Sunday 18 January 2009

BREEDING STANDARD REVISIONS

Eric here everybloggie. Reporting from over the big pee.

Last year our BBC TV exposed the suffering of many of Britain's pedigree dogs ( I'm sure the same is true in your country too) They alleged life threatening genetic illnesses, deformities and disabilities as a result of breed standards being manipulated by some breeders to achieve their perceived "ideals". Caused a right old Hoo-Haa. And not the funny sort. BBC followed up by refusing to televise Crufts, Animal Charities withdrew their attendance and big brands withdrew their sponsorship. A BIG DEAL all round.

But this week....drum roll........PAWSOME NEWS!!!! The Kennel Club, who originally refuted the BBC's allegations, issued the following statement:-

"In recent months the Kennel Club has, with veterinary assistance, undertaken a detailed review of its Breed Standards to ensure that the descriptions given always promote the breeding and exhibition of dogs where health welfare and temperament are of paramount importance and where the dogs have the best chance of being fit, healthy and happy.

Breed Clubs and Breed Councils have been consulted throughout this initiative, and have been given the opportunity to submit feedback on proposed amendments. The Kennel Club wishes to have the revised wording in place prior to Crufts and so the changes have now been agreed by the General Committee and are effective immediately."

78 out of 209 species have revised standards. Wooohooo!!! Wagging wonderful eh? Especially for our friends with particular trouble breathing, seeing, even walking.

The Kennel Club went on to say;- “We want the New Year to begin well for pedigree dogs and the changes that have been announced today underline the Kennel Club’s deep commitment to ensuring that every pedigree dog has the best possible chance of leading a happy, healthy life.

“Our revised breed standards are underpinned by new regulations, which further support show judges in their right to remove from competition those dogs who stray from the breed standard in a way that is detrimental to their health. Dog shows attract a great deal of public support in this country and are designed to celebrate and reward only those dogs that are healthy representatives of their breed and are of good temperament. We are determined to make sure that this is, and remains, so"


If you want to read the revised breed standards visit this Kennel Club page to see the affected species revisions. Course, this review has seriously wagged off some breeders. Take our British Bulldog. Over the years, they've increasingly suffered from skin and coat problems, cleft palettes,serious breathing disorders and joint problems. Under the new rules they're now to be bred with a sunken face and longer legs.The chairman of the British Bulldog Breed Council was quoted as saying "What you'll get is a completely different dog, not a British Bulldog"

Thank dog for that, is what I'm yapping back at him. Aren't you everybloggie? Paws crossed this is just the start.

24 comments:

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

I'm with you Eric.
Whatever for all of us to being fit, healthy and happy, I'm for it.
Hmmm, I wonder if they changed my standard, I like the way I'm now, hehe!
Muahhhh!

Jans Funny Farm said...

It's nice someone finally paid attention. It isn't right for breeders to endanger the dogs or for the kennel clubs to encourage them to by accepting such as standards.

Lorenza said...

Those are good news Eric!
It is a first step but sure good things will come from it!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Stanislaw said...

Breathing, walking and being able to give birth on your own are important things, right? Imagine if humans thought it was okay for other people to have those problems? That it was a GOOD THING for humans to be unable to breath properly and it was a trait that was DESIRABLE? I can see my singles ad now:

Single Black Cocker Spaniel. Loves raw feasts and afternoons at the bark park. Constantly needs 3rd eyelid tucked into place and has severe food allergies. Stud Muffin.

The 3 G-Dales said...

Thank you Eric....does this mean my brother & i are now "real airedales" on account of our colors? You know the AKC over herie won't let us be admitted cuz I'm a beautiful red and Roy Boy is a very dapper black...it's only our Jack who can be mitted...he's black n tan. Hmff....what IS a Girlie to do?

Nose pokes and smoochies, Eric

Lola Belle

Asta said...

Deawest Eric
FAboolous news..about tine too! I am a thousand pawcent in agweement wif you..what we want is healthuy , happy doggies....hoomans can be incwedibly stoopid and shelfish sometimes.

I pawsonally don't cawe if I'm considewed pawfect by those official types..as long as my fwiends and pawents think I am.
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Noah the Airedale said...

Healthy happy dogs all round yay. It shouldn't be any other way.

tailwags
Noah x

Gus said...

