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Pedigree dog rules to be reviewed | Pedigree dog rules to be reviewed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Kennel Club has said that it will review the standards of every pedigree dog in Britain, following concerns about genetic disease. | The Kennel Club has said that it will review the standards of every pedigree dog in Britain, following concerns about genetic disease. |
The club, which organises Crufts, has acted following a BBC documentary which claimed many pedigree dogs suffer ill-health caused by years of inbreeding. | The club, which organises Crufts, has acted following a BBC documentary which claimed many pedigree dogs suffer ill-health caused by years of inbreeding. |
A spokeswoman said the club had listened to public concerns and now agreed that more needs to be done. | A spokeswoman said the club had listened to public concerns and now agreed that more needs to be done. |
The RSPCA said it hoped the review would improve pedigree dog health. | The RSPCA said it hoped the review would improve pedigree dog health. |
A BBC spokesman said "talks were ongoing" over whether the corporation would continue to cover Crufts as television event | |
Suffering dogs | Suffering dogs |
The documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, claimed that many pedigree dogs suffer because owners breed them for looks rather than health. | The documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, claimed that many pedigree dogs suffer because owners breed them for looks rather than health. |
We welcome the review of breed standards and hope it will make a difference RSPCA spokesman | We welcome the review of breed standards and hope it will make a difference RSPCA spokesman |
It showed spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxer dogs that suffer from epilepsy. | It showed spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxer dogs that suffer from epilepsy. |
The Kennel Club's first set of new breeding standards applies to Pekingese dogs, traditionally bred have a flat face, which the club admits "can lead to breathing problems." | The Kennel Club's first set of new breeding standards applies to Pekingese dogs, traditionally bred have a flat face, which the club admits "can lead to breathing problems." |
Under the new health plan, the breed will be required to have a defined muzzle. | Under the new health plan, the breed will be required to have a defined muzzle. |
New rules for Britain's other pedigree breeds are set to follow over the next few months. | |
Genetic diversity | |
The documentary also highlighted what it claims was the "common practice" of deliberately mating dogs which were close relatives, in order to accentuate physical features. | |
Scientists say such inbreeding increases the chances of a genetic abnormality. | |
The Kennel Club says that mother-son or brother-sister matings are rare. A spokeswoman said that "genetic diversity" was one of the subjects that would be covered by the review, due to report in early 2009. | |
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The groundswell of public attention on the very important matters surrounding dog breeding is a welcomed momentum. | Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The groundswell of public attention on the very important matters surrounding dog breeding is a welcomed momentum. |
"It will enable us to drive through, with added urgency, new and extended initiatives that will help to safeguard the health of our pedigree dogs. | "It will enable us to drive through, with added urgency, new and extended initiatives that will help to safeguard the health of our pedigree dogs. |
Statutory powers | |
"We have been listening and agree with the general public's view that more needs to be done." | "We have been listening and agree with the general public's view that more needs to be done." |
The club is also calling on the Government to give it statutory powers to make its Accredited Breeder Scheme compulsory throughout the country - a system that would make it illegal for non-members to produce or sell puppies. | The club is also calling on the Government to give it statutory powers to make its Accredited Breeder Scheme compulsory throughout the country - a system that would make it illegal for non-members to produce or sell puppies. |
Breed clubs are also required to join the Kennel Club's code of ethics, which includes a clause that forbids the culling of healthy puppies. | Breed clubs are also required to join the Kennel Club's code of ethics, which includes a clause that forbids the culling of healthy puppies. |
A spokesman for the RSPCA, which announced last month that it was pulling out of Crufts over concerns about the welfare of pedigree dogs, said: "We welcome the review of breed standards and hope it will make a difference for pedigree dog health and welfare in the future." | A spokesman for the RSPCA, which announced last month that it was pulling out of Crufts over concerns about the welfare of pedigree dogs, said: "We welcome the review of breed standards and hope it will make a difference for pedigree dog health and welfare in the future." |
Crufts | |
Press reports have suggested that the BBC is also considering disassociating itself from Crufts, following the revelations about animal health made in the documentary, but a BBC spokesman said that discussions were still ongoing between the Kennel Club and the corporation. | |
"Our contract with the club runs until 2010 and that is still in place," he said. | |
"We are keen to find a way forward." |
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