
Not replying to anyone in specific, just clicked on someones post, so I could add a comment (although a lot of posters, have made interesting points)
Firstly, the show (which I just saw thanks to YouTube) was interesting. Now, what does interesting mean? Good or bad??? Well, anyone can tell that it was all one sided. But thats part in parcel, with not allowing many breeders to be on the programme. Most breeders on the programme, only got a one liner in, and of course its not the best one liners.
So anyways, to look at the programme, I want to break down some facts stated in the programme.
In part one of 6 (as far as the Youtube videos) someone states "About 3/4 of the dog population in the UK is purebreed/pedigree dogs." Wow nice number. Ok, we move on a couple frames. It then gives the shocking statistic about " 10 million pounds per week are spent on vet bills for pedigree dogs". See something misleading about this statement? IF 3/4 of the dog population are pedigree dogs, then OF COURSE more money is going to be spent on vet costs for pedigree dogs then mongrels. But they wanted to shock people! Also, the statement comes after the brain disease, in CKCS is mentioned, and so many people will think the figures are based on ONLY defects in dogs. But what about shots, normal injuries, upset tummies, etc. Also more is going to be spent on pedigree dogs in ways of health testing too, which does cost a lot more than a regular vet bill depending on the test.
Lets move on. Pups from mongrels are not likely to have health tested parents. It happens, sometimes, that people will health test, but lets face it, very little do. So people are breeding from dogs that they have no idea what is underneath this "cute pup" so these dogs are passing on genetic defaults, they just dont care. They say that people who bred pure bred dogs, that according to results from these tests, a lot of dogs have conditions. Well, if we as breeders didnt test them, no one would know about these illnesses in lines and such. Also, these reports about sick, unhealthy tested dogs, are only because we as breeders are wanting to breed from the best stock we have. So these tests are of record, but only because WE choose to do them. To better the breed.
The lady who took best in show at the CKCS show, how horrible. To lie about the dog, ARG. Cant stand that. But people know now, that she lied, and its gonna kick her in the bottom!
It also shocks me, that there are only two breeds that HAVE to have health testing done. WOW. The Irish and Irish Red and White Setters. Thats it? Oh my. Things need to be done, to make tests manditory, I do agree with that.
Here, a lot of people DONT health test. At least in my breed anyways. We have a "Healthy Breed" according to breeders, but to me, its like, how do I know? Health testing, should have to be carried out, or yes, some breeds will be in danger. Wonder what the response would be like, if someone bred (for example - I dont know much about a lot of breeds, so I am gonna use one illness I do know about - even though it wasnt mentioned on the show) a VWD affected dog, to another VWD affected dog??? Not to popular I guess. But people are breeding Clears to affected, and Clears to carriers, since the most that can happen is a carrier pup, but now we are having a hard time finding Clear dogs. Whats gonna happen when clears die off?
I know if I was looking for a pup, I wouldnt go to the lady that said she REFUSES to scan her CKCS!!!!!! Thats just silly!!!!!
The programme was shocking, and on a whole, it wasnt a good programme, but it did have a couple points I agreed with (Mainly the health testing of dogs).
This is just my two cents!