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

Abstract

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.

Who’s Getting a Head Start? Mesocephalic Dogs in Still Images Are Attributed More Positively Valenced Emotions Than Dogs of Other Cephalic Index Groups

“…Rather than CI alone, pre-existing perceptions of the breeds used in the current study may have affected EA. However, this is unlikely to explain the current results fully, because the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which in this study was represented in two of the three MC dog images, has suffered negative press in the U.K. [ 51 ] even though current MC images were rated the most positively, implying breed perception did not significantly influence EA, or that these views are variable in the public [ 52 ]. In 2013, McGreevy et al [ 30 ] reported that eight undesirable behavioural traits correlated with CI, half of which correlated positively and half negatively.…”

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

“…Since the first Dog Health Workshop was arranged in Stockholm in 2012, multi-stakeholders with an interest in canine health have met and created the International Partnership for Dogs and DogWellNet, focusing on various aspects of canine health, including extreme conformation [5]. The stakeholders have gathered repeatedly with exaggerated features as one theme [6,7] and have established an International Collaborative on Extreme Conformation in Dogs (ICEC Dogs) [8]. A textbook with an extensive review and references to activities regarding BOAS was published in 2021 [9].…”

A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations

“…The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) has concluded that multi-stakeholder engagement is required to combat dog welfare challenges, including engagement between DWOs, kennel clubs, state services, veterinarians, and dog owners [ 12 ]. Additionally, the breed-specific strategies for health and breeding, supply and demand and behaviour were prominent themes in their report.…”