A pedigree dog skull that has been selected to be shortened from front to back

In August 2008, a BBC One documentary - Pedigree Dogs Exposed - investigated some of the serious health and welfare issues experienced by many pedigree dogs as a result of the way they are bred.

 

The documentary sparked a huge and long overdue public debate that has already led to some positive change within the pedigree dog world. 


Three major reports on dog breeding

Three major reports were published on dog breeding in the UK in the 18 months following Pedigree Dogs Exposed. The first was an independent scientific report commissioned by the RSPCA.


This was followed by a report by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare  and a report by Sir Professor Patrick Bateson (PDF 2.42MB).
 

All three reports concluded that the welfare issues associated with pedigree dog breeding are very serious, and that urgent action is now needed to safeguard the welfare of pedigree dogs.


Each report also included a series of recommendations for possible ways forward – these have informed the RSPCA’s activities on this significant animal welfare issue. 

 

Find out more

 

1. Read the independent scientific report we commissioned on pedigree dog breeding in the UK, which describes the serious welfare issues associated with pedigree dog breeding and recommendations for action.

 

2. Find out more about our position on the welfare of pedigree dogs, and the actions we have taken since the BBC documentary.

 

3. Read our FAQs on this issue: