Well done bBC, the KC should have been closed by the RSPCA years ago !

John, Coventry, W.Midlands

The BBC have a lot to answer for, majority of the people who 'Show' care about their breed and spend hundreds of pounds to screening their animals from hereditory defects. Its the puppy farms that should be exposed, they breed unhealthy dogs just to produce a 'product' to sell and make a profit.

Justine, Portadown,

We have all, from the deserts of Arabia to the plains of the USA bred plants and animals to give us what we wanted of them: greater speed, better seeds, more colourful flowers, cuddlier cats, better ratters, more prolific wool growers etc etc.
It has been going on since time began.
Use it or lose.

Carlyle Braden, Baltimore, Iraq

There is no excuse, for whatever purpose, to allow or cause a life of pain and suffering to any dog. I would be glad to see the KC and their breeders closed down, and hung drawn and quartered.

Anne, Billericay, UK

A totally biased programme. I am utterly appalled at the lack of balanced reporting. The presenter / programme makers were obvioulsy personally biased and didn't want to present the facts appropriately. They didn't look at the good work that the Kennel Club and Responsible Breeders do for dogs.

Lorna Hastings, Maidstone, Kent

Well done BBC. The KC have allot to answer for.
The working dog world has been complaining about the state of Uk dogs for years, wether this be gun dogs or protection breeds. For good quality dogs we often have to import from germany and eastern eurpoe where they breed for fitness and temperament!!

andrew, Bristol, UK

Finally someone is actually trying to do something about this - its basic genetics, inbreeding leads to abnormalities, that's why its illegal in humans. I think its bizarre the RSPCA hasn't tried to do anything about this before in the past - especially seeing how militant they can be at times.

Jeremy, London, UK

Whilst sensationalist the programme did address a problem that breeders skirt around.

We the public are also to blame for not researching more when buying dogs.

Having looked through forums since airing it is interesting to compare the vitriol from breeder heavy sites such as ourdogs on msn

daryl, london, uk

By any chance, could the BBC's consideration of abandoning Crufts be a well placed publicity ploy for their documentary? Seems to have worked.

You can tell any argument is based on sensationalism rather than evidence the moment someone likens one side to the Nazis.......

Barry T, Yorkshire,

Well all one had to do was look at these poor dogs. The could be seen in stress especially the Pekinese not normal at all.
The king charles which I have bought myself over the years was so sad to look at. The size of them has changed over the years. its all about breeding dogs smaller now

kathryn kelly, sligo, ireland

I too am a Jew and I was not offended by the comparison of some dog breeders with the worst of the Nazis. I remember Dr Mengele and his team. I hope the Queen will be reveiwing her association with the Kennel Club. And regretfully I forget the German antecedents of the Royal Family.

Desi, Eastleigh,

Frank Upton - Why should the BBC not make a documentary exposing cruelty to animals? They should be more broadminded enough to accept cruelty? Trees do not have nervous systems that can experience pain, dogs do, it was a puerile comparison.

william garrett, Harrow,

The BBC is NOT against selective breeding, only the vile and cruel cosmetic in-breeding that creates genetic diseases that are bad for the dog. The deliberate breeding of deformations that lead to suffering CANNOT be defended. Other breeding that results in stronger and healthier animals is welcome.

Ken Hall, Barrow-in-Furness, UK

I have always had pet boxers. Our current girl is 8 and has only ever visited the vets for her annual vaccinations.
Boxer breeders have been hip-scoring and heart testing for years. Most breeders care deeply about their breed and I would add I am not a breeder myself.

Gill, Hereford, uk

The programme did not compare dogs to the victims of Nazi atrocity. It compared the mind-set of the breeders to that of the Nazis. Given the breeders' flagrant disregard for the suffering they inflict, the comparison is apt.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

I have two mongrels, who are the most disobedient, misbehaved dogs in the world!!

Please, please, please don't ban inbreeding. I live in hope that one day I can have an unhealthy, brain-damaged, but very obedient dog instead.

Steve Klaus, Leeds, UK

As a Jew and a human, I find the comparison of dog breeders with Nazis disgusting - it trivializes one of the most deliberately evil and murderous political movements of all time. And though I love my dogs, and most dogs, I cannot abide the comparison, by implication, of dogs to the Nazis' victims

Pat Floss, Brookline, USA

The comparison with the Nazis is a cheap appeal to emotion using guilt by association. The Nazis ate and breathed air. Should we stop then?

If these claims about the deleterious effects of excessive inbreeding in the community are accurate, the argument in favor of changes should be strong enough.

Jerzy Pucinski, Stoke-on-Trent, UK

To breed my Huskies I must first have them both hip scored and eye tested, approx £400 and then send the results to the breeders I bought them from and if all is in order I may breed my dogs. The dogs are not at all closely related. Ironically a top Husky costs £650, and puppy farmed dog over a 1000

J Nowland, Leeds, United Kingdom

We used to take pride in our national dog - The British Bulldog - because it's character reflected us as a country. According to this report though, the breed is not what it was. I disagree - the report says that they are now literally 'on their knees' - a true representation of Britain today then!

Richard, London, UK

Boxer are definitely prone to epilepsy. I was recently badly bitten by a Boxer dog; when it was put down the vet told me that it had suffered from epilepsy and in fact had a brain tumour on post mortem. - And I do wish N. Americans would stop butting in in their opinionated way on purely UK stories

danderino, London, UK

There is much snobbery associated with dog breeds. I find that most cross-breeds have better health and temperament than so-called "pure breeds".
Crufts should be more open to fine examples of dogs, rather than insistence on pedigree.

Faizal Essat, London, uk

Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics at University College London, told the BBC: “People are carrying out breeding which would be first of all entirely illegal in humans

This one sentence destroys all credibility the article has.

Alan, Oxford, UK

i have always had boxers; they have the best temperament. unfortunately they do suffer from some health problems. one did suffer from epilepsy as he got older and one died prematurely of a heart attack. i would hate for people to stop breeding them, but the degree of inbreeding needs to be reduced.

rudy, london,

A TV programme lightlighted this years ago. I remember the dachshund being singled out as an example, where the dogs were having problems supporting their increasingly longer inter-bred bodies on their tiny legs, pugs unable to breathe due to flatter noses.....so was anything done? Obviously not.

Shirley Bowen, Blackpool, UK

This is like De Ja Vu, I predicted the BBC would make a TV docuslander about 'pedigree dogs' as I knew they would consider the idea 'Nazi' and would somehow use it as a way of highlighting the superiority of 'mixed' races. Which they promote with as much vigour as the Nazis did the 'Aryan' race.

Jon, Northumberland, UK

Well done BBC. The Victorians gave us most or our modern breeds and happily cross bred – all breeds were cross breeds - but once the KC came along blood lines were fixed, leaving a smaller gene pool. The KC should allow dogs that are 7/8 pure (1 g/g/parent out cross) to be registered pedigree.

clifford , Reading,

And just how do people think we get the horses, pigs, cows, chickens, cats,sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, salmon, goats, etc? in fact most animals (and plants) associated with or used by humans are selectively bred and have been for thousands of years! Another example of a BBC "bad science" panic!

nigel, London, england

I doubt the programme will cover breeds whose health status is being IMPROVED.
For just one example incidence of eye disease and other genetic problems in Border Collies some of which could be fatal have been drastically reduced, some being able to be eradicated completeley by DNA testing.

M. Hodgkinson, Derby, Derbyshire

Sure, responsible breeders care about dogs, but the demand for pure breeds also creates puppy mills. People watch Crufts, and think "Oh, how adorable - I want one!". My mum has a Pom from a rescue shelter, born at a puppy mill. He didn't touch people for 6 mos! Too much cruelty in dog breeding.

Kate, Troutville, United States

I suppose the BBC will now ban bonsai because it is cruel to trees. I think they have got a little above themselves. It is not the BBC's job to reform the world and they should be more broadminded.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Dogs were originally bred by Man from wolves to do jobs.
Now that almost all jobs for dogs are gone (e.g. Walthamstow Dog Racing Stadium closed this month), the only role left for dogs in the Global Human Economic Machine is as useless spoilt pets, so they are evolving to be useless sick ornaments.

Gerry, London,

The practice of in/breeding for aesthetic rather that for health is truly detrimental. vet bills are through the roof and dog owners with relatively healthy dogs (read: mongrels from rescue centres) have to fork out massive insurance premia. Try and call petplan for explanation of increasing costs.

dimitri, manchester, uk

I have two healthy pedigree dogs - of different breeds - they both have wonderful temperaments. I was thoroughly vetted by both breeders to make sure I was a suitable person to own one of their puppies.
I bet the BBC doesn't show breeders like that.

