I also lost my first dog from genetic kidney disease aged just 2 years. He was a puppy farmed dog. I understand the passion, but agree that he is over the top with his delivery, so to speak. All it does is alienate people.

I agree with all of the above, I thought that the programme mainly stayed away from overly generalised histrionic diatribes. Most of it was repetitive however it did make some good points about some changes within the KC re health testing and recording etc.

Now you could interpret that, as some did, as insufficient and pandering to the breeders or that the wheels of change move slowly (and let us not forget the downside when the wheels of change move quickly as in DDA) as in most areas of life.

Mark Evans again undermines his own credibility as disinterested (as opposed to uninterested) professional.

And TBF even the issue with the whistleblower on the CKCS is not that sensational as the RULES of the club were clear, leaving members no choice.

After all that is what rules are for.

They could have engineered a simultaneous proposal ie to change the rules (no idea if they did or not).

The problem with programmes like this is that they tend to polarise people who will take the "pick n mix" approach and select from it what suits THEIR particular agenda and discard the rest, when a more holistic detached view would be, IMHO, more appropriate.

I haven't read any of the previous threads but I was actually quite surprised at the programme. I wasn't shouting at the tv, but was incredibly upset to see that pug That really isn't the norm, is it? It must be so heartbreaking for the boxer owners as well. Again, is it really that bad?

I do think she could have done more about the healthy dogs out there. It did just seem that she was "show bashing". Yes, that's probably where most of the breeders come from (apart from the BYB), but there are other problems elsewhere, not just with the showing fraternity.

I really disliked Mark Evans. He would ban all pedigrees if it were up to him. Totally agree with SB's thoughts about him.

Helen

isn't it strange how different peoples' perceptions are? I thought the throwback to his comments brought back the sensationalism of the first show. Too much rant which actually spoilt the message he was trying to get over.

Personally, I'd have dropped the 'impact' clips from the first show and gone into more detail on the new stuff, or included new footage of the previous points made. You see, to anyone with a suspicious mind, it could look as though such extreme examples are far more rare than the show implicates. I'm not for one moment suggesting this is the case, but to me, it's poor producing/editing in that it detracts from rather than enhances a point

I honestly can't understand the dislike of Mark Evans on here!! Because he gets a bit worked up, understandably, people think his points are less valid?

i will pick and mix, Mark Evans is a great man, a great man indeed, i do not know him personally but for his position in the debate he is a great man and i agree with everything he said, dog shows yes freak shows no, i nearly cried when i saw the working v show dogs in terms of fit for purpose and yes i am fully aware that a lot of working dogs have few tests.
I felt pain for the KC lady in terms of her knowledge that the KC can only educate and the fact that a lot of breed clubs are so intransigent that she just knew it would not happen in her lifetime.
Good programme and well balanced and if Mark Evans is classed as an extremist in terms of dog issues i am joining his band.
Will watch it again later to pick on any points missed.

just thought i would point out, before i comment on the whole thread, i bought my first dog as a show dog, thats what i went out and bought her for. the breeder i got her from knew i wanted a dog to show. doesnt mean i dont love her any less if she doesnt win shows. i havent entered any for ages, but she was bought for me to show, as i loved being around the show scene.

I don't like him because he tars EVERY single pedigree dog with the same brush. Yes, there are some VERY extreme examples (health), which I am with everyone, I'm sure, should not be bred from, but he just gave the impression that he disagrees with all pedigree breeding.

I have a kennel full of fit for function dogs (apart from the retirees), including one that has been shown, and at Crufts, winning second place in her class. My dogs are healthy, because they need to be. From what he was saying, there are no healthy pedigree dogs out there. He just seemed to rant, and I don't think it is a particularly good way of getting your point across.

He may be passionate about it, but the way he was talking, just came across as an extremist view.

He also works for the RSPCA but that's another matter entirely

Helen

I agree.

Have not watched the programme yet, so will refrain till then.

.........and if she was winning best of breed in shows but was shown to be carrying a serious genetic defect, would you still breed from her? That's the issue here - breeders putting their own sad little egos over the health of a breed they a supposedly meant to be protecting