Crufts: It's ruff justice; NEC: Howls of protest as show dogged by controversy.

Byline: By Telegraph Reporter

THE organisers of Crufts criticised the RSPCA and described the sudden changes in standards forced upon dog breeders for this year's show as "unfair".

The RSPCA cut its links with the world famous Crufts dog show in September following controversy about breeding practices revealed in a BBC documentary.

Organisers, the Kennel Club, came under fierce criticism from the animal charity, prompting them to introduce revised standards for a number of breeds entering this year's show.

The changes, made in January, could mean that dogs previously considered top of their breed may not stand a chance of winning this year.

Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, admitted it was unfair on breeders but said the Kennel Club has "not had much choice" in the matter.

Speaking on the opening day of Crufts at Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, she said the club had "done a lot in a short space of time" and criticised the RSPCA for not recognising the changes made.

"We feel as if we have made a lot of changes but it's not really been recognised that we have made these changes by them (the RSPCA)," Ms Kisko said.

"We have said to breeders we are expecting them to breed differently but we cannot expect them to do it overnight.

"These are living creatures and it will take time. My chief concern is that if we keep pushing too hard we eventually lose them (the breeders) in the end and then who will care about the dogs' welfare?

"If we make it too hard for them they can simply wave goodbye."

Changes have been made to the breeding standards of a number of breeds this year, including the bulldog - now required to have less wrinkles and longer legs - and the pekingese, which should have a longer nose.

Ms Kisko said the club began considering making changes to some breeds five or six years ago, but was forced to bring them into practise sooner than planned following the BBC documentary, which claimed Crufts allowed damaging breeding practices that caused disease and deformities.

Ms Kisko said she was "certain" Crufts would be shown on television next year and said the Kennel Club had received a lot of interest from broadcasters.

"I am certain we will," she said. "We have had so much interest from broadcasters."

CAPTION(S):

DOG'S LIFE... one of the entrants at this year's Crufts at the NEC.; ANGRY... Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko.