Pedigree Dogs Exposed

[JessicaR]

It also fails to cover the many good things about purebred breeders, and purebred dogs. This show only looks at the negative.

So true! shows that only dwell on the negative (which we all know their is some pretty bad dogs being shown) gives the puppy mills and byb's of the designer dogs the edge needed to sell their puppies to people that are not as dog savy and buy the whole hybrid vigor crap.

I think they should include both the good and the bad in the show, and maybe discuss what steps can be taken to fix the problem.

 

[tofu pup]

I think they should include both the good and the bad in the show, and maybe discuss what steps can be taken to fix the problem.

My impression of the program was that it does acknowledge positive steps taken by the KC (it's a British doc, so it has a UK perspective, of course), such as KC Chairman Ronnie Irving's then-recent publication on his concerns about exaggeration in the show-ring, and recent updates to the Bulldog Standard. It also highlights the tireless work of a Cavalier breeder on her national club's health committee. And again and again, it reiterates the uniqueness and value of our dog breeds.

A number of solutions are proposed, including mandatory health testing as a prerequisite for breeding (or even being shown), a ban on mother-son/father-daughter breedings (as has already been passed by the Swedish Kennel Club), and changes to the Standards to promote moderation and emphasize health and wellness of the dogs.

Of course, this is only my perspective, from having watched the doc numerous times online. Others might see the program as being more negative; interpretations will vary.

 

[Justicemom]

This is a timely subject for me. I'm in the process getting ready to bred Diva and when I say that I'm meaning in around 1.5yrs. We are looking at her structure and type(have her evaulated by others), getting her health tests done(those we can) and thinking about what we want in a mate. My number 1 goal is health, followed by structure and type. An all around sheltie-pretty and functional. I would rather have a puppy live to 17-18yrs pain free then it become an AKC champion. The process is all very daunting.

This will be my first litter I've bred myself. I have been disappointed in the opinions of some show breeders that I have met in my journey. It seems that the almighty AKC Ch is the only thing that matters to them. Bad bites, bad hips ,low thyroids, VWD, you name it, no problem we will just place those puppies and pretend that they are not there. Their dogs don't do anything but show so who cares if they can move or not. Fortunately these people are not the majority. But they are the ones that PBE are talking about.

I have also met wonderful people who bred for show quality,sound pups who are not only beautiful but healthy and long lived with full heath testing on the parents. Where is the press for these people? A problem with one of their pups. They step up and help and sometimes with pups not of their breeding just because the love the breed.

It is difficult to bred any dog and avoid all problems. Mixed breed are no healthier than purebreds. Inbreeding, linebreeding does not cause the problem. The most unhealthy dog I have known was a mix 1/2 Lab, 1/4 Brittney and 1/4 Chessie(certainly not inbred), she had Hip dsyplasia, epiplesy, allergies, Addison's disease and immuned mediated polyarthitis. She died at 2 due to her health problems. There are no data bases or breed clubs tracking the disease in mixes so they don't get the same press. Knowledge and breeding for moderation is the weapon against breeding unhealthy dogs. The more you know about the line your breeding,follow your puppies,note the health issues in those dog(and siblings, aunts,uncles etc) and the ages and causes of deaths, the more informed the decsions we can make as breeders for the next generation. This can only happen if breeders are willing to have open dialoges with others regarding their lines.

BYB or hobby breeders do not get a pass here either the standard for health testing and line knowledge should be the same. We owe it to our dogs.

 

[Smudge]

Actually, there were "valid" reasons for docking tails and cropping ears at one point, for some breeds....some terrier breeds were to be ratters....and long tails and ears would have impeded their work.

You know, after you typed that it made me think I had heard about that before I finally remembered where. In one of my sister's many failed attempts at trying to convince my mom for a maltese/yorkie/pom/peke I was going to help her out by mentioning to my mom that yorkies were bred to kill rats and mice since my mom is scared of mice.

 

[JessicaR]

I watched the show last night, all I can say is wow!! I cant believe that the judge thought that those gsd's with the horrible legs are the correct interpitation of the standard And the woman that knowingly bred her cavalier with a genetic problem

 

[Smudge]

And the woman that knowingly bred her cavalier with a genetic problem

THAT is animal endangerment. I swear, one of these days I'm going to find the other puppy owners from Smudge's "breeder", and we're taking her down. I don't know how I plan to do this, but it's a nice thought.

But, yes. If you knowingly breed two dogs with a genetic problem, depending on what the genetic problem is you could be in trouble for it. I would like to get her on the grounds that she knew, because she put it into her contract. While I could not personally sue her I'm hoping that she could have her animals taken from her, which is all I really want anyway.

Some people just need to take their poor dogs to the vet and get the old snip and clip.

 

[pattymaine]

What a disturbing documentary. I really feel for the unsuspecting owners of pups who have been bred with known problems in the parents. I couldn't believe that 1) the cavalier that won best in show had that crippling hereditary disease and 2) that dog (and others) are allowed to show (and win) when they have known problems and, worst of all 3) that the owner bred her dog over 30 times KNOWING that it had a disease that was hereditary--and I'm sure the owners of the pups were not told of the problems. It was no wonder that the cavalier breeders didn't want to talk to the press. It was heartwrenching to see the suffering of some of the dogs in the film.

I felt for the german shepards and the bulldogs, too. I'm no expert, but even I could see problems in the german shepards' legs that were in the show ring. Does anyone know if changes in the standards have been made as a result of this documentary? Have breeders acknowledged that these problems exist now or are they still turning a blind eye?

Did I see in the collage of photos of the 10 breeds known to have hereditary problems a photo of a sheltie? Is this happening to shelties in Great Britain? In the U.S. and Canada? I sure hope not!

 

[tofu pup]

Hi Patty,

Here's an online article that lists changes that have been made by the Kennel Club (UK) since Pedigree Dogs Exposed first aired. (Wow, I knew about the revisions to the Standards, but there's a lot of other stuff on there!)

http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/4557/pedigree-dogs-exposed-a-positive-moment-for-canine-health/

Every one of these seems, to me, to be a very positive step towards breeding healthier, happier purebred dogs and cleaning up the KC's reputation. Maybe some of our UK Forum members could comment further on their experiences of the changing climate?

Here in the US, reaction to the documentary from the AKC and the dog publications has been consistently negative, but then, I don't think many had actually watched it before condemning it. Now that the film has aired here, maybe we'll start seeing some positive action and ongoing discussion, rather than outright dismissal.

All that said, there are many breeders in all breeds who are concerned about the health of their animals. Nevertheless, there are steps that the AKC could take that would institutionalize that concern and make it the rule and not the exception.

 

[Lightplum]

I missed the PDE airing..im sure I can catch it again at some point, It does seem to be from what everyone is saying worth the watch.
Very interesting steps the KC is taking on amending things. I think it appears to be a positive step forward, I like how they are making judges who do sporting (field) dogs to go and watch the dogs working out in the fields to do what they were bred for. because if it looks pretty but cant do the job it was bred for than really what good is breeding it on? I think its about time the AKC steps up and also starts moving its organization forward or it will be its demise.

 

[BarbV]

I think it appears to be a positive step forward, I like how they are making judges who do sporting (field) dogs to go and watch the dogs working out in the fields to do what they were bred for. because if it looks pretty but cant do the job it was bred for than really what good is breeding it on? I think its about time the AKC steps up and also starts moving its organization forward or it will be its demise.

Yes, Hurray! I think that's an excellent step forward too!