Health issues in pedigree dogs

The health of pedigree dogs in this country has been much debated over recent months, following a controversial BBC documentary last year.  But what does it mean to the average pet owner?   

In a survey of over 1,000 pet owners commissioned by The Blue Cross last month, 74% said they were concerned about the issue of inherited health defects in some dog breeds but 38% felt powerless to do anything about it.  A further 33% of pet owners thought they could help reduce the problem if they knew more about it but 65% did not know where to find reliable information about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs.

As one of the UK’s leading animal charities, we feel that it’s important to give pet owners, and prospective pet owners access to reliable and independent advice about all aspects of responsible and happy pet ownership, including the specific concerns that arise in pedigree dogs.

Our stand at Crufts will focus on helping people make the right choices when looking for a dog [breeders and pedigree dogs – we’re talking about rescue dogs too], as well as clarifying some of the health problems that pedigree dogs can be prone to and how to avoid them now, and in future generations. Our experienced animal behaviour advisers and veterinary professionals will be on hand to provide guidance for pet owners on the health and welfare of pedigree dogs and to answer questions about how to find and keep a healthy pet. 

We hope that this kind of practical and reliable advice will help each of us to play a part in really influencing the issue of hereditary disease by making informed choices and supporting responsible breeding practices.

Kim Hamilton, our new CEO says: “While there is some very positive work going on at a high-level to tackle the problem of inherited diseases in dogs, we mustn’t forget the millions of pet owners in this country who also have a powerful voice.  The British public has voted with its feet on other animal welfare issues in the past and we believe that by making the right choices, every single pet owner can make a difference to the health of pedigree dogs.”

Read our  5 quick tips for those considering a pedigree pet on All About Pets - our online community for pet lovers - as well as over  70 pet care advice leaflets from The Blue Cross.

Why not join in the discussion, tell your story, and share your experiences with pedigree and rescue dogs with other pet lovers on the forums at all about pets