Westminster Best In Show Or Bad Breeding?
I received an email from a member sharing the news with me that PETA is encouraging the USA Network not to air the Westminster Dog Show .
The reasoning, the breeds that are bred for show endure inhumane treatment, bad breeding, and health issues.
The BBC has already decided to pull their version of the Westminster, Crufts Dog Show, from the air. The BBC pulled Crufts after an expose was aired, “Pedigree Dogs Exposed,” raising concerns over the health of dogs bred for the show ring.
In a letter to USA’s president Bonnie Hammer, PETA founder and president Ingrid Newkirk writes, “Since dog breeders routinely use incestuous inbreeding and genetic manipulation…it’s not surprising that as many as one in four purebred dogs is plagued with a serious genetic problem.”
Beagles like last year’s Westminster winner, Uno, are susceptible to a wide variety of genetic health problems like hypothyroidism, epilepsy and demodectic mange, according to PETA.
“Countless dogs suffer painful cosmetic surgeries and millions of wonderful dogs die in animal shelters because of the AKC’s inhumane policies…USA Network can take a stand against the cruel treatment of animals simply by denying air time to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show,” said PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch.
If you would like to express your opinion to the USA Network, letting them know how you feel, go to their feedback page.
Do you think the Westminster Dog Show is good television viewing, that PETA’s questions about health and safety are unfounded? Or, do you think there is something to what they say and it should be pulled?
* Uno picture courtesy Timothy A. Clary / AFP – Getty Images
Seeing as the hypocrites at peta would like to see no animals as pets, supports BSL, and, oh, kills dogs and cats* and throws them in dumpsters or freezers, I don’t think they should have anything to say about Westminster.
*In 2008, they had a 97% kill rate.
Down with PETA! for sure! That being said, I would like the AKC to take the same steps that the kennel club in the UK took.
But lets please not give PETA any credibility. the reason PETA spoke out against Westminster is because of the platform they hijacked from the documentary “Pedigree Dogs Exposed.”
Stupid PETA. Some dog-show breeders are bad, yes, but not all. Some use too much inbreeding and don’t do all of the necessary health-testing. But then, some do.
Westminster is a great show and to watch it is part of my education as a future breeder.
Although, not all of the judges are fair/good judges and not all of them pick the dog that truly fits the standard best.
I mean, “But then, some don’t”.
Why on earth is anyone even listening to PeTA? I know, they’re self-professed “media sluts” and the press seems to adore slutty stories.
This is just another ploy in their AR fanatic campaign to discredit purebred dogs. If they can turn public opinion against purebreds, then the only things available will be mixed breeds of unknown heritage, and a lot of people who would have preferred a particular type and temperament of dog will opt out of dogs altogether. Of course, that furthers PeTA’s openly-expressed agenda to eliminate dogs as pets (as well as cats, birds, fish, hamsters, etc.).
Ingrid Newkirk is a nut case and should never be taken seriously. Case after case of animal cruelty have been reported by against Peta. They would rather see animals dead then as pets. They have no respect for animal life. Peta should be considered a terrorist organization and shut down by the government. Any station that folds to pressure from PETA will lose my viewing time.
I also would like to see the AKC implement some of the same rules for breeders that Britain has.
Normally, I hate PeTA and the bull they pull; honestly, considering what they do to animals themselves, I think they have NO right to talk about this. However, I do have to agree with them about a lot of poor breeding with this kennel club, so I wouldn’t be at all against it getting taken down, but at the same time, there’s so much worse crimes against dogs (even ones that PeTA is pushing for…like breed specific laws and mandatory desexing), I’d rather see those get taken care of first.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed was the best thing that happened here for Dogs. The KC are finally moving and changing breed standards of the Bulldog. Many charities have pulled out from supporting Crufts and hopefully things will only get better for our beloved dogs.
Maybe the US should do a Pedigree Dogs Exposed, you’d be shocked at what’s happening behind the scenes.
Oh, No, the pedigree dog is in the firing line again. I do not live in the USA and don’t know who/what PETA is.
