RSPCA warns the public: puppies bred for looks are born to suffer

Monday, 19 December 2011 11:30 AM

Victoria Stilwell says the way dogs are bred must change

New research carried out by the RSPCA reveals that many people still think pedigree dogs and puppies are healthy, quality animals that come from good breeding stock.

In fact, many pedigree dogs are vulnerable to unnecessary disease, disability, pain or behavioural problems. This is because they’re bred primarily for how they look rather than with health, welfare and temperament in mind.

The RSPCA is concerned that people are continuing to buy puppies that are prone to serious health and welfare issues because they are choosing dogs for the way they look - such as the current trend for toy breeds and ‘handbag dogs’ - and aren’t doing enough research before they buy.

In the survey commissioned by the RSPCA, people were asked what they associate with pure-breed or pedigree dogs. The top six responses were:

1. Expensive

2. Well bred

3. From good breeding stock

4. Quality

5. Responsibly bred

6. Healthy

But these aren’t always true.

RSPCA senior scientist Claire Calder said: “Everyone needs to be aware of the serious health and welfare problems affecting pedigree dogs and that dogs bred for looks are born to suffer.

“A cute-looking puppy or dog can be hard to resist, but the result of not looking beyond this can be thousands of pounds spent on vets bills and a pet with long lasting health and welfare problems. This is one of the biggest challenges facing dog welfare in the UK today.”

Victoria Stilwell, presenter and dog trainer from the hit TV show It’s Me or the Dog, agrees that dogs shouldn’t be bred solely for the way they look.

She said: “I have nothing against dog showing and nothing against responsible breeders, but what I do have something against is breeding animals just for the way we want them to look, even though that animal is compromised both physically and, a lot of the time, mentally.

“So we have to change. Why are we destroying these animals just because we like the way they look?”

The RSPCA is launching a new campaign, Bred for looks, born to suffer, in order to raise awareness of the issue. The charity is asking members of the public to show their support by signing up at: www.rspca.org.uk/borntosuffer where they will also find further information about the campaign.

-ends-

Notes to editors:

— A TV interview with Victoria Stilwell is downloadable from: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1315586836/89a31febdc30a8c795cb03db2aae5c7c.

— For photos of Victoria, or requests to interview her, please contact the RSPCA press office. Victoria lives abroad, but is contactable on the phone and/or via Skype.

— Dog shows like Crufts use breed standards to describe how a ‘perfect’ example of each breed of dog should look as the main judging criteria. We believe these standards encourage the breeding of disabled dogs with exaggerated features.

They also encourage breeding from closely related animals, which can result in puppies that have a higher chance of inheriting diseases.

— The research was conducted by TNS via OnLineBus, an internet survey. A sample of 2127 GB adults aged 16-64 were interviewed. Interviewing was conducted by online self-completion from 24th November 2011 to 1st December 2011.

— Picture credit for photo of Victoria Stilwell: Parker Smith Photography.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

Tags:
• animal welfare