Interesting. Of course, one of the main people involved was here on CD asking some rather odd questions....
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1976/23/5/3

I hope Im not being blonde but what is the programme actully going to be about if it risks tainting breeders too?
Can someone explain please?

> one of the main people involved was here on CD asking some rather odd questions....
>

Hmmm what sort of odd questions (without having to name names ;-) )

Umm wonder if they will show Labradoodles and the likes and say that they are fitter with them being "hybrids".  Bet that they won't show the facts and figures, especially of this crosses bad hipscore results!

An example of an "innocent question" a programme producer might ask?
A rather more overt example of her thoughts on the subject
I rather think the KC are right and this will not be a very sympathetic portayal of their aims.

Crikey Moses! doesnt time fly, I could have sworn that was only last year but it was 2006 when those posts cropped up.
I remember cringing at the time when she started to quote 'arm chair internet experts' Hope she took on JG's comments,but whats the bets? *raises wry eyebrow*

I dont mind so much if its not sympathetic..Just accurate would be refreshing.

I wish I could find the locked thread.  I wonder if it was deleted.  In it, if I remember rightly, she canvassed for people to contribute to her documentary and many fell over themselves at the prospect of getting on the gogglebox until it was pointed that the she was Passionate Productions who had recently made a documentary on the family in Turkey that walked on all fours which some people might have felt was rather sensational and we should perhaps be more media aware.

After reading the piece on the kennel club website I am really not surprised that the channel is trying to spin it one way, they are in it for the viewings.
I think it will be a real shame if a breed is picked on in this program.  I can already imagine what is going to come up, hip scores, flat faced breeds, short legged breeds, etc.

Only problem is that they will get the viewing as I will most probably still watch it (like many) just so I know what has been said and if my breed is on there in a bad light.

I hope they focus more on the problems in cross breeds or hybrids as people call them and the big issue in breeding puppy farming.

We will have to wait and see.

Emma

One breed picked on will be the Cavalier.

If it is on the BBC then there is normally a comments section on the website where you can air your view of the programme. Guess the beeb wont be getting the next Crufts contract :-)

Bet they pick on the old dachsie :( and the GSD  - my two breeds.

Do you know,I think your right!
Initially my money was on them gunning for the Brachycephalic breeds, but the more I think of how the 'spin' would hit a wider audience, I reckon Cavaliers and GSD's will be a sure bet.

It's  known that they have targeted Cavalier people including reducing exhibitors to tears inside the ring at a show.......a lot's been written about it elsewhere. I'd guess Bulldogs will feature as well after the posts!

It's  known that they have targeted Cavalier people including reducing exhibitors to tears inside the ring at a show

OMG thats awful, dog showing is supposed to be fun for everyone.

I do hope they at least feature some positive points of view for pedigree dogs, like the fact that anyone worth their salt is trying to breed defects out such as hip problems and PRA.

Emma

> It's  known that they have targeted Cavalier people including reducing exhibitors to tears inside the ring at a show

thats appaling

points of view letter writing session everyone?

read the thread that was posted, well done everyone who was on the forum at the time, good sensible answers were given defending breeding, i must say your all a credit to dogs. as such i wonder why people are determined to jump on anyone who breeds? is it reverse snobbery as dog shows are supposed to be snooty? (though i must say i've rarely noticed it)

If the show is going to mention breeding, then I might be wrong, but do you think the Staffordshire bull terrier might be included too?
Fine case of overbreeding and in a lot of cases over exaggeration & health problems also.

If the show is going to mention breeding, then I might be wrong, but do you think the Staffordshire bull terrier might be included too?

They might do, i have funny feeling they are going to squeeze in as many breeds as possible.

I wonder how many litters (reg and none reg) of staffies were born last year?  It must be a lot as over the last couple of years they seem to be everywhere.  Nice breed shame about some of the owners in our area.

