“Pedigree Dogs Exposed” is the excellent documentary that resulted last year in the implosion of Crufts, the top dog show in the UK. The repercussions of this stellar reporting are ongoing. The major sponsor pulled out when they got wind of how breeds had been inbred to conform to an arbitrary notion of what looks were most attractive, regardless of health implications. The BBC refused to air the show. The RSPCA walked out in disgust.
Yes, it’s that bad. The health compromises have been devastatingly cruel. Dogs that can’t hold the weight of their own heads anymore, dogs whose brains are too big for their skulls, dogs who can’t breath because their faces are so flat. And these poor crippled creatures were winning and placing in dog shows. This is journalism at its best. Don’t miss it on BBC America tonight at 8:00 ET. Here’s a clip:
Related posts: Wednesday News Bites; Crufts Kennel Club Update; The Buzz Around London on Crufts; Good News for Pedigrees
Hat tip to our friend John Woestendiek at Ohmidog!
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DREAMDachshundRescue, Mary E Haight. Mary E Haight said: "BBC's Pedigree Dogs Exposed" http://bit.ly/58jrgv Don't miss this sterling example of journalism at it's best! Tonight! […]
[…] breed are affected by this disease borne of poor breeding practices. You may recall the explosive BBC documentary on Crufts and Kennel Club standards doing severe harm to the health of several breeds through […]