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  1. Signatures
    860 out of 2,000
    Petitioning
    1. American Kennel Club (Ronald H. Menaker)
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Feldstein
    Ypsilanti, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
Why This Is Important

Last year, the BBC aired Pedigree Dogs: Exposed, an hour long documentary on how breeding for dog show standards has created an unhealthy "parade of mutants." Recently, the documentary aired in the United States, exposing US audiences to the horrible price dogs pay to meet "breed standards."

Pedigree Dogs: Exposed looks at a number of breeds and the way breeding to meet conformation standards moves away from healthy animals once bred to do a job, and creates dogs barely healthy enough to live a full life. You can watch the full documentary included here and read more reactions (and leave your own) on the Animal Welfare blog at Pedigree Dogs: The Cruelty Behind Conformation.

The UK Kennel Club initially protested the documentary, claiming it was unfairly edited and inaccurate. Yet a few months later, they started making changes.So far, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is ignoring the documentary, pretending as if their breed standards don't cause the same crippling deformities in once-healthy breeds.

The AKC needs to get with the program. Send an email to the Chairman of the Board, demanding a review of breed standards, a greater emphasis on health over looks, and an independent investigation into purebred dog breeding. At the very least, they should be taking the same steps to improving the welfare of their dogs as the UK Kennel Club is.

 

 

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Update Breed Standards to Promote Healthy Dogs

Dear Chairman Menaker,

I recently watched the BBC documentary, "Pedigree Dogs: Exposed" and, although it was shot in the United Kingdom, the American Kennel Club breed standards encourage the same unhealthy, life-threatening characteristics. I am greatly concerned about the state of purebred dogs in the United States.

The UK Kennel Club initially protested the documentary, but in the end, they took the findings seriously. They've worked to update breed standards, and they will no longer register direct inbreeding (father/daughter, mother/son, or siblings). They launched the Fit for Life campaign to promote the philosophy that "every dog should be bred to be fit enough to enjoy its life to the full." They have also commissioned an independent investigation into pedigree dog breeding.

Part of the American Kennel Club's mission is to "protect the health and well-being of all dogs." Now is the time to stand behind that statement with an independent review of breeding practices in the U.S. and a revision of AKC standards that encourage unhealthy deformities. I urge you to follow the UK Kennel Club's example and take steps toward ensuring the welfare of purebred dogs in America.

[Your name]