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It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

It is prohibited to exhibit dogs or to stage exhibitions with dogs that have a hereditary disposition causing them pain, avoidable suffering, or possible damage.

§ 10 Section 2 Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law

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Torture breeding: between polemics
and generalizations

Controlled pedigree dog breeding
is healthy dog breeding

Dangers of this Ruling that
go beyond Breeding

The Initiative

On January 1st 2022, the Dog Regulation Act of the Animal Protection Law has been amended to prohibit dog exhibitions of animals originating from so-called torture breeding activities. The basic understanding of promoting animal welfare by setting binding standards can only be applauded. However, the way veterinary authorities that are tasked with enforcing this regulation may interpret it, can be detrimental to kennel clubs who are already dedicated to combating hereditary defects and dispositions.

We, as members of the Club for British Herding Dogs (Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V.) and founders of the initiative “Controlled Breeding of Pedigree Dogs is no Torture Breeding”, are one of them.

Sign Petition of CfBrH

Sign Petition of VDH

Motivation and Objectives

This initiative seeks to educate the public about the actual methods of kennel clubs and uses current numbers and research findings as a framework to not only inform, but also allow for a fact-based exchange with authorities and government agencies. The current enforcement of “torture breeding” laws must be standardized on a nationwide level. To achieve this, it is not only essential to find – in collaboration with the kennel clubs – clear definitions for what “torture breeding” actually means, but also to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by kennel clubs for a long time. A blanket ban can only lead to the end of controlled pedigree breeding in the long run.

Who we are

Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V.

Verein von Neufundländer-Freunden und -Züchtern in Deutschland e.V.

Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub e.V.

Quotes

Wir, der CfBrH und der KfT, hatten die Gelegenheit mit Frau Diana Plange, Projektleiterin Quen, zu sprechen und unsere Sicht zur sogenannten Qualzucht darzustellen. Sie ist gesprächsbereit und wenn sie zu ihren Worten steht, wird sie die negative Darstellung der Rassehundezucht auf Quen relativieren.
Xaver Schmid, Präsident des Klub für Terrier e.V. (KfT)
Man könnte den Eindruck gewinnen, das gewisse Interessenvertreter im Schatten der Pandemie und der Kriegssituation geräuschlos die Grundrechte einschränken möchten, zu denen auch die Durchführung von Hundesportveranstaltungen und Rassehundeausstellungen zählen sollte. Es wurde versäumt, zu der novellierten Tierschutzhundeverordnung angemessene Durchführungsbestimmungen zu formulieren. Damit wurde unbewusst einer gewissen Willkür bei der Auslegung eines Ausstellungsverbots Tür und Tor geöffnet.
Claus-Peter Fricke, Präsident des Club für britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH)
Es ist medizinisch nicht notwendig die Zucht mit Trägern einer rezessiven Variante für eine gesundheitlich relevante Symptomatik, oder z. B. der dominanten Variante für Merle, komplett zu verbieten. Durch solche Bestimmungen würde man Hunde, aus denen bei korrekter Zuchtplanung auch klinisch gesunde Nachkommen ohne erhöhtes Gesundheitsrisiko entstehen, aus dem Genpool der Zuchtpopulation komplett entfernen. Dies würde unweigerlich zu einer genetischen Verarmung führen, was eine populationsgenetische Sackgasse mit der Gefahr der Begünstigung anderer Erkrankungen darstellt.
LABOKLIN Labor für klinische Diagnostik GmbH & Co. KG
Wir stehen seit Jahrzehnten für die Zucht gesunder und sozial verträglicher Hunde. Wir begrüßen daher jede wirksame Maßnahme, die dem Tierwohl dient und genetisch bedingte Erkrankungen in der Hundezucht zu vermeiden hilft. Dabei dürfen jedoch nicht die Rechte der verantwortungsvollen Tierhalter verletzt werden.
Prof. Dr. Peter Friedrich, Präsident des VDH
How is it possible that responsible decision makers try to attack their own partners giving advantages to the backyard commercial irresponsible mass producers? Wake up! It only can be contraproductive! Registered, responsible breeders are your only partners to reach your targets! We offer our help, knowledge and activity, not just words!
Tamás Jakkel, Präsident der Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Torture breeding: between polemics and generalizations

[…] Breed exhibitions [have become] a circus of personal vanities at the cost of defect-loaded animals. What is missing is an appropriate offering of training and continued education opportunities for breeders and a willingness to take advantage of those.