Emma

It will be a shame if this causes problems for well respected breeders. :(  I can see it just being awful and I do hope that if BBC air this program they won't get the Cruft contract for next year.  i would rather not see Crufts on TV next to programs like that :(

I know labradors are going to be mentioned as they filmed one who needed a hip replacement. I also know the anti pedigree vet Emma Milne was consulted. A lot of contributors were from a genetics group and then they spent a lot of time at Cambridge, getting information. I suspect flatcoats will be featured as that is Jemimas breed and she has a real big thing about cancer, and knows the FCR folk are all trying their best to research it and eliminate it if possible from the breed. This is not the only site she canvassed for opinions, she has popped up over the last two years on a number of sites, UK based and one or two others.

It will be interesting to see what she has come up with, and how it is to be presented. I do wonder if the KC has previewed the film to have issued the statement?

Found this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3413581.stm from 2004....Could be the start of it looking at pointers, irish setters, labs etc

Edit to add....

A Week and bit we see what they really say Pedigree Dogs Exposed Tuesday 19 August 2008, BBC1 - Investigation into the health of pedigree dogs.

9pm on tuesdays was boneknickers which next tuesday is the final episode.  Looks like it could be at that time slot.

We wait and See....

That article referred to the launch of the KC health survey and disappointly they did not get much info from people who owned healthy dogs back. The return in my breed was disappointing, with few returns considering the numbers bred. Jemima started her search quite a while after the results were published.

I had the exact figures somewhere for KC reg'd staffords Malibu.  In actual fact the number of registered litters dropped slightly (from memory) for last year in comparison to the year before.
Even so, think it was a pretty high figure.....

I'm suprised there hasn't been any trailers for it..........like the panorma ones.

This may be a silly question, but will I be able to see it in southern ireland? I will away at the curcuit during that time & my sky+ isn't working :(

You will be able to see it for up to a week after on iPlayer.

There were 12,729 staffords reg by KC in 2006 (triple that no doubt with unreg) and 12,167 in 2007. They were in the top 5 breeds reg both years.

Wow thats a lot of dogs.

thanks Anworth, I knew the figure was slightly less for 2007,but yes, one heck of a lot of dogs.. and sadly (though kind of unrelated to this particular topic) they're just the kc registered ones :-(

The programme makers have not finished the programme which is why nobody has seen any trailers yet. I was told this by the BBC.

Did anybody else here see the E-bay seller advertising Stafford Reg certificates for sale?

what?????  is the item still for sale?  Great! (tic)

reported it to ebay
also had bullmastiff papers for sale...

I had a phone call this morning from the KC regarding this programme.  I had a litter born 2nd June and they were aking if I could bring my puppies in to the studio!  Should they not have realised that they are now over 10 weeks old and gone to their new homes!!!  I would have liked to ask questions but I was waiting for the vet to come and PTS one of my dogs - so far from in the mood!  Looking forward to seeing programme though.

Not quite sure i understand your post... The KC wanted you to take your puppies into the studio today?
I saw Caroline Kisko and some dobermann puppies on the Wright Stuff programme. Or was this for Jemima's programme?

Wanted me to take puppies in Friday - so it must have been for the Wright Stuff programme.  As previously said - I was far from switched on as waiting for vet to call and I had lost my voice - probably due to stress!

I saw that on friday..... what a missed opportunity...:-( ... I was waiting for one of them.... ie the vet, the breeder or Caroline Kisko to mention the tests carried out under the KC /BVA schemes..... and to make sure the parents had been tested..... where they could find the various breed clubs to check what tests were required by the particular breed the were looking for......not one word about it.....:-( 

Agree with you JenP, I was surprised that nothing was said about BVA testing, or the fit for function, Fit for Life scheme, or the money the KC pours into research.

I think it is time the KC fought back and were stronger in promoting dogs than they currently are. They had an excellent opportunity there and literally didn't even make a start to be more proactive! I seriously think if they give the BBC the rights to Crufts next year they MUST have a bigger say in the programme, get rid of the very silly airhead shopping bits and look at positive things they do to help breeders and financing research.

Has anyone seen this?

