This documentary caused a HUGE debacle amongst cavalier breeders in this country, many of whom deny that the condition Syringomyelia exists.

For those of you who watched the programme, you may remember Margaret Carter, who was a member of the UK CKCS committee, talking about SM and campaigning for more health screening/research for the breed on this condition that effects maybe 70% of all Cavaliers to some extent.

The Cavalier Club held a SGM yesterday and Margaret Carter was heckled and voted off the committee by a vast majority .

unbelivable! Is the club just full of breeders wanting to make money then?

Disgusting behaviour. And something I'm sure the Beeb would be very interested to hear.

how awful, but I suspect something that she was expecting, which makes it even more sad to hear.

I know nothing at all about Cavaliers and what i know about SM is what was on the beeb that night, but i have just gone to the ckcs site and for a group that heckled that poor lady off and dismissing SM they have a lot of info about it on their site - so it is either just lip service to appease those who saw the programme or the clubs members are dismissing the clubs information.

Tis awful but as already said im sure she was expecting it and of course it wont come as a shock to many people unfortunatly

I'm surprised they think they can get away with it though with all the publicity that there has been surrounding the documentary.

I hope some influential jouro gets hold of this and shows them for the money grabbing so and so's they are.

Margaret was expecting it, yes.

The breed club had allegedly broken their own rules, by inviting overseas members of the Cavalier Club to come over and vote at this SGM. After legal consultation, they were told they could not do this and it was just UK Cav Club members that could vote.

Margaret can stand for re-election at the AGM next March, where the breeders who have voted her off may get quite a shock.

I'm not a member of the Club; I've never felt the need. Unfortunately I couldn't join quickly enough to get a vote, as new members have to be proposed and seconded by 2 existing members. I will join now, as I have people to get me in.

I feel an influx of new members coming in.

jmho but I think it should be called a 'breeders' club rather than a 'breed' club.

I'd be happy to join up too if it helps swell the vote Fran! After all we pick up the pieces on the rescue front.

You also know the lady that will propose us, ty

Now that is just animal cruelty, I feel so sorry for the dogs.

I watched the programme and fully support her

Following on from the above thread I thought this might interest the peeps on this forum who have a keen interest in the health & welfare of the spaniel breeds.

Cross posted from K9 magazine

K9 magazine article

Kennel Club Hits Out at Cavalier Club; Supports Margaret Carter
Posted By Ryan O'Meara Date: 7/10 Posted Under: Animal Welfare

The Kennel Club has spoken to K9 Magazine about its concern following the decision of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel club to vote out one of its committee members, Margaret Carter, who spoke out about breed health on the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed.

The Kennel Club told us:

The Kennel Club is concerned about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club’s decision to remove breeder, Margaret Carter, from its committee.

Mrs Carter appeared to speak for those very aims that the Kennel Club and the Cavalier King Charles Club itself supports, which is reflected in the vast amount of effort that the breed club has put into ensuring that the health of the breed is progressed. Mrs Carter’s intentions appeared to be honourable and her will to ensure that the health of the breed is maintained, through responsible breeding practices, is one that the Kennel Club fully supports.

The Kennel Club has also issued news today that it is put the health of all of its 209 recognised breeds under review, due to be completed early next year.

Dog lovers all over the country will be heartened to see the Kennel Club taking a positive stand on these issues and the organisation should be resoundingly praised for their support of Margaret Carter on this issue.

The Kennel Club is correct. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel club is out of step with the opinions of health conscious, right minded dog lovers and they should be ashamed of their actions.

All I can say is

i met a lady in the vets the other day who had a 2.5 yr old cav - he was beautiful - happy waggy wiggly little thing - when i asked why she was there she said he had Syringomyelia - it affects him by way of noise - any high pitch or high volume sound sends him mad - they all whisper in her house! poor little thing - he was such a lovely happy little chap
my parenst have a rescue cav - and although she doesnt seemingly suffer from this he back legs are pretty well and truly ruined no doubt due to her breeding - effectively her knees are round the wrong way - and she walks on her tip toes - again a v happy little thing but vet says likely in pain most of the time - currently looking into surgery ....
so unfair these are lovely little dogs
this lady is an inspiration and i watched her on the programme with great hope - fingers crossed her work so far has at least lifted the profile of this awful condition and the terrible breeding issues involved with cavs....