http://pedigreedogsexposed.blogspot.com/2011/03/rspca-slams-crufts-coverage-for.html

Has anyone else seens this letter?? Sorry i have to link Beelzebub's page again but its the only place i found it..

When I see his name I can't help thinking blah blah blah, not going to take the bait with him or JH.  Their showing their total lack of education and understanding every time they put something in print, shame considering he is a vet - still it raises the profile once again for them doesn't it !!  Shame my magic wand isn't working today I'd love to sweep them away like the little irritants that they are.

Seems such a crazy letter, what exactly do they think the KC should be saying, i dont think they will be happy till all people can buy is a Labradoodle.

Why would anyone want a Labradoodle, supposed to look like my breed and their worst hipscore is double ours!

Probably because someone on telly told em crossbreeds are healthier :-P

I'd love to know just how much money they've lost in donations from dog people over the past couple of years. Them and Dogs Trust. They're just not for real at all. The BIS winner was neither happy nor healthy, was he? Couldn't move, only 9 years old, tail never wagged. At least this must have been the case in the RSPCA's alternative universe!! Poor, poor pedigree dogs indeed.

After PDE the RSPCA expected breeders to change the breeds over night. Now some improvements are happening it is according to them too fast... so which is it? Or is it that they have a PETA agenda and just simply don't like dogs living happy lives with their owners? Or maybe just don't like dogs?

If ever an organisation has lost it's way this is it... they spend more money on daft letters like that than on animal welfare, hence I will not donate a penny to them. I used to raise money for them back in the 1970's and at one exemption show I raised well over £1,000, for them, (a lot of money back then, when my weeks shopping for my family amounted to £7:50 a week). However I now realise they are a business not a charity and have more money than they clearly know what to do with imo and after the way they ignored what happened to Jack there is no way on the planet I would support such an organisation.

Seems very funny that the letter also refers to another of the recent blog topics re the mastiffs .

The letter would also be written to ofcom to complain about more4 coverage as a broadcaster of the event.

If the letter is real then it really makes a sham of the whole situation.

Any letter should be written firstly to the KC as a non 'open' letter as this is highly un professional coming from the head of such an organisation as the RSPCA

No press releases on their site

http://www.rspca.org.uk/media/pressreleases/mar11

If ever an organisation has lost it's way this is it... they spend more money on daft letters like that than on animal welfare, hence I will not donate a penny to them. I used to raise money for them back in the 1970's and at one exemption show I raised well over £1,000 for them. However I now realise they are a business not a charity and have more money than they clearly know what to do with imo and after the way they ignored what happened to Jack there is no way on the planet I would support such an organisation.

Even a friend of mine who is a aniaml activist who ran a shop for them has become disallusioned with them and resigned from them.
I no longer support them in anyway and havnt done since a few years back when we called them out to a skinny dog who was left out alll day but because he shelter they did naff all for him.

I wondered about this as I have not received a press release... Maybe it is made up like the show bred dogs on the programme?

> Even a friend of mine who is a aniaml activist who ran a shop for them has become disallusioned with them and resigned from them.

I know three inspectors who were local here and all three have resigned because they too have become disillusioned.

Well let's see as I would doubt any corporate letter like this would be sent without press releases and looking at the way it is also written I would also question where it came from.
Open letters are often sent out to newspapers and so this would be a non corporate type of correspondence

Would be funny if it wasn't, yet another time JH shoots herself in the foot.

I have just responded to the blog with the following:-

am writing to express my grave concern about the RSPCA's interpretation of the coverage of Crufts on More 4 during which interviewees and presenters repeatedly gave the message that pedigree dogs, including those shown at Crufts, are happy and healthy. As a one-time exhibitor at Crufts, I would like to invite the RSPCA to come and meet the poor specimen that I showed at Crufts.  His age?  14!

