at risk" breeds from Group and Best in Show competition, the BBC responded by "'suspend[ing]' the show pending further health and safety investigations," the report says.

Kennel Club chairman Ronnie Irving  responded in a statement:

"I am very sorry that BBC audiences around the world will not be able to join us in celebrating all dogs in 2009 and to see the remarkable diversity of dogs and activities on show at Crufts; ranging from the show classes to agility displays, the Friends for Life competition and the unsung heroes who take part in breed rescue.

"However, we have been forced to reject the insupportable conditions imposed by the BBC, who have told us they will only televise the show in 2009 if certain breeds are excluded from participating. We are unable to agree to these demands, as it would compromise both contractual obligations and our general responsibility to dog exhibitors and our audience and we believe it would be inappropriate and counterproductive to exclude any recognised breed from Crufts.

"We are obviously disappointed and confused with this outcome as we hoped the broadcast would have supported our focus on health and welfare issues, given advice about caring for and training dogs and showcased the charitable work that we support. This TV exposure would have benefited all dogs and given viewers a well-rounded picture of what the new Crufts in 2009 is all about."

Steve Jones, a genetics professor at University College London, told the BBC in an August interview, "People are carrying out breeding which would be first of all entirely illegal in humans and secondly is absolutely insane from the point of view of the health of the animals.... In some breeds they are paying a terrible price in genetic disease." 

Commenting on the BBC's decision, PETA blogger Liz Graffeo said:

Apparently USA Network (which broadcasts Westminster Dog Show every February here in the states) hasn't yet gotten the memo that "breedism" is a thing of the past. Remember last year's winner, Uno? As a beagle, Uno has a significantly higher risk of hypothyroidism, demodectic mange, umbilical hernia, epilepsy, eye and eyelid problems, cryptorchidism, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disk disease, and luxating patella. Now what ribbon does that deserve?

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Elise Amendola / Associated Press

Comments

[JT]

The decision by the BBC not to carry Crufts is disappointing to say the least.

It is losing the opportunity to educate the public about the health issues faces various breeds, as well as how the public can better ascertain whether a breeder is cognizant of those issues.

The number of breeders who are irresponsibly perpetuating congential health problems in dogs is relatively small compared to the number which work hard to improve the lives of the dogs to which they have devoted many long hours.

[MAK]

JT has it right.

[Judy]

Where does the BBC come off moderating dogs pedigrees??? The only people that have that right are the breeders themselves. In this "imperfect" world there will be all sorts of health issues not only in dogs but in people. There will be NO dogs with NO health issues, ever!
In the US no one tells anyone they can't breed (have children)even if they have genetic health issues. Maybe the medical field should be moderating people and telling them if they can or can't procreate!! Even people on drugs are allowed to have children.
This is just another ridiclious way to push their way into our breeding programs!

[J Lynn]

Its so frustrating that the BBC has jumped on this bandwagon. This 'program' that has created a media-fueled stir was based on distorted figures, half-truths, and misconceptions. The Kennel Club does not reward unhealthy animals, nor does it encourage them. The fact is dogs are living breathing creatures, and subject to many of the same conditions people are. Responsible breeders (of which there are MANY) seek to end as many of these as possible by health screening breeding stock, supporting research, and incorporating healthy stock into their breeding programs. The program which aired on BBC didn't acknowledge that, instead it flashed horrible images on the screen and bullied the viewer into thinking that dog shows were responsible. Absolute rubbish, and insulting to all of those who devote their lives to rearing and showing pedigree dogs. There is an animal right's faction hellbent on seeing an end to purebreds and pets in general. Hopefully the public will be bright enough to make up its own mind and not be swayed by one-sided media coverage. Purebred does not mean unhealthy, nor does crossbred mean healthy. The BBC has done the UK a big disservice in taking a much loved institution from the viewing public and siding with politically motivated extremists.

[ime]

Judy, the medical field DOES moderate and control breeding in humans to the extent that siblings, cousins, etc. cannot breed. This is purely for the health of the children, as inbreeding in humans notoriously produces rare diseases and mutations. It is about time somebody recognized breeders sometimes put their dogs in danger by inbreeding them. It is unfair to the dogs to say they are completely at the disposal of their breeders.

I would think those of you that care about dogs enough to watch dog shows should care about their well being also, but your comments have clearly proven otherwise.

