Pedigree Dogs Exposed: The Unseen Reality of Purebred Dogs

The world of pedigree dogs is often seen as a symbol of elegance and refinement, but the truth behind this facade is far from glamorous. Many purebred dogs are plagued by inherited health problems.

The Rottweiler, for example, is often crippled by hip dysplasia, a condition that can cause chronic pain and arthritis. This is a result of selective breeding that prioritizes physical appearance over health.

In fact, the Rottweiler's hip joint is so compromised that it's often impossible to walk more than a few blocks without needing a break. This is a stark contrast to the breed's original purpose as a working dog.

Sadly, many breeders continue to prioritize physical characteristics over the welfare of their dogs, resulting in a staggering number of health problems.

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The Kennel Club's stated goal is to promote the general improvement of dogs, but their main function is to run dog shows and record lineage, leaving breeders in charge of judging and rule-making committees. This lack of regulatory bodies prioritizing animal welfare has hindered progress in the field.

Breed standards are often mutually exclusive from health and wellness, with some breeds being bred to meet standards that are detrimental to their health. For example, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is bred to have a small head, leading to a condition called syringomelia that causes intense pressure on the brain and debilitating headaches.

The documentary "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" highlighted five main core issues with The Kennel Club's breed standards, including the fact that many breed standards are detrimental to the overall health and wellness of pedigree breed dogs.

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The dog world is run and regulated in a way that can hinder progress. The Kennel Club's stated goal is to promote the general improvement of dogs, but its main function is as a registry that records the lineage of purebred dogs.

The Kennel Club runs dog shows, but it's the breeders who actually control the breed clubs, judge each other's dogs, and sit on rule-making committees. This can create a conflict of interest.

The Kennel Club's focus on running dog shows and recording lineage has led to a slow or ineffective approach to prioritizing animal welfare. Without regulatory bodies prioritizing animal welfare, progress has been slow or ineffective in this field.

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Exaggerations in breed standards have led to significant health issues in pedigree dogs. The documentary "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" highlighted the problem of exaggerations in breeds like Dachshunds, Bull Terriers, and Bulldogs.

Old footage from the documentary showed the extent of changes in these breeds, with Bulldogs needing assistance to mate and give birth due to their exaggerated traits. The Kennel Club increased training for judges after the documentary and made changes to the standards of 78 breeds.

However, it was not the first time the Kennel Club revised standards in response to criticism, and archive footage from 1986 shows them stating that they were removing clauses that require exaggerations. The programme argues that it neither worked then nor now, judging by the animals still winning in show rings.

Veterinary checks of Crufts show winners in 15 high-profile breeds starting in 2012 will help, but more is needed. More radical checks of breed standards are needed to reverse exaggerations, says British Veterinary Association's Harvey Locke.

Moderate types of many breeds already exist, and the programme shows pictures of them, suggesting embracing the Leavitt Bulldog and dumping the current show Bulldogs.

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are particularly affected by syringomyelia (SM) and heart disease. Up to 70% of six-year-old Cavaliers have SM, which can severely affect their puppies even if they don't show clinical signs themselves.

The Cavalier Club expelled a breed health representative for revealing the SM condition of a show dog, highlighting the issue of breeders not wanting to discuss health problems. This is despite the fact that the Kennel Club is now launching an MRI screening scheme for SM.

Prof. Sir Patrick Bateson believes that breeders who can't produce healthy dogs should stop breeding, and it's hard to argue with that.

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Many pedigree dog breeds have undergone a significant departure from their natural breed norms. This has led to a range of health problems in modern-day dogs.

Historical records show that the majority of pedigree dog breeds have changed significantly in appearance over time. In fact, most modern breeds are quite different from their original counterparts.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a prime example of this. Originally bred to be a friendly and outgoing companion dog, modern-day breed standards have prioritized a small head, which can lead to serious health issues.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are now prone to syringomyelia and heart disease. In fact, up to 70% of six-year-old Cavaliers can suffer from syringomyelia, even if they don't show clinical signs.

The British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club have launched an MRI screening scheme to help identify breeders who are prioritizing health over appearance. However, some influential breeders are refusing to support the scheme.

Prof. Sir Patrick Bateson, who headed the Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding, has stated that some breeders are "just not listening" to concerns about health. He believes that if breeders can't produce healthy dogs, they should stop breeding altogether.

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Boxers are a popular breed known for their distinctive physical characteristics. They typically weigh between 60-70 pounds and stand between 21.5-25 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy owners. Boxers are also known for their short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors including fawn and brindle.

Boxers are a high-energy breed that requires regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, which can include walks, runs, and playtime in the yard.

Their short noses can make breathing difficult in hot or humid weather, so owners need to take precautions to keep them cool. Boxers are also prone to heatstroke, so it's essential to provide plenty of shade and water.

Boxers are a loyal and loving breed that thrive on human interaction. They make great family pets and are often described as "velcro dogs" because of their tendency to stick close to their owners.

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The Kennel Club committed £1.2 million after PDE to a new Kennel Club genetics centre to focus on development of new DNA tests.

The Kennel Club developed an online tool called Mate Select, which allows people to look up health test results and inbreeding level of individual dogs compared to the breed average.

Geneticist Steve Jones says damage can be reduced by banning close inbreeding; mating with cousins is almost as bad and if such matings continue, problems build up.

The Kennel Club says it prefers education over regulation, but the programme says the Kennel Club must do more. It has no proposal for a maximum level of inbreeding, unlike the Swedish Kennel Club.

No Boxer born in the past two years has a COI of more than 6.25% in Sweden, and the case is similar for other breeds.

Breed clubs have also set limits to reduce the impact of popular sires.

Jones states that the Boxer case is an example of how rapidly you can cause damage.

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Pedigree dogs are suffering from genetic diseases due to years of inbreeding, with 75% of the seven million dogs in the UK being pedigree animals.

The Kennel Club registers dogs bred from mother-to-son and brother-to-sister matings, which is a deliberate mating of close relatives.

Scientists at Imperial College, London, found that pugs in the UK are so inbred that although there are 10,000 of them, it is the equivalent of just 50 distinct individuals.

This inbreeding has led to a range of health issues, including syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog's skull is too small for its brain.

Pedigree dogs are also suffering from epilepsy, breathing problems, and being unable to mate or give birth unassisted.

Physical traits required by the Kennel Club's breed standards, such as short faces, wrinkling, screw-tails, and dwarfism, have inherent health problems.

Dogs suffering from genetic illness are not prevented from competing in dog shows and have gone on to win "best in breed", despite their poor health.

Comments from experts and breeders have been recorded in the documentary, revealing some concerning truths about the world of pedigree dogs.

Many breeders and owners seem to be more concerned with winning competitions than with the welfare of their dogs.

The documentary highlights the issue of 'designer dogs', which are created by crossing two purebred dogs to produce a unique and often unhealthy breed.

The Kennel Club's own breed standard for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which states that the breed should have a 'moderate stop', is actually a euphemism for a severe skull defect.

Breeders are often more interested in producing dogs that conform to the breed standard than in ensuring their dogs' health and well-being.

The documentary shows footage of dogs with severe health problems, such as heart defects and breathing difficulties, which are directly related to their breed.

Many breeders are willing to breed dogs with these problems in order to meet the demand for certain breeds.

The Kennel Club's own figures show that the number of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels being bred with heart problems has increased in recent years.

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