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_15-8-2008-12-22-2?newsid=42674

Sorry no good at links.... Seems we know some of the people involved, apart from this college, I have been told the AHT, a genetics group on yahoogroups members, and our great favourites...........

Beverley Cuddy and Emma Milne!

Heres another thought....

Perhaps the KC should use some of the money they pour into other things to make their own film which is proactive in raising in the publics mind exactly how breeders work hard to improve their breeds health?

How much did they make from Crufts last year?

That is rather a strange study, it seems to be linking something it does not like the sound of to something else it does not like the sound of.  For instance, from my understanding, the deafness associated with Dalmations is nothing to do with inbreeding but is to do with the predominant white colouring.  The lack of pigment is the cause of the deafness.  If two very widely outcrossed specimens were mated wouldn't they have the same chances of producing deaf offspring?  

Well as Beverley Cuddy and Emma Milne have helped make this programme it doesn't have to make sense! It only has to agree with everytihng they say is right! lol By the way has anyone read Emma blog on her website?

> By the way has anyone read Emma blog on her website?

No, should we?

I did just to see what her background was. Not of any real interest but I always like to know about people who criticise others to find out how much experienc they have in the field, than the people in the field they are criticising.

>the deafness associated with Dalmations is nothing to do with inbreeding but is to do with the predominant white colouring.

Exactly right. It's got nothing to do with inbreeding. In fact if you crossed a dalmatian with a white bull terrier, or a white boxer, you'd have just as high a chance of getting deaf puppies. It's totally down to lack of pigment in the inner ear.

But will that be mentioned? No of course not, because facts like that don't marry well with EM's hobby horse.

Unfortunately, to those who understand genetics and dog breeding that then makes her look ignorant of genetics!

Sadly the vast majority who will watch this will be uninformed about these things and will end up even less informed :( but at least they have an excuse ;)

ETA I'm awaiting this programme with trepidation, I feel little good will come of it given the bias of those involved :(

Would like to see the KC putting money into educating the GP on health matters relating to dogs and as already suggested, a film of their own.

>Would like to see the KC putting money into educating the GP on health matters relating to dogs and as already suggested, a film of their own<

Another good opportunity would be to have a decent representation of things on the Crufts program as we discussed on other threads here.

Also why is it restricted as to who can film the tv program for Crufts? Why not offer it to two different companies? If the BBC thought they had direct competition perhaps they might consider the content and "up their game" rather than dumbing it down every year. I am tired of watching programs designed to edify those with the attention span of a gnat!

> Another good opportunity would be to have a decent representation of things on the Crufts program as we discussed on other threads here

The trouble is they don't make the Crufts progamme themselves.  Making their own programme, as someone suggested, would not be much use unless they have a channel interested in broadcasting it.  Have there ever been any indication any other channel was interested in Crufts?
I think the KC do quite a lot really.  They have lots of guidance on their web site, they sponser and promote several health initiatives and, although not everyone may agree on it efficacy, the Accredited Breeder Scheme is aimed at assisting buyers in finding healthy, well bred puppies. 

>Making their own programme, as someone suggested, would not be much use unless they have a channel interested in broadcasting it. <

Well so far the tv crews have followed the RSPCA, Vets and wildlife rescues to name but a few, as fly on the wall documentaries, so why not the KC?

That EM doesn't half to a load of dogs poop!  Never liked her on the vets show and when you read what she writes on her site, well I'd better not say anymore.

Do you think following the KC would make exciting enough viewing, Polly? :-D

> That EM doesn't half to a load of dogs poop!&nbsp; Never liked her on the vets show and when you read what she writes on her site,

Couldn't argree more

>Do you think following the KC would make exciting enough viewing, Polly? <

Well at least we'd know what our fees pay for! lol And could it be more interesting than say Airport! Or dare I say Big Brother????!!!!!! lol

Or the Olympics Polly, I'd take the KC above any of it all LOL!

As regards Emma Milne, I have never dared to visit her site or blog as I fear I'd end up breaking my computer monitor, either by hurling something at it or bashing my head against it............