Professor Sheila Crispin announced as founding Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding

Further article

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/the-woman-called-in-to-vet-dog-breeders-2008827.html

It just annoys me that it seems aimed at Pedigrees.  I know of a very well known mixed breed, that has numerous names for it where one dog has three life threatening health problems at the age of 12 months and as it's supposedly mixed with another animal not a dog, it throws the hybrid vigour theory totally out of the window!

This has to be good for dogdom, she is a very well respected, knowledgeable lady - I have met her a couple of times, has integrity.  Let us hope that good will come from it, and eventually change.

Yes, if it helps towards putting a stop to Puppy Farming (whether under the guise of ABS or just plain puppy farms) then it has to be good news for dogdom. Also she talks about the 'pedigree' crosses. I like Sheila Crispin always found her very straightforward.

> I like Sheila Crispin always found her very straightforward

Agree with that, have always found her easy to talk to and she is very down to earth with a sense of humour.

Haven't had time to read it thoroughly, but thanks for posting, interesting article and I will get round to reading it more thoroughly later on. 

Is it only me that thinks there's a difference between breeding towards a healthy animal, and breeding to end genetic defects?  I've said this before, on other forums and threads, I don't think the priority of breeding should be to breed a genetically clear animal, for conditions where we know we can breed pups that won't be affected ie develop the genetic condition.  So why do people bang on about genetically clear dogs, when there are probably hundreds of genetic conditions we don't, and won't ever test for??  Or is it just me, answers on a postcard cos I've got to dash off and do chores.......

PS bet my comment's easy to spot, lol!

Enen though they are advisory, I sincerely hope they can present views that will be respected, backed by sound evidence that will have enough teeth to persuade Government that existing legislation is poorly enforced and often inadequate in dealing with commercial dog breeding, dealing and selling of puppies (puppy farming - the puppy trade).  Often the root cause of so many dogs being offered for adoption, rescue or the stray dog population. This must be tackled head on from the welfare issues through to animal husbandry, the selling of puppies to the final home (which sadly is not always the final home and for the puppy or young dog the start of the insecure path of being unwanted, a burden placed upon rescues who become the enablers, the ones who pick up the pieces.  We must desperately find a way to ensure that such a large number of very young dogs and even puppies do not end up as being unwanted and advertised for sale in the free ads, offered to rescue or are let loose and become strays.  The UK have a massive problem of overbreeding and selling of puppies, we must find a way of addressing the problem in practical terms tthus lessoning the burden placed on rescue and Councils with the pound dogs.