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Don Burke Takes On The Pedigree Dog Industry


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Don Burke takes on the pedigree dog industry

June 17, 2011 , 3:30 PM by Tom Wright

Don Burke of Burke's Backyard is picking a fight. He wants to highlight cruel practices that some pedigree dog breeders use in puppy 'farms'.

He highlights the fact that in the UK dog breeding show Crufts is no longer shown on TV and the UK RSPCA has taken action against some breeders. He wants to see similar measures introduced here.

He also agreed to answer talkback, leading to some fairly heated debate about some pedigree dog breeding practices.

:mad

Did anyone listen to this interview last week between Richard Stubbs and Don Burke?

He accuses purebreed breeders of puppy farming. I'm pretty sure he was promoting the benefits of cross-bred puppy farms only few years ago.

The interview can be heard at

http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2011/06/don-burke-takes-on-the-pedigree-dog-industry.html?site=melbourne&program=melbourne_afternoons

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Don Burke takes on the pedigree dog industry

June 17, 2011 , 3:30 PM by Tom Wright

Don Burke of Burke's Backyard is picking a fight. He wants to highlight cruel practices that some pedigree dog breeders use in puppy 'farms'.

He highlights the fact that in the UK dog breeding show Crufts is no longer shown on TV and the UK RSPCA has taken action against some breeders. He wants to see similar measures introduced here.

He also agreed to answer talkback, leading to some fairly heated debate about some pedigree dog breeding practices.

:mad

d

Did anyone listen to this interview last week between Richard Stubbs and Don Burke?

He accuses purebreed breeders of puppy farming. I'm pretty sure he was promoting the benefits of cross-bred puppy farms only few years ago.

The interview can be heard at

http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2011/06/don-burke-takes-on-the-pedigree-dog-industry.html?site=melbourne&program=melbourne_afternoons

I have the latest edition of "Burkes Backyard". You should see the article in that about Pedigree Breeders being the problem and how fantastic pet shops and puppy farms are! I've been waiting for this discussion!

Edited by monkeytrunks
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I have the latest edition of "Burkes Backyard". You should see the article in that about Pedigree Breeders being the problem and how fantastic pet shops and puppy farms are! I've been waiting for this discussion!

th_EyeTwitch.gif

Someone's watching Don for signs of Alzheimer's...right?

Edited by Stutterfly
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Doesnt this man breed pure bred horses? How can he draw the conclusion that pure bred breeders are so satan like when they breed dogs but not other species???

dwarf cattle, I think.

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Jeebers, I cannot help but be incensed by the use of these articulate, narscissitic egomaniacs by the media to outrage and offend so many people!

It is an undignified and unworthy ploy to generate feedback and discussion - and therefore revenue!

The most infuriating aspect of their habitual use of this type of patronising, self-congratulatory troll is how hard it is to respond coherently, without degrading oneself and descending to their level.

(Of course, the best defence against this type of attack is for all registered breeders to audit their breeding set-ups and practices and apply themselves to ensuring there are no circumstances for a reasonable person to object!)

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Doesnt this man breed pure bred horses? How can he draw the conclusion that pure bred breeders are so satan like when they breed dogs but not other species???

I thought he was once heavily involved in importing Paints and Quarter Horses.

There is a stud called Burke Stud near Windsor, and I vaguely remember some association, but I can't find it on the studs website, just the onsite stud manager is listed.

The stallions and mares that were being imported were VERY typey and often were line bred.

EDIT: http://www.burkestud.com.au/

From a bit of googling, appears he does still own it and appears he is doing a fair bit of outcrossing to thoroughbreds.

Edited by Inevitablue
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Colour me over it.

You can't win with someone who has total control over what parts of your arguments he publishes.

And there is no "pedigree dog industry". One wonders where the hell the parents of the next generation of his beloved DDs will come from without purebred dogs.

Edited by poodlefan
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Doesnt this man breed pure bred horses? How can he draw the conclusion that pure bred breeders are so satan like when they breed dogs but not other species???

I thought he was once heavily involved in importing Paints and Quarter Horses.

There is a stud called Burke Stud near Windsor, and I vaguely remember some association, but I can't find it on the studs website, just the onsite stud manager is listed.

The stallions and mares that were being imported were VERY typey and often were line bred.

EDIT: http://www.burkestud.com.au/

From a bit of googling, appears he does still own it and appears he is doing a fair bit of outcrossing to thoroughbreds.

Yes, attendance of some large QH events by Mr Burke has been.....interesting....ahem. I agree with Poodlefans comment 100%

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I have the latest edition of "Burkes Backyard". You should see the article in that about Pedigree Breeders being the problem and how fantastic pet shops and puppy farms are! I've been waiting for this discussion!

th_EyeTwitch.gif

Someone's watching Don for signs of Alzheimer's...right?

My folks have a subscription. I agree 100% with Poodlefan. That's why I didn't start a threat although it p**sed me off no end. The article does come across as a bit of a biased rave based on his opinion rather than fact. He did sound like a bit of a nutter! I did wonder how his rant about how pet shops and puppy farms being fine sat with Dr Chris Brown who also writes for the magazine....

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I think it's wise to bear in mind that Mr Burke thrives on conflict. Treat his rave with the dignity it deserves - ignore it.

He's got few friends in the media, no TV presence and, I suspect, a magazine that's going south slowly. His days as a person of influence are numbered.

