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News & Highlights
IPFD News
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We're excited to announce that the paper, "Moving from information and collaboration to action: Report from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki, June 2024" has been published in Companion Animal Health and Genetics (formerly Canine Medicine and Genetics). Authored by IPFD staff and workshop theme leaders, the report summarises key discussion points for each of the four workshop themes and identifies priorities and planned actions.
Click here for background information and summary | Click here to read the paper | Click the image to view an infographic provided courtesy of IPFD Collaborating Partner VetCompass
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IPFD's Board in Action: In-person Meetings and Fostering International Collaboration at CRUFTS
With many members of our Board attending CRUFTS in Birmingham, UK, it was an ideal setting to gather for in-person discussions on IPFD matters.
On March 5th, the Board held a planning session to continue development of IPFD's Strategic Plan for 2025 through 2028.
The session was followed by a formal Board business meeting, during which several changes were made to the composition of the IPFD Board. We're delighted to announce that Centrale Canine Director Fleur-Marie Desfougères (France) has been elected IPFD Vice-Chair. Our longtime Vice-Chair, Bill Lambert (UK), has transitioned to IPFD Board Member-at-Large, and we look forward to Bill continuing his valuable contributions. And we're truly pleased to welcome the recently appointed Chief Executive of The Kennel Club, Jannine Edgar (UK), to the IPFD Board. Read more about our Board and Consulting Team here.
CRUFTS also provided numerous opportunities for networking with key decision makers in the dog world to strengthen existing partnerships and build new relationships to enhance international collaboration. We're excited to see where these efforts will take us in the months to come.
Special thanks to Bill Lambert, Pekka Olson, Eva Lejdbrandt, and Ulf Uddman for helping to organize these important meetings, and we thank the rest of our Board members for their ongoing support of IPFD's work!
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IPFD Board Member Dr. Marty Greer is a recurring guest on Laura Reeves' Pure Dog Talk podcast. Check out these recent episodes: 668 – Pro Tips on Raising Orphaned Puppies | 676 – Brucellosis or CHV? Deadly Diseases for Puppies
Marty and Laura have also teamed up for a podcast series, The Marty and Laura Show, which offers expert pet health advice, fun stories, and helpful tips to keep pets happy and healthy.
Blog Posts
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In her latest entry, IPFD's Katariina Mäki offers an overview of the recently published Horizon Topic paper: A new future for dog breeding. The paper presents a review of modern dog breeding, outlining the current situation and suggesting improvements to enhance the health and welfare of dogs in the future. The authors (Helle Friis Proschowsky, from the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Copenhagen University, with Maja Arendt, Brenda Bonnett, Camilla Bruun, Irena Czycholl, Merete Fredholm, Dan O'Neill, James Serpell, and Peter Sandøe) view this paper as a call to action, providing a framework for driving meaningful change. A link to the paper is include in Katariina's post.
IPFD Contributor Ian J Seath also commented on the paper in his February 2025 “Best of Health” article.
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Katariina attended FCI's recent online conference on the illegal puppy trade. In her latest post, FCI Online conference: ‘Illegal puppy trade in the European Union – Causes, consequences and solutions’, she summarizes the discussions and identifies opportunities for further collaboration on this important issue.
Videos of several segments from the conference have been posted online, with more to follow. See Katariina's post for a link to the clips.
Breeds Resources
★ This month, we feature the Labrador Retriever ★
Brief Description:
The Labrador Retriever originated and developed on the island of Newfoundland as an all-purpose waterdog and functional retriever. The breed was preserved in England after anti-dog legislation almost decimated the breed in its homeland. The breed is noted for its love of retrieving and water, for its excellent nose, soft mouth, intelligence and biddable temperament. Extraordinary versatility allows Labradors to excel as hunting, service, and therapy dogs; in search and rescues; in drug and bomb detection; as family companions, and in performance and field events.
His gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability have done much to account for the Lab’s popularity as a pet. His disposition is kindly and outgoing coupled with an eager-to-please nature and general non-aggressiveness.
Excelling as a field dog as well as in obedience, the Labrador enjoys outdoor exercise and is especially fond of swimming. He’ll happily retrieve until your arm gives out. He’s a great family pet, good with children, that does well in suburban or country settings.
(Source: Canadian Kennel Club)
IPFD has published a NEW Globally Relevant Integrated Health Profile (GRIHP) for the Labrador Retriever. This article is part of a unique series highlighting the 'Big Picture' of health, welfare, and breeding for selected breeds. Learn more about IPFD's Get a GRIHP! on Breed Health Initiative.
Quick Links to IPFD/DogWellNet Resources for the Labrador Retriever:
- Information on the breed: Pedigree Breeds Database - Labrador Retriever
- Genetic testing - Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD) Database: Labrador Retriever
- Health Strategies Database for Dogs (HSSD): Labrador Retriever (please share breed info for your country with us!)
- Get a GRIHP! on Labrador Retrievers
IPFD Partners in Action
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Registration is now open for the 2025 AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference – "Science for Healthy, Vibrant Dogs" – August 7-9, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina.
IPFD CEO Marc Ralsky and our HGTD Project Director, Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, will deliver a presentation entitled, A Global Canine Community Empowering Local Actions to Improve Dog Health and Well-being. We thank our friends at the AKC-CHF for this opportunity to showcase IPFD and the important work we're doing with our international partners and supporters!
IPFD is hosting its first-ever Virtual Dog Health Forum in June – the midway point between last year’s 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki and the 6th IDHW in Bologna, Italy, in 2026 – to continue discussions on key issues in dog health and well-being and identify new opportunities for international collaboration.
If you were unable to join us in Helsinki, this will be a great opportunity to connect, share, and get involved!
Tuesday, 3rd June & Wednesday, 4th June 2025 (Online)
11:00am-3:15pm (EDT) / 15:00-19:15 (UTC)*
*Times subject to change
Click here for more information | Click here to register now
The Virtual Dog Health Forum is brought to you free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our Lead Sponsor:
The Royal Canin Division, owner of the ROYAL CANIN® brand, is part of Mars, Incorporated and a global leader in Health Through Nutrition for cats and dogs. Founded in 1968 by French veterinarian, Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin continues to push the limits of nutrition and knowledge in partnership with pet professionals and experts to fulfill its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.
Royal Canin collaborates with partners, including breeders and veterinarians, not only to design precise, science-based nutrition for cats and dogs but also to develop a variety of tools and services to generate a significant positive impact on pet health. The company does this in a respectful, responsible, and sustainable way towards pets, people, and planet.
To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com
Join IPFD in our global, multi-stakeholder effort to enhance dog health, well-being, and welfare!
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Individual Contributors: Are you a breed expert and/or involved in a dog club for your breed? Would you like to share information from your kennel club, breed club, or country on DogWellNet.com?
- Canine Organizations: Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other key stakeholders in the global dog community by formally supporting IPFD and our important work.
Learn More About Opportunities
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