Torture Breeding Evidence Network (QUEN – Qualzucht Evidenz Netzwerk)

Breeders of pedigree dogs are frequently confronted with opinionated language as used in this introductory statement. These critics deliberately ignore the strict standards that aspiring breeders as well as all breeding dogs are subject to: Every breeder has to prove their participation in regular cynological specialist events (conferences, seminars, symposia) and dogs can only be approved for breeding after passing extensive health examinations, breed specific genetic testing, and a behavioral assessment. The sweeping accusations that animal welfare initiatives and political supporters make towards controlled dog breeding are therefore simply not based in facts and are primarily aimed at deliberately misinforming the public.

11203

French Bulldogs were registered via TASSO in 2018. Under the German Kennel Club, however, hardly more than 300 puppies of the breed are born per year.

[It] should be […] noted that an overwhelming number of severely defective breeds originate from outside of the large kennel clubs.

Diana Plange: Veterinarians connect, in: Wuff Magazin, Jan. 2022 issue

The fact that this problem is primarily caused by the uncontrolled reproduction of purebred dogs outside of registered kennel clubs with studbook registries is not only verifiable with clear figures, but is also known to the animal welfare initiatives themselves (for example: in 2018, the total number of new registrations for dogs of the French bulldog breed via the pet registry TASSO amounted to 11,203 puppies, while rarely more than 200 to 300 puppies per year originate from registered VDH kennels).

Since the reproduction of popular breeds is primarily taking place in Eastern Europe, it would make sense to at least exclude animals exhibiting defective breeding characteristics from the ability to win prizes and awards.

Letter to Julia Klöckner, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, July 24, 2019
Dr. Uwe Tiedemann, President of German Veterinary Association

The recommendations that animal rights activists present to political decision makers are based on arguments that lack plausibility, such as, despite their better knowledge, laying the blame on controlled dog breeders.

For the breeders, the animals are never just a commodity.

The animals are being produced like merchandise and sold for profit on internet portals, animal markets, or by “trusted breeders”. […] Dogs […] and other so-called pets are being reproduced in an uncontrollable manner to fulfill human ideals and breed characteristics stipulated by the kennel clubs.

PETA Germany: “These 17 “Pets are torture breeds”
www.peta.de/themen/qualzucht-haustiere

Meanwhile, animal rights organizations make even more sweeping, inflammatory allegations that provide even less nuance. Controlled pedigree dog breeders work with breeding licenses that require expansive inspections and not only regulate how often a bitch is allowed to be used for breeding, but also the maximum number of litters per kennel and calendar year. Yet animal rights organizations such as PETA only give subjective evaluations suitable for defamation only. Those argumentations not only ignore the great efforts made by kennel club registered breeders to safeguard the health of their offspring and ensure that each litter is being planned responsibly, but also the efforts going into selecting the puppy owners for each litter. For a responsible breeder, a puppy is never considered a commodity to be sold. On the contrary, there will traditionally be a lifelong, caring exchange between the breeder and the new owner.

Controlled pedigree dog breeding is healthy dog breeding

The person selecting a domestic animal for breeding purposes, is under an obligation to take into account the physiological and ethological characteristics that could endanger the health and well-being of the offspring or the female parent.

Article 5 of the European Convention for the Protection of Domestic Animals dated November 13, 1987

What exactly is “Controlled Pedigree Dog Breeding” as defined by the German Kennel Club (VDH)? Outlined here using the example of the Club for British Herding Dogs (Club für Britische Hütehunde – CfBrH e.V.), one of the biggest and oldest kennel clubs in Germany.

The Breed Association always acts in the best interests of the animals.

