Crufts opens amid animal protests

Protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) gathered outside Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.

The group accuses the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, of tolerating excessive inbreeding to achieve "pure bloodlines" or "master pedigree" and creating genetically deformed and sick animals in the process.

Yesterday the Kennel Club said it was "committed to ensuring that every dog's life is as healthy and happy as it can be".

Crufts will be broadcast on More4 this year after the BBC and RSPCA dropped support for the pedigree dog show in December 2008.