The Scottish SPCA has warned pet owners to be vigilant of dodgy breeders following a BBC documentary exploring extreme dog breeding.
BBC Scotland's Disclosure episode titled 'The Dog Dealers', which aired on Monday, January 23, follows reporter Sam Poling as she goes undercover to investigate a network of dealers who are making millions by breeding dogs to extremes - including the 'barbaric practices' helping line criminal pockets, with animal cruelty front and centre.
The charity have described the findings of the documentary as 'shocking but unsurprising' and have taken the opportunity since its broadcast to highlight the suffering caused to dogs through extreme breeding practices, such as breeding for excessive skin folds or exaggerated features which dogs would "never have" in nature.
Alarmingly, Ian Futter, chief veterinary officer, says that dogs have now been bred to such extreme proportions that "it would be virtually impossible in many cases to eliminate such exaggerated features by outbreeding" because "there are no animals in that breed left with normal copies of the right genes".
The expert also cautioned that brachycephalic breeds, like bulldogs and pugs which are incredibly popular with the public, are prone to some of the most 'horrific' health issues, some of which are directly associated with how they have been bred.
Mr Futter explained: “Hairless dogs can suffer from issues such as sunburn and skin trauma as they don’t have a coat to protect them. Breeding to the other end of the scale for an extremely fluffy animal can cause issues with mating, nursing, grooming and even communicating with other dogs.
“We also know that breeding for a merle pattern in the coat of the animal can cause even more issues as this coat colour is linked to both blindness and deafness in dogs depending on how the gene is inherited.
“Breeding for excessive skin folds can mean the dog will suffer with skin infections, as the warm, moist spaces between the folds are ideal places for bacteria to multiply.
"It’s also very common for these dogs to suffer with eye issues ranging from poor vision caused by the folds themselves, to more serious conditions like entropion where the skin of the eyelids turns inwards and rubs against the eye.
“Dogs who are bred to have exaggerated features such as very short legs can suffer from incredibly painful joint and spine problems. Not only are they likely to be in constant pain but their deformities will make it almost impossible for them to express natural behaviours."
The health chief said the best way to avoid purchasing a dog that has been bred in a way which may result in such 'chronic, painful and debilitating conditions' is for customers to 'look beyond flashy social media profiles' of breeders.
He said many who have a significant online presence may be taking part in 'nothing more than glorified genetic experiments' and urged budding pet owners to conduct thorough research before considering buying from them.
He also advised them not to pay over the odds for animals that may look aesthetically pleasing but may be actually at extreme risk of poor health and even death down the road.
He continued: “These trends will continue as long as people are willing to pay huge sums of money for these dogs. The general public needs to start to prioritise the health of their animals over the way they look and stop purchasing these extreme breeds.
“Purchasing a dog from one of these unscrupulous breeders could see an unsuspecting member of the public owning a dog which costs them thousands in vet bills for conditions that may not be covered by pet insurance.
"In the worst cases it could end in heartbreak as, if the dog’s conditions are too serious, they may need to be put to sleep at a relatively young age."
If anyone is concerned about an animal, please do not hesitate to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
