Crufts plunged into new cruelty row as viewers criticise 'horrific breeding' of dog voted best.
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Crufts plunged into new cruelty row as viewers criticise 'horrific breeding' of dog voted best German Shepherd.
A row has broken out over a German Shepherd bitch who won best of breed at Crufts - after viewers accused the breeder of animal cruelty.
Three-year-old Cruaghaire Catoria was judged to be the best example of her breed at the world-famous dog show on Saturday night.
But the dog was said by some viewers to be 'deformed', with an abnormally sloped back and a painful-looking out-of-step gait.
Catoria, owned by Mr and Mrs S Cuthbert, can be seen walking around the arena with a distinct wobble in her gait, and her front and back legs moving unevenly.
Just before the judge comes to inspect her, her handler can be seen adjusting her stooped back legs by pulling them forward.
Presenter and commentator Clare Balding remarked immediately that Catoria appeared to be 'distinctly unsettled'.
Hundreds of viewers took to social media to accuse the Kennel Club, who run the show, of cruelty - saying it was a disgrace that the dog had been allowed to enter, let alone win, the competitive category.
And the outcry has been so strong that a top Kennel Club representative warned that they may have to remove the breed from further competitions.
The controversy was addressed on the coverage of the final day of Crufts' last night.
A statement from the Kennel Club read: '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.
'The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has recently funded a study by the University of Surrey looking into the conformation and movement of German Shepherds, as part of our commitment to improving the health of this breed.'