Ann S, Clapham, UK

I've always been suspicious of pedigree dogs. We've had 4 rescue mongrels so far and they've all been the most robust, intelligent and loving dogs. Our vet bills have always been low. Hybrid vigour will out.

Mark, Feltham, UK

you only have to see flat faced dogs struggling to breathe in hot weather to see how they suffer

peter c, devizes, Wessex

Sadly this isn't restricted to dogs alone in the pet world.

Reptiles are also inbred to produce 'designer' colours and markings to the detriment of their long term health. There is even a species of gecko bred solely to exploit an eye deformity as a desirable attribute!

This practise of inbreeding to produce ‘fashion items’ began in the US and new ‘morphs’ are supposedly discovered every year by reversing the process of natural selection.

Sue, Southampton,

I am so pleased to discover that the BBC are considering the abandonment of Cruff's.

We love King Charles dogs having owned three over the past 20 year's. but they have all suffereed from ill health notably Kidney problems.

Michael H Leigh, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

We have a Samoyed who's parents were siblings. Father was a champion twice, and breeders were trying to keep the line going.

Consequences - well cared for 6 year old dog appears to be 8, has lots of joint problems and we don't think she'll live to see 8. She is rather daft, but a lovely, gentle dog

Angus, Aberdeen, Scotland

I msut admit that my grate dane has addison diseases and cost us £35 a week for tablets.
I think that profit has crept in a bit much, and mabye it is time the industry looks at its self, but for the bbc to produce a one side program is probally worse, as people will take waht the bbc say as truth

MR W Jones, Liverpool, England

Lori, it is selectively breeding from very small populations that causes genetic defects to show up. Consider cousins marrying. Look at Royal Families.

No matter how much culling was done originally, no matter how high the starting quality, a couple of generations of in-breeding and problems begin

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

So one of the more interesting programes we actually get to see will be stopped due to some luvvies who probably have not got a clue & are doing this for sensation.
Wonder why Sir Alex doesnt talk to the BBC? Unsubstantiated claims made in programes for sensation.
Get a grip BBC.

Pete, St Albans, England

It is very unfair to compare dog breeding practices to the efforts of the Nazis. The Nazis had overall robust health as one of their top breeding priorities - if their genetic improvement program had continued they would never have accepted congenital diseases as a price for racial purity.

Thomas Goodey, Cuxton-upon-Medway, England

I don't know if Public is aware that all English Bulldogs cannot give birth wihout cesarean section. Animal welfare is a joke. And i find it so sad that all people care is tail docking

Filip, Northwich, uk

This is a case of political correctness gone barking mad. Showing dogs creates pride in 'best practice breeding'. In Asia, it is through the efforts of champion lines that the devastating effects of unregulated breeding (hip dysplasia etc.) have been reversed. The BBC should take a step back.

Emily, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

"Appearance breeders" care little about the welfare of the animals or the emotions of pet owners who purchase their products.

It is all about looks for them. If a smooshed in muzzle is good, a smashed in muzzle is better. If a narrow muzzle is good, a needle sharp muzzle is better.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

Dogs are suffering shorter and shorter life expectancies, even while there are dramatic medical and food advances.

Leila, breeds in the USA often have different genetic problems than the same breed in Europe.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

Old fashioned breeders culled very heavily to ensure health in their breeding lines. Now, the money paid for pups and animal protectionism has ensured that very few pups are ever culled. It is these animals that carry undesirable traits. In short, economics has ruined the sport of breeding.

Lori, Bundaberg, Australia

I am so glad that the BBC is taking a stand and rightly so too!!
I am a dog groomer and breeder and see the devastating effects of this "show" breeding all the time. Make line breeding or inbreeding illegal!! The suffering of those dogs is immense and they are also stupid dogs and cost vet money!!!

Bea B, Melbourne, Australia

This is absolutely ridiculous. Where are all these boxers with epilepsy? I have had boxers for years and associate with others that have boxers, not one has had epilepsy; but my mother did, does that mean she shouldn't have bred?

Leila, Orlando, USA