Trying to stir up a fight boosts his profile (and he loves attention). Ignore the gnome.

I suspect once the baby boomer generation stops listening to him, he'll be just another media dinosaur, clinging desperately to the last vestiges of celebrity he holds. I doubt he'd even get a gig on Dancing with the Stars anymore.

One things for sure, he's no better a journalist than he was a gardener :laugh:

Edited by poodlefan
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I think it's wise to bear in mind that Mr Burke thrives on conflict. Treat his rave with the dignity it deserves - ignore it.

He's got few friends in the media, no TV presence and, I suspect, a magazine that's going south slowly. His days as a person of influence are numbered.

Trying to stir up a fight boosts his profile (and he loves attention). Ignore the gnome.

I suspect once the baby boomer generation stops listening to him, he'll be just another media dinosaur, clinging desperately to the last vestiges of popularity he holds. I doubt he'd even get a gig on Dancing with the Stars anymore.

You are right. In the article he invites pedigree dog breeders to contact the magazine to give their opinion. Starting an discussion/arguement with him gives his opinions value, and we know they don't have any!

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I think it's wise to bear in mind that Mr Burke thrives on conflict. Treat his rave with the dignity it deserves - ignore it.

He's got few friends in the media, no TV presence and, I suspect, a magazine that's going south slowly. His days as a person of influence are numbered.

Trying to stir up a fight boosts his profile (and he loves attention). Ignore the gnome.

I suspect once the baby boomer generation stops listening to him, he'll be just another media dinosaur, clinging desperately to the last vestiges of popularity he holds. I doubt he'd even get a gig on Dancing with the Stars anymore.

You are right. In the article he invites pedigree dog breeders to contact the magazine to give their opinion. Starting an discussion/arguement with him gives his opinions value, and we know they don't have any!

Yes I hope no-one writes in. That would imply someone reads his crap. ;)

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You are right. In the article he invites pedigree dog breeders to contact the magazine to give their opinion. Starting an discussion/arguement with him gives his opinions value, and we know they don't have any!

Sadly, quite a few pedigree dog breeders would respond in a manner that plays right into his hands. If anyone responds, it should be the ANKC. They should speak for all.

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I think it's wise to bear in mind that Mr Burke thrives on conflict. Treat his rave with the dignity it deserves - ignore it.

He's got few friends in the media, no TV presence and, I suspect, a magazine that's going south slowly. His days as a person of influence are numbered.

Trying to stir up a fight boosts his profile (and he loves attention). Ignore the gnome.

I suspect once the baby boomer generation stops listening to him, he'll be just another media dinosaur, clinging desperately to the last vestiges of celebrity he holds. I doubt he'd even get a gig on Dancing with the Stars anymore.

One things for sure, he's no better a journalist than he was a gardener :laugh:

Listen to PF, she is wise.

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I think it's wise to bear in mind that Mr Burke thrives on conflict. Treat his rave with the dignity it deserves - ignore it.

He's got few friends in the media, no TV presence and, I suspect, a magazine that's going south slowly. His days as a person of influence are numbered.

Trying to stir up a fight boosts his profile (and he loves attention). Ignore the gnome.

I suspect once the baby boomer generation stops listening to him, he'll be just another media dinosaur, clinging desperately to the last vestiges of celebrity he holds. I doubt he'd even get a gig on Dancing with the Stars anymore.

One things for sure, he's no better a journalist than he was a gardener :laugh:

Listen to PF, she is wise.

:o

Sadly, if this stuff doesn't make the front page of the next Dog News, I'll be surprised. They seem to specialise in the Chicken Little (the sky is falling) style of reporting that will fuel breeders up to tilt with Mr Burke. :(

I'm sure the cries of righteous indignation and the smelling salts being passed about are all over Ozshow as well. ;)

Edited by poodlefan
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Chris Brown has been mentioned on here before because he has also said some pretty out there things about breeding, cross-breeding, breeding your own pets etc. Not to mention how he treated his own dog by forcing it to learn to surf on Bondi Beach (where no dogs are allowed) and then watching it run off scared through a busy car park. I wouldn't think his opinions would be too far off those of Mr Burke.

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Chris did thought point out about a dog they showed on the show this week (a woman who was looking after her sons bitch while he was OS< and had the girl get in with her obviously undesexed male dog), that the tie to say oops was well past, the female should have been desexed already, and that after the girl had the pups, and the owner sighed with relief that all the hard work was now done, he said no it isn't she now has to find good homes for all the puppies. Was a bit shocked that the mum had the bitch whelping outside on the porch, while the make dog was inside where it was warm would have thought you would have wanted her inside? And he did say he now wanted to see the girl at his surgery to be desexed quick smart so no more puppies

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In a nut shell, this is about 'dog shows' and how our constant desires to make something cosmetically perfect has caused irreversible damage in some breeds.

It's not the first time something like this has been on tv/ radio and it won't be the last time either because the 'show ring' is the root of all evil.

I disagree with Don's comments re: GSDCA's good breed survey - the GSD breed survey conducted here in Australia is not worth the paper it is written on.

Edited by Yesmaam
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I have the latest edition of "Burkes Backyard". You should see the article in that about Pedigree Breeders being the problem and how fantastic pet shops and puppy farms are! I've been waiting for this discussion!

th_EyeTwitch.gif

Someone's watching Don for signs of Alzheimer's...right?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

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