at 16:58 on December 12, 2008, EDT.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON - The BBC will not televise Britain's biggest dog show for the first time in more than 40 years after a controversy about canine inbreeding.

The broadcaster said Friday it had suspended coverage of the 2009 Crufts show "pending further investigations into the health and well-being of pedigree dogs in the U.K."

Show organizers accused the BBC of making "unreasonable demands" that it exclude certain breeds of dog from the show.

The Kennel Club, the show's organizer, and the BBC have been at odd since September when the broadcaster aired a documentary claiming decades of inbreeding had led to serious health problems in some pedigree dogs.

Crufts was founded in 1891 and draws dogs and spectators from around the world. The BBC has broadcast the show since 1966.


©The Canadian Press, 2008

Good, the KC are ruining breeds with their "breed standards" that cause hereditary issues in the pursuit of the perfect match

Good for them

I love the BBC

Good, I love mutts way better anyways.

Now no one can say the BBC has gone to the dogs.

I'll get my coat.....

I saw the programme that sparked this row and it was horrible viewing. As much as I love a bit of Crufts I have to support the 'ole BBC on this one.

sj1600 said:

We saw it too.... sick human beings. All for image and show.

shanti0608 said:

Awful wasn't it? I can't look at Cavalier King Charles spaniels in the same way anymore.