Reminder: Login to access new features and members-only content!

Register to be a member of our community. Its easy!

Register a new account

Already a member?

Log In here!

Donate

Did you find our content interesting or helpful? Help support the IPFD enhance health, well-being and welfare for dogs everywhere.

Jump to content
  • entries
    89
  • comments
    40
  • views
    29,881

Brachycephalics in Australia: Attitudes, issues and communication


Brenda Bonnett

Viewed: 1,736 times

Love is Blind is a joint initiative of the Australian Veterinary Association and the RSPCA:

Love is Blind - brachycephalic.jpg"We’re raising public awareness about the animal welfare problems caused by exaggerated physical features such as brachycephaly, short limbs and excessive skin wrinkling, and how these problems can be prevented."

This campaign stresses many of the issues in international work being presented on DogWellNet.com and the work - building on previous Workshops - that will happen at the imminent 4th International Dog Health Workshop (IDHW), in Windsor, UK, 30 May - 01 June, 2019.  Including:

  • The challenges of the brachycephalic breeds need to be understood by current AND future owners, breeders, veterinarians, kennel and breed clubs and other stakeholders, 
  • All these groups need to work together for the benefit of individual dogs and the breeds.
  • The material suggests actions needed to be taken by each of these groups, including attention to sourcing of dogs, breeding, showing and more.


Resources: See the Australian Love is Blind homepage for links to material, including several videos explaining the increased susceptibility of these dogs to heat and providing practical advice for owners. 

We have recently posted on Facebook a video entitled 'The Purebred Crisis'  that describes this campaign, interviews veterinarians, owners and a breeder-judge.  This video highlights the very different attitudes and perceptions for various individuals.  It is this variation in opinion and approach to these dogs that complicates efforts to improve health and welfare in these breeds.  I have discussed this in previous blogs.  There is no question that people are attracted and deeply attached to these dogs that have, as the Aussies say, "squishy faces", and that they have delightful personalities.  However, it is also clear that some owners do not realize the health and welfare challenges in these breeds.  One of the themes at the 4th IDHW is effective communication, and we need to use all available tools and knowledge from experts in order to change human behaviour - to not only educate people but also to encourage collaboration.


See more in Brenda's blogs, including:

          French Bulldog Health Seminar October 2018

          Breeding: A Moral Choice?

and:

4th International Dog Health Workshop Pre-Meeting Resources, for example: 4th IDHW Theme #5: Exaggerations and Extremes in Dog Conformation

And this previous post on DogWellnet.com:  Love is Blind - Dr Philip Moses


 

0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Blog Disclaimer
    The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and represent the opinion of the author(s), and not that of the International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD). This is not intended to be a substitute for professional, expert or veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not recommend or endorse any specific tests, providers, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on, or linked to from this blog.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.