Pedigree dogs plagued by disease

[orieleye]

Pedigree dogs are suffering from genetic diseases following years of inbreeding, an investigation has found.

A BBC documentary says they are suffering acute problems because looks are emphasised over health when breeding dogs for shows.

The programme shows spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxers suffering from epilepsy.

The Kennel Club says it works tirelessly to improve the health of pedigree dogs.

Pedigree animals make up 75% of the seven million dogs in the UK and cost their owners over £10m in vets' fees each week.

Poor health

The programme, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, says dogs suffering from genetic illness are not prevented from competing in dog shows and have gone on to win "best in breed", despite their poor health.

It says physical traits required by the Kennel Club's breed standards, such as short faces, wrinkling, screw-tails and dwarfism, have inherent health problems.

Other problems occur because of exaggerations bred into dogs by breeders trying to win rosettes, it adds.

The programme shows a prize-winning cavalier King Charles spaniel suffering from syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog's skull is too small for its brain.

BBC NEWS | UK | Pedigree dogs plagued by disease

[Llywarch Hen]

Eee... Gods, I always hated spaniels, and now I've a good reason for it!

Poor little bastards. Every last one of them should be bred with a whippet, and the breed wiped out. As for the 'great loss' of a traditional English breed, well, there are more than enough pot ones on people's mantlepieces!

My dog is a mongrel of a few terrier types, and is thus a decent well rounded little animal. She's thirteen years old, and not too unhealthy, touch wood. The 'splitters' have controlled the canine world for too long. Hundreds of different breeds is ridiculous, when it only boils down to a few basic types in the end. The show industry is just as artificial and creepy as human beauty pageants.

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by Llywarch Hen

Eee... Gods, I always hated spaniels, and now I've a good reason for it!

Poor little bastards. Every last one of them should be bred with a whippet, and the breed wiped out. As for the 'great loss' of a traditional English breed, well, there are more than enough pot ones on people's mantlepieces!

My dog is a mongrel of a few terrier types, and is thus a decent well rounded little animal. She's thirteen years old, and not too unhealthy, touch wood. The 'splitters' have controlled the canine world for too long. Hundreds of different breeds is ridiculous, when it only boils down to a few basic types in the end. The show industry is just as artificial and creepy as human beauty pageants.

I prefer terriers too, they're smarter than those over-bred dogs for one thing. Here's another site on over-bred dogs:

NATURE . Dogs That Changed The World . Selective Breeding Problems | PBS