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In 2008 BBC aired
“Purebred Dogs Exposed”, a program that had a dramatic impact on the
purebred dog world in the UK. Recently, the show aired in the US on
BBC America and was promoted on the Today Show. There is great
concern among breeders and those of us who work closely with
breeders that the American public might have a negative view of
purebred dogs as a result of the documentary, as was clearly the
case in the UK.
Because a faculty
member of my school was interviewed both for the original
documentary and for the Today Show promotion, I received a lot of
feedback from breeders. After a discussion with Patty Kanan and
Carol Williams, I agreed to write this commentary for the Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel Club as I am concerned about the potential
impact of this documentary for several reasons.
The documentary focused
on a few breeds, among them the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It
highlighted syringohydromyelia, a disease that presents with
visually dramatic images. Not once was it mentioned that Cavalier
breeders in the UK and the US for years have supported research
efforts to eliminate this disease and other inherited problems in
the breed; studies are ongoing to determine modes of inheritance and
develop of genetic tests.
That same negative
focus was applied to other breeds’ problems highlighted in the
“expose”: epilepsy in boxers, breathing problems in bulldogs, pugs,
and Pekingese, structural problems in German shepherds, and
dermatitis in Westies. There was no mention of the efforts by breed
clubs and the Kennel Club (UK) to support studies of these health
problems in order to find ways to eliminate them.
Such negative emphasis
and repeated mention of the term “inbreeding” implied that purebred
dogs are all closely bred. Implied, but not said, was the notion
that mixed breed dogs are healthier. Already the public is
enthralled by claims made by promoters of mixed breeds –
Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, and many other crosses of poodles and
toy breeds as well as small hounds – all with the claim of cuteness
and no human allergic reactions. However, high-quality scientific
studies of mixed breed dogs in comparison to purebred dogs are
sorely lacking.
In contrast, there are
many studies of specific breeds. Breeders of purebred dogs,
individually, through their breed clubs, and through the Canine
Health Foundation, have for decades supported research at veterinary
and other institutions to ensure knowledge about canine diseases,
treatment, and above all, prevention. These efforts not only benefit
individual breeds, but frequently other breeds, mixed breed dogs,
and in some cases, humans.
Unlike human health
studies, where the National Institutes of Health has an annual
budget in the billions, there is no public funding for such studies,
so improvements in canine health rely on dog-lovers to fund them.
In theory, organizations that support animal advocacy, like PETA,
HSUS, and the ASPCA could also be a source of funding—they certainly
have extraordinary levels of funds—but these organizations have
other priorities. None supports studies to understand and improve
animal health. The biggest organization that supports canine
research outside the purebred dog community is the Morris Animal
Foundation—and its funding is spread among many species of animals,
not just dogs.
It is really in the dog
breeders’ hands to react appropriately to mitigate the negative
potential impact if the general public takes “Purebred Dogs Exposed”
to heart with the same unquestioning emotional intensity that they
did in the UK. Certainly I would expect that veterinary
institutions would wholeheartedly support a rational and organized
response—I certainly would. I note that the AKC, through the
convening of the Canine Health Advisory Panel, whose members are
highly qualified and highly independent, is working to develop
clear, measurable improvements in canine health.
When the Today show
promotional piece aired, we received a number of contacts from
breeders and others, many negative and some very positive. At the
University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, we value
and encourage academic freedom for all our professors to express
their opinions, as they have come by them through years of rigorous
training and research. As such, Dr. Serpell is entitled to express
his opinions.
Our goal at PennVet is
to promote animal health and we consider the AKC an important
partner in advancing understanding of genetics and disease. In fact,
our faculty works hand-in-hand with the AKC and I serve on the AKC's
independent canine health advisory board. We recognize, too, that
responsible breeders who aim to better the health and lineage of
purebred dogs out-number irresponsible breeding practices and we aim
to educate and support those who do act responsibly and ethically.
I believe this may be a
moment for breed clubs to use their place in US society to teach the
public about canine health problems, what they are doing to
identify, treat and prevent them, when they DO have the microphone
such as at the Invitational and Westminster dog shows. The AKC and
breed clubs have an honored and important role—fostering healthy
breeding practices, supporting canine health research, supporting
training to make dogs better citizens—and of course their owners,
too. Seize this high ground and raise it even higher—with the happy
collaboration of individual scientists interested in dogs,
veterinary schools, and foundations like the Canine Health
Foundation and the Morris Animal Foundation.
The CHIC seems to be an
excellent start. Here breeders and future owners can obtain
information about the health test outcome of breeding animals. Be
prepared, adopt real measures to monitor health problems and promote
rational measures that prevent them, supported by science. By
writing this opinion piece I hope I am showing that academic
veterinarians are very likely to be strongly supportive and to help
you get your message out.
Joan C. Hendricks, V.M.D., Ph.D.
The Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine School of Veterinary
Medicine University of Pennsylvania
110 Rosenthal Building
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6044 |
