Crufts...is it cruel?

[NorthernRunner]

Just flicking through the channels, (isn’t tv 👎🏻👎🏻) anyway crufts is on. I always struggle with this, I don’t particularly find it entertaining so don’t watch but I always seem to question if it’s cruel or not. Didn’t a dog die last year?
It would be interesting to hear others thoughts x

[ShortandSweet96]

I could be totally wrong here as I dont watch it either but I heard the dog only died because someone from peta ran in and poisoned it to make a statement.

I could be totally wrong but I'm sure I read it in the news at some point.

[FurrySlipperBoots]

I don't think Crufts itself is particularly cruel. What I do think is unacceptable in 2019 is allowing dogs to be 'shown' that have been bred to the point of being disabled from birth.

[sleepalldays]

@ShortandSweet96 😱 someone from PETA (of all places!) poisoned a dog?? What??

[SmallFastPenguin]

I don't think the show itself is cruel. Dogs are very adaptable and like being around humans and other dogs if socialised as most show dogs are. I do have some concerns about breeding standards and the way some show dogs are overbred to extreme body types that may not be healthy. However I believe this is slowly improving after some publicity.

[ShortandSweet96]

@sleepalldays I could have the total wrong end of the stick but I am certain that's what I read. I'm going to find hard evidence now!

[Wolfiefan]

I’m lying in a hotel room with my dog next to me and we are off to Crufts tomorrow. I have her comfy bed with us, lots of treats and she will spend most of the day snuggled up on my lap! So far so not cruel!
But does every dog at Crufts have the best start, is bred for the best of health, is beloved and part of the family? I doubt they all are.
And the health issues of some breeds are heartbreaking. KC does very little.

[00100001]

I could be totally wrong here as I dont have any idea about anything but I heard the dog only died because "ShortandSweet96* ran in and poisoned it to make a statement.
I could be totally wrong but I'm sure I read it in the news at some point.

[00100001]

I could be totally wrong here as I dont have any idea about anything but I heard the dog only died because ShortandSweet96 ran in and poisoned it to make a statement.
I could be totally wrong but I'm sure I read it in the news at some point.

[Bookworm4]

I work in rescue and don't agree with it all, pure vanity and dogs used as commodities.
PETA is not an organisation to support; in the States they are one of the highest kill rate shelters; they euthanise every bull breed dog that enters, they also fund the euthanasia of stray/ feral cat colonies, seriously skewed outlook.

[00100001]

sleepalldays PETA are a weird organisation. Claim to be for animals, yet do fucking horrifically awful things to them

[ShortandSweet96]

@sleepalldays I've cross worked two stories. Peta ran in, in protest. And seperately there was an ongoing case about a dog being poisoned at crufts, nothing to do with peta.

@00100001 - I would usually enjoy sarcasm but you tried way too hard.

[Villanellesproudmum]

I’ve only been once years ago and lots of dogs in crates with owners suspiciously eyeing up other competitors and people walking past, it was a bit frosty!

When not in the crates they were being brushed and cleaned and trimmed within an inch of their lives.

The stalls were good, can buy and good prices. And unusual items.

Couldn’t take your own dog as a visitor. Not sure if that’s changed.

[Onceuponacheesecake]

It promotes breeding to their "show standard" which is unhealthy for so many breeds (German shepherd for example) I don't mind the sportier side of it although it seems a bit stuffy and formal, nothing like the atmosphere of a local dog show. I've been and there's just many dogs standing around bored. I think crufts should retire tbh

[babysharkah]

I don't think the agility is cruel - I think cross breeding to the point of ill is totally fucking cruel.

I was really really pleased to see the boxer win and he had a tail. That's a step forward.

[Mishappening]

Hate to see dogs bred into a state of ill health and disability just to satisfy human vanity. Crossbreeds are healthier, and Crufts simply encourages these unacceptable breeding practices.

And it makes me want to vomit to see the owners and judges grabbing their (the dogs'!!) crappy rear-ends to make them stand up straight - yuk.

[MondeoFan]

I was happy to see the boxer win too, apparently first time a boxer has ever won any category in crufts.
I do like watching it to see the varieties of breeds that are available, some I've never even heard of. The various different types of mountain dogs are so beautiful.
Love the agility part too

[FurrySlipperBoots]

A boxer is a brachycephalic breed - not something to be celebrated.

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

I don’t feel Crufts, in and of itself, is cruel, but, breed standards? Yes, many are. It’s difficult to get the image of those GSDs out of,your head when you think of Crufts tbh.

[NorthernRunner]

Hey everyone thanks for posting.

Yes having done a bit of research myself I am appalled at the breeding that goes on to get the perfect dog.

Good luck wolfiefan

[justforareply]

There are rescue dogs at crufts,rehoming organisations, blind dogs (dogs who are blind - but obviously guide dogs also there) and not all pure breeds. There are plenty of crosses in agility, therapy dog stalls and so on

[Tookal]

Breed standards are slowly being adapted to promote health. Im heavily involved in a breed specific rescue, and actually if our dogs fitted the breed standard then their muzzles and breathing problems would be much better. Backyard breeding without a care for the breed standard means the dog we see have far more problems than they should.
Joe bloggs who buys a pug off facebook and breeds it is far more a risk than someone following the breed standard

We need to make sure breed standards promote health eg not slopping backs, or stunted faces. This will mean show breeders are breeding for healthier changes and could promote really good change.

[Tookal]

Sorry by that i mean that if we make healthy shapes and features the goal that everyone is striving for and breeding for then crufts could be an awesome tool

I believe the tide is beginning to turn that way

[Tookal]

The gsd breed standard has been changed to stop sloping backs i believe now which should see it being deliberately beeing bred out which is a good example of why the right breed standards could be a real driving force

[Tookal]

This is now the standard. Any slopping ia heavily penalised

[NorthernRunner]

Tookal thank you for your posts, I’m very ignorant to this so it’s been interesting for me to read through!