Pekingese gets overhaul?
Over the weekend I watched an interesting program showing the evolution of purebreds and the business of human selfishness. Low and behold, this morning, the breaking news out of London -- after an update on the LSE (London Stock exchange) -- says that The Kennel Club announced it would be reviewing every pedigree breed in the UK amid concerns about genetic diseases.
As Britain's main governing body for dogs, this means serious business and will undoubtedly have a ripple effect throughout the world.
Representative's from The Club, (which organizes The Crufts Dog Show), decided to act after the program showed a prize-winning Cavalier King Charles spaniel which was suffering from syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog's skull is too small for its brain.
Having watched the program myself, I was particularly appalled when they explained the history of the Char Pei. Due to targeted breeding over the years to get the perfect 'look,' the Char Pei is known for it's excessive facial skin, but, according to the program, this skin commonly becomes so weighty they suffer with nasal infections, and worse...because of the weight of the skin on the eyes, may go blind.
It also showed Boxers suffering from epilepsy, Pugs with breathing problems and Bulldogs who were unable to mate or give birth unassisted.
The Kennel Club hopes to extend new and extended initiatives that will help to safeguard the health of our pedigree dogs.
Having adopted many dogs from shelters in the past, I abhor puppy mills, but as you all know, the love of my life at the moment is my purebred Sheltie purchased from a well-known show breeder.
Weighing now at 46lbs, Maxi didn’t make the cut for being a perfect show dog, but that just means he gives us twice as much unconditional love!
Fortunately Shelties have not had their genetics tampered anywhere near as much as other breeds...no, he looks just like his Old Great Grandpa from those chilly northern ranges of the Shetlands.
What do you think? Has pure-breeding gone too far? Have they crossed the line? Post a comment and tell us what you think.
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Comments (1)
Barney,Buttons; May 17, 2009 1:26 PM
? Will your 9 year old dog, respond to a new spouse, after a new marriage,the answere is yes,,Barney is my husbands name for her, Buttons is named by me when she was 7months old..............
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