THE appropriate marker for the home of the world's first golden retriever is, I regret to say, a tombstone rather than a statue ("Highland origins of golden retriever to be immortalised",The Herald, April 22).

Breeding dogs for certain unnatural physical traits has caused them to suffer from high rates of genetic defects, which for golden retrievers include lymphoma, heart problems, epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, congenital eye defects, canine hip dysplasia, skin allergies and Von Willebrand disease - a blood disorder that can cause prolonged bleeding from simple injuries. As a direct result, dogs are "put down" because they can no longer walk without pain or they succumb to another of these ailments.

Furthermore, while breeders churn out more puppies to sell to the unsuspecting, highly adoptable yet homeless dogs are literally dying for the lack of a good home. Every time a puppy is born, a dog languishing in an animal shelter loses a chance of finding a loving home. Breeding any dogs is irresponsible and should be scorned, not celebrated.

Ben Williamson,

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,Society Building,

8 All Saints Street, London.