Animal eugenics

Selective breeding has been going on for years: horses, cattle, sheep, pigs. All have been bred by people either for the table, transport, clothing or sport. We breed our pets too, sometimes in to the strangest shapes and sizes. As the world's biggest dog show, Crufts, convenes in Birmingham, some are questioning the ethics of breeding animals for the accumulation of rosettes.

We have a West Highland white terrier. He's a lovely dog - big on "aaaw" factor - but he does have skin problems associated with his breed. Having lived without a dog and living with one now, I couldn't imagine life without one again. I sometimes think, however, that pedigree dogs are bred to keep the vets in business. I do think that dog breeding and dog showing - nothing less than animal eugenics, after all - needs to be reformed. Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine, has outlined a powerful argument here.

I wonder what the Kennel Club would make of the Queens dogs? She calls them "dorgies" because they are half corgi and half dachshund. As the link points out, they're catching on in some places as a recognised cross breed.