Crufts show goes on without RSPCA

THE organisers of Crufts international dog show criticised the RSPCA yesterday and described sudden changes in standards forced upon dog breeders for this year’s show as “unfair”.

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) cut its links with the world famous Crufts dog show in September following controversy about breeding practices revealed in a BBC documentary.

The Kennel Club, who organise the show, came under fierce criticism from the animal charity, prompting them to introduce revised standards for a number of breeds entering this year’s show.

The changes, made in January, could mean dogs previously considered top of their breed may not stand a chance of winning this year.

Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, admitted it was unfair on breeders but said the Kennel Club has “not had much choice” in the matter.

Speaking on the opening day of the show, she said the club had “done a lot in a short space of time” and criticised the RSPCA for not recognising the changes made.

“We feel as if we have made a lot of changes but it’s not really been recognised that we have made these changes by them [the RSPCA],” Ms Kisko said.

“We have said to breeders we are expecting them to breed differently but we cannot expect them to do it overnight.”

Changes have been made to the breeding standards of a number of breeds this year, including the bulldog – now required to have less wrinkles and longer legs — and the Pekingese, which should have a longer nose.

Ms Kisko said the club began considering making changes to some breeds five or six years ago, but was forced to bring them into practice sooner than planned following the BBC documentary, which claimed Crufts allowed damaging breeding practices that caused deformities.

Following the broadcast last year, the RSPCA pulled out and the BBC dropped its long-standing coverage.

The four-day event, being held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC), is instead being broadcast live on the internet for the first time.

The withdrawal of Pedigree as a sponsor was not prompted by the BBC documentary but was a “commercial decision”, Ms Kisko said.

Thousands piled into the NEC yesterday for the first day of Crufts. The Kennel Club said pre-booked ticket sales were on par with last year, which saw more than 160,000 people attend.