My opinion on PETA’s appeal to the USA Network

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has written a letter to the USA Network to request them to not televise the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show next month. I have read the letter, actually I have it right here in front of me as I write. And now I would like to address it.

This letter comes on the heels of BBC (British Broadcasting Company) pulling their airtime for Britain’s Cruft’s Dog Show. This is because the British Kennel Club (America’s equivalent to the AKC) refused “to exclude at least 12 breeds-including the Basset Hound, Mastiff, Rottweiler and German Shepard-classified “at risk” (by the kennel club itself) for dangerous, often painful physical conditions attributed to overbreeding, as well as the intentional breeding of these dogs purely for looks versus temperament and good health.” PETA goes on to write about how the BKC is reviewing and revising breed standards. They also mention about how the AKC does nothing to help the “purebreds” in their physical problems, mainly about docking tails and cropping ears. Since we raise Saint Bernards, we are not into docking and cropping. I do have just one question, though, for PETA advocates: DID YOU CIRCUMCISE YOUR SONS? I would think that not all PETA supporters are of faiths that don’t do this, but I may be wrong? I would also think that circumcision would be for physical and health reasons-kind of like docking tails. They can be, in some breeds, sensitive and prone to cracks, like from wagging their tails and hitting the corner of a wall (I know this has happened to my in-law’s dog), so it just may be warranted. Another thing, circumcision comes with what PETA writes, and I quote, “pain, blood loss and infection.”

The one thing that really gets me in this letter is this statement, word for word:

“Since dog breeders routinely use incestuous inbreeding and genetic manipulation to achieve a certain “desired” trait like a slanted back or concertina face, it’s not surprising that as many as one in four purebred dogs is plagued with a serious genetic problem.”

First of all, there is another, more PC term for “incestuous breeding”-it’s called linebreeding. And there is a perfectly good reason to do this. First, and foremost, in my opinion, you know your own lines and you should anyway. You know the good, the bad and the needs improved upon. Which brings me to the second point: Your goal with linebreeding is to improve upon what you have and to preserve the traits that you have already and want. How do I know what traits the dog needs to hold onto to? It’s in the breed standard. I’m absolutely certain that in German Shepard standard there is NO mention of a level topline. PETA does not understand that each and every breed has a standard that *most* respectable breeders adhere to when planning a breeding. Breeders would be fools to do outcross breedings each and every time because they would be possibly introducing a whole new host of problems in their breeding programs and breed consistency would diminish greatly. I would also like to know where PETA obtained their information about “one in four purebred dogs is plagued with a serious problem.”
Please, back your information up if you want people to believe you.

PETA goes on to write about how Beagles, such as Uno who won last year’s Best In Show, are prone to hypothyroidism, epilepsy and hip dysplasia. Wow, I mean, this is so NOT news to us as breeders. At least the breeders KNOW that these conditions can occur. And I’m sure that *most* respectable breeders are doing their damndest to get it, first, out of their own lines and, second, out of the breed. Does PETA expect this to happen overnight? It takes decades to do this. Sometimes it takes shutting a whole line down and starting over. I know of someone who did this who had epilepsy in their lines. And it’s sad and disheartening to see someone do this because of the work that goes into establishing a line—but it’s respectable and the right thing to do. So, thank you, we’re all doing our very best to breed healthy dogs. It’s not MY personal mission to produce Saints with hip problems or thyroid problems or any genetic problems for that matter.

I must say that to be a member of PETA, you must be a person with no hereditary conditions, because if you aren’t, you came from bad breeding. They must all be from those “elite pedigrees” those PETA people. Such HIGH, and unattainable, standards set there.

Conformation dog shows are to show off your breeding stock. In all honesty, it shouldn’t be about the dogs competing against each other. They are supposed to be competing against the standard for that particular breed. It’s the recognition that the dog is closest to their standard. I say closest because, in my opinion, no dog is perfect. And that includes my own. Believe me, I can tell you what I don’t like about my own dogs. I see them day in and day out and can pick up on things that other people don’t see.

PETA writes that the show dog’s “quality of life is unacceptable.” Those dogs that you see on TV want to be there, believe me. They have the charisma, the patience and stamina to be in the ring as much as they are. Plus, they have the financial backing to be well taken care of. These are not the dogs from the puppy mills, which I do not condone. These are the dogs from the top breeders in their breeds. They are the people who have kept the standards going for many, many generations. These dogs are well kept and well loved. If I actually had a dog who liked the show ring and if I had very deep pockets, my goal would someday be Westminster…..after all it’s invitation only for the top dogs. And it is a goal of mine, well ours. I just don’t know when.

In closing, I just want to say this to PETA: Why pick on the dogs? Why don’t you go bug the horse racing industry, too? I’m sure they are also breeding unethically. Both are sports, and they should be televised. People do enjoy watching it on TV. I’m not about to go stop you from harassing Lindsey Lohan because she wears fur, so you go have fun doing that….I’ll be watching Westminster…..and hopefully the sire to my litter of pups in the Working Group. Ta Ta…..

(And please note that this is an opinion. I really believe that everybody is entitled to an opinion about anything. I’m one of those people who tends not to judge. Really. Honestly. And if I do, I usually keep it to myself or raise an eyebrow. I work in healthcare, therefore I can’t say anything! But I felt the need to address this issue. And if you judge me, so be it. I don’t really care.)

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