British Veterinary Association: statement re Crufts

The British Veterinary Association today issued a statement expressing concern about some of the decisions made by judges at this year's Crufts - and says it is looking forward to hearing more from the Kennel Club about how it will address the issues.

The statement in full:

"We share the concerns expressed by members of the public regarding some of the decisions made by judges at this year's Crufts. Improving the health and welfare of dogs is a key priority for BVA and its members, and the current debate highlights the importance of responsible breeding to optimise the health and welfare of  our dog population.

"The remit of vets at Crufts is to assess the health of the dogs through hands on examinations, while decisions about conformation are the preserve of the judges. We look forward to hearing more  from the Kennel Club about how it will work with judges to address existing protocols and the guidelines referred to when making their decisions. 

"In their day to day work vets see first-hand the tragic consequences that can result from poor breeding, as owners are faced with serious and avoidable health problems in their new pets. Anybody thinking of getting a dog must make sure that they understand the potential breed-related health problems. If members of the public are keen to purchase a specific breed we would urge that they should only buy from responsible breeders who have carried out the appropriate health tests on the parenys before they are bred from. By collectively taking responsibility when buying a puppy, downloading the AWF/RSPCA puppy contract and using it to ask the right questions, owners can ensure they come home with a happy and healthy pet and help improve the health and welfare of our dog population."