Dear Eric..congratulations on your hard work with the kennel club folks in the UK. Could you come over here and help us stamp out dogfighting?

gussie

Rudy said...

I'm glad the breed clubs are forced to revise their standards to promote better health. We Bedlingtons have had health problems not addressed by any standard, but responsible breeders over here are working on breeding it out of us and it's better than it used to be. I'm lucky my breeder's a good one and I and my housemates are healthy!

Love
Rudy

Joe Stains said...

That is a great start, people really can make a difference!!

Kelli said...

Hi Eric!
This is great news! I am so glad that they are changing the standards to promote better health! That is what is most important, happy and healthy dogs!
-Tibby

Dewey Dewster said...

Eric...

Now that's waggin' good news...I bet it didn't go far enough but it is a start isn't it ???

Our friend who had the 2 puppies with the Kyphosis (severe spine curve)had to have them put down. The owner of the puppies father still doesn't get the fact that the problem was most likely caused by the breeding but the owner of the female says she won't breed again to any dog....I wonder....but they had such long narrow heads.......little consolation.....

Good report Eric.....

Dewey Dewster here.....

Sophie Brador said...

Eric, Those kennel clubs are stupid.

Mom also wanted you to know that my movie was very low budget and she did all props and continuity herself. She said it was hard work, especially the snow, and she is so happy that it paid off. See you at Cannes!

xo
SB

Unknown said...

Eric!
That is great news! You should be a news reporter like Asta!

Thanks for sharing the info! It is a definite win for dogs.
Yap back at ya!
Norwood

Koobuss said...

Great news!! Way to go, Eric!!

All of us are beautiful! We don't even need standards anyway. They are all man-made. Maybe we should have standards for humans. Such as all humans should be kind, loving, considerate, and generous.

The only standards for a dog should be that it can wag it's tale and give kisses. What else do you need?

Love and Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie

Chef said...

That's fantastic news, Eric. Good health and a happy disposition should never be compromised in order to meet breed standards. That's just disgusting. Here in Canada, the CKC has very strict bylaws about dogs' health and welfare. We're very lucky. I'm glad that those kinds of rules will now be respected in Britain.

xoxo
Chef

i said...

That's good news, Eric! A good start indeed!

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

I see that the Kennel Club has revised the "piggy" eyes of our Smooth Fox Terrier cousins. I'm glad the Kennel Club has finally done something but lets remember that they COULD DO BETTER! It's just a shame it took a tv documentary and the resulting uproar to prompt them into action! J x

Stella said...

Sweet Mr. Eric Boy!

It's amazing what a little financial pressure can do to an entire country's kennel club. Cheerio and well done! We have a bulldog friend who suffers from most of the problems you mentioned... all due to her breeding. She's a sweet girl & we hate to see her suffer.

We are hoping that they do even more for pedigreed dogs and really really revise things!

Thanks for keeping us posted, Eric!

Goobery love & tailwags,
Stella Bean latifah

Simba and Jazzi said...

We were so pleased to see that news, some of those poors dogs suffered terrible just because people thought they looked good.
Simba x

Jake of Florida said...

Thanks for the update. We'll check out the longer report to see the pawticulars.

We were appawlled to see the video and couldn't believe how pigheaded some of the breeders seemed to be in the face of evidence that their dogs were suffering.

Jake and Just Harry

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Wow..!! We looked but didn't see any revisions for foxy wires...Frankly, I'm thinkin' that Scruffy's breath could be a lot better...wonder if that's a breeding problem or the fact he likes to ea...um never mind.

We had heard all the bru ha ha bout Crufts...wonder if it will carry over to Westminster...ya know when terriers are in the ring they're supposed to be bitin' everybody else...and then they breed dogs that can't get along with other dogs?? Makes no sense to us...that makes a lot of pets that have to be rehomed for dog fighting...temperment is important...um...yes, this is Lacie speaking...I only snap when others are bein' stoopid...mostly my brothers...

Good reportin' Eric...

Lacie of the pawfect temperment

Agatha and Archie said...

TWINNY!!!!!!Well this is it..we think youmay have a future with reportin..that was a job well done. We could see you sitting behind a desk reporting this( with little glasses on for effect) Maybe you should contact the BBC???Love and kisses A+A PS We forgot to say we agree with all you said....

Bae Bae said...

You do a pawsome reporting job. ;)

~ Bae