A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is shown suffering from syringomyelia, a condition that reduces the space available inside the skull for the brain; veterinary neurologist Dr Claire Rusbridge describes the brain in this condition as a "size 10 foot that's been shoved into a size 6 shoe", and estimates that up to a third of the breed suffers from this problem.

The documentary states that around three-quarters of the 7 million dogs in the UK are pedigree breeds, resulting in £10m of vet fees weekly.

Crufts Judge Terry Hannan insists that working German Shepherds are anatomically incorrect, and that it is the show dog that conforms to the breed standard.

Evans describes Crufts as a "parade of mutants" and "a freakish, garish beauty pageant that has frankly nothing to do with health and welfare", pointing out that breed standards take no account of temperament and fitness for purpose.

It is stated by the programme that culling by slaughter is not as common as it previously was, as more breeders choose to neuter individuals who do not meet breed standards, with there being a demand for pure-bred, but not show-standard, dogs available as pets.

The documentary shifts to focus on the practice of deliberate inbreeding within pedigree dogs, said to result in the serious genetic diseases present in many breeds.

A study by Imperial College, London, shows that the 10,000 Pugs in the UK are so inbred that their gene pool is the equivalent of only 50 individuals.

The programme points out that no official system for recording hereditary diseases exists, and claims that any health screens that exist are "often inadequate or ineffective"; responsible breeders of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have used heart screening tests since 1995, but the programme reports that many breeders ignore veterinarian advice to only breed dogs over a certain age, thus having no impact on the rates of heart disease within the breed.

It reports that the 2003 Crufts champion – a Pekingese – had to sit on an ice pack to have its photo taken, as the breed has a tendency to overheat, caused by an inability to cool down as a result of its flattened face.

The programme ends with Evans calling for a "complete top-to-bottom review of breed standards and the rules and regulations of dog showing to move it away from its obsession with beauty through to quality of life".

[11] The RSPCA stated that it is "concerned about the unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and disease affecting pedigree dogs".

[12] In his speech at the Welsh Kennel Club championship two days after the programme aired, Kennel Club Chairman Ronnie Irving said that "If this programme teaches us anything, I hope it will teach the 'purists' in some breeds that they simply must get a move on and realise that in these politically correct and well informed days, some old attitudes are simply no longer sustainable."

[16] In January 2009, backed by grassroots members, Carter sought reelection to the committee, but was elected without a ballot being required as she was the only nominee.

Carter told The Times: "My only interest was to improve the health of the dogs and it has never been my intention to damage the Cavalier King Charles club where I have been a loyal member for more than 30 years ...

[17] As a consequence of the programme, cat breeders have too come under pressure from veterinary and animal welfare associations, with breeds such as the Persian, Scottish Fold and Munchkin being singled out.

It has also requested regulatory powers from the Government, which would allow the club to take actions against breeders who do not comply with health standards.

[29] On 12 January, the Kennel Club released the revised breed standards, which would "not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely".

"This will help to prevent the practice of exaggeration, where features that are perceived to be desirable, such as a short muzzle or loose skin, are made more prominent by breeders, and which can have detrimental effects on a dog’s health."

RSPCA chief vet Evans welcomed the ban on close inbreeding but said that the breed standard changes were not "radical enough to really make a difference".

The Kennel Club claims 15 such instances, but the ruling dismissed all but four: allegations regarding eugenics, comparison with Hitler, association with Nazi racial theory, and the implied cover-up of the operation undergone by the Crufts champion.

The BBC Editorial Standards Committee ruled that the re-edited script which says "the ridge predisposes the dogs to a mild form of spina bifida" was still inaccurate.

The Committee stated that RSPCA Chief Vet Mark Evans' description of the ridge as a deformity was an expression of his opinion but that the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club representative should have been given a right to reply to that criticism.

[37] In February 2009, the results of an independent scientific report commissioned by the RSPCA concluded that "exaggerated physical features and inherited diseases cause serious welfare problems in pedigree dogs".

[38] Quoting Arman (2007),[39] the report states that "Society and sections of the veterinary profession have become 'desensitised to the welfare issues to such an extent that the production of anatomically deformed dogs is neither shocking, nor considered abnormal'".

[40] The Kennel Club states that the report "fails totally to recognise the real steady progress and advance of scientific knowledge that has already been made in the area of pedigree dog health.

The Inquiry believes that ultimately the KC can win back trust by showing that they are willing to take responsibility for dogs registered with them and that they are willing to lose members who do not meet high standards.The report warned that if the health measures implemented by the Kennel Club fails, government regulations might be necessary.

In some cases, selection for specific characteristics written in breed standards "can be demonstrated to be directly threatening to health and welfare".

Notwithstanding the motivations of the breeders, the time has surely come for society as a whole to take a firm grip on the welfare issues that evidently arise in dog breeding.

The report called for a "rigorous, robustly policed and well-respected" quality assurance scheme to help buyers identify good breeders.

[48] In Australia, ABC1 aired Pedigree Dogs Exposed on 10 September 2009[49] provoking a similar public, breeder and media reaction to that surrounding the original BBC broadcast.