Document type: Press release from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
Author: Rebecca George
Preview: The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) shares the concerns recently expressed by the Norwegian court regarding the breeding of English Bulldogs and CavalierKing Charles Spaniels. It confirms its support for the efforts of Animal Protection Norway andthe Norwegian Animal Welfare Act, which states that: 'Breeding should promote traits that provide robust animals with good function and health.'
In a new Position Paper WSAVA has called for a much greater focus on health screening ofbreeding animals and educating the public. This should include encouraging them to ask breeders for veterinary documentation of pre-breeding health screening results on the parents of puppies and kittens before they buy them. It urges that the selection of breeding dogs and cats should avoid extreme conformation that predisposes to disease and poor welfare. [...]The WSAVA
- Prioritizes the breeding of animals that focuses on their health and welfare
- Supports Animal Welfare Laws that reduce the suffering of animals and enhance their good welfare
- Encourages kennel clubs and cat registries to adjust breed standards to address and avoid extreme conformation and disease predisposing anatomy
- Encourages kennel clubs and cat registries to establish breeding guidelines that include breed-specific pre-breeding health screening to avoid genetic diseases, disease risk from exaggerated anatomical features, and monitoring of breed health
- Encourages breeders to work with the veterinary profession to perform pre-breeding health examinations, to select healthy breeding dogs and cats, and to provide pet buyers with official documentation of health screening
- Encourages future pet owners to consult with a veterinarian before buying a purposely bred dog or cat, to assess their health and the health of their parents.
Press release published in Veterinary Practice News on 28 February 2022: 'Health-focused' breeding essential to improving overall welfare of dogs
