Misery of dogs deformed for 'fashion'

THE health of pedigree dogs is being put at risk by breeders seeking "fashionable" characteristics, according to a new report.

Professor Sir Patrick Bateson was asked to examine the issue by the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, after widespread reports that the breeding process for pedigree dogs was resulting in a high level of genetic illness.

His report said inbreeding in pure breeds, breeding dogs for specific looks or extreme characteristics such as wrinkly skin, and negligent management of "puppy farms" were all major welfare issues for the animals.

He warned inbreeding among pedigree dogs led to inherited diseases, made it harder for them to reproduce and lowered their immune system – making it more likely they would develop diseases such as cancer.

Prof Bateson called for a non-statutory advisory council on dog breeding, which would look at the problems of inherited diseases and inbreeding, and produce advice on breeding strategies and priorities for scientific research.

He recommended all puppies should be microchipped and said new owners should insist on seeing them with their mothers.

He called for changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act – which focuses only on certain breeds – to allow the authorities to take action on all dangerous individual animals, to stop dogs being bred and reared as "weapons".

The study also said a computer system should be developed to collect anonymous diagnoses of inherited diseases from vets to see how prevalent different conditions were in various breeds.

The Cambridge University professor, who is president of the Zoological Society of London, said there was widespread concern about so-called puppy farming, in which dogs are treated as commodities and mass-bred for sale, often online.

On the issue of pedigree animals – which are found in three-quarters of dog-owning homes in the UK – he said current breeding practices imposed welfare costs on individual dogs.

For example, some 90 per cent of bulldogs cannot give birth without Caesarean section, while King Charles' spaniels can suffer from syringomyelia, in which their brains are too big for their skulls, causing pain and fits.

He said animals too closely related should not be bred, adding: "It's certainly unacceptable to breed parent and child, siblings, or granddaughter and grandfather."

Caroline Kisko, for the Kennel Club, said it welcomed the report's recognition that it had made a good start in its efforts to "unite responsible breeders" within its accreditation scheme.