Breeding policies and management of pedigree dogs in 15 national kennel clubs

Wang, Shizhi; Laloë, Dénis; Missant, F.M.; Malm, S.; Lewis, Thomas M.; Verrier, Étienne; Strandberg, E.; Bonnett, Brenda N.; Leroy, Grégoire

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.02.018

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In a survey of 15 national kennel clubs, exaggerated morphological features and inherited disorders and inherited disorders were identified as the most pressing concerns, with kennel clubs expressing a strong desire to improve the breeding and health of pedigree dogs, including brachycephalic breeds [10]. In addition to veterinary professional organisations and animal welfare charities, other organisations are working to address these concerns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists

Fawcett

Barrs

Awad

et al. 2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryCanine and human co-evolution have disclosed remarkable morphological plasticity in dogs. Brachycephalic dog breeds are increasing in popularity, despite them suffering from well-documented conformation-related health problems. This has implications for the veterinary caseloads of the future. Whether the recent selection of dogs with progressively shorter and wider skulls has reached physiological limits is controversial. The health problems and short life expectancies of dogs with extremely short skulls suggests that we may have even exceeded these limits. Veterinarians have a professional and moral obligation to prevent and minimise the negative health and welfare impacts of extreme morphology and inherited disorders, and they must address brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) not only at the level of the patient, but also as a systemic welfare problem.AbstractThis article, written by veterinarians whose caseloads include brachycephalic dogs, argues that there is now widespread evidence documenting a link between extreme brachycephalic phenotypes and chronic disease, which compromises canine welfare. This paper is divided into nine sections exploring the breadth of the impact of brachycephaly on the incidence of disease, as indicated by pet insurance claims data from an Australian pet insurance provider, the stabilization of respiratory distress associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), challenges associated with sedation and the anaesthesia of patients with BOAS; effects of brachycephaly on the brain and associated neurological conditions, dermatological conditions associated with brachycephalic breeds, and other conditions, including ophthalmic and orthopedic conditions, and behavioural consequences of brachycephaly. In the light of this information, we discuss the ethical challenges that are associated with brachycephalic breeds, and the role of the veterinarian. In summary, dogs with BOAS do not enjoy freedom from discomfort, nor freedom from pain, injury, and disease, and they do not enjoy the freedom to express normal behaviour. According to both deontological and utilitarian ethical frameworks, the breeding of dogs with BOAS cannot be justified, and further, cannot be recommended, and indeed, should be discouraged by veterinarians.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists

Fawcett

Barrs

Awad

et al. 2018

Animals

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“…Information can be incorrectly relayed to lay people, or owners may have concerns regarding the protection of their data. The sphere of influence of breed and kennel clubs can also differ greatly between breeds and countries [23]. Anecdotally, an overall decline in breed club membership internationally, and therefore influence, consequentially reduces the dissemination of vital health information.…”

Section: Breed-specific Health Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kennel Clubs are a suitable source of assistance in health strategies [24], in that they can target owners and breeders outside of club spheres of influence and often have in-house experts who can assist in defining manageable metrics, as well as analysis and data interpretation [23]. The latter factor also combats a further problem that breed clubs may face with regard to lack of scientific expertise within their breed, resulting in unrealistic expectations and potential bias of data.…”

Section: Breed-specific Health Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health control measures regularly take breed-specific approaches, since individual breeds often have their own health concerns and priorities as well as their own frameworks for data collection and control measure implementation [ 22 ]. Individual breed-specific strategies for health and breeding are needed but may vary by country, and therefore sharing tools to support the work of breed clubs is beneficial [ 1 , 14 , 23 ]. The UK Kennel Club (KC) Breed Health and Conservation Plans (BHCPs), for example, aim to identify health concerns for individual breeds using evidence-based criteria from which balanced breeding decisions can be generated [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 4th international dog health workshop, Windsor in May 2019

Pegram

Bonnett

Skarp

et al. 2020

Canine Genet Epidemiol

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Background: Dogs are the most popular mammal kept as a companion animal globally. Positive human-dog relationships can benefit both the human owners as well as the dogs. However, popularity as a companion animal species does not universally benefit dogs in reverse. Breed-related health problems in dogs have received increasing attention over the last decade, sparking increased concerns for dog welfare across many stakeholders. Progress towards improved welfare requires meaningful collaboration between all those working in dog health, science and welfare. The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), together with an alternating host organisation, holds biennial meetings called the International Dog Health Workshops (IDHW). The IPFD 4th IDHW was hosted by the UK Kennel Club in Windsor, UK in May 2019. With the aim of encouraging international and multi-stakeholder collaborations that are effective and ongoing, the 4th IDHW 2019 provided a forum to identify specific needs and actions that could improve health, well-being and welfare in dogs, building on outcomes and evaluating actions of previous IDHWs. Results: The workshop included 126 decision-leaders from 16 countries and was structured around five key themes identified as needing international, multi-stakeholder attention. These included the concept of "breed", supply and demand, breed-specific strategies for health and breeding, genetic testing and extreme conformations. The review of progress made since the 3rd IDHW 2017 and the comprehensive lists of actions agreed upon during the current meeting suggest that movement from information and collaboration to action has been achieved. Working groups with specific tasks were identified and many plan to continue to communicate through forum communities on DogWellNet.com.

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“…Although most stakeholders seem to agree that compromised health and clinical signs due to exaggeration of anatomical features must be counteracted, not all seem to agree on the extent of clinical signs of BOAS in brachycephalic dogs and how to handle these health issues [15][16][17]. Further, most proposed strategies on how to handle BOAS are based on "expert opinions" by just one or two stakeholders [18][19][20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness, experiences, and opinions by owners, breeders, show judges, and veterinarians on canine Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

Åsbjer,

Hedhammar,

Engdahl

2024

Canine Med Genet

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Background Exaggerated brachycephalic features have been highlighted over the last decade by their profound effect on the health and welfare of the affected dogs. The term brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) was launched in the early 2000s and has received worldwide attention and awareness. At the same time, the popularity of brachycephalic dogs increased. This study aimed to reveal the awareness and experiences of health issues related to the physical appearance of brachycephalic breeds and compare perceptions and opinions on how to counteract these issues by various stakeholders (dog owners, veterinarians, dog breeders, and show judges) by performing an online survey. Results Altogether, 1602 owners, 1551 breeders, 118 show judges, and 557 veterinarians participated. Awareness and experiences of conformation-related health issues were common among all stakeholder groups. Most participants agreed fully or partly that health issues related to conformity threaten the health of brachycephalic breeds; that the measures taken so far are positive; and that guidelines on the appearance of a dog should be based on knowledge regarding health issues related to physical appearance. A disagreement was noted on further measures to be taken and the importance of adhering to a breed standard. Conclusions All stakeholders were aware of health issues related to the appearance of brachycephalic dogs, but had variable personal experiences of these issues. Most participants agreed fully or partly that health issues related to conformity threaten the health of brachycephalic breeds, and that attention to these issues and measures taken so far are positive. However, there is a disagreement on further actions to be taken and the importance of adhering to a breed standard. These findings could be used to understand and bridge the gap in opinions between stakeholders and to refine methods to influence the health of dogs with exaggerated brachycephalic features.

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Breeding policies and management of pedigree dogs in 15 national kennel clubs

Cited by 6 publications

References 13 publications

Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists

Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists

Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 4th international dog health workshop, Windsor in May 2019

Awareness, experiences, and opinions by owners, breeders, show judges, and veterinarians on canine Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

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