The Associated Press

Wed, Sep 17, 2008 (9:42 a.m.)

A BBC documentary claiming that decades of inbreeding has led to serious health problems in some pedigree dogs prompted a riposte Wednesday from the organizer of Britain's biggest dog show, which complained to television regulators.

The program "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" claimed a breeding process that focused on beauty rather than health had resulted in high levels of deformity and genetic illnesses. The show prompted two major animal charities to withdraw their support for the Crufts dog show.

The Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, insisted animal welfare was its top concern, and said it might cut ties with the BBC over what it called the network's unfair reporting.

Kennel Club spokeswoman Caroline Kisko said the program "was highly biased against us."

"The program did not give The Kennel Club's work anything like the profile it gave to the counter view," she said. "It maintained that pedigree dogs are riddled with ill health, which is clearly untrue."

The BBC show, broadcast last month, said animals with severe health defects had been allowed to compete in shows and in some cases had won best-in-breed titles.

Among the dogs featured in the documentary were boxers with epilepsy, pugs with breathing problems and bulldogs unable to mate or give birth unassisted.

After the show was broadcast, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dogs Trust withdrew their support for Crufts, which was founded in 1891 and draws dogs and spectators from around the world.

The RSPCA said it would not have its customary booth at next year's show, scheduled for March, and called for new measures to tackle "unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and disease" among pedigree dogs.

The Dogs Trust called on Crufts organizers to review breeding standards "to ensure they are firmly focused on the health and well-being of the dog, not the supposed aesthetics of the breed."

The Kennel Club, which regulates breed standards, said it had complained to television regulator Ofcom about the BBC program. It said it was reviewing its contract with the broadcaster, which has televised Crufts for more than 40 years.

"Our complaint to Ofcom puts a question mark over our position with the BBC," Kisko said. "It is disappointing to see such a long-lasting relationship brought into question, but we need to ensure that our long term investment in dog health is recognized."

In turn, the BBC said it was "seeking reassurance" that animal welfare was a primary concern at Crufts. It said it was appointing a panel "to advise the BBC on what measures The Kennel Club should be expected to take now and commit to in the future."