Pedigree Breeding

Pedigree breeding has caused many cruel and unfair traits to be bred into breeds to win a prize or to be able to ask extra for a pup. There are many concerns about breeding practices leaving dogs with debilitating conditions and inherited genetic diseases. It is not known how many dogs worldwide suffer the genetic effects of extreme pedigree breeding but the debilitating effect is well known. Because of the lack of genetic variation, birth defects and inherited diseases in breeds such as deafness in Dalmatians, heart disease in Boxer dogs and hip dysplasia in German Shepherd dogs has become extremely common. So common that many people accept it as part of owning a particular breed.

What do you think can be done to turn things around?
How do we stop people breeding indiscriminately?
How do we force the Kennel Clubs and Unions to think more of health than current standards?

Crufts have done the right thing by not accepting ridiculously unhealthy dogs now. KC needs to redefine their breed standards and judges everywhere must stick to them! As for the general dog crisis they need to start issuing breeders permits at a cost and with strict restrictions of one litter a year or two years, and only say two bitches or two breeds and if you are caught breeding without one the dogs are removed and they are fined.

There are a lot of things that could be done, but unfortunately they will cost people money, and the clubs and unions seem to be money making machines, so unfortunately it is unlikely that they will be done.
Licencing breeders, making sure breeding pairs are health tested over several generations, refusing to register poorly bred dogs - and making it a stigma to not have a registered dog (a very long term view) would help.
The most important thing is education - of everyone who wants a dog - be that as a pet, show dog, sports dog, guide dog, police dog.........

There is nothing wrong with breeding a dog in a particular way in order to fulfil a work object.

What has gone so wrong over the years is that people started, and continued, to breed for fashion & aesthetics. What compounded it was the Kennel Clubs (all of them!) allowing the registration of all & sundry provided the parents were registered.

Thankfully the UK Kennel Club has amended the Breed Standards to breed away from exaggerations and genetic illnesses, but it will take a while to turn things around. They should have acted earlier, but at least they are doing something now.

However, the public needs to be more educated on how to choose a pedigree pup & how we can do that is anybody's guess!

I think a lot are educated enough, just don't care. If the dog is cheap, who gives a toss if it is reg, tested, temperament etc. as long as it is cheap and gives them the instant satisfaction.

Maybe dogs should be bred to order - you must order it a year in advance (like certain horses...i have one ordered in advance for two years now! lol)

TBH I think way to much focus is placed on dogs needing to be registered and that having papers = better.