German Shepherd owner responds to Crufts animal cruelty row

Winner: Cruaghaire Catoria won best of breed
Channel 4
Hannah Al-Othman15 March 2016

The breeder of a dog which sparked a cruelty row at world-famous dog show Crufts has responded to claims that her German Shepherd was "deformed".

Three-year-old bitch Cruaghaire Catoria won best of breed, but many viewers complained that the dog had an abnormally sloped back and a painful-looking hobble.

The RSPCA also called for urgent action to be taken to address the welfare of animals competing at Crufts, adding that it was "shocked and appalled" by the condition of the German Shepherd.

However, the dog's breeder Susan Cuthbert, from Cardenden, Fife, said she was "terribly upset" by the furore that had arisen since Catoria took the title.

Mrs Cuthbert, who breeds Cruaghaire dogs with her husband Stuart, said: “I am both deeply shocked and terribly upset by all the horrendous comments directed towards my beautiful Tori.

"The comments made on television about my lovely shepherd were unbelievable especially when one considers the brevity of the images. How can you judge a dog on such a brief observation? There is a clear lack of tolerance and knowledge of our German shepherd breed.”

Mrs Cuthbert said her dogs were bred to the German “SV” standard, the strict breed guidelines set up by Max Von Stephanitz, who “invented” the German shepherd in the late 19th century.

“Soundness in mind and body is a crucial part of the German shepherd breed,” Mrs Cuthbert added.

In response to the row, in a statement on Monday, Caroline Kisko, the Kennel Club Secretary and Director of Communications said: “Concern for the health of German Shepherd Dogs is reflected in the fact that the breed is classed as ‘category three’ under the Kennel Club’s Breed Watch scheme.

"Many of the category three breeds have seen vast health improvements but we know that some breeds still have further to go.

"We will be looking at what support we are giving to particular breeds to ensure continued improvement, and we will also be reviewing judges who appear to disregard the health instructions they are given since they play a significant part in this process."

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