Well done the BBC

[phykell]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7779686.stm

The BBC has confirmed it will not broadcast the dog show Crufts next year due to the inclusion of certain dog breeds where the animals suffer because owners breed them for looks rather than health.

Imagine that - a media organisation with principles, it can only be the BBC

[_dogma_]

I have to admit, I love watching Crufts when it's on, especially the working dog bit so I will miss that part but I do really think this is a good idea. Maybe it will make breeders think twice about harming the dogs for looks.

[LeperousDust]

But have you read about how messed up some of the so called "pedigree's" are?

//Edit: I meant to actually provide a link with that

[_dogma_]

Yup, I know and I think it's a horrible practice which is why I'd never get a pedigree (unless it was a rescue).
I mean I like watching the collies do their stuff and the agility bit. Not the actual parading round the ring.

[Goose]

Collies are the best.

[LeperousDust]

Originally Posted by _dogma_

Yup, I know and I think it's a horrible practice which is why I'd never get a pedigree (unless it was a rescue).
I mean I like watching the collies do their stuff and the agility bit. Not the actual parading round the ring.

Depends so much on the pedigree, you can't say no to all of them. We had a Japanese spitz pedigree, and it was an amazing picture of health for 14 years i think (its bad i've forgotten how old our poor chap was when he finally passed away). He NEVER made a visit to the vets at all. He was super healthy and we didn't need to do anything special at all, but tbh thats very rare with a breed of pedigree i understand. Japaneses spitz look a nightmare to look after too which is funny because they're probably one of the easiest ever!

[_dogma_]

Japenese Spitz look beautiful doggies and I would love a lot of, so called, pedigree type dogs BUT I would only get it as a rescue as I couldn't bear handing over silly money for a dog just because it's a pedigree especially as there's so many dogs in rescue centres that need a home.
I feel the same way about all animals too, the only reason I have a Persian kitty is because his old owners had to give him up and he was dumped in a rescue.

[LeperousDust]

Yeah thats an amazing way to look at things The only reason we had the Japanese Spitz is because my best friends mum bred them once and offered us one for something like £300 instead of i don't know over £1k? So yeah tbh we never would have got a pedigree ourselves it just kinda happened. Now hes gone i don't think mum will be getting another dog, unless its rescue centre...

[AboveTheSalt]

A presenter on BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme found out from a newspaper reporter that he had been sacked, it emerged today. Ed Stourton said he was rung up by a journalist on Thursday and asked whether he was being fired. A subsequent call to his editor confirmed the news.

The BBC eventually announced yesterday that the presenter was being replaced by Justin Webb, the corporation’s North America editor, next October. Stourton was ‘leaving to concentrate on other BBC projects’, the broadcaster said.

But the 51-year-old, who has presented Today since January 1999, told The Guardian: ‘It was a complete surprise to me. - Link

Not quite so impressive by the BBC

[semi-pro waster]

Originally Posted by AboveTheSalt

Not quite so impressive by the BBC

Indeed, that is a shockingly poor way for someone to find out about losing their job.

However I am glad the BBC won't be showing Crufts, some of the health problems created for the dogs in this search for 'perfection' are appalling.