Sequel Pedigree Dogs Exposed

 Thank you for posting this.

Some interesting article notes:

it is the German Shepherd people who have given the most cheer. They said the breed did have a problem and it needed to be put right, which is fantastic. But the response from some of the core Cavalier breeders has been awful and saddening.

I'm hoping the follow up will show the good as well as as the bad - hope compared to stubborn refusal to accept truth and do something about it.  The fact though that one little sentence on the above mentioned the German Shepherd fanciers' reaction, while much of the rest of the article focused on the scandal surrounding the Cavalier club member who confirmed on camera the show winner had SM and had sired many litters of puppies.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the programme a club is making moves to oust one of its members. Cavalier breeder and syringomyelia (SM) campaigner Margaret Carter, appeared in the film speaking about the condition and suggesting that not enough steps were being made within the breed to prevent it spreading.  It is understood that, after receiving a petition from its members, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club is to hold an SGM to expel Mrs Carter on the grounds that she broke the club’s confidentiality rule.

Since the documentary aired on TV there have been a number of articles, including the following which gives a bit of a view of the producer Jemima Harrison.
 
BOXER breeder and geneticist Dr Bruce Cattanach said the programme was a long-overdue wake-up call, and that ‘collateral damage’ caused by the general public’s reaction to it was deserved. Here he explains why.
http://www.dogworld.co.uk/News/36-KC-support
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Breaking News.
The RSPCA today pulled out of Crufts amid concern over the high rate of inherited genetic disease among pedigree dogs. In a severe blow to the world's top dog show the animal welfare charity has cancelled its stand at the event promoting animal welfare. News article via this link.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4757119.ece
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That will give the KC officials pause.  The RSPCA is highly regarded.  Please note, the KC does not have the "Royal" nametag which the RSPCA does.  That may sound irrelevant to us Americans but even in the modern UK, having that stamp of approval gives one a head start in any debate.  This puts the RPSCA in a position where it can't withdraw without being a lot of thought to the repercussions of its actions.
 

Yes in the UK the RSPCA is highly regarded. The UK BBC has publicly mentioned it's currently seriously considering droping the TV coverage of the Crufts dog show, this even though there is a 2 year contract still to run and it's worth millions. From what I hear the UK BBC is government owned controlled and funded, and it will be interesting to see if they actually do break the contract and drop the TV coverage.

Breaking News news and from this link.
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/press_office/pressreleases/2008/dt-not-at-crufts.htm
 
Dogs Trust Withdraws From Kennel Club Events Including Crufts

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity has announced it will be withdrawing from Crufts and Discover Dogs. Dogs Trust will also not be involved in this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year Show. This follows consultation with the charity’s Trustees and requests from its supporters.

Dogs Trust believes that this removal of support is the strongest signal it can give to the Kennel Club and breeders to achieve immediate action to ensure that the health and wellbeing of pedigree dogs is ranked over appearance and artificial breed standards.

Dogs Trust hopes that this will lead to rapid changes in the manner in which dogs are bred and is in talks with Defra and The Kennel Club to help bring about the following much needed changes:

1. The review of breed standards to ensure they are firmly focused on the health and wellbeing of the dog, not the supposed aesthetics of the breed. Breeders and show judges must be required to adhere to these revised breed standards.

2. The introduction of secondary legislation, so as to prevent inappropriate breeding practices, especially the intentional inbreeding of closely related dogs or dogs with known debilitating genetic illnesses.

3. The introduction of genetic screening of all breeding stock and the assured integrity of such a process.

4. Purchasers of dogs should first consider a rescue dog. If it is a pedigree, they must understand the importance of determining and questioning its genetic heritage.

Dogs Trust has had a long history of working with The Kennel Club in order to promote rescue dogs at pedigree shows and we hope to be able to continue this relationship as soon as these vital animal welfare points have been put in place.
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More News and from this link.
http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/830/bbc-sets-up-crufts-advisory-panel/
 
K9 Magazine
Date: 16/09
BBC Sets up Crufts Advisory Panel
 
The BBC has announced it has set up a panel that will advise the corporation on a plan of action with regard to the broadcaster’s ongoing coverage of Crufts dogs show.
 
The announcement comes as the BBC was forced to defend its documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed in response to a Kennel Club complaint to Ofcom.
 
The broadcaster has reiterated previous statements saying the documentary was ‘meticulously researched’ over a period of two years.
 
The advisory panel has been set up to highlight measures the Kennel Club will be expected to take to protect the welfare of dogs.
 
“We stand by the journalism in this documentary,” a BBC spokesman said. “We are keen to continue discussions with the Kennel Club about matters raised in the film.
 
“The panel will be asked to give the BBC their advice quickly to enable the BBC to discuss the issues with The Kennel Club before planning begins for coverage of Crufts 2009.”
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News update and the following from this link.
http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/851/dog-wardens-latest-to-pull-out-of-crufts-dog-show/
 
K9 Magazine.
Date: 18/09.
Dog Wardens Latest to Pull Out of Crufts Dog Show.
By NDWA Reporter.
 
The National Dog Warden Association has joined the growing number of organisations to pull out of Crufts 2009.
 
The decision to take a step back was not taken lightly as Crufts Dog Show is considered to be one of the most prestigious events attended by the NDWA team.
 
NDWA President Sue Bell said that 'the NDWA is committed to the continual promotion of responsible dog ownership through a combination of education and enforcement.' We feel that the Kennel Club should take stronger measures to promote responsible breeding practices' she continued.
 
The NDWA stand at Crufts is an award winning one that won recognition from K9 Magazines Alternative Crufts Awards.
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Another update just to let folks know that things in the UK are still happening, and the following from this link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7657161.stm
 
BBC News
7 October 2008
Pedigree dog rules to be reviewed
 
The Kennel Club has said that it will review the standards of every pedigree dog in Britain, following concerns about genetic disease.
 
The club, which organises Crufts, has acted following a BBC documentary which claimed many pedigree dogs suffer ill-health caused by years of inbreeding.
 
A spokeswoman said the club had listened to public concerns and now agreed that more needs to be done.
 
The RSPCA said it hoped the review would improve pedigree dog health.
 
Suffering dogs
 
The documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, claimed that many pedigree dogs suffer because owners breed them for looks rather than health.
 
It showed spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxer dogs that suffer from epilepsy.
 
The Kennel Club's first set of new breeding standards applies to Pekingese dogs, traditionally bred have a flat face, which the club admits "can lead to breathing problems."
 
Under the new health plan, the breed will be required to have a defined muzzle.
 
Safeguarding health
 
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The groundswell of public attention on the very important matters surrounding dog breeding is a welcomed momentum.
 
"It will enable us to drive through, with added urgency, new and extended initiatives that will help to safeguard the health of our pedigree dogs.
 
"We have been listening and agree with the general public's view that more needs to be done."
 
The club is also calling on the Government to give it statutory powers to make its Accredited Breeder Scheme compulsory throughout the country - a system that would make it illegal for non-members to produce or sell puppies.
 
Breed clubs are also required to join the Kennel Club's code of ethics, which includes a clause that forbids the culling of healthy puppies.
 
A spokesman for the RSPCA, which announced last month that it was pulling out of Crufts over concerns about the welfare of pedigree dogs, said: "We welcome the review of breed standards and hope it will make a difference for pedigree dog health and welfare in the future."
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Thanks for posting this.  I have sent the original links you provided to every dog person I know.  I am so glad to see that in the UK they are starting to sit up and take notice.   Some will refuse to believe but if even a few change their breeding programs it is a start in the right direction.