Pedigree Dogs
What are we doing to man's best friend?
It's been said, with friends like these who needs enemies. Sadly it's an adage that rings all too true for some of our canine companions. Man's obsession with creating the "perfect" dog has led to an absurdly strong emphasis on appearance with more time being spent on refining the colour and quality of coats than on improving the health and welfare of the animal.
As a result we have created dogs that have difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and running, dogs that can't give birth naturally, dogs with chronic back, ear, skin and eye problems. Despite strong evidence against inbreeding, some breeders are still mating close relatives; fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, brothers and sisters. All the while decreasing the gene pool and increasing the incidence of inherited diseases.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed is a documentary produced in the UK and is based on some of the serious issues facing pedigree dogs in that country. The full extent of these problems in the Australian pedigree dog population is currently unknown, but there is no evidence to indicate that they are significantly different from those experienced overseas. Dog breeding in Australia is subject to the same breed standards and breeding practices as in the UK.
The RSPCA's concerns about pedigree dog breeding in Australia:
- certain pedigree dogs are over-represented for specific inherited disorders
- breed standards for pedigree dogs focus primarily on appearance rather than health, welfare, temperament and functionality
- some breed standards are interpreted in an exaggerated and extreme form and this further compromises animal health and welfare
- closed studbooks result in a lack of genetic diversity within pedigree dog breeds, increasing the chances of inherited disorders
- some pedigree dog breeders deliberately mate close relatives, increasing the puppy's chance of inherited disorders and making them less resistant to infectious and genetic diseases
There are many reputable pedigree dog breeders who are working hard to address these problems but to overcome them there needs to be a fundamental change in way we breed dogs in Australia.
More information:
- FAQ's about Pedigree Dogs Exposed
- Five common problems in pedigree dogs
- Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide (help finding a responsible breeder)
Knowledgebase articles
- What is a backyard breeder?
- What is a 'registered breeder'?
- What is a responsible companion animal breeder?
- What animal welfare problems are associated with pedigree dog breeding?
- What is a puppy mill/puppy farm?
- How do I avoid supporting puppy mills?
- Are there laws that require companion animal breeders to meet certain standards of care?
- Are purebreed breeders more responsible than crossbreed breeders?
- How do I find a good dog breeder?
