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About this blog

Deep thoughts from IPFD's Veterinary Science Officer

Entries in this blog

Brenda's blog

How Beliefs and Attitudes about Dog Health and Welfare Limit Behaviour Change - Four Years On

This week is the anniversary of the First International Conference on Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare that took place in the UK 2016. All the talks are on their YouTube channel. See our article following the Conference. I was honoured to give a presentation - and in that process to learn about the knowledge, methodology, and tools available from human behaviour change theory and practice to help us. My talk is posted on the HBC's YouTube channel under the title:  How Bel
Brenda's blog

Pandemic Puppies - Research Confirms the Challenges

Pandemic Puppies - Research Confirms the Challenges   The first phase of the Pandemic Puppies 2020 project has led to one publication already, with another two under review. PACKER, R. M. A., BRAND, C. L., BELSHAW, Z., PEGRAM, C. L., STEVENS, K. B. & O'NEILL, D. G. 2021. Pandemic Puppies: Characterising Motivations and Behaviours of UK Owners Who Purchased Puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Animals, 11, 2500. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/9/2500   As we h
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Genetic Diversity: The Big Picture and Challenging Issues

What a great weekend of education - with the Canadian Kennel Club and about 170 participants, including breeders with a range of experience from over 40 years to novices.   Speakers Dr. Kari Ekenstedt, a geneticist from Purdue University in Indiana and IPFD CEO Dr. Brenda Bonnett covered 'everything you need to know to understand genetic testing' in a clear, concise and entertaining series of talks. Interactive discussions with the many knowledgeable, committed attendees were interesting and tho
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

The KC (UK) New Registration Stats for 2021

The KC (UK) New Registration Stats for 2021   We recently published an article "How many are there? French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs in Kennel Club Registries from 10 Countries" comparing registration statistics inlcuding numbers and relative percentages of the newly registered populations, and then popularity ranking.  These are simply for kennel club registrations, and the degree to which they reflect country wide numbers of pedigree and look-at-like dogs is unknown.  
Brenda's blog

Q&A from Embark Summit

I will answer questions here Follow numbers below:     #3- As I understand it, part of the reluctance to using panel tests is the law in Sweden - e.g. if a dog tests positive (e.g. a false positive) for a condition known NOT to occur in the breed it can render the animal 'un-breedable'.  IF that is the reasoning,... I can't help. In general, use of panel tests is okay, as long as results are interpretted as appropriate for the breed - i.e. using our IPFD Breed Rele
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

"The Downside of Inbreeding"

The Downside of Inbreeding - It’s Time For a New Approach by C.A. Sharp First published in Double Helix Network News, Winter 1999   I am pulling together a presentation for the Embrark Canine Health Summit and came across an article I have cited before... an oldie but a goldie!  This article is by the very knowledgeable C.A. Sharp, expert and person behind ASGHI (Australian Shepherd Genetics and Health Institute) and one of our collaborating partners. Good news - she giv
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

How do Veterinarians Navigate the Complexities of Health, Welfare, and Owner Attachment?

International Challenges for Dog Breeding: How do Veterinarians Navigate the Complexities of Health, Welfare, and Owner Attachment?                                     And make sure to check out the upcoming webinars:  https://awc.upei.ca/webinars/ By Prof. Candace Croney and Rowena Packer!   Here is the pdf:  Bonnett_International Challenges for Dog Breeding Webinar 15Mar20
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Norwegian Lawsuit on Dog Breeding - A Step Back or Can it be a Step Forward?

