Three horses dead already in the Cheltenham Festival

Just seen your OP - haven't yet seen this on the news. Dreadful, 3 horses dead suggests something is very wrong with the course.

Not wanting to detract from this but I was shocked by the German Shepherd Dog who won best of breed and then appeared in the best of show competition. The dog looked ill, as though something neurological was badly wrong. She ducked away from the Judge, her back legs seemed unable to hold her weight and her gait was odd. German Shepherd breeders at this level aim for kennel club breed standard, which produces dogs whose backs are bred to dip down - it's disgusting.

We watched the first race then had to go out. How awful that three horses have died.

We were shocked by the German Shepherd at Crufts as well, Iam. She looked deformed.

Haven't heard about the horses, there was no mention on our local news.

I thought the German Shepherd was awful, I'd have been ashamed to be seen with it. What a contrast the little Westie was - absolutely perfect.

We cheered the roof off when the Westie won. What a cracker of a little dog. You can't manufacture that kind of presence.

I can't watch Crufts. I am so sickened by the way they slavishly adhere to the breed standard, regardless of what it may do to the dogs. And yes, this is particularly apparent with the German Shepherd breed. It is appalling what the Kennel Club demands of these beautiful, intelligent animals.

How terribly sad about the 3 horses at the Cheltenham Festival . I hope there is an enquiry into the way the course was set up. That level of loss is surely not acceptable.

inquiry.

Yes, it was on our local news.
The newscaster ended with 'on a day that three horses died, let's hope that horses and riders all get round safely tomorrow.'
I was just imagining what the reaction would be if it was 'on a day that three jockeys died, let's hope they all get round safely tomorrow'.

And I agree that the German Shepherd looked deformed, poor thing.
A friend was a judge at Cruft's years ago - I think she is horrified at the way it is going now.

They had all that scandal from a television program about Crufts a few years ago about over breeding certain dogs because a particular body shape had been preferred by those who decided "breed standards."

Back then one of the reporters was showing a German Shepherd dogs as being bred so they showed lower hind legs. It was said then that many of those dogs were suffering mobilty problems as because the dogs spinal cords were being compromised.

This was the same time that some breeders were going for smaller head shapes with King Charles Spaniels and causing pain and disability.

I cannot believe this is still allowed to continue. Vets should surely be able put on pressure to stop this bad breeding.

That's correct Nelliemoser and it resulted in the BBC refusing to show Crufts, which moved to Channel 4.

I didn't see much of Crufts but I volunteer for a charity that rescues/supports poodle crosses. Our forum was alive with comments about the way in which doodle dogs were the subject of high levels of criticism during various interviews on Crufts because "you don't know what you're getting, there is no guaranteed breed standard". Nope, there isn't and those of us involved with doodles don't want the Kennel Club Breed Standard anywhere near our dogs. Yes, there are problems with overbreeding and use by some breeders of dogs who haven't been health tested. That sadly happens when any breed becomes over popular. Watch out Westies after that smashing little dog won so well this year.

Before anyone tells me - yes, I know the myths about doodles being easy to train, good with children, always non aggressive and especially the one about them being hypo allergic and non shedding. I also know they generally have a high prey urge, can be absolute clowns and recall - that's something you really have to work at. That's partly why I support the charity, to spread the word and try and persuade people to think very carefully before they buy/rescue one. We really need better care of pets and I include working dogs/horses in that.

Absolutely agree with the views on horseracing and dog breeding. I grew up with dachshunds and adore them, but over the years since I have had bigger dogs e.g. golden retrievers. However, because I can't handle a large dog anymore, I decided that I should have a dachshund. Sadly, over the years they have been bred in such a way that their legs are so short and bodies so long that the majority (including mine) have back problems. Luckily their characters haven't changed, but too many are suffering pain and limits as to what they can do.

Something needs to be done to stop pets suffering for the pointless pleasure of some humans.