that's what I'm talking about.(or asking about) I seem to be hearing a lot of public noise about dog breeding and the veterinary industry in the UK. Are there the same very public concerns in the US and it's just not as openly broadcast?

Cathy
when she first came home

all around the world and until many people stop burying their heads in the sand and hiding problems under the carpet when the crop up instead of being open and honest about it, nothing will change.

We need to step up, health test our Bulldogs and prove them wrong.

many responsible breeders and those who truly care about our breed have been health testing for years.

and I wonder what's happening there to cause it? Is this something that US breeders are dealing with also?

Cathy
when she first came home

on their home page

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/

I have not looked, but I am sure the clip is available somewhere, youtube or nbc's today show page. That might be a better cross post if you feel like looking for it.
e

Hi E, Can I have permission to cross post this on one of my all breed boards?

Thanks,
Shelley

Shelley - Sophie N Angels Mocha & Stella

I just watched the interview. Here we go again. You're right, it's just a matter of time before we are considered criminal and very un-politically correct because we want to have a purebred animal. And the AKC didn't really help with it's ambiguous statement. It's up to us as individuals and breed clubs to educate the public about health testing, temperment testing, etc. Interesting that NBC, which shows the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day would trumpet this one-sided and irrational view.

what a load of CRAP.... who is this guy?? unreal things like this get one tv!!!

http://kristiebarwick.webs.com/

What is the perfect dog anyway? Will we end up with a generic dog that apparently has no health issues? Ya right!!!

I have bulldogs because we match.

I don't want to come home after a long day of work and go for a 5km run, so I got a bulldog.
I don't want to deal with my dog protecting my property to the point of possibly biting a friend or a neighbor, so I got a bulldog.
I don't want a dog to jump in every mud puddle he sees, so I got a bulldog
I don't want to deal with long hair that needs continual grooming, so I got a bulldog.
I don't want a dog that chases cars, cats, bicycles etc., so I got a bulldog.
I don't want a dog that could counter surf, so I got a bulldog.
I don't want a dog that catches a scent and runs away from home, so I got a bulldog.

All I wanted is a dog that is gentle, cuddly, funny, sensitive, and to be my best friend.

I have bulldogs now that are 11, 10, 9, 3, and a pup. The only suffering I see is when I don't let them up on the living room furniture. (they are allowed on the recroom sofas I am not totally cruel.

I have owned and loved other breeds of dogs but my "doggie soul mate" is the bulldog and I will protect it as long as I have a breath in me.

If breeders are not paying attention to this then they should. Health and Temperment should be top priority.

Unfortunately the story won't portray or provide stats on who the breeders are of these purebred dogs (ie puppy mill, BYB vs reputable breeders). The story makes it sound like the only breeders of purebred dogs are the show breeders and that show breeders only breed for the look.

I don't think I can watch the show. I was to mad after the Today show interview.

I have a big time issue with anyone dictating to me whether or not I can in or line breed. And that might be next.

A good many of these horror story dogs are NOT inbred or even linebred and a few of my (and others) highly health tested dogs are.

In breeding in and of itself does not create the problems, bad breeding selection does.

e

If you listen to what the story is about, I believe that most, if not all, the breeders on this board and others would agree that what is being said in the video piece is horrific and something we try to fight against and warn the general public about everyday(i.e - breeding a female to death and in-breeding vs. line-breeding, health and temperament vs. look). Not having an AKC representation sitting there was a travesty.

This "Doctor" lumping us in with puppy-mills and backyard breeders and calling breeding "institutional cruelty" is ludicrous. I agree about testing as well as tightening AKC registration standards (let's face it, some of what he said was true)

Obviously having the AKC, parent clubs and local clubs is the way to go. We have to be able to unequivocally separate ourselves from the puppy-mills and backyard breeders that this piece is using to label us all!

Not meant to be abrupt or confrontational in anyway...just my opinion.
Daryn