Norwegian Lawsuit on Dog Breeding - A Step Back or Can it be a Step Forward?   We wrote an artilce last year - Norwegian Lawsuit on Dog Breeds and Breeding - The "First" But Not the Last? .  In that article we describe that "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. " The NSPA  issued an update to this is
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Veterinary Cancer Glossary - Help for Tough Discussions

Veterinary Cancer Glossary - Help for Tough Discussions   Veterinary-client communication is key to good care for our pets, and a new resource to support owners and vets is now available from IPFD partner World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).  Let's face it - cancer/neoplasia can be a complex subject to discuss and even harder to comprehend when one is faced with the emotional aspects of a challenging diagnosis. The Veterinary Oncology Glossary provides an understand
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Animals are Sentient Beings - But Still Property - Spain

Animals are Sentient Beings - But Still Property - Spain   Yesterday I published a blog entitled: Why do legislators address the supply side and not demand? where I discussed the supply:demand cycle for dogs (as commodities).  Today I received this paper on Animal Sentience: Moving Forward from WellBeing International.  Both of these make me ponder the actual outcome of legislation on animal welfare - including - can they it be effectively enforced, is there any real intention to do so
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Why do legislators address the supply side and not demand?

Why do legislators address the supply side and not demand? There continue to be reports of legislative and legal approaches and other actions related to the issue of brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs.  The international dog community is closely following the Norwegian legal action against kennel and breed clubs, and individual breeders.  A ruling is expected by the end of the month.  Issues in the Netherlands are ongoing. [links below].  As I work closely with various groups on the is
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Trends in the Pet Industry - Interesting or Troubling?

Trends in the Pet Industry - Interesting or Troubling? As the New Year begins, I am pondering several topics that have been raised through various channels. This morning I received this (link below):  7 Pet Industry Trends To Know (2021-2025).  Essentially this is about where people are spending their money on pets - and just how much money that is.  It would confirm what we know about people treating their pets more and more like humans, for better or for worse!  This includes toys an
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

We Need to Focus on Breeding Healthy Dogs While We Await Technological Advances

We Need to Focus on Breeding Healthy Dogs While We Await Technological Advances   This blog is stimulated by, but is not really a review of this paper:  Advancing Genetic Selection and Behavioral Genomics of Working Dogs Through Collaborative Science, Frances L. Chen,  Madeline Zimmermann, Elinor K. Karlsson, et.al.  Front. Vet. Sci., 06 September 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.662429. The authors make it clear that their focus is on working dogs, and the need to i
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

End Pet Homelessness - Mars Petcare

End Pet Homelessness - Mars Petcare   One of the projects I have been working on over the last year is with our Partner Mars Petcare.  Their ambition to "End Pet Homelessness" is a bold and innovative attempt to address the troubling problem of unwanted, uncared for, and stray pets.  I have been serving on their Advisory Panel for the State of Pet Homelessness Index with an international group of stellar individuals with varied areas of expertise ranging across dogs and cats, epidemiol
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Vet Information Network (VIN) Article: Banning brachycephalic breeds is unrealistic

On September 16, 2021 this article of mine was published on the Veterinary Information Network (V.I.N.):   Veterinary Information Network (VIN) Article: Banning brachycephalic breeds is unrealistic   It was written in response to a previous article on V.I.N. about veterinarians signing a breed banning petition and legislative actions against breeders in Norway. In my article, I discuss the complex nature of challenges around dogs with extreme conformation and stress the indiv
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

FECAVA video: Please don't buy flat-faced animals

FECAVA video: Please don't buy flat-faced animals The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (an IPFD Collaborating Partner) has come out with a powerful new video bringing the voices of veterinary practitioners together in a plea for people not to buy brachycephalic - flat-faced - animals. As we have been discussing and blogging (see links below) - the incredible popularity of these animals has led to increased stress and anguish for veterinarians throughout t
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

The Great Divide -  Responses to Challenges in Extreme Breeds

The Great Divide - Responses to Challenges in Extreme Breeds Last week (Oct 2021) saw postings of two initiatives related to brachycephalic (flat-faced) and other extreme breeds.  One was information on legal questions being put forward to demand that the UK Kennel Club not register ‘non-standard colours’ of certain breeds. The second was posters erected in, I believe, subway stations warning people of the problems of various breeds. The first is essentially a complaint about colours t
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Good Breeders follow ALL their puppies! And share the data.