The stance taken by the RSPCA and Jemima Harrison is misleading to the public and extremely disappointing as by now, we had hoped the coverage would be open and honest about the serious health and welfare issues that continue to affect those dogs being bred by the puppy farmers, both in the UK and in Ireland which necessitate the importation by Ms Harrison's charity of many "flatcoat-type" dogs which have health and temperament issues.   This, in the view of most the exhibitors at Crufts is one of the biggest challenges facing dog welfare in the UK today and one which could have been brought more to the attention of the public by the RSPCA and people like Ms Harrison.

Far too many dogs remain vulnerable to unnecessary disease, disability, pain or behavioural problems because they're bred primarily for how how much the puppy producer can sell their products for rather than with health, welfare or temperament in mind.

Three skewed reports on the welfare problems associated with dog breeding have been published in the UK in the last two years, and the conclusions of each are unsatisfactory - they do not address the fact that puppy producers are breeding every season, that the breeding stock is kept in squalid conditions, that no health tests are conducted by these producers and urgent action is needed to safeguard the welfare of these dogs.  

Although some progress has been made by the dog world, it has not been nearly enough and the problems are far from being solved. Both experts and the various reports on this issue recognise that it will take decades before the problems really begin to be resolved - and only then if sufficient effort is made by everyone in the dog world.

If those who have set themselves up as experts in the dog world could apply just half the pressure that they apply to decrying pedigree dogs to the wellbeing of the dogs in the hands of puppy producers then we might get somewhere.  Especially as one of the dogs used in the PDE programme came from a puppy farmer.

It is extremely distressing and misleading to suggest that all pedigree dogs are not happy and healthy.

Any likeness to the letter sent out by the RSPCA chappie is completely intentional .....;)   In his words .....

The RSPCA have a campaign at the moment,part of the Get Puppy Smart campaign,entitled Should dogs be bred primarily for the way they look? http://www.getpuppysmart.com/exaggerated_features?source=GetPuppySmart_100311&utm_source=Campaigns&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Body&utm_campaign=GetPuppySmart_100311_qryCampaignSubscribers

Whats the betting she won't authorize your comment- which she has a habit of doing so!

Wow it gets better, a comment from the richard geer/ shiba inu bit, "dogs with curled tails or carried over backs can't properly communicate" tis funny cos all 5 of mine have zero issues communicating with each other, where do they find this useless info from????

It's on the Beverley Cuddy Blog site too.  And yes, they have allowed 3 unfavourable comments to appear following the RSPCA open letter.

Is there a link please Gwen ?

Here it is:

http://coldwetnose.blogspot.com/

Well my comment hasn't been approved! I said much the same as here.

"dogs with curled tails or carried over backs can't properly communicate"

Gordon Bennett! I too have dogs with the tail carried over the back -5 of them. No problem with communicating!

I think she is the most decitful tabloid journo around and couldnt lie straight in bed!

> Gordon Bennett! I too have dogs with the tail carried over the back -5 of them. No problem with communicating!

My pugs curled tails are very effective as a means of communicating.

Have just seen an interesting reply from a Neo owner on the PDE blog pointing out that the pictures are very misleading as 2 are of her bitch, there fore Discover Dogs only, who has only 1 eye, yet she has been shown as an example of a show dog, although JH was fully aware that she can not and is not shown.  After all, why spoil a good story for a bit of truth?

Not true, Gwen. The pictures are all of dogs in the ring.

The poster is referring to some links posted by another commenter.

Jemima

well seens you've crawled out the woodwork  can you explain why some members comments don't get published on your blog????????????????

> well seens you've crawled out the woodwork&nbsp; can you explain why some members comments don't get published on your blog???????????????? <IMG class=qButton title="Quote selected text" alt="Quote selected text" src="/images/mi_quote.gif" width=20 height=10>

For that old chestnut, Boody ..."the editor's decision is final" ;)

A weally wiley weasel with words is JH!

"dogs with curled tails or carried over backs can't properly communicate"

My Tibetan mastiffs have no problem communicating, they have been around since 1000 BC ( not mine personally ) funny how it's a problem all of a sudden, same most Tibetan breeds.