This kennel club …

is an association registered in Germany.
is part of the German Kennel Club (VDH).
has established its own, even more stringent rules within the VDH framework.
is being represented by a steering committee with the corresponding expertise.
governs regional breeding activities through the managing boards of its regional committees.
uses certified specialists for its breeding licensing procedure.
uses certified breeding inspectors across the country for all litter inspections.
keeps publicly accessible breeding records.
regularly adjusts the breeding guidelines in accordance with current research.
prevents torture breeding through rules, standards and inspections.
punishes violations against the breeding guidelines as well as non-compliance with the statutes in order to ensure the wellbeing of the animals.

The breeders …

are members of the Club for British Herding Dogs (Club für Britische Hütehunde – CfBrH e.V.)
are subject to the standards and breeding guidelines of the German Kennel Club (VDH).
are subject to the rules and procedures for obtaining a breeding license by the CfBrH.
have to take an exam that requires basic cynological knowledge¹.
are obligated to regularly update their training requirements by attending cynological seminars.
hold a permit, as required, in accordance with §11 of the animal protection law.
keep the dogs within their homes with access to the family.
if multiple dogs are kept together, they are held in a social group.
adhere to the maximum number of litters per calendar year, regardless of the number of bitches.
educate potential new puppy owners about breed specific diseases.

Correct, healthy anatomy is a prerequisite for healthy breeding.

The breed exhibitions …

provide an overview of the current breeding activities and development of the population.
use the breed specific instructions of the VDH as an assessment standard.
serve to evaluate an appropriate and healthy anatomy.
are an important tool to find any temperamental issues and exclude those dogs from breeding.
serve as a controlling body by providing show results and reports.
provide an opportunity to assess the dogs’ physical condition and reprimand any negligence.

The kennel …

must be inspected and approved by a breeding inspector before the first litter.
must be in compliance with all legal requirements.
is not keeping the dogs in kennels (even if legally permissible).
is a shared living space of humans and dogs.
provides a separate space for the mother dog and her puppies.

Extensive examinations are required for all breeding dogs.

The following applies to all breeding animals:

a surveyor² must have ruled out the presence of hip dysplasia (HD).
must undergo genetic examinations to check for breed specific diseases.
must undergo eye examination by a specialized veterinarian³ to check for hereditary eye diseases.
a DNA profile in accordance with ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics) must be created to ensure genetic diversity.
only dogs that have been approved for breeding by the association can be used for breeding.
the approval for breeding will be revoked, if breeding-related diseases are detected after issuance of the approval.
the approval for breeding will be revoked, if an accumulation of hereditary defects is detected in the offspring.
the minimum breeding age for bitches is 15 months (or possibly later).
the maximum breeding age for bitches is 8 years.
bitches are allowed a maximum of two litters within 24 months.
bitches must be allowed a minimum break of 10 months after having a litter of 6 or more puppies.

The puppies …

are being raised by the mother dog within the home.
will be inspected and documented by a breeding inspector within the first 3 weeks of life.
will be inspected and documented by a breeding inspector for a second time within their 9th week of life.
are being continuously looked after by the breeder and their family members.
will be dewormed a minimum of four times before their handover.
will be chipped before their handover.
will be up-to-date on their vaccinations in compliance with the German Vaccination Authority (StIko) before their handover.
will have a valid blue EU pet passport at handover.
are at least eight weeks old at handover.
their new owners will be very carefully selected.
their new owners will be advised and supported, also after handover.
if necessary, they will be taken back into the care of the breeder and new owners will be found.

How many of these points apply to breeders and breeding dogs that are not affiliated with a kennel club? How many of these apply to the dog trade within Germany? And how many of these points (or how few) apply to illegal imports that reach Germany from abroad every single day?

1: General dog keeping conditions, Animal Protecting Law and Dog Regulation Act, preparation of a bitch for breeding, care for a pregnant bitch, birthing process, raising the puppies, breeding regulations, genetics, breeding guidelines of the VDH and CfBrH, breeding standards of the respective breed(s)

2: Member of the Association for Diagnostic Radiology of Genetically Influenced Skeletal Diseases in Small Animals (GRSK e.V.)

3: For the ophthalmologic examination, we recommend specialized veterinarians affiliated with the Dortmunder Kreis – Association for Diagnostics of Genetic Eye Diseases in Animals (DOK e.V.).

