We love to fuss over our dogs: pampering them, feeding them the finest foods and leaving them our inheritance. But now it seems the British pursuit of canine perfection is being seen, at best, as misguided love and, at worst, verging on the downright cruel.
Researchers at Imperial College, London, claim the extent of inbreeding involved in producing pedigree dogs puts them at considerable risk of birth defects and genetically inherited health problems.
Although the genetic diseases of pedigree dogs are well known, the researchers - in a programme to be broadcast on the BBC tonight - suggest many soon develop debilitating pain.
The RSPCA's chief vet, Mark Evans - who was interviewed for the programme - said:
The welfare and quality of life of many pedigree dogs is seriously compromised by established breeding practices for appearance, driven primarily by the rules and requirements of competitive dog showing and pedigree dog registration
The programme's executive producer, Eamon Hardy, said the BBC was reviewing its commitment to Crufts, the world's biggest dog show.
