I've just spend the day burrowing into the report on the Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson FRS, published at 10am this morning.
The report can be downloaded and read by clicking the link above so I won't discuss the whole 64 page report. I do however want to say things about some of the findings presented as many of them I recognise as laments of those of us working 'at the sharp end' of breeders' mistakes!
The report can be downloaded and read by clicking the link above so I won't discuss the whole 64 page report. I do however want to say things about some of the findings presented as many of them I recognise as laments of those of us working 'at the sharp end' of breeders' mistakes!
Firstly, I'm happy to see behavioural welfare being a topic fairly well represented. Those of us that work with puppies see first-hand the kind of socially unbalanced examples from breeders who either don't bother with socialisation and habituation programmes or, as the report describes...
"...reckon that they have nothing to learn and resent bureaucratic interference"
I am no fan of selective breeding or showing for very definite reasons; the minute either ego or money enters the equation, the worst possible side of humanity shows through. If animals are involved, they are the innocent victims and I'm really pleased that this report is quite strongly-worded in places regarding the lack of integrity they have noted in breeders, albeit accompanied by the disclaimer that this is a generalisation and does not apply to all, of course.
I fully expect to be reading and hearing the all-too-familiar complaints regarding the feasibility of implementing the recommendations etc but for me, the whole process of the Kennel Club and breeders finally taking responsibility for their past (and present) actions has to start somewhere.
Yes it's going to be tough-going.
Yes it's going to involve us dog professionals keeping this ball rolling and getting passionate about it.
Yes, it's going to take time.
Complaining about it is merely taking up more of that time! We have got to get the Kennel Club, Breed Clubs and individual breeders to listen and learn without prejudice. We need a common motivator such as that provided by Cesar Millan in the recent coalition of major European canine health & welfare charities and organisations to pull together and condemn aversive techniques (link below)
Welfare in Dog Training
That common motivator should be animal welfare, but unfortunately as previously said, ego and money are often the primary motivators in dog breeding and showing and I believe that these are mutually exclusive to canine welfare.
That common motivator should be animal welfare, but unfortunately as previously said, ego and money are often the primary motivators in dog breeding and showing and I believe that these are mutually exclusive to canine welfare.
As said earlier, the Inquiry has discovered things that many of us have known for ages. I've been trying to change breeder attitudes for many years; here's a link to an article I wrote back in 2006.
I'm still astounded at the sheer volume of the general public who have NO IDEA about choosing the right dog for them. I was speaking to someone today who has bought a historic fighting breed for the first time and when I asked why they bought it, they replied that 'they just like the look of the breed'. Yes, I'm taking them under my wing and will be helping them as much as possible, especially as this is the 20wk pup's THIRD home...
Bottom Line: (In this the Inquiry agrees with what I've believed for years) if the public are better informed and educated, they will ask the right questions and hopefully stop buying from the breeders and other outlets that are not complying with the rules and regs which are there for the welfare of the dog. Let's pull together as dog-lovers, professionals and enthusiasts to help the general public help the welfare of the dog.
We can't do it without them.
They can't do it without us.