Who makes this C**p up?

Peanuts

Well whatta you know, back in the woodwork she's gone!!

All I have to say for that and Pedgiree dogs exposed is that (well two things).

1) I honestly hope you are proud of yourselves, because of your stupid one sided views puppy farmers and back yard breeders are getting more puppy buyers than ever so thanks.....(the thanks for sarcasm btw).

2) I notice how you are always pointing at the breeds that you deem "unhealthy" however you NEVER point at a breed and say actually thats healthy...The slope of the German shepherd okay is not to most peoples taste however many do NOT have health problems caused by the slope. I have a GSD with a straight back as the breed was originally and she has HD so bad that she may well have to be pts (shes a rescue).

You never ever point at the health breeds and say actually many breeders are working hard to breed healthy dogs. For example in Shetland Sheepdogs because of the health tests BREEDERS PAY FOR (otherwise the health tests would not exist) for CEA there are only a small few of CEA affected dogs in the UK. Do you point these out? No.

With the program you thought you were doing good, you were not. You have opened up a bigger market for back yard breeders who DO NOT HEALTH TEST nor register their dogs so the owners have no way of knowing if the parents really were health tested. And what? People buy them because as I have been told many times by people who are not "in the know"...

"Pedigree dogs are sick, if they come without KC papers they are healthy"

Bull poo...

Also you cant breed out certain things (like wrinkles) over night or other problems.

Sorry////rant over.

Assuming the letter if it is a genuine and sanctioned letter from the RSPCA was sent to me I would not answer it as it has been sent in what I can only describe as the most unprofessional way and as such does not deserve an answer. I hope the KC give it the response it deserves.... file it in the universal floor file labelled BIN.

Sadly, looks as though it is geniune.  (eta It's fairly well hidden on the RSPCA website!!!).

http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/letter/0311

Gordon Bennett! I too have dogs with the tail carried over the back -5 of them. No problem with communicating!
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Uh Oh i think our dogs will need to see therapists lol, really though the guff some people spout, they need restraining orders :-)

The RSPCA asked the Kennel Club to help them with their Get Puppy Smart animation... then they use it as an excuse to beat the KC with out telling anyone the KC's role in helping with the film.

And as to the letter I'd still ignore it it was delivered in the most unprofessional manner ever. Obviously the RSPCA has so much money in it's coffers it can afford to pay somebody to spend time think this junk up, I expect every stray is being fed on a premium diet then??? Oh no maybe not silly me they prefer to spend money on daft stunts like this.

Clearly the RSPCA has more money than it knows what to do with so it clearly does not need donations.

I was asked to do a bit on a local Radio show last week - the usual Crufts week dog segment - the interviewee after me was introduced as "The RSPCA'S chief scientific officer".  She was much less hard hitting than most, and when asked about RSPCA'S stance on dog shows said they don't object to shows - apart form when they are judged on looks :)

Strange one that, most of the primitive breeds are spitz types with varying amounts of curly tails and most communicate very well.

Mine live perfectly happily together all 5 adults along with any pups we have.  Also get on great with their doggy chums of various breeds.

I ca'nt tell you how mindnumbingly predictable all this is now - here's the resonse I posted on her blog :

Oh Yawn yawn yawn .......do put a sock in it Jemima .....this letter and your increasingly desperate attempts to maintain your image as the self appointed saviour of the pedigree dog world are getting beyond tedious ...why  SHOULD the KC respond to you ...WHO are you ? ...

Tell you what ... give us a straight and clear answer as to what you think the future of pedigree dogs should be ......

except of course she own't because she does'nt really know WHAT she wants - except to keep playing 'sqeaky toys' with pedigree dog breeders ( you know give em a 'poke' and listen to them squeal )

ENOUGH ! -

Yvonne

I agree the letter is written in such an unprofessional way and also think that if they have a genuine complaint this should go via ofcom as the More 4 Broadcasters and the Producers are accountable for the broadcast and so any complaints should be followed up there.

