It’s Show Time!

The World’s Greatest Dog Show – Crufts starts this week, it influences both breeders and puppy buyers alike. Many dogs which win at Crufts can be greatly sought after as stud or breeding bitches.

Because many hereditary diseases may not be visible, the dogs we see at Crufts, and even those winning top prizes in the show ring, can have hereditary health conditions which if used for breeding can and do pass on painful and debilitating diseases onto their offspring which then continues further on through generation after generation.

These dogs are thought to be the “Best of the Best” but in reality many are not fit for breeding they may “look” the part but when it comes to function and hereditary health they fall way below what should be expected of the top dogs.

Many of the show dogs are bred for looks as that is how they win prizes, health and function come way down the priority list and many compromises are made to produce the best looking dogs in the world.

The Kennel Club’s page:  https://www.crufts.org.uk/about-us/history/

Itself stipulates: “Judges are trained to ensure that only healthy dogs win prizes, which in turn encourages the breeding of healthy dogs. “ but, we ask, how can judges do that if health tests are not even mandatory let alone the results available for them to see.

We are asking for hereditary health test results to be taken into consideration when awarding top prizes at Crufts so they really are the best in breed, rather than those who “appear” to be closest to breed standard without health / function being taken into consideration.

It’s time for the show at Crufts to stop being just a “Beauty Pageant” and take some responsibility in promoting health as one of the priorities together with temperament and conformation.  They could do this by ensuring health test results are considered prior to awarding certificates and help improve the health, longevity and happiness of our nations dogs.