"KC registration should be a badge of quality "

Most people who go out and buy their first pedigree pup think that the above is true. (I wasn't going to participate in this post as I don't show or breed and I am 'just a pet owner' :) ) Maybe last night's programme will enlighten people somewhat and make them more aware of the pitfalls.

>Dont most people ask, can I see mum and dad (if available)  do they have any health problems? 

Maybe they do - and maybe they're lied to? HOW is Joe or Jill Public meant to know if someone like the lady with the Cavalier, who is clearly hugely successful in the show ring and probably has a house full of trophies and rosettes, tells them that there is no problem? I think it's easy for us to forget that very many people still have no access to the internet, and indeed no idea what myriad information it holds.

(I'm not sure we were told how long ago the lady who was campaigning for action on Syringomyelia had bought her Cavaliers, and I'm not sure how long knowledge of the condition has been available? Maybe she went to a breeder for the second one and asked all the right questions, but was not given correct or knowledgeable answers?)

I actually have no problem with the dog being shown and having won BIS - in fact, maybe it would be quite a good thing and raise awareness if people saw him, admired him and asked to use him at stud but were told that due to this horrible condition he was not available.

It was, of course, an extremely unbalanced programme - various of the knowledgeable people could have given very good responses and arguments to some of the questions, and it all have been edited out. No coverage of the breeds which have very few problems. However, don't think anyone could argue that they raised some extremely valid points and that some of the breeders interviewed gave a very poor impression. Some of it, like the culling of ridgeless Ridgebacks, comes down to a stockman's view and it has been long debated on here by people who may agree or disagree with it - but some just seemed very callous. My particular favourite was Pugs that faint, "but they're fine afterwards".

To add to my 'Puppy Prices' post of last week ... oh dear, to those who have unbooked puppies now.

M.

I'm not sure we were told how long ago the lady who was campaigning for action on Syringomyelia had bought her Cavaliers,
There was a photo of her first one, they said she had to have it (can't remb if girl or boy) pts at 5 years old. Then the next one developed it too.

I also thought it was a shame that they didnt really show the positives
that some breeds have done to breed away or eradicate health problems that have affected that breed..
(For our breed that's PA - progressive anoxapathy and I've probably spelt it wrongly, and also aortic stenosis
which the UK cardiologists will agree has decreased since the Boxer breed's stand on heart testing and only
breeding from those dogs that have clear gradings)
But then that wouldn't make sensational TV would it :S

Yes there are valid points of frustration.

But then if you are breeding/exhibiting you should be considering all points, health should be/is
at the forefront of your mind. Along with temperament and the breed standard. For most responsible breeders
they do look at the whole picture.

The Boxer was seriously overweight, and I don't think they 'managed' the dogs condition well at all.
Especially when the poor dog did have a fit. I thought dogs should be allowed a quiet area which is darkened?
Oh and a friend had a Border Collie with this condition....so I don't think it's confined to the Boxer as a breed...

Although have heard some Boxers being affected it isnt a prominent problem within the breed as say the heart problems such as cardiomyopathy.

Be interested to see what happens next....

TBH I thought the programme was an eye opener for me.  As some people have said if your not in "the dog world" joe public know nothing about testing etc, so how are they suposed to by healthy tested dogs when to them testing probably means nothing.  Its ony in the last few years I have got into this subject and researched it and understand the improtance of it. 

My mother had 4 GSD within 2 years as they all either died or had to be put to sleep for various hereditary reasons. All off these dogs come from well known breeders who she had met at championship shows.  And to Joe public this is sadley what they look for.

I have to agree if the KC put rules in place saying all dogs wheter bred or showed should be tested, the results should be passed to the KC and if they fail the tests then a mark should be put on their records to not register any pups.

I think its disgusting the way the breeders went on, they had no feeling and no morals!.  Again TBH these are the type of breeders joe public will go to, hence so many pet dogs with problems.

Looking on a positive hopefully this will have opened up the publics eyes on testing, (I know it has with me) and it just worries me how many other breeds are effected with things afterall this programme was only short so could only foucs on a sample of breeds?

I don't show or breed, i found this program quite disturbing and definitely a eye opener, good on the woman (cav) trying to help her breed after both her dogs had syringomyelia, shame some of the other breeders didn't share her concern.
I think the programme was for pet owners to be perhaps more aware of health tests when buying a puppy, and not all is as it seems.
I found it upsetting the lack of compassion some of these breeders/judges shown towards there breeds like the breed standard coming before health.
I am surprised they didn't mention hip dysplasia or eye tests and only the more severe cases.

I watched the programme and was watching it with what has been mentioned on here yesterday in mind and I found that lady vet very annoying and also the bloke with curly hair saying the crufts was a freak show for dogs and all he sees is mutants?
I think some breeds to deffo need help with their features like the pug etc but to label all breeds mutants when some of which are at the top of their physical and mental peak is completely out of order.

Thread to large. Continued  HERE