Reform Crufts Standards: Best in Show Must Represent the Highest Animal Welfare and Ethical Breeding Practices

Crufts is widely promoted aa the world’s most prestigious dog show and a celebration of the best examples of pedigree dogs. As such, its winners should represent the highest possible standards of canine welfare, ethical breeding, and responsible stewardship of their breeds.
However, growing public concern has emerged regarding situations where individuals with past animal welfare convictions or dogs displaying exaggerated breed characteristics are awarded the highest honours.
This risks undermining public trust in pedigree breeding and damages the reputation of responsible breeders who prioritise health, longevity, and welfare above aesthetics.
Crufts should lead the world in progressive, welfare-focused breeding standards, not simply reward conformation to historical appearance standards.
We, the public,  Call For the Following Reforms
1. Ethical Eligibility Requirements
Handlers, breeders, or owners of dogs competing for Best in Show should:
*Have no previous convictions relating to animal cruelty or welfare violations
*Demonstrate a documented history of responsible breeding and animal care
2. Mandatory Health Transparency
Dogs reaching the highest levels of competition should meet enhanced welfare requirements, including:
Verified health testing appropriate for the breed
Disclosure of key genetic health screening results
Reasonable limits on inbreeding coefficients 
3. Breed Function and Health Representation
Best in Show winners should represent healthy, functional examples of their breed, avoiding exaggerated physical traits, such as cherry eye, flat face, visible deformaties,  known to contribute to health issues.
Crufts should reward dogs that demonstrate:
*sound movement
*functional structure
*long-term breed sustainability

4. Protecting the Reputation of Responsible Breeders
The vast majority of ethical breeders invest immense time, resources, and care into maintaining healthy bloodlines and protecting the future of their breeds.
Crufts should represent these breeders and their values, ensuring that its most prestigious awards reflect the highest ethical & welfare standards.

Why This Matters
Dog shows influence breeding trends worldwide. When the highest awards celebrate dogs bred for good health, function, and genetic responsibility, the entire breeding community benefits.
But when they reward obviously exaggerated traits  or overlook welfare concerns, the consequences ripple through future generations of dogs.

Crufts has the opportunity to lead the global dog world toward a future where health, welfare, and responsible breeding practices are the true hallmarks of excellence.
Sign This Petition to Encourage Crufts to Lead the Way in Ethical Breeding Reform

Added after 33 signatures -- We Request that ALL judges taking part at crufts hold no prior animal cruelty/neglect convictions, and are held to the same prestigious standards as above.