The "Accredited Breeders" Scheme Is a Farce

The lead article over on K-9 Magazine's web site is ...

• Will a Kennel Club Closed Breed Registry Spell Doom for Dogs?
  In the wake of a stunning expose of inherent breeding problems within the pedigree dog world, Patrick Burns explains why a closed breed registry will spell doom for dogs...

Also up on K-9 Magazine's web site is a quick look at the farce called the "Accredited Breeders Scheme ":

• The Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme Exposed
  In 2004 The Kennel Club set up the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme. Four years on we ask, is it working?
  
  

  "Not only can someone who isn't a dog owner become an accredited breeder with the Kennel Club's seal of approval, but people who have never before bred a litter can also gain membership.
  
  "Elbow scoring is not a requirement for breeders that are accredited, it is merely a recommendation -- meaning that breeders who are not concerned about their dogs passing on genetic defects such as elbow dysplasia are still accredited by the Kennel Club. Only a small percentage of breeders that are accredited are subject to home inspections -- meaning that the vast majority of accredited breeders are operating outside of the scrutiny of the organisation that is accrediting them .... The main benefit for breeders that are part of the scheme is that they can advertise themselves as accredited .... One must question whether the puppy buying public is fully aware of how high, or indeed low to give it another slant, the actual standards are to become accredited? It is entirely conceivable that the buyer of a puppy could have more canine experience than the accredited breeder, which seems ludicrous. "
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