Write to your MP urges KC
14 May 2009 08:02
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GOVERNMENT interference in the breeding of pedigree dogs is looking increasingly likely, the Kennel Club believes.
Discussions taking place as part of the Association Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’s (APGAW) enquiry into pedigree dog welfare is giving growing cause for concern.
Unlike the KC/Dogs Trust enquiry into the breeding of all dogs, APGAW’s relates only to pedigree animals, and the KC fears that new regulations could be imposed which, for instance, restrict breeding unless either a vet or ‘breeding panel of experts’ agree to it first.
“Some members of the APGAW enquiry are very sensible people asking very sensible questions,” said KC secretary Caroline Kisko. “But there are others who remain unconvinced by us.
“Dog people really need to take this seriously, as the likelihood of interference by the Government is, while not as high as 100 per cent certain, certainly looking more likely.”
Questioned
When questioned by members of the enquiry, the KC has stuck to its line that the principles of the Accredited Breeder Scheme should be brought in when breeding any kind of dog, whether pedigree, crossbreed or mongrel.
“Joining the ABS is the only way forward, the only way we can convince the Government,” Mrs Kisko said. “People may think that this will all go away and they will be allowed to continue as they are, but we are not going to be allowed to continue like that. APGAW can only make recommendations, but they do tend to get listened to. They could come up with something like the RSPCA suggested: a breeding panel of experts, so that no one could breed unless they refer to the panel first, or dogs having to be looked at by a vet before they are allowed to be bred from.”
The KC is approaching the Government directly by writing to all MPs asking them to support its drive to safeguard the long-term health and welfare of pedigree dogs is improved by dog shows. And it is asking exhibitors and breeders to write to their MPs too asking them to acknowledge the importance of dog showing in improving pedigree dog health.
A KC briefing, which is in the process of being sent out to MPs up and down the country, outlines the key health benefits of dog showing and the steps that the KC has taken to ensure that health is rewarded ‘first and foremost’.
Among the points raised are the importance of the revised breed Standards and judges’ education in ensuring that only healthy dogs are rewarded in the show ring; also how shows help to improve the standard of breeding and the overall health of pedigree dogs.
The letter states that there had been recent ‘strong suggestions’ that dog showing was responsible for a number of canine health problems, ‘without recourse to scientific evidence to establish the facts’.
It continues: “As more than 12,000 of your constituents are likely to have a dog, I thought you might like to know about the KC’s campaign to promote dog showing as a means of resolving any health problems related to a dog’s conformation. The KC has itself taken a number of actions to improve dog health such as establishing an independent inquiry into the health of all dogs and calling on the Government to apply the basic principles embodied in its Accredited Breeder Scheme to the breeding of all dogs in the UK.
“Not only can dog showing achieve these health improvements but also the industries surrounding the 37 general championship and 3,000 other dog shows that take place each year are an important contributor to the UK economy, both in terms of revenue and employment across a range of sectors.
In excess
“Entry fees to general championship shows alone amounted to £5.5 million last year, while Crufts 2009 brought approximately £9.3 million to the local economy and generated retail sales from trade stands during and after the event in excess of £40 million of business.”
The briefing document states: “In recent years dog showing has become the scapegoat for a number of canine health problems with little recourse by its accusers, to rigorous scientific examination of the true facts. Despite being purely a hobby for its participants, the KC believes that dog showing is one of the most effective methods for driving improvements in dog health.
“This is because it is in this forum alone (ie the world of dog shows) that breed Standards hold the authority to achieve progress. It should be noted that just some one per cent of the dogs registered with the KC will end up in the show ring at any one time but it is from the breeders and exhibitors of such dogs and the more than 700 KC registered breed clubs that the impetus for positive future change has come in the past and will come in the future.”
The briefing concludes: “The KC believes that if left to the non-showing/non-competing dog breeder or owner to eradicate canine disease caused by conformation or other problems, there will simply be no incentive for them to do so. Without the competitive showing element and the hard work of responsible breeders and breed clubs working to eradicate health problems through careful breeding, little progress will be made.”
Coincides
The call for support coincides with the close of the Birmingham National which celebrated the 150th anniversary of dog showing.
“Dog shows are part of the fabric of British society and as we celebrate the 150th year it is important that we remember that they are not only a British Institution but a very real way to improve the health and welfare of pedigree dogs,” said KC spokesman Caroline Kisko. “The KC constantly strives to ensure that it achieves this objective through educating judges about the importance of rewarding health first and continually monitoring the breed Standards, so we can be more sure than ever that dog shows are achieving this goal.
“We hope that MPs will join us in supporting dog shows, and that dog lovers will write to their MPs encouraging them to get behind the KC to recognise the importance of dog showing for pedigree dog health. Without dog shows there would be no incentive to breed healthy dogs, no forum to monitor whether this is being done and no platform to educate the breeders and owners of the future.”