Animal rights activists are calling for Channel 4 to drop Crufts from its TV schedule amid PETA's latest campaign.

Known as the “greatest dog event in the world”, the annual pageant and agility competition sees thousands of dogs compete for trophies and cash prizes.

The show was originally aired on the BBC until an investigation by the broadcaster revealed how "dogs on the show suffer from genetic diseases following years of inbreeding".

The BBC dropped Crufts from its schedule in 2008 after the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, did not agree to its request for certain breeds to be excluded.

Dorset Echo: A couple of dogue de bordeaux are walked into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Photo via PA.A couple of dogue de bordeaux are walked into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Photo via PA.

Crufts 'inbreeding' controversy

Now aired on Channel 4 and More4, animal rights charity PETA branded Crufts as a "grotesque charade" which has an "obsession with 'purity of breed'".

The petition asks supporters to send a letter directly to Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4, and urge the organisation to "act in animals' best interests and stop giving airtime" to Crufts.

The RSPCA has also withdrawn its support for the dog show over welfare concerns for some time.

The petition said: "Crufts is a pageant for unhealthy dogs who are often plagued by agonising hereditary diseases after generations of inbreeding. The RSPCA refuses to attend the show, and no one who cares about dogs should celebrate this grotesque charade – nor should it be given a platform on British TV.

"With its obsession with 'purity of breed', Crufts popularises grossly exaggerated features in animals and awards prizes to dogs whose physical abnormalities make it impossible for them to lead a happy life – pugs with pushed-in faces who can barely breathe, Cavalier King Charles spaniels whose brains are too big for their skulls and bulldogs who can't even mate without assistance, to name just a few examples."

PETA also warned that breeders can make thousands of pounds selling pedigree puppies, an action which leaves healthy, readily-adoptable dogs in animal shelters without a home.

Channel 4 has been contacted for comment.