We are always struggling with defining good breeders, and it is a true challenge.  But I have been talking about this topic lately, so thought I would blog on: Good Breeders follow ALL their puppies! And share the data. This is one thing that there is really no good excuse for not doing, so kennel and breed club breeders - anyone who considers themselves a 'good breeder' should do their best in this regard.  This was one topic I discussed in a recent talk to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Clu
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

The Relatedness of Breeds - A fun, interactive resource with some cautions

The Relatedness of Breeds - A fun, interactive resource with some cautions ...see references below... The Guardian has come out with an interactive tool for looking a the relatedness between breeds.  Based on 'clades' (genetic groupings) research and genomic work by by Heidi Parker and Elaine Ostrander's team, it is an interesting resource.  Click on your breed - see what others breeds it is related to.  Fun! But there are a couple of cautions that apply: This is great wor
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Veterinarians and Brachycephalic Dogs - Ethics and Reality

Veterinarians and Brachycephalic Dogs - Ethics and Reality   I have been starting to read the new textbook, Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals - A Complete Guide for Veterinary and Animal Professionals, Edited By Rowena Packer, Dan O'Neill; Copyright Year 2021 (ref below). This book has two parts.  The first part offers a group of articles on the backgrounds, history, ethics, international developments, and other aspects that define and impinge on the heal
Brenda's blog

4th International Dog Health Workshop - 2 Years On

4th International Dog Health Workshop - 2 Years On   Facebook reminded me that two years ago today we had just wrapped up the 4th IDHW in Windsor, UK - co-hosted by the Kennel Club. It was a great event, in beautiful surroundings.                 Our catchphrase for the IDHWs is captured in the workshop logo - and as described in our publications on the workshop, e.g. Moving from Information and Collaboration to Action:  Report f
Brenda's blog

Artificial Insemination in Dogs - Recent Information and Misinformation

Artificial Insemination in Dogs - Recent Information and Misinformation   A recent post(s) on CRUFFA re: "Good news! Another step in law enforcement in the Netherlands. Standard artificial insemination is forbidden in the Netherlands for dogbreeding." is an inaccurate or, at best, incomplete description of the situation. Even if if were true, celebrating a total elimination of artificial insemination (A.I.) in dogs would be ill-advised and inappropriate.  CRUFFA moderator Jemima H
Brenda's blog

Is it "tough talk" or "open dialogue" - and why is it a challenge in the dog world?

Is it "tough talk" or "open dialogue" - and why is it a challenge in the dog world?   As often happens, the same topic comes up several times in a short space of time - and from different sources and angles. Someone asked me why do many kennel clubs not record or link any health information to pedigrees, when in most countries kennel clubs are under a mandate to not only register dogs, but also to protect the health of those for whom they are responsible?  Explanations might inclu
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

The Big Picture - in the Dog World as a Whole and for your next Breeding Decision

The Big Picture - in the Dog World as a Whole and for your next Breeding Decision Note: This topic was prompted partly by IPFD's participation in the Canine Health Summit (videos available) put on by Embark Veterinary. See our Q&A article on breeding and genetics topics here. My last blog in 2020 was on the Big Picture in the dog world - it was about Reframing Discussions, globally.  Based on our document...the blog describes a webinar and links to presentations discussing all the
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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Brenda's blog

Linebreeding vs. Inbreeding – Let’s be perfectly clear.

Linebreeding vs. Inbreeding – Let’s be perfectly clear. Note: This topic was prompted partly by IPFD's participation in the Canine Health Summit put on by Embark Veterinary. See our Q&A article on breeding and genetics topics here. Inbreeding is the mating of related individuals – that is those who have one or more relatives in common. Linebreeding is not simply a form of inbreeding – it IS inbreeding.   How close that inbreeding is depends on the selection of individuals with
Brenda Bonnett

Brenda Bonnett in Brenda's blog

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