Many pedigree dogs can suffer with lifelong and crippling deformities and chronic health issues because of the way they are bred to achieve a certain look

Quote from their blog advertising Ruffs 2014 - alternative dog show :-( :-(

I was listening to a debate on radio 4 on the hunting ban and this twerp from RSPCA was saying some just outrageous statements such as ' the reason why the RSPCA backed the hunting ban as it is purely a rich mans sport and the sort of people who take part are David Cameron and lords .

What a plonker

That quote could just as well be applied to anyone who breeds dogs for money or for fun, whether pedigree, designer crossbreed or mutt -any dog can end up unhealthy if you don't take care when breeding.

The quote could be applied to the human race too.

Indeed! I'm sure we all can find problems in our own families. Problems we would not have bred from had we been dogs or cats from responsible breeders. I think my dogs have a much higher chance of staying fit and healthy for a long life than I do, or my children.

Is your dog the happiest hound around? Have you transformed the life of a rescue dog? Then enter your dog in 'Ruffs 2014′ our alternative online dog show!

We're fed up with dog shows like the upcoming Crufts judging dogs primarily on looks and rewarding those people still breeding dogs with extreme exaggerated features  e.g. Dogs with short, flat faces (pugs/bulldogs) or dogs with very wrinkled skin (Bassett Hounds) in the knowledge that many are likely to suffer due to their looks.Many pedigree dogs can suffer with lifelong and crippling deformities and chronic health issues because of the way they are bred to achieve a certain look according to the 'breed standards' held by the Kennel Club.  Such health and welfare concerns are often dismissed as 'it's normal for the breed' but what many people don't realise is that if the Kennel Club would change the standards  it would make many dogs healthier and happier!

I should have quoted the whole paragraph........it is aimed directly at Crufts.

Changing the subject... did anyone see the report about the badger cull........that shooting is 'inhumane' as it can take 5 mins for the animal to die....................
Thats why it is better to stop hunting and shoot foxes instead then???

So if the show is online what are they judging it on? If there going by photos then that's all there doing is judging a dog by its looks. A photo can hide so much where as at a real dog show a judge can feel the dogs all over and see them move.

but what many people don't realise is that if the Kennel Club would change the standards  it would make many dogs healthier and happier!

Gordon Bennett. So all the thousands upon thousands of dogs already in existence would magically have a change of body overnight? Or all the thousands upon thousands of back yard breeders, pet breeders, whatever, have ever paid attention to breed standards, have they?  Not to mention that THE REST OF THE WORLD would instantly follow suit, would they?

Priceless.

That is what they were also discussing about the negative effect of being so involved in matters where they didn't see the impact of what they were making animal suffering worse .

He didn't even answer that as he was so intent on making his point

A photo can hide so much where as at a real dog show a judge can feel the dogs all over and see them move.

And if the RSPCA want the dogs be HAPPY, how would they know? One of my own dogs has been very unwell recently -a bite wound that got badly infected. Today he has had the biggest breakthrough so far, he is SO much better, he is almost his usual self, tail wagging, eating well etc etc, and the vet was ecstatic this morning with his improvement. I took a photo of him and put on facebook and said how well he is doing, and several people said how miserable he still looks. Well he isn't, it was just the way the photo came out. So no, you can't even judge something like that from a photo.

> the reason why the RSPCA backed the hunting ban as it is purely a rich mans sport and the sort of people who take part are David Cameron and lords .

Oh. Right. Not because it is cruel to chase a little furry animal all over the country and then rip it to pieces with dogs then. They are against hunting because it is too upper class!!!

Indeed! I'm sure we all can find problems in our own families.

....my parents did!

And if the RSPCA want the dogs be HAPPY, how would they know? One of my own dogs has been very unwell recently -a bite wound that got badly infected. Today he has had the biggest breakthrough so far, he is SO much better, he is almost his usual self, tail wagging, eating well etc etc, and the vet was ecstatic this morning with his improvement. I took a photo of him and put on facebook and said how well he is doing, and several people said how miserable he still looks. Well he isn't, it was just the way the photo came out. So no, you can't even judge something like that from a photo.

Exactly, and what with photo shop you can make any dog look good. I was acused of photoshopping photos of my puppy by a friend of a friend once.
Someone could easerly take a dog with a bad back and make it look good, or make the coat look in better condition ect.

Hip dysplacia, slipping patellas, bad teeth and gum disease,  ear problems , even a wry mouth,   the list is endless.

One thing is for sure, none of them would show up in a photo, just need to photograph from the right angle.   Most of them would be noticed by a judge going over the dog and watching it move.

So what is the point of a photo competition , if it's not just based on looks?

I have to say I have noticed that little terrier mixes, shit zsu type crossed always seem to have the worst back ends ever and you can often see them bunny hoping down the road.