While PETA may want to have the pedigree dog industry closed down because of some bad breeders and breed standards that are outdated and need revising the question must be asked – “If PETA is so concerned about the breeding of dogs and hereditary defects being passed on, what are they doing about the backyard breeders where the majority of hereditary defects are being bred on?”
If this organization is just a bunch of fanatics who possess no common sense or intelligence in what they stand for, why even give them the satisfaction of mentioning them? The dog world doesn’t need people like them.
If PETA was of ANY earthly use they would be attacking Pet Stores and Puppy Mills!!!
(and – if the AKC was serious about breeding Quality- THEY would not register anything from a Pet Store!!!)
What any of this has to do with an old, established Dog Show- I don’t know!!!
Leave Westminster alone!!
I agree leave Westminster alone. Unfortunately in this world of ours there is Good, Bad and Ugly and the the bad is what always gets the press. What’s extremely sad is people believe because of a few bad apples all breeders are rotten and that is so not true. Its the same analogy with the Pit Bull, because of the bad they are all labeled that way and the majority of them aren’t. This infuriates so many people on Dogster so why is it that PETA doesn’t make more people mad? In my opinion they are fanatical idiots gone way to far off the track. AKC is far from perfect and could use some tweaking but for PETA to be heading the lynch mob, well thats just plain scary. If PETA had their way we wouldn’t have pets at all.
I’ll take PETA seriously when they stop throwing paint on fashion designers and socialites and start taking on bikers for wearing leather. You notice that they pick on those who can’t or won’t pick back.
Like it or not… PETA does have value in what they do! Please educate yourself on the fur industry. That said… the AKC could be putting more agents in the field to investigate puppy mills, and less money on its glossy shiny magazine! Yes, show dogs are beautiful and I personally respect the show itself, but it is time for more responsibility from the AKC.
i luv this stuff
I am totally AGAINST PETA! They will take one small thing that one person did and turn it against a whole company or organazation. They are poorly organized and they go way too far all of the time. They hurt WAY more than they help. If anything needs to go down…it’s PETA.
First of all why would anyone listen to PETA except to maybe ask about paint samples. They (PETA) forgot to mention that the breed organizations such as ASCA and the AKC require and/ or encourage DNA testing as well as ceritfication (eyes, hips etc.. ) to lessen the possibility that the disease traits are passed on to a liter. Sure there are bad apples, just like in any other process. For example, look at what PETA does in the name of animal welfare..
How terrible to think the animals paraded for our entertainment might not have the charmed life we thought they did. I LOVED watching dog shows but next time I’ll be wondering if the dogs are abused.
If it’s any comfort, I happen to know first hand that Uno will be living a great life with other happy beagles when his reign and publicity tour is over.
Stop worrying, Green, No dog that rises to the level of the WDS has come from an abusive background. Breeders of purebred dogs are after minimizing genetic defects while enhancing the desirable qualities that distinguish their breed. “Bad apples” there are for sure, but they can’t compete at the level of the WDS. PETA, on the other hand, is an ignorant, fanatical and often violent group whose main objective is getting its picture in the paper. Shows like the WDS raise appreciation of dogs, educate about responsible dog ownership, and are immensely instructive and entertaining for dog lovers.
PETA is such loosers. They only believe in getting rises out of people anymore. They lost their way a long, long time ago. They’re so far out there anymore who listens to them anyway?
Again, why isn’t PETA going after Puppy Mills and Pet Stores that sell mill puppies????
I think there are a lot more things for Peta to address before it goes after Westminster. It
happens to be the only sports show on tv that
I watch. I know that there are many bad breeders and kennels out there and if we had decent animal abuse laws in this country they wouldn’t exist.
Peta – get the hunting shows and all the horse races off the air first!
And do something to get the
laws changed in this country so that animal abusers spend some time in jail!!!!!
After you have accomplished ALL that, then you can attack Westminster.
Leave Pet stores out of this discussion. Like everything else there are allot of great ones out there and a few bad. Quit lumping them all together, like you’re lumping all the dog breeders that show. Peta are nut jobs who have no right to infringe on animals that are loved and cared for. If an owner chooses to parade them around a ring and show off their beauty, so what? Have you seen dogs abandoned, starved or full of fleas, ticks and worms who are shown? I seriously doubt it!
