Crufts plunged into new cruelty row as viewers criticise 'horrific breeding' of dog voted best German Shepherd

Crufts plunged into new cruelty row as viewers criticise 'horrific breeding' of dog voted best German Shepherd

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Three-year-old Cruaghaire Catoria (pictured left and centre) was judged to be the best example of her breed at the dog show in Birmingham on Saturday. But viewers took to social media (right) to express their outrage, saying her abnormally sloped back and painful gait was 'cruelty'. The secretary of the Kennel Club admitted last night that there are judges in the competition who disregard breeding standard guidelines, and said that if necessary the German Shepherd breed could be removed from the 125-year-old competition. Clare Balding, who presented the coverage of the dog show on Channel 4, said the dog looked 'distinctly unsettled', and the RSPCA have slammed Crufts for allowing the dog to progress so far in the competition.