D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D.
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Crufts Checks: A Stitch in Time or a Bridge Too Far?

3/24/2012

2 Comments

 
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I've been working on my latest Dog World column, this month concerning the controversial vet checks at Crufts. I haven't rushed to write anything here because, to be honest, I've had mixed feelings. And well, I finally posted them yesterday on an Internet canine genetics list I'm on, as follows:

"I think most of us--at least those who don't own the high-profile breeds--initially nodded and thought, "Good move--let's make them stop breeding those snuffling bug-eyed droopy-faced  caricatures--for the  good of the dogs!"  Yet all it takes is a look at one's own breed to wonder  what's next. Looking at the next group of watched-breeds, I see Borzoi with "too much rear angulation" and I wonder what dreaded discomfort that will cause; I  see Sloughis with "underweight" and wonder who determines how thin or fat a running sighthound must be. Then I think ahead of giant breeds, with decreased longevity, and realize that a size and weight limit may be next; toy breeds,  with their propensity to patellar luxation, and off they go; deep-chested  breeds; we'd better get rid of them because they're predisposed to bloat---short-legged dogs, either because of back problems or because they simply can't enjoy running as fast as other dogs---and on and on until we're  back to wolves or pariah dogs. Right now the exams were rightfully only on the  basis of current (or past--and I'm not sure I agree with that) evidence of  disease/discomfort, but how long before it advances to predispositions to  disease/discomfort? Then why stop there--let's move beyond physical features to  breed-related hereditary problems such as heart problems because Dobes or Cavs  or whatevers are predisposed to DCM or MVD and there's no DNA test for  them...

"I  agree, no dog should be purposefully bred to live a painful or struggling life,  but I am not sure that actions such as the Crufts one are not throwing out the  puppy with the bathwater in an effort that seemed to be a good PR move, but  ultimately I believe will prove to be just the opposite."

It didn't get much attention, although a couple of members did respond. One reads this blog, so I'll let him have a go at responding via the comments (be sure to read what Rod says). Another focused on the fact that Borzois with too much bend of stifle have an overly steep pelvis and are not efficient gallopers. That may be true, but at that point aren't we getting back into judging function, not health?

Unrelated to my post, one of the members opined that in the scheme of things, if a dog needed to have its eyes tacked because of entropion, it wasn't the worst thing in the world, especially compared to serious disorders such as bloat. And he has a point; I'm surely not one who would purposefully advocate breeding dogs that needed eye tacking, but in the grand scheme of animal cruelty--with all the horrors we see even inflicted upon dogs, not to mention other animals--really? A couple of stitches under anesthesia? Why, nect thing you're going to be saying is dogs should never be spayed or neutered...oh wait. Animal rights activits tell us that is painless and justified and in fact, should be required. So if females need surgery to remove their reproductive organs, and males do too, does that mean neither sex should ever pass a vet check? Or if they fail, they shouldn't be spayed or neutered? I'm getting confused...it's late...

But anyway, given my Westminster Whine post, I figured some of you would be surprised.

2 Comments
Nikki Riggsbee link
3/25/2012 04:39:19 am

The big problems were:
1. Dogs that were fully health tested had the win disqualified
2. Dogs that were fully healthy but with a small skin lesion had the win withheld
3. In the opinion of this random vet, any imperfection was cause for withholding. The Peke wasn't eliminated for pinched/closed nostrils. The Clumber had haws, not entropion/ectropion.
4. The vet was supposed to use no equipment that the judge didn't have. But one dog was withheld when the vet used a light to find a scar from a healed ulcer on the eye.
5. Nothing should count that is not heritable and not serious & seriously affecting the health & life of the dog.
6. The competence of the vet. He withheld on a dog that passed CERF exams.
7. The whole concept is bad for pure bred dogs. Perhaps require passing health tests for some extra certification.
8. The KC should produce its own TV show rebutting everything in the original show.

Reply
Rod Russell
3/25/2012 11:46:09 am

I know that there are skeptics about requiring all entrant dogs to have passed breed-appropriate health tests in order to qualify to compete in a conformation show (asking questions like: Who decides if a dog has passed? How recent must the test have been taken? What if there is no health test a breed's health problem?) But these types of issues already have been resolved rather handily by the independent (of AKC) cavalier King Charles spaniel club here in the USA in its health class at its shows. Admittedly, such a process would be more cumbersome than the AKC's current entry process, but it can be done.

The big problem is that it will never happen as long as the AKC parent clubs have any say about it. Most parent clubs would veto any requirement that their breeders must health-test their stock as a condition to competing in conformation. Only if the AKC board takes away from the parent clubs this veto power, and if the AKC board mandates the health-test requirement, will this happen. AKC's board came close to doing something like that this past year when it told its Dalmatian club that if that club did not approve registering LUA-Dals by June 2011, the AKC board would force a decision upon that parent club.

But one's breath should not be held.

Reply



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    Caroline Coile

    Dog writer, science geek, Saluki savant and communicator of all things dog. I'm concerned about hereditary health problems,  the decline of purebred dogs and the changing climate of dog ownership. I compete with my Salukis in conformation, agility, lure coursing and obedience. I write about science, breeds, health and competitions---and I don't believe in blindly folllowing the accepted dogma of the dog world.

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