Thank you for all your emails of support about our decision to withdraw from Crufts and Discover Dogs. At this crucial time it is also incredibly helpful to read all your constructive suggestions of what now needs to happen. We know how shocked people were by footage in the BBC documentary, but we also understand how many of our supporters were already aware of the health issues relating to some pedigree dogs.

As we would expect, we have also received a few critical responses and I’d like to address a couple of the points raised. I must stress that our decision not to attend Crufts or Discover Dogs in no way means that we have stopped having dialogue with The Kennel Club. This is the time that all organisations with an interest in dogs need to come together to affect real change. I also want to reiterate that we are not anti pedigree dogs, pedigree breeders or their owners. We know that the majority of breeders prioritise good health and temperament in their dogs and are highly responsible in their breeding methods. However as the UK’s largest dog welfare charity we have a duty to defend dogs from practices which subject them to suffering – on this occasion our actions can speak louder than words.