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Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Jemima Harrison’s documentary " Pedigree Dogs Exposed", explores a wide range of serious welfare problems that currently exist in pedigree dog breeds. Whilst filmed in the UK, the same problems presented within the documentary exist in Australia due to selective breeding according to what constitutes 'breed standards'.

Many 'breed standards' have a strong emphasis on physical appearance. Unfortunately there is a preference for some of the more exaggerated and extreme physical traits such as flat and short faces, excessive skin folds, large bulging eyes, very long backs, very short legs and over-sized heads. As a result many dogs are being bred that have difficulty breathing, difficulty walking, dogs that cannot give birth naturally and dogs with chronic ear, back, eye, skin and joint problems.

The RSPCA is deeply concerned about the unacceptably high level of disability and disease suffered by some breeds of dogs, and believes it is morally unjustifiable to intensely breed closely-related dogs to achieve certain physical attributes that seriously compromise the animal’s quality of life.

While there are many responsible breeders in Australia, the group as a whole has a tremendous opportunity to lead by example and fundamentally change the way dogs are bred in this country. This can only happen however, by revising breed standards and putting health, welfare and functionality ahead of appearance.

In the UK, all of the top 50 registered breeds have at least one inherited disorder: 35 of those breeds are in Australia’s top 50. The RSPCA would like to see the Australian National Kennel Council prohibit the registration of 1st and 2nd degree matings, i.e. mothers with sons, grandfathers with granddaughters, to open studbooks so that parentage and ancestry of a dog can be traced; and change breeding where necessary to increase the genetic diversity within particular breeds.
 

The RSPCA believes everyone has a role to play in overcoming welfare problems that currently exist, including people who buy pedigree dogs. Without asking the right questions, those who buy pedigree dogs may inadvertently be contributing to the problem. For more information, please see the RSPCA’s Smart Puppy Buyer’s Guide for tips on how to find a responsible breeder who puts animal welfare first.

If you would like to voice your opinion on any of the issues raised, you can write to:

• The Australian National Kennel Council or your State dog association.  Contact details for the relevant association can be found here.

• The breed association of the type of dog you are concerned about.

• The State government agency responsible for animal welfare in your state. Contact details for the relevant agencies can be found here.