[Sarah]

It is very sad to see this happening...and unfortunately, Westminster could be next. What needs to be understood is that not every breeder is a responsible one, and medical conditions that a dog has can be passed on to its offspring through irresponsible breeding, but why blame the kennel club? They do not control the actual breeding process. In fact, they encourage breeders not to breed unless it is a betterment of the breed in all aspects. Dogs with serious health problems should never be bred, of course, but the Kennel Club encourages responsible breeding and funds genetics research to eliminate these kinds of problems. Unfortunately, many breeders have compromised their own standards to start breeding to a certain type, that totally eliminates the dog's original purpose, and that's where the health problems come in. They want to breed for color or coat type, but do not do any research on the health aspects involved. I would rather see a change in the standards of the dogs to move back to their original purpose than to see breeds banned from shows completely. There are still some great, responsible breeders out there, and it is unfair to them to deny them entry because their dog, as a certain breed, is "at risk" for medical problems. What dog isn't? What person isn't? It's all just pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

[FD]

"Breedism" is a "thing of the past"? According to who? PETA? Who made them the experts and trend setters?
Sorry, PETA doesn't know jack about animals and since people obviously still buy and breed purebred dogs- they are definately far from "something of the past" despite PETA and HSUS goals to eleminate pet ownership.
As to health issues in pedigree dogs, Judy and JLynn are spot on. No matter WHAT kind of breedings- purebred or mix breed, there will be some potential health problems.
And yes, people, no matter what kind of genetic disease or problems they have -even if retarded- are allowed the freedom to have children. Yet, breeders who won't breed dogs with ANY knowen health problems, are looked upon as "cruel" by some. Society is turning sick and stupid.
And ime, what you posted was just plain hog-wash. First off you can in many states marry second cousins for example AND people have a much higher rate of genetic fatal defects than dogs do. Like cattle (which are hugely inbred) dogs can have very healthy pups despite inbreedings. It depends on the gene pool and dogs you are inbreeding on. If the dog is of exceptional health and genetically "clean" you can increase "genetically clean" dogs in the world. If they are not, well then of course you might have problems. But despite what many seem to think, unlike people, an inbred dog doesn't have 3 eyes or a missing leg, or other birth defects. I've seen such puppies myself and they were very HEALTHY and good looking pups.

[Hope D.]

Hey BBC, KEEP broadcasting the Crufts! It's a wonderful show!! Who is the BBC to monitor the entries? Are they the experts?

If need be, have the British Kennel Club, or whoever registers dogs in Britain, monitor the wins. If it is found that one of the winners has a congenital health problem, then disqualify him and replace the affected dog with a runner up. They do that in human beauty pageants (of which I am not a fan), but they would NEVER not televise a beauty pageant in the U.S.

Responsible breeders would never show genetically damaged dogs nor would they breed them! Don't eliminate an entire breed because some irresponsible breeders are stupid enough to enter individual dogs with major congenital health problems. Monitor the entries and eliminate the few.

I too agree with JT (posted 12-17-08)--Not only are the dog shows fun to watch but also they are educational.

RE: JLynn (1-04-09), The medical community does not "control" siblings, cousins, etc., to prevent their breeding. Incest happens. The govt. can punish adults who engage in incest, but no one can stop it. Healthy shame keeps responsible people from engaging in incestuous behavior.

Keep the Crufts on TV!!!
Keep the Crufts on TV!!!

[Ann]

Crufts coverage this year is far superior to the rubbish job that the bbc do. This year we are seeing the dogs, and not the gibbering presenters that waste the small time slot we are allowed, with their sad humour and idiotic comments, which show how little they really know about show dogs. The bbc are paid, and very handsomely too, with our licence money, to entertain us, not to dictate what we do. They still televise boxing, even though boxers sometimes die, and football matches which often end in violence. Who made them experts on dogs. The rspca, well, I have yet to hear one good word for them these days. They used to rescue animals in danger etc:, now it's just a money making business. Most of them could'nt name more than 4 breeds of dogs.

[Rita]

Have a look at the pdf of "The Price of a Pedigree" online and then go to a shelter and rescue a mutt. The European Union is considering intervening to halt breeding of non-viable and disease prone dogs - which means nearly all breeds, as the cited document shows. Can't come too soon - as for the kennel clubs having the dogs' interests at heart - look at the fuss they kicked up about banning mutilation!

[Carrie Singer]

"Risk factors" do not mean one has a related condition. For example, if you have a risk factor for diabetes, you don't take insulin. You are not excluded from the Olympics.

The breeders keep detailed breeding records, a way of finding and following risk factors. But risk factors do not cause a condition. Genetic factors can be bred out.

When dogs are examined at a dog show, a risk factor may show up, but it is not overlooked in scoring.

Even a simple risk/genetic factor is disqualified at the breeding level. For example, I adopted a YT, champion bloodlines, when it was apparent his coat wasn't silky enough to breed show dogs. However, his coat was fine with me, and he's otherwise lovely.