The verdict from the Borgarting Court of Appeal has concluded that it is against the law to breed cavalier king charles spaniels. The reason is health conditions. The Court of Appeal, on the other hand, states that the breeding of dogs of the English bulldog breed does not contravene the prohibitions in the Animal Welfare Act. The Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK), the Norwegian Bulldogg Club and the Norwegian Cavalier Club and six breeders were subpoenaed by Animal Protection Norway in autumn 2021. Animal Protection Norway believes that the dog breeds English Bulldog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have such serious health problems that they should not be bred any further. In January, the Oslo District Court concluded that it is against section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act to breed on the dog breeds for NKK, two purebred dog clubs and six breeders. In the judgment, it was found, among other things, that the genetic makeup of the English bulldog breed can cause breathing problems (BOAS) and the inability to give birth naturally. For the cavalier king charles spaniel, it was, among other things, chronic headaches (SM) and heart defects. Six breeders were banned from breeding these dogs. Disagreement in interpretation The judgment in the civil case from the Oslo district court caused a dispute between the parties, as they disagreed in the interpretation of it. The NKK interpreted it to mean that the judgment only applied to the six breeders who had been subpoenaed, and that all others could breed on the breeds. Animal Protection Norway believes that section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act applies to everyone involved in breeding, including breeding organisations. NKK chose to appeal the judgment from the Oslo District Court. They wanted to document that there are healthy individuals among the relevant dog breeds. Cross-breeding Animal Protection Norway believes that the solution to the health problems of these dogs is to cross-breed genes from other healthy dog breeds. On a par with the Norwegian dog breeds, which may be in danger of dying out. The case has generated great international interest. Both the English Bulldog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have a historical connection to Great Britain. – It is England that must make a decision on whether these breeds should be cross-bred, NKK told news earlier. Considering moving abroad – I actually don’t really dare to think about what my life will be like if Cavalier breeding is banned in Norway, says Nina Mehandru Kallekleiv. – It’s my whole life. Absolutely everything in my life is arranged and organized around it. Kallekleiv travels to international dog shows. Recently, she topped the podium in Estonia. Then one of her dogs became best in breed with Estonian champion and international champion. – With this court case in the back of my mind, I will front Norway externally and win, says the breeder. She has been working with dogs all her life, and breeding cavalier king charles spaniels for nearly 20 years. Kallekleiv claims she breeds healthy dogs of the breed. Now she is considering moving abroad with her dogs if she is not allowed to breed the breed at home in Norway. Breeder of cavalier king charles spaniel, Nina Mehandru Kallekleiv, together with her three-year-old top winner Goggen. Photo: Privat Kallekleiv says that she gets a lot of reactions to the trial when she travels outside Norway. – Many “out there” believe that the breed must be sicker here in Norway since this is happening. They are shocked, she says. At home in Askøy, she now has two litters of puppies. She sees the demand for puppies as normal, but sees a change. – I am experiencing a greater influx from abroad as they are worried that they will not be able to buy Norwegian-bred cavaliers in the future. They are looking for a Norwegian cavalier because of the good health work here and the good health statistics we have here, she says. For Nina Mehandru Kallekleiv, the dogs mean everything. Here together with several of them, from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Whippet breeds. Photo: Privat New regulation to come This summer, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority submitted a preliminary proposal for a new regulation on dog breeding, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It will apply to all dogs in Norway. One of the points states that dogs must not be used for breeding if they have hereditary characteristics that are known and which are likely to cause unnecessary stress to the offspring. – We propose to set stricter requirements for breeding, so that we get a significant improvement, lawyer and senior adviser at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority Bjørnar Stavenes told news earlier. There is also a proposal that all dogs should be examined by a veterinarian before they are used in breeding for the first time. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority aims to send a final, completed and complete proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food before Christmas. The proposal can therefore be submitted for consultation at the beginning of 2023. – We hope with this to have the regulations on dog breeding established before the summer of 2023, says Stavenes.
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Judgment in the appeal case about dog breeding – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
