STATEMENT, FEBRUARY 14, 2022
STATEMENT, FEBRUARY 14, 2022
Dogs Australia is responding to calls for some of Australia’s most popular breeds to be banned, namely Pugs, British and French Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Dogs Australia is responding to calls for some of Australia’s most popular breeds to be Spaniels. banned, namely Pugs, British and French Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Thedebate debate follows followsthe therecent recent decision decision in inNorway Norwaytotoban banthe thebreeding breedingof ofBritish British The Bulldogsand andCavalier CavalierKing KingCharles Charles Spaniels. The Oslo District Court ruled Bulldogs Spaniels.The Oslo District Court ruled thatthat selective breeding breeding had had led led to to numerous numerous health health problems selective problems including including breathing breathing difficulties and heart and eye conditions. difficulties and heart and eye conditions. DogsAustralia Australiasays saysthe thesolution, solution,rather ratherthan thanbanning banningthe the breeds breeds outright, outright, is is in Dogs eradicating irresponsible breeders who fail ineradicating irresponsible breeders who failtotododohealth healthtests. tests. The Theorganisation organisation believes believes that that tackling tackling the the issue issue effectively effectivelyininAustralia Australia requires requiresregulation and research into the health status of the brachycephalic regulation and research into the health status of the brachycephalic (brachy) (brachy) breeds, breeds,including Pugs, French and British Bulldogs, to get a more accurate picture. including Pugs, French and British Bulldogs, to get a more accurate picture. Dogs Australia President, Hugh Gent OAM, says a breeding ban on these much-loved DogsisAustralia President, Gent OAM, a breeding ban onunderground these much-loved dogs not the solution, asHugh it would serve onlysays to drive the industry and dogs is not the solution, as it would serve only to drive the industry underground and exacerbate the situation. exacerbate the situation. “First, we must work to eradicate irresponsible breeding practices,” he says. “There are breeders whowork are not regulated. There are inexperienced and unscrupulous “First, we must to eradicate irresponsible breeding practices,” he says. “There breeders in this country do not There do health and their litters are not part of are breeders who are notwho regulated. are checks inexperienced and unscrupulous the national register maintained by Dogs Australia.” breeders in this country who do not do health checks and their litters are not part of the national register maintained by Dogs Australia.” Dogs Australia registered breeders follow a strict code of ethics, conduct health checks and, accountability, arebreeders supported by a adatabase of inherited ORCHID1. Dogsfor Australia registered follow strict code of ethics, diseases conduct –health
checks and, accountability, are supported by a database of inherited “Second, we1 for need to get a true understanding of the size of the problem diseases in Australia. --ORCHID . The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is responding to a situation in Norway with data that may not be relevant here.” “Second, we need to get a true understanding of the size of the problem in Australia. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is responding to aissituation Norway Leading Australian veterinarian Dr Karen Hedberg says: “There very littleinrelevant with on data that breeds may not relevant here.” data these inbe this country. We need to use science, health checks and consumer education to ensure these breeds continue to be much-loved companions Leading in Aussie Australian homes.” veterinarian Dr Karen Hedberg says: “There is very little relevant data on these breeds in this country. We need to use science, health checks and consumer education to ensure these breeds continue to be much-loved companions in 1 ORCHIDhomes.” Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database Aussie 8
DOG WORLD March 2022 1 ORCHID Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database
