Following on from my blog the other day re Crufts and the RSPCA, The British Small Animals Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) have also issued a joint statement in relation to the Neapolitan Mastiffs and certain other breeds shown at this years Crufts.
The difference though is that they see the Kennel Clubs action whereby from next year all Best Of Breed winners from the high-profile breeds will be subject to veterinary inspection prior to competing in groups and before a champion title is confirmed, as a major step in the right direction. They are pleased that the matter will be very much in the hands of the veterinary profession to determine whether there are any clinical conditions present which may be causing suffering, and that dogs like this in the future will not make it into the ring and will no longer be seen as desirable or good examples of the breed.
It is recognised in these breeds that it may take generations / decades to breed out the undesirable traits, but with the right people behind the cause, these changes in the world of pedigree dogs will happen.
Follow