Better the Breed. Ban the Bad Breeders. скачать в хорошем качестве

Better the Breed. Ban the Bad Breeders.

There’s a lot of talk about banning certain dog breeds, but as a working groomer, I see this from a welfare point of view. This isn’t about hating breeds — it’s about protecting dogs. Every week I handle dogs with skin issues, breathing difficulties, poor coats, anxiety and physical discomfort that often come from irresponsible breeding. These dogs didn’t choose this. Humans created these problems, and the dogs live with the consequences. Breeds like the Shih Tzu and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have long histories. They’ve been companion dogs for hundreds of years. They weren’t originally bred to struggle with breathing, movement, or constant health issues. Over time, certain physical traits have been exaggerated — flatter faces, heavier coats, more extreme features — and that’s where problems have increased. The dogs themselves aren’t the mistake. The breeding choices are. I’m not against responsible, health-tested breeders who are trying to improve their lines. They are part of the solution and should be supported. What needs stopping is breeding purely for money, trends, or extreme looks when those traits cause suffering. If we remove whole breeds instead of fixing breeding practices, they’re gone forever. The focus should be on: • Health testing • Ethical breeding standards • Accountability • Improving breed health • Putting welfare before appearance As groomers, vets and dog professionals, we see the results of poor breeding every day. The dogs deserve better. This conversation is about protecting dogs — not punishing them. 🐶 LATEST UPDATE ON DOG BREEDING HEALTH DEBATE (IHA & RKC) There’s been a lot of talk following the government meeting about dog health and breeding, so here’s what’s actually happening right now: 📌 1️⃣ The Innate Health Assessment (IHA) now exists A tool has been created that looks at a dog’s body shape and structure to flag features linked to health problems — things like: • Very short muzzles (breathing issues) • Excessive skin folds • Eye position • Body proportions The goal is simple: ➡️ Dogs should be built in a way that allows them to breathe, move and live comfortably. At the moment, it’s mainly being used as an educational and assessment tool. ⸻ 🏛️ 2️⃣ The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) attended the government meeting They were there on purpose so pedigree breeders had a voice in the discussion. They’ve made it clear: ✔️ They support the goal of healthier dogs ❌ They do not believe the IHA tool on its own is detailed enough to guide complex breeding decisions ⚠️ They are concerned it could unintentionally affect some breeds in ways that aren’t fully thought through So their position is: “We agree with improving health — but breeding needs more than a simple scoring tool.” ⸻ 🧬 3️⃣ RKC presented their own plan They introduced a “Breeding for Health Framework”, which they say is based on: • Veterinary input • Long-term breed data • Scientific research • Breed-specific assessments They want this to be part of shaping any future system, rather than relying only on the IHA. ⸻ 🚫 4️⃣ What has NOT happened Important to know: • The IHA is NOT a law • It is NOT compulsory for breeders • The Kennel Club has NOT replaced its own health testing systems • There is no enforcement linked to it yet So we are still in a discussion and development stage. ⸻ ⚖️ 5️⃣ Why this matters This debate is about finding the balance between: 🐾 Protecting dog welfare 🐾 Reducing extreme, unhealthy body shapes 🐾 Supporting responsible breeders 🐾 Preserving breed type without harming health Emotions are high because this affects the future of many well-known breeds. ⸻ 🧼 From a practical dog care point of view Many professionals see dogs daily who struggle with: • Breathing • Eye problems • Skin infections • Joint strain So improving health is important — but many also feel: The real problem is irresponsible breeding, not responsible breeders following health testing and good practice.