A Veterinarian's Role in the Ethics and Welfare of Breeding Dogs

Goals of the project:

1. Explore the complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder aspects of ethical and welfare issues in breeding dogs; including impacts on dogs and people (human-dog interactions).
2. Interact with various stakeholders: breeders, veterinarians, researchers, etc. to gather information on the topic and gain an appreciation of their perspective.
3. Increase understanding of factors that challenge or support effective communication and good relationships between veterinarians and breeders.
4. Explore aspects of optimal information transfer for this material to various audiences.

Resources developed:

1. DogWellNet Student Blog: Kelly's blog  includes interesting findings and thought-provoking questions that have developed through research for this project. Below are links to published blog posts.

• Introductory Blog and Questions to Ponder

• Introduces the project and student—Kelly Arthur.
• Presents questions regarding ethical dilemmas related to dog breeding including, "Is selective breeding detrimental to decreasing diversity in certain breeds?"

• Adorable Hazel and Why One Welfare Can Help Address Breeding Dog Challenges
  • Introduces One Welfare as a resource on the challenges facing purebred breeding.
  • Includes an adorable video of Hazel, a purebred puppy rescue with congenital abnormalities, and raises questions about ethical breeding practices.  

• Veterinary Welfare Education in the United States
  • With input from Patricia Olson, IPFD Board member, DVM, PhD, the blog discusses educational opportunities available to students in the United States that are interested in animal welfare.
  • Touches on where training for U.S. students could be improved.

• Head Shape and Hair Whorls—Can They Influence Behavior?
  • Evaluates how unusual physical characteristics may indicate behavioral traits.
  • Advises a comprehensive look at behavior for better matchmaking between owners and their dogs.

• Dr. Paul McGreevy and the Complexities of Animal Welfare
  • Introduces the interview with Dr. Paul McGreevy, veterinary specialist in behavioral medicine and expert in companion animal welfare.
  • Touches on four main points that illuminate animal welfare complexities.

•  Resources for Finding the Right Canine Match
  • Introduces numerous resources to provide to people interested in getting a new pet.
  • Raises questions on whether these materials are actually used to inform decisions and states there are gaps in knowledge related to sources of acquisition.

2.  DogWellNet Articles: These are published in various sections of the website, depending on the topic.
    

• The first published article: An Interactive Scenario to Illuminate Brachycephalic Welfare Challenges -- One Welfare
  • This article highlights complexities associated with Brachycephalic syndrome.
  • Introduces the One Welfare Brachycephalic Dog scenario that can be used as a teaching tool.

• One Welfare: The Intersection of Veterinary Education and Animal Welfare and Ethics

  • Discusses ways veterinarians and veterinary students can engage with animal welfare.

  • Highlights a new “platform for veterinarian education in animal welfare and ethics,” created by Dr. Paul McGreevy and colleagues.

3. Interactive Modules: Modules serve as the most comprehensive part of the project and are interactive educational tools.

• "What is Your Role in Addressing Inherited Disease in Purebred Dogs?"

• Its goal is for users to expose themselves to ethical questions as they relate to breeding dog welfare and use expertise from their own experience to think critically.
• Includes numerous links to further resources, an interactive multiple choice question, and a survey on the degree to which the user is already involved in breeding dog welfare.

•  “How Can You Promote Informed Decision-Making in Acquiring a Purebred Dog?”

• Briefly explains the importance of dogs in peoples’ lives and uses that as a platform to encourage veterinarians, veterinary students, and breeders to assist people in making informed decisions on acquisition of a dog.
• Introduces how trends in dog popularity, including the impact of the media, can influence the health and welfare of dogs.

Kelly is grateful for the opportunity she had to work on this project and looks forward to these resources being used by veterinary students, veterinarians, and other purebred dog stakeholders. She hopes these resources are used by the DogWellNet community as well as shared beyond DogWellNet.

Join Kelly at the 3rd International Dog Health Workshop where she will present a poster on her important work!  Check out the host French Kennel Club's Workshop 2017 website.

Note from Brenda Bonnett, CEO IPFD

Thanks to Kelly Arthur, our first IPFD Student Project and to the Skippy Frank Fund for their leadership and support.  We hope to continue student projects in the future looking to further engage veterinarians and all stakeholders in the dog world as together we work to enhance the health, well-being and welfare of dogs.