Pedigree Dogs Exposed: Three Years On – What’s Changed?

In 2008, the canine world was profoundly shaken by the BBC's documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which uncovered critical issues within The Kennel Club's breed standards and breeding practices. The investigative film revealed how certain breed standards encouraged unsafe, unhealthy, and unethical breeding, including:

• Breed standards promoting harmful traits
• Departures from natural breed norms
• Canine eugenics
• Inbreeding leading to inherited health problems
• Unhealthy dogs winning prestigious shows

The documentary led to intense scrutiny and public criticism of The Kennel Club. Initially, the organisation denied involvement in unethical practices but eventually reviewed many breed standards and policies. Four years later, the BBC aired a follow-up, Pedigree Dogs Exposed: Three Years On, to assess progress.

What Changes Has The Kennel Club Made?

The 2012 follow-up investigated whether The Kennel Club's reforms were sufficient or effective:

1. Tackling Inbreeding

The Kennel Club acknowledged it could refuse registration of dogs from very close inbreeding but continued to register inbred dogs overall. The club contested claims that inbreeding outright causes poor health but recognised inherited problems remain concerning.

2. Ending Culling of Healthy Puppies

A new code of ethics was introduced explicitly forbidding the culling of healthy puppies that do not meet breed standards, promoting better welfare ethics among breeders.

3. Revising Breed Standards to Prevent Harmful Exaggerations

The Kennel Club committed to removing breed standard wording that encourages features potentially harmful to dogs’ ability to breathe, walk, or see freely. Efforts were made to prevent harmful exaggerations — such as overly short muzzles or excess skin that can cause health and welfare issues.

4. Show Judging and Training

Judge training was enhanced to penalise exaggerated features contradicting natural breed health. However, many in the breeding world resisted these changes, creating controversy as dogs once considered breed standard became undesirable for competition.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite these reforms, Pedigree Dogs Exposed: Three Years On concluded that the types of dogs winning shows showed little practical change, indicating persistent welfare concerns. The documentary highlighted a conflict of interest within The Kennel Club between supporting breeders and prioritising canine health.

What Does This Mean for Prospective Pedigree Dog Owners?

Awareness of genetic health predispositions and the welfare impact of some breeding practices is crucial. Responsible ownership involves:

• Researching breed-specific health risks and genetic issues
• Visiting multiple reputable breeders to ask detailed questions on breeding and health programmes
• Ensuring the breeder prioritises welfare and produces happy, healthy puppies

Not all breeders or breeds have the same level of health concerns, so informed decisions can help avoid supporting unethical breeding. Prospective owners can also consider adopting from responsible rescue organisations.

Choosing a pedigree dog responsibly helps promote welfare advances and discourages extremes that compromise health. The ongoing dialogue sparked by these documentaries continues to influence breeders, judges, and dog lovers dedicated to improvement.

For those interested in finding a puppy from reputable breeders, it is always advisable to consult official Kennel Club resources and verified breeder listings to ensure ethical practices.