Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 3rd International Dog Health Workshop, Paris in April 2017

Abstract

BackgroundBreed-related health problems in dogs have received increased focus over the last decade. Responsibility for causing and/or solving these problems has been variously directed towards dog breeders and kennel clubs, the veterinary profession, welfare scientists, owners, regulators, insurance companies and the media. In reality, all these stakeholders are likely to share some responsibility and optimal progress on resolving these challenges requires all key stakeholders to work together. The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), together with an alternating host organization, holds biennial meetings called the International Dog Health Workshops (IDHW). The Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) hosted the 3rd IDHW, in Paris, in April, 2017. These meetings bring together a wide range of stakeholders in dog health, science and welfare to improve international sharing of information and resources, to provide a forum for ongoing collaboration, and to identify specific needs and actions to improve health, well-being and welfare in dogs.ResultsThe workshop included 140 participants from 23 countries and was structured around six important issues facing those who work to improve dog health. These included individualized breed-specific strategies for health and breeding, extreme conformations, education and communication in relation to antimicrobial resistance, behavior and welfare, genetic testing and population-based evidence. A number of exciting actions were agreed during the meeting. These included setting up working groups to create tools to help breed clubs accelerate the implementation of breed-health strategies, review aspects of extreme conformation and share useful information on behavior. The meeting also heralded the development of an online resource of relevant information describing quality measures for DNA testing. A demand for more and better data and evidence was a recurring message stressed across all themes.ConclusionsThe meeting confirmed the benefits from inclusion of a diverse range of stakeholders who all play relevant and collaborative parts to improve future canine health. Firm actions were set for progress towards improving breed-related welfare. The next international workshop will be in the UK in 2019 and will be organized by the UK Kennel Club.

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

“…Meetings are spaced at 18-24 month intervals, with this the 4th meeting since the inaugural event in 2012. The meeting structure that has proved effective at previous IDHWs was successfully applied again for the 4th IDHW 2019, with attendees allocated to a specific theme and staying within this group for the duration of the meeting [18]. The 4th IDHW 2019 was structured around 5 key themes.…”

“…A previous publication has described the background, process and action plan from the 3rd IDHW [18]. The current report builds on this with a focus, as well, on the next planned meeting, the 5th IDHW 2021.…”

“…As at previous IDHWs, plenary presentations from international experts on the morning of the first full day were followed by breakout sessions for each theme spread over the 2 days and interspersed with two sharing-sessions in plenum [18]. In advance of the conference, participants were provided with information, including surveys on topics relevant to their specific themes, in order to focus discussion and activities both during and after the meeting.…”

“…Responsibility for controlling such health problems has variously been directed at dog breeders, kennel clubs, the veterinary profession and consumers [ 12 – 17 ]. A report following the 3rd IDHW in Paris emphasised that, instead of any single group being accountable, all of these stakeholders, as well as other influencers such as the media and celebrities, should share overall responsibility for dog welfare because each plays an important but differing role in a complex interplay [ 18 ]. No single stakeholder group alone can resolve these issues; progress towards improved welfare requires meaningful collaboration between all those working in dog health, science and welfare.…”

“…The first IDHW was held in June 2012 in Stockholm, Sweden, where the need for an international platform for collaborative efforts was stressed, and this triggered the development of the International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), a non-profit organisation initiated by several national Kennel Clubs and other stakeholders in dog health. The aim of IPFD is to facilitate collaboration and sharing of resources to enhance the health, well-being and welfare of pedigreed dogs and all dogs worldwide; and to support human-dog interactions [ 18 ]. DogWellNet.com was subsequently launched as the internet platform of the IPFD [ 19 ].…”