Don't forget my mutant freaks, I'm sure spaniels with floppy ears are at such a terrible disadvantage for communication, they must be so miserable. Hmm, wonder why they are all so friendly with waggy tails then???

The letter is right it is misleading the public to keep saying happy healthy dogs which clearly some are not.
I noticed it at Crufts on the commentary in the main area.

I walk along discover dogs with a friend or I would not of gone, it was very upseting, like a freak show.

People were even pushing dogs around in pushchairs, it made me feel sick.
Its terriable I came away feeling very sad. I think showing of some breeds show be stoped untill the physical features are improved.

>it is misleading the public to keep saying happy healthy dogs

There are probably more happy healthy dogs (including pedigree ones!) than there are happy healthy people. Certainly most of the people I overhear are moaners, whereas Crufts was a sea of wagging tails. :-)

Jocelyn.

I am sorry you feel that way but I can honestly say I went to DD and found only 1 dog that I found alarming to look at but it was one very happy dog. Actually I think It was more happy than my lot.

You cant judge a dogs health based on looks, a dog who looks perfect can be hiding some horrid illness's.

My GSD (shes a rescue) has a straight back as the breed was originally however she has bad HD to the point were she may need to be put to sleep before christmas yet I have met loads of GSD's with the sloped backs which I find, un attractive that have great hips and no problems at all.

My cavalier, had eyes like a frog and was plump however he was healthy. Infact could walk for miles and miles.

Some are sick, but these health problems will not go away over night.
If I am correct I believe that hte kennel club are bringing in vet checks before crufts to make sure their dogs are healthy before going in the ring.

Good lord--who knew that dogs need a full straight tail to get their message across? I'd never have guessed. I have a legally docked gundog (yes, JH, save that carton of rotten eggs for me!) who I now realise is consigned to a life of uncommunicative misery thanks to the cruel actions of his breeder and irresponsible vet. So will you tell my dog no one can understand him, or shall I?

People were even pushing dogs around in pushchairs, it made me feel sick

I don't have toy breeds, but if I did even I might seriously consider some kind of pushchair to stop dogs from getting stepped on by crowds--nothing to do with their ability to walk, more to do with bad mannered inconsiderate people...oops, did I say that?

I don't have toy breeds, but if I did even I might seriously consider some kind of pushchair to stop dogs from getting stepped on by crowds--nothing to do with their ability to walk, more to do with bad mannered inconsiderate people...oops, did I say that?

I agree here, I have medium (but on the smaller end) breeds and the amount of times in groups of people they have been tripped over, stud on or kicked is silly. At crufts I was pushed by someone and nearly fell on a bearded collie so god knows how difficult it must be for those with small breeds.

Couldn't get this year, but would never consider trying to walk the Pugs round Crufts - when we need to move form place to place or go shopping they get put in their show trolley - not because they can't move but because I don't want them being stood on or tripped over, or scarred by the crush of people.  Even with the American Cockers who are bigger, but still not a big dog, they get "trolleyed" around, or picked up in very jam packed areas.  If I was only taking 1 pug I might be tempted to take the puppy push chair too - it would be much more manouverable than the show cruiser going round the stalls!

I wonder if the poster who objected to dogs in pushchairs objects to them for a specific reason or assumes dogs are in them because they can't walk themselves?

Even walking Malinois around Crufts is really difficult, I'd never dream of doing it with a small dog. It could even mean death. I do think the dog pushchairs do look somewhat silly -but on the other hand they are hundreds of pounds cheaper than the show trolleys!

Also they are considerably easier to fold away which I think would appeal to lesser abled people.

Tbh the letter in general is a pile of poo.

What I gather from the letter is that the RSPCA expects all dogs with exaggerated features to have been fixed in 2 years.

Yes the kennel club stated healthy happy dogs as most of them were. I am sorry but just because something has wrinkles does not mean they are un healthy, if thats the case I best tell my grandma its time to go to the vets.

Could someone please tell me what is the problem with the Dogs Trust?