Latest on brachycephalics from Sweden

IPFD has an ongoing role to report on international activities for health and welfare for dogs and to serve as an information hub.

Issues with brachycephalic dogs continue to be at the forefront of health efforts by many stakeholders. 

Our partners at the Swedish Kennel Club have recently posted information on two initiatives involving 'Trubbnosar' (short nosed) breeds.

1. We previously posted information on the activities of the SKK in brachycephalic health , as well as, a new, collaborative research study on an inventory of dogs of several brachycephalic breeds and their health status.

"The purpose of the inventory is to create a better picture of the respective breed's situation, genetic width and exterior variation.   The hope is to find sufficient variation both exterior and genetic to ensure a healthy development of these breeds with the reduction of BOAS-related health problems."

There is a notice on the SKK site of events where individuals are being invited to bring their dogs to participate. 

Great to see that this effort involves research, grass-root support, gives individual owners an evaluation of their dog and

brings awareness to health and welfare issues in these breeds.

2. As of next year, the Swedish Kennel Club is expanding the rules concerning show dogs with health issues, especially breathing problems.  "Dogs have been disqualified due to ill health since 1998 but now SKK will tighten up the penalties."    In an effort to make sure affected dogs are not used in breeding programs, dogs disqualified from the show ring because of ill health may be excluded from "all forms of exhibition, exams, competitions and breeding".  It seems the program will incorporates 'due process' that may involve additional review, veterinary examinations and the possibility of appeals.  

The hope is surely that breeders/owners will (eventually) be discouraged from bringing affected dogs into the ring and that, therefore, the dogs seen by the public and used in breeding will tend towards less extreme, healthy individuals.    See: https://www.skk.se/sv/nyheter/2019/2/osunda-hundar-kan-stangas-av/  Note:  my translator unfortunately gives me "Unhealthy dogs can be turned off" as the (literal) title of this article... but clearly meaning they can be 'eliminated' in some sense.

We are working on an inventory of all of our brachycephalic resources... and we will continue to highlight efforts by all of our Partners.

Archived content: Archived links referenced SKK.pdf