Newly elected head of the Norwegian Veterinary Association, Bente Akselsen, is lashing out against purebred dogs that are bred for “appearance” and thus, according to her, are afflicted with a number of ailments. She believes we must stop breeding for “appearance” and instead become concerned with health. The Norwegian Kennel Club, which registers most purebred dogs in Norway, has soundness and health as its most important breeding goal. Akselsen repeats the same unvarnished claims we have heard for years. Purebred dogs are sick, they have a wide range of ailments, they cannot breathe and this is due to breed standards. Breed standards do not call for unhealthy traits. It is a loose description of how a dog breed should be, both in terms of exterior, movement pattern and temperament, and lists such health problems as disqualifying. And very few people who buy a dog have read the breed standard. More than half of the registered dogs in Norway that are bred at have never taken part in a show. It is therefore not a one-sided “focus on appearance” that causes certain dog breeds to have greater problems than others. This week, the Norwegian Kennel Club, in collaboration with the international organization for kennel clubs, FCI, organized the first ever international conference on the theme of breathing problems (BOAS) in short-haired breeds. Veterinarians and researchers from 15 countries participated in the conference. The world’s leading expert on BOAS, Jane Ladlow, and also critical voices, such as the former head of the International Partnership for Dogs, Brenda Bonnet, were also there. The head of the veterinary association was also present. Bonnet singled out Norway, Sweden and Finland as the world’s leading countries when it comes to measures to improve dog health – in many cases, light years ahead of other countries and other parts of the world. She also emphasized how complicated it is to bring about change. Many factors come into play. The humanization of dogs, people’s emotional attachment, their inability to use critical thinking before buying, and vets’ reluctance to empathize with their clients. Also cynical, commercial breeding via small and large “puppy factories” is a real challenge. Recently, the veterinary association adopted an ethical guideline for dog breeding. The Norwegian Kennel Club supports the intention in this. In fact, most of the content has been part of our ethical guidelines for several years. So welcome after! But because we know a far bigger and more comprehensive picture than the association does, we do not throw ourselves into simple solutions that have little chance of success. Among these hopeless proposals is racial prohibition. As the only active party, we work for effective solutions. We have the same goals as the veterinary association and animal welfare organisations. We want as healthy dogs as possible. Among the measures we believe in is registered breeding of ID-marked, health-tested individuals. We believe in close cooperation between veterinarians, breeders, breed clubs and the Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK). We believe in information, enlightenment, raising the awareness of puppy buyers, new, innovative solutions and international cooperation. NKK hopes the veterinary association will contribute to this work. Do not launch unvarnished attacks on groups of purebred dogs, and act in a way that is perceived as stigmatizing and divisive. We need to play as a team. We hope you believe that too. ALSO READ:
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Undifferentiated about purebred dogs – Statement