The Dogs that are entered into Westminster are the Best of the Best and are Champions. I would be hard pressed to find one of those Champions who do not come from wonderful breeders. Those breeders do the health test and breed for the better of the breed. They are educated and many assist with their breed rescue organizations.
Now as for PETA, they always try to find a lightening rod. If they could just go about their cause with a professional and mature attitude they would have breeders working with them. The good breeders HATE the Hobby Breeder “just want the kids to have the experience of puppies”, the Backyard Breeder, they breed their dogs back to back with no health tests or care and then you have the PuppyMills.
Good breeders HATE these people and the dogs that come from these situations have health issues and temperment problems.
pony Linda, many of us–myself included–believe that a good pet store never sells dogs at all. Mostly because reputable breeders don’t sell to pet stores because they want to make sure themselves that the dog they bred gets a good home.
Pony Linda, there is not one, not a single one good pet store out there. If they are selling dogs they are no good. If they are allowing a rescue to adopt out dogs there like PetCo and a few other stores do that is different. If they are selling dogs from breeders in their stores they should be shut down.
I have to agree with the pet store analogy, a good breeder will not sell to a pet store and most backyard breeders want more for their dogs, thats why they breed SO for the most part so that leaves Puppymills as on option. We have a couple of pet stores in this area and the owners are always at the airport picking up puppies. I do however believe that this is a free Country and you have the right to start whatever business you want as long as its legal and thats why they need to make puppymills illegal. Thats what PETA should be spending their time and money on not digging the bottom of the scum barrel for unethical breeders that give others a bad name. I have friends that breed Bulldogs, trust me if I die tomorrow I want to come back as one of their dogs.
I am not a member of PETA and agree that they have no right to talk about this while they kill dogs behind closed doors.
However, I believe that dog shows, breed fads, and the prestige that comes with owning a purebred dog does take away a lot of homes from dogs in shelters. I’ve owned purebreds and love them dearly, but I hate to think that the dogs in shelters are dieing due to our preferences in type and proper papers. While I thought very highly of my purebred dogs, they were no different and no more special than any of the dogs sitting at the shelter at this very moment.
I hear talk about how problems like puppy mills, pet stores, pet overpopulation, and shelter deaths should be dealt with before we start concerning ourselves with kennel clubs and dog shows. However, I think that these things are all connected. By sensationalizing the owning of a purebred dog compared to a shelter mutt, dog shows and kennel clubs directly affect the number and type of dogs bought, sold, cast-off and eventually gotten rid of.
Concerned rescuer;
I can respect your opinion, but I believe in the power of the good breeder.
Good breeders breed to better the breed, and while not all of them have their dogs compete in conformation shows, they do encourage shelter adoption. They truly to to help people find the best dog for them
I can say this as a future breeder myself.
I have to admit I was disappointed to see mascara being put on the dogs eyelashes. (Reminded me of all the poor animals in labs having cosmetics tested on their eyes)
It was sad to listen to the owners scold their dogs, pulling at their hair while they used blow dryers and hot curling irons. The whining of the dogs told me they were not very happy.
The dogs were all beautiful, though tsome of the owners were not.
Peta trys, and I do not belong to Peta. They have helped thousands of animals have better lives.
It doesn’t matter if its Peta or Westminister that hurts animals, hurting, killing, abusing, neglecting animals can NEVER be justified.
Let’s make a better life for all earthlings…..
Wanda where do you get your info about peta saving dogs? Do more reserch. Peta kills more dogs than anyone. There main goal is to do away with ALL dogs. They do not believe that animals should be kept as pets at all. As far as breeders go. Everyone that I know that is a AKC responsible breeder does vet checks on both the male and female before breeding is even done. DNA testing is also done. It’s the backyard person that is out there trying to make a buck that is the problem. Also the people that are doing cross breeding of the breeds are doubling up on many hereditary problems between the different breeds. They think that just because they are doing this they are making a better dog.