Think Globally, Act Locally
Category for discussions on promoting collective and collaborative actions for dog health and welfare and human-dog interactions.
7 articles in this category
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Published in September of 2020... Legislative actions in Europe have provoked intense, confrontational responses within the pedigree dog community. Many within the dog show world see regulatory actions as attacks on their community and on all pedigree dogs, beyond the direct focus on brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. Some government actions have been instituted somewhat unilaterally, without wide enough consultation; no doubt political agendas are involved. In some cases, stakeholder grouReframing Current Challenges Around Pedigree Dogs
A Call for Respectful Dialogue, Collaboration, and Collective Actions
Author: Brenda N. Bonnett, DVM, PhD, CEO, International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) Note: This article is available in Nederlands, English, Suomeksi, Français, Deutsch, and Español (download below).
For all those who want a sustainable future for healthy pedigree dogs.
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The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) and Pedigree Dogs – You want leadership? We are ready. Opinion published in Our Dogs newspaper, 18 May 2022. We read with interest your opinion piece ”Need for international leadership.” Recent regulations for dog shows in Germany are truly ill-advised, some demands are over-the-top, and some not fully evidence-based. The disorganized enactment is inappropriate and targeting the VDH and its members is unfortunate. VDH isIPFD and Pedigree dogs - You want leadership - we are ready
This article by IPFD appeared in Our Dogs Newspaper on 18 May 2022. It is reprinted below, and available as a PDF at the end of this article. On the 13th May 2022 Our Dogs newspaper published an Opinion piece entitled: Need for international leadership. We applaud their weighing in on these dramatic developments. They made several excellent points about recent events relative to dog shows in Germany and other legislative and legal actions against certain breeds of dogs. They mention the potential for IPFD to have a role in promoting pedigree dogs, kennel clubs, and dog shows. This article is our answer to theirs. IPFD is a multi-stakeholder organization, with a mission to enhance the health, well-being, and welfare of pedigree dogs and all dogs, and to support human-dog interactions. Although forward-thinking kennel clubs (KCs) have been among our main sponsors, we are not simply a pro-KC organization. Our founding sponsors saw the importance of having a multi-stakeholder, evidence-based, a-political, independent organization to collate, present, and advance issues on dog health and welfare. The piece below and attached briefly outlines what we have done, are doing, and could do to provide international leadership - especially if more KCs join us. Certainly, there is a need to lobby legislators and law makers to consider the wider picture in terms of the sources of dogs - with most coming from outside the pedigree community. Added to that - profiling the many KCs - including and beyond our sponsors - that are doing great work - at least on most breeds - is key. Working collectively, we could certainly highlight and enhance this work. But KCs must be willing to escape some political and historical barriers. As Our Dogs says, the time is NOW!
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Published on DogWellNet, 08 May 2022 The basic tenets of theriogenology/reproductive veterinary practice would suggest that only healthy dogs be used in breeding. Traditionally though, assessment of health was rather limited and focused on the presentation of the bitch or dog in question. But is that enough? Good breeding practices now include various tests to determine the suitability for pairs of mating animals, e.g.: Freedom from obvious signs of disease, including skin prVeterinarians and Brachycephalic Dogs: “Once I saw the problem, I couldn’t ‘un-see’ it.”
Brenda N. Bonnett, DVM, PhD, B. Bonnett, Consulting NOTE: this article relates to an Invited Commentary in the journal Canine Medicine and Genetics. See:- O’Neill, D.G., Sahota, J., Brodbelt, D.C. et al. Health of Pug dogs in the UK: disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Med Genet 9, 4 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-022-00117-6
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The Situation The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals (NSPA) has taken legal steps towards selected breeders, clubs, and the Norwegian Kennel Club to have the content and limits of the animal welfare law interpreted by the Norwegian courts. (See: https://www.dyrebeskyttelsen.no/aerlig-talt-english/the-first-lawsuit-updates/ ) "The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals has brought a case before the Oslo District Court against the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian CavNorwegian Lawsuit on Dog Breeds and Breeding - The "First" But Not the Last?