Dangers of this Ruling that go beyond Breeding

The consequences of banning all dogs with possible torture breeding characteristics from being shown in dog exhibitions may not yet be completely foreseeable. But it can be expected that this will not only affect the breeding of pedigree dogs and associated sports and training operations, but will also have long-term damaging effects on many other areas of everyday life – including private companies and public media (press, TV and internet).

Health - that does not exclude carriers like this one. — Health — that does not exclude carriers like this one.

[The ban on dog exhibitions] is also applicable to other events in which dogs are being compared, inspected or otherwise evaluated.

Dog Regulation Act of the Animal Protection Law §10

According to current law, all genetic carriers of genetic diseases (e. g. Collie Eye Anomaly, CEA) are being classified as torture breeds. While these are factually healthy dogs – and also their offspring would never fall ill if the parent dog is reasonably paired with the appropriate mate – the ruling requires that all genetic carriers shall be consistently banned from breeding. For dog breeds with a particularly small population or a particularly high number of genetic carriers, this could mean that the breed will go extinct within few generations. For all other breeds, it can be expected that the drastic genetic impoverishment will have even worse consequences.

18%

Puppies from VDH breeding

Only about 18% of all dogs newly registered in Germany each year come from VDH breeding.

[The] illegal trade […] with puppies and kittens [has] […] reached extreme proportions […]. This surge can be explained with the discrepancy between the high demand for pets that cannot be met by the legal supply of puppies and kittens […] from reputable sources.

Deutscher Tierschutzbund (German Animal Welfare Association), Illegal trading with domestic animals in Germany, status of 04/2021

The almost insurmountable challenges that pedigree dog breeders are subjected to are not just complicating the work of the kennel clubs, but also give rise to fears that many breeding associations will have to cease their activities and/or that breeders will chose to engage in uncontrolled and illegal breeding activities instead. The high demand for pedigree dogs, which already could only partially be satisfied in recent years (about 18%), will therefore shift more and more towards illegal breeding and illegal imports. It must be assumed that the number of confiscated animals and consequently their necessary placement in German animal shelters will increase drastically and that shelters will face even bigger financial challenges than is already the case.

Consequences - also for dog sports. — Consequences — also for dog sports.

It is prohibited to train an animal if this causes the animal considerable pain, suffering, or damage.

Animal Protection Law §3 Section 5

In addition to dog exhibitions, this ban is also aimed at the participation in sports events (tournaments, trials, etc.) and exams (companion dog exams, dog handler licenses, etc.). Based on this legislation, the ban could also be extended to dog training which would include puppy and dog schools as well. The physical and mental health of the dog should always have top priority and each dog owner is not only required to exclusively use their dog in accordance with their individual disposition and abilities, but should also facilitate regular contact to fellow dogs. But this ban categorically excludes all dogs with possible torture breeding characteristics from such activities.

The training of service and rescue dogs is also made more difficult by the legislation.

A dog must […] be given the opportunity of regular interaction with fellow dogs […].

Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law, §2 Section 3

It must therefore be assumed that as a consequence, the number of dogs with severe behavioral problems (insufficient socialization with dogs and humans, increased aggressive behavior towards humans and dogs, etc.) will increase. It is currently not foreseeable to what extend these obstacles to dog training will also affect service dogs, rescue dogs, and companion dogs for the disabled. But it cannot be ruled out.

4000

Well over 4,000 dogs were originally entered for CACIB Erfurt 2022. In the end, hardly more than 1,700 entries remained. An enormous financial loss for the organiser.

It is prohibited to use an animal in film recordings, exhibitions, commercials, or similar events, if this causes the animal considerable pain, suffering, or damage.

Animal Protection Law §3 Section 6

The ban on using animals with alleged torture breeding characteristics for advertising purposes has already been prepared and enforced. Examples were the dog exhibitions in Erfurt (05/22) and Neumünster (06/22). While the ban has so far only affected the organizers of dog exhibitions, plans are already underway to extend the ban to kennel clubs and breeders. It will then be prohibited for breeders to advertise on their own websites or on social media platforms. It has to be assumed that the ban will also affect certain dog keepers, specifically so-called petfluencers.

