The RSPCA has sparked a row with Corgi owners after it said the dogs' breeding was leaving them​ less able​ to play with other dogs.

The comment, made on Twitter during the Corgi competition at Crufts, has been condemned as “a step too far” and “morally wrong” by breeders and an owners’ group.

The animal rights charity has however refused to apologise for the remark.

The original tweet read: “Dogs like the #Corgi bred to have short legs and long bodies are less able to invite play [sic] with other dogs.”

Corgi owners hit back, accusing the RSPCA of turning Crufts into a publicity stunt to raise money for their charitable work.

The Welsh Corgi League, an owners’ group which represents around 750 Corgi owners in the UK and abroad, said that the tweet was a “step too far” and called on the charity to apologise.