Author: Brenda N. Bonnett, DVM, PhD; CEO IPFDAbstract
The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals (NSPA) is suing selected breeders, clubs, and the Norwegian Kennel Club for not following the country's animal welfare law; the Norwegian court has agreed to hear the case. One goal is to achieve a clearer interpretation of the language of the law. While the NSPA's motivation behind this approach is understandable, i.e., a frustration with a lack of progress on health issues by breeders and clubs over over the last 2 decades, looking for a legal 'fix' for the complex problems around dog health and welfare, dog breeding, breeds with extreme conformation, and human-dog interactions is not ideal and will likely result in unintended consequences. The dog breeding community needs to address the challenges and potential solutions, however, there are many other stakeholders who also must take responsibility including consumers, veterinarians, regulators, the pet industry, and more. Unilateral actions are unlikely to achieve the wider goals. This article outlines this Norwegian situation and builds on our previous document Reframing Discussions Reframing Current Challenges Around Pedigree Dogs: A Call for Respectful Dialogue, Collaboration, and Collective Actions.
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For additional comments and resources: See Brenda's Blogs... Responsible Breeding and Sourcing of Dogs - Bonnett Swedish Vet Congress Oct 2020 Reframing Discussions - What is needed for progress? A webinar sponsored by the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG), the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) and Our Dogs Magazine. Think Globally, Act Locally - Promoting Open Dialogue and Collective Actions- Link to a talk by Dr. Bonnett and to further resources...
For additional comments and resources: See Brenda's Blog... Responsible Breeding and Sourcing of Dogs - Bonnett Swedish Vet Congress Oct 2020
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In the Media Key UK canine publication Our Dogs published an opinion piece and a column by David Cavill (Publisher of Our Dogs, Studies Co-ordinator of Animal Care College, writer, photographer, expert witness, judge of dogs)in its 16 October issue (article for subscribers only). | In a related blog post, IPFD CEO Dr. Brenda Bonnett reflects on Our Dogs' move to "wholeheartedly endorse" the IPFD Call to Action and publish our "Reframing" document - in addition to David Cavill's editorial- Here we compile a list of media stories and articles posted by IPFD Partners and other contributors helping to spread the word on IPFD's Call for Collective Actions for Health and Welfare of Pedigree Dogs. View the original IPFD Press Release (available in several languages). Please share it through your website and social media channels if you haven't done so already! Note: We will continue adding content below as the conversation grows.
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Think Globally, Act Locally - Promoting Open Dialogue and Collective Actions Table of Contents Think Globally, Act Locally - Promoting Open Dialogue and Collective Actions Call to Action ENGAGING CONSTRUCTIVELY in discussions of dog health and welfare Some tools we have or are working on: Feel Good Videos! Share your experiences and resources Resources Call to Action IPFD has published an article entitled: Reframing CurrenThink Globally, Act Locally - Promoting Open Dialogue and Collective Actions
Our world is better because we share it with dogs. Let's share responsibly!
IPFD has published an article (and done a Press Release) entitled: Reframing Current Challenges Around Pedigree Dogs: A Call for Respectful Dialogue, Collaboration and Collective Actions (see more below).
This article aims to build on the call to action in that publication, with further resources and suggestions on moving forward, and eventually to direct stakeholders to tools to help us pursue individual and collective actions. This will be a 'living document' as we add links and resources over time, including reporting on the efforts of others, globally.
Our aim is to encourage open and respectful dialogue, collective and collaborative actions, and a global perspective on issues affecting the health and welfare of dogs, including the impact of human dog interactions, the culture of dogs, legislative approaches, and emerging challenges.
The goal is to bring together all those individuals and organizations who believe that our world is better because we share it with dogs; who believe that pedigree dogs and all dogs deserve good health and welfare; that people involved with dogs have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of dogs whether they are involved as owners, breeders, veterinarians, legislators, in the pet industry or other; that the diversity of ways in which people interact with dogs varies internationally, and traditions and cultures should be respected, but never at the expense of basic dog health and welfare.
We are stronger together. Everyone who wants a great future for dogs has a role to play. IPFD has a mission to bring people together for the good of dogs.
Below you will find ways to participate and lots of information, links, resources, and tools. These will expand and evolve over time.