But the effects on private companies specializing in pet products (pet food, convenience goods, therapeutic, and personal care products) are even more damaging, as they depend on advertising measures to promote their products. As any dog used for commercial purposes could potentially be assumed to have hidden torture breeding characteristics, it has to be expected that the depiction of dogs will have to be forgone completely. The same applies to public media, especially the depiction of dogs in magazines (print and online) and in TV formats.

Contacts / Press

If you have any questions about the initiative or would like to offer your support and cooperation, please feel free to contact Ms Sarah Boyd, the Public Relations Officer of the Club for British Sheepdogs e.V.

E‑Mail redaktion@cfbrh.de

Press material for download

Press release (Mein gesunder Rassehund, in German)
Press release (Club für britische Hütehunde e.V., in German)
Photos (40 MB | JPG | ZIP)
Campaign logo (3 MB | EPS, JPG | ZIP)

Campaign material for download

Styleguide (PDF)
Post-It Aktion (PDF)
Geliebt (2 MB | PSD | ZIP)

The Initiative

Motivation and Objectives

Who we are

Quotes

Torture breeding: between polemics and generalizations

[…] Breed exhibitions [have become] a circus of personal vanities at the cost of defect-loaded animals. What is missing is an appropriate offering of training and continued education opportunities for breeders and a willingness to take advantage of those.

Torture Breeding Evidence Network (QUEN – Qualzucht Evidenz Netzwerk)

[It] should be […] noted that an overwhelming number of severely defective breeds originate from outside of the large kennel clubs.

Diana Plange: Veterinarians connect, in: Wuff Magazin, Jan. 2022 issue

Since the reproduction of popular breeds is primarily taking place in Eastern Europe, it would make sense to at least exclude animals exhibiting defective breeding characteristics from the ability to win prizes and awards.

Letter to Julia Klöckner, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, July 24, 2019 Dr. Uwe Tiedemann, President of German Veterinary Association

PETA Germany: “These 17 “Pets are torture breeds” www.peta.de/themen/qualzucht-haustiere

Controlled pedigree dog breeding is healthy dog breeding

The person selecting a domestic animal for breeding purposes, is under an obligation to take into account the physiological and ethological characteristics that could endanger the health and well-being of the offspring or the female parent.

Article 5 of the European Convention for the Protection of Domestic Animals dated November 13, 1987

This kennel club …

The breeders …

The breed exhibitions …

The kennel …

The following applies to all breeding animals:

The puppies …

2: Member of the Association for Diagnostic Radiology of Genetically Influenced Skeletal Diseases in Small Animals (GRSK e.V.)

3: For the ophthalmologic examination, we recommend specialized veterinarians affiliated with the Dortmunder Kreis – Association for Diagnostics of Genetic Eye Diseases in Animals (DOK e.V.).

Dangers of this Ruling that go beyond Breeding

[The ban on dog exhibitions] is also applicable to other events in which dogs are being compared, inspected or otherwise evaluated.

Dog Regulation Act of the Animal Protection Law §10

Puppies from VDH breeding

[The] illegal trade […] with puppies and kittens [has] […] reached extreme proportions […]. This surge can be explained with the discrepancy between the high demand for pets that cannot be met by the legal supply of puppies and kittens […] from reputable sources.

Deutscher Tierschutzbund (German Animal Welfare Association), Illegal trading with domestic animals in Germany, status of 04/2021

It is prohibited to train an animal if this causes the animal considerable pain, suffering, or damage.

Animal Protection Law §3 Section 5

A dog must […] be given the opportunity of regular interaction with fellow dogs […].

Dog Regulation Act of Animal Protection Law, §2 Section 3

It is prohibited to use an animal in film recordings, exhibitions, commercials, or similar events, if this causes the animal considerable pain, suffering, or damage.

Animal Protection Law §3 Section 6

Contacts / Press

Letter to Julia Klöckner, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, July 24, 2019
Dr. Uwe Tiedemann, President of German Veterinary Association

PETA Germany: “These 17 “Pets are torture breeds”
www.peta.de/themen/qualzucht-haustiere