So the others are worse---that is sad. Sad that the breeders can't/won't see that it is a problem.

rune

If the RSPCA hadn`t decided to have a bit of a flounce and not have a stall at Crufts...
they could have spoken directly to the breeders they were concerned about.
Of course publishing a letter via the press (no postage! cool!) is a much easier option.

Some are much worse...
Could not help but think of nora batty when i seen one walking away from me ..

I thought it was a very good example. Less skin than that of its native counterparts too, much less in fact, so great news overall.

Dont forget this is an ancient breed that has not been here too long and Italian stock mainly was used, they ask for:

So as you can see, the UK dogs are far less wrinkled than that, good move!

On the final night coverage they had a vet, the KC and someone from the Animal Health Trust on and all of them said that things were far from perfect but moves were being made to improve them and would continue to be made.

Not much glossing over in that!

Ali x

I think the RSPCA need to get their own house in order before slamming others.
They are the richest charity in this country who bank in tax free countries and cant fund their own branches who have to beg for handouts to feed the dogs in their care.

Breeders are trying to improve their breeds and to have this charity expecting changes to happen over night is very short-sighted.
they need to support the breeders not berate them and turn them away.

its the puppy farmers and BYB's they need to be dealing with more effectively.

Everything they said in the letter was pretty much true. Not sure their tactics are the best but in this instance they've done no wrong.


I know a few on here have strong negative feelings toward the rspca so anything they did would probably be criticized in some way.

It's the wrong target though.

Nobody gets together all the dogs bred by puppy farmers once a year and parades them in front of the general public and TV cameras. If they did then Fit for Function would be a laugh, and you wouldn't have many passed as healthy by the vets & judges, not matter what they looked like.

To say that "all pedigree dogs" at Crufts are unhealthy is a total farce when 5,000 pedigree puppies from one Irish farm alone are sold in the south of the UK through dealers, and many thousands more in the rest of the country. These are the untested, unhealthy ones.... mass produced through an unregulated industry.

At least the judges and vets at Crufts this year were instructed to look for signs of poor breeding and ill health, which is far more inspection and much nearer to a vet than many of those poor battery-farmed pups and their exhausted parents being exploited in Ireland & Wales ever get!!!

Show-bred dogs are in a minority compared to this disgusting trade, so to tar all pedigree dogs with the same brush is not only inaccurate, but reflects badly against all the breeders who are desperately trying to do it all right and breed healthy dogs ethically!

A lady and her daughter who both breed and show CC's were telling us this at Ringcraft training on Tuesday. They said stewards were searching their bags, and making sure they didn't use anything on the dogs. One dog apparently got wet on the way in and the owner used some talc to help dry the dog and got in trouble for it.

On a side note I'm pretty sure I remember reading something about the RSPCA spending £40k once on carpeting for their HQ.

Nice to see that change is trying to happen, but it did become a joke. I put cream on or show and pet hairless, it would be unfair to the dog to the leave it with dry skin. I would rather give up showing than be banned from entering the ring due to protecting my dogs skin