Independent's Day

The PDE docu-drama aired by the BBC last summer, which featured horrifying clips of sick dogs and Nazis, was presented for all to enjoy a second time around (this time in print) in today's Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/ruff-trade-a-crisis-for-crufts-1631230.html Once again the Kennel Club and dog show world were blamed for the genetic abnormalities that affect some dogs, some of which happen to be purebred. Dog breeders were likened to followers of Hitler's eugenics philosophies, and once more the RSPCA stood by its view of purebreds as mutant freaks.

Why, if the ulitmate goal of these people is TRULY the welfare of purebred dogs, are they alienating and condemning an entire community of dedicated dog enthusiasts? Would it not be better to work alongside the KC and ''show'' breeders to further the work that is currently being done here in Britain and around the world to understand, isolate and cure the genetic flaws that can occur in dogs? After all, it is the show set that by and large supports and carries out veterinary health clearances on breeding stock. These tests are not cheap. Show breeders go to incredible expense to secure a fit and healthy ''next generation.'' You can't tell me that the casual breeder who has a litter once a year to pay for the family holiday is spending hundreds of pounds to test his bitch for cataracts, and insisting that his mate's stud dog be tested as well?! Of course he isn't. But the show breeder is, and she knows the history of not only her dog but the grandparents and great grandparents as well.

We as breeders are being villainized and slandered in an attempt for the RSPCA to win the battle of public opinion and become holders of the keys to the house of dog breeding. Is there a financial stake here for the organization if it can successfully persuade the government to give it power to impose liscenses, retstriction and penalties for those who intend to keep and breed dogs?? I shudder at the thought of that happening. Am I the only one who thinks that animal welfare groups are becoming more concerned with the control of humans than making sure that animals are happy and healthy? How much of your yearly RSPCA donation goes to the dogs of your local chapter, and how much of it is used to pursue frivolous prosecutions against people?