Another year at Crufts, another year of controversy, another year of Multi-Sided opinions. It is all quite sad really as we all love our dogs, yet we remain so divided on what constitutes to good or bad Breeding and therefore the subsequent health of our Breeds. The odd thing for me is that we can all see and recognise certain "Bad" points that are continuing to occur in some breeds, yet we make excuses for it. Virtually every Breeder that I have got into a conversation with will say that whilst their Dog is "Outside" the "mean score" for this reason or that, they still believe that it is OK to Breed as the Dog has other positive Traits.  This is not something that I can agree with even though I accept that a "Mean Score" is an average. If by Breeding an animal with a known condition, (however slight) then surely there is a greater chance that any offspring may also have this condition and for that reason alone you should not be using this animal to Breed. As an example: Elbow Dysplacia is a growing problem in several Breeds yet both the BVA and The Kennel Club have a clear guide to what should or should not be used for Breeding. Although a Grade 1 is deemed as being Mild Dysplacia many Dogs with this Grade are used in many Breeding programs. Dysplacia is Dysplacia be-it Mild or not. The only way to rid of the problem is not to Breed other-than from a Zero Grade. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for Dogs with a Score of 2 to be included in a Breeding Program and the excuse is always because of this Trait or that Trait. I find it hard to understand that when a Breed is known to have a specific Genetic problem occurring / continuing, then Dogs with the condition can still be deemed to be a Champion of the Breed.

I do agree that there has been some improvements over recent years within certain Breeds and certain Conditions but I would like to see a much greater system of Health Checks before a Dog can be deemed suitable for Showing. Ectropion and Entropion are both very common in many Breeds yet you continue to see many Dogs in the Ring with far less than perfect eye conformation. I can't help but feel that if Dogs that have some fault or another were not allowed in the Ring, the Breeders would be more likely to look more closely at their Breeding Stock. Unfortunately Breeding (in many cases) is a Business and although you may quite often read the breeders comments of "I only breed when I want a pup" you only have to see the amount of pups bred by any such Breeder to know that this is probably not the main reason they had a Litter. I accept not all Breeders are alike.  As with "In-breeding", we all know it is wrong yet again in certain circumstances it is deemed as acceptable. NO IT'S NOT. What is wrong with you people.

>What is wrong with you people.

This could have been an interesting debate SKV but sadly, the final sentence (above) will probably put anyone off answering.

Interesting clip on pde, showing Clare Balding and KC being shocked by GSD, SIX YEARS AGO.

Aaaaagh thank you KC, GSD breed council for causing the current wave of plaque on all your houses sentiment. Cross breeders and puppy farmers will be having a field day, KC registered yuck no thanks we use this mickey mouse register.

I agree,Bought my Pug puppy 1 year ago from an Assured Kennel Club Breeder,following buying a puppy guidelines.
3 weeks after ownership she was diagnosed with RH patella luxation.Breeder shown no interest or contact since being informed.
Puppy suffered continuel ear infections,allergic reactions,swollen glands.Underwent Biopsy procedure in January which revealed
A mast cell tumour.
Pug dog clubs response,only one of afflictions that might possibly be genetic is RH patella luxation and even that is not fully proven,ear infections,allergies and mast cell tumours are not hereditary and can usually be successfully treated.
Still waiting for Kennel Clubs response.

I could, but have other things I need to focus on right now, get into all this but suffice to say

1.   The Kennel Club is only an official registry much as it should be possible for them to be more active in protecting breeds.  However, they have put a number of dogs with perceived problems, on an 'at risk' list which means the dogs in those breeds who takes BOB at Champ.shows (not sure about Open and lower shows?) are required to be examined by a vet before being allowed to go forward to the Group.   Quite what happens in too many cases re the 'vet inspection' is anybody's guess.   That GSD was allowed forward.
2.   There is a Breed Standard for all recognised breeds, drawn up originally by those involved in the various breeds, and then submitted to the KC to be ratified.   Breeders should be breeding to these Standards and judges should be judging to them, each dog against the BS and then each other in the ring.   BUT judging is subjective and certain aspects of a breed mean more to some judges than others.  I'm a 'head and front' judge (or was, I'm retired now) and would heavily penalise an entry who didn't come up to my interpretation of the breed in these areas.
3.   Breeders are not all producing cripples.   Far from it and good breeders would be horrified if the unexpected happened.   However, we are dealing with living beings, and despite every effort to produce 'the best', things can come out of the woodwork (recessives!!!).  This is especially so when two lines that have never been put together before are, and produce the unexpected.   Which is why outcross mating is such a lottery - it can produce the best, but also the worst!   For this reason line breeding is 'safer'.   Further, environment and rearing after the puppy leaves a breeder has to be taken into account, when things go wrong.  And for sure, cancer hits dogs just as frequently as it does humans, sadly.
4.   I'm afraid I don't hold the ABS in high regard.   I suppose it helps to raise the goalpost to some extent but the cynic in me suggests you pay the fee and that's about it.    And I've heard first-hand, a breeder we visited to look at a puppy (and ran!) telling somebody on the phone that they were on this Scheme when I knew they were not!!

Buying a puppy is still, and probably always will be, a buyer beware situation.   However, I would expect a reputable breeder to be worried about every puppy they sell, and be there for them throughout their life.   And take note of any 'trend' that appears in their breeding programme.

As a complete newbie to buying a pedigree dog,l too expected the breeder to have a life long interest in my puppy.I thought going through the ABS was the best way of getting a healthy puppy,.There are many general public buyers like myself who have no breeding or judging experience,and go through the ABS rather than buying from the Internet.
Quite frankly I am shocked at how little support the Pug Dog Club have shown,I seem to have come up against Closed shop syndrome.

I'm sorry about your experience of course, but I have to say what is between a buyer and breeder, really isn't for the Breed Club to be involved with.   Unless somebody does something against the Club's Code of Ethics, there's nothing a Breed Club can do I'm afraid.   Or should do, to be honest.  It's not a closed shop situation - it's all too easy for people to sue these days too.

I hope you can get your little dog well again.

Thank you,I hope now mast cell tumour has been successfully removed,and she is responding well to allergy shots,we are on the road to a better quality of life for her. She is my world,and it has been heartbreaking to see her suffer so many health issues in her first year of life.

Mast cell tumours are hereditary. I had a line of goldens that all had them in generations. I informed the AHT, they were gobsmacked that a breeder had come forward with this and asked for all the swabs I could get from pup owners and my line. This is how the testing programme first came about with goldens and my name was mud for a long time, apparently they knew it was but didn't get any help as breeders brushed this under the carpet. That line has now thankfully died out.