Report on IPFD's Virtual Dog Health Forum: "Bridging the Gap" (June 2025)

Background:

The International Dog Health Workshops (IDHWs) provide a forum to identify specific needs and actions aimed at improving the health and well-being of dogs. IPFD oversees the IDHWs and partners with co-hosting organizations that support our mission to improve the health and well-being of all dogs. 

There have been five IDHWs to date, with a 6^th planned for 2026:

• 1^st IDHW (June 2012, Stockholm) - organized by the Swedish Kennel Club
• 2^nd IDHW (February 2015, Dortmund) - co-hosted by the German Kennel Club
• 3^rd IDHW (Spring 2017, Paris) - co-hosted by the French Kennel Club
• 4^th IDHW (Spring 2019, Windsor) - co-hosted by The Kennel Club
• 5^th IDHW (June 2024, Helsinki) - co-hosted by the Finnish Kennel Club
• 6^th IDHW (May/June 2026, Bologna) - co hosted by the Italian Kennel Club

Attendees of the 5^th IDHW included 106 key decision makers from the international dog community – representing a broad range of organisations, expertise, and perspectives from 16 countries. The workshop program was structured around four key themes and included presentations by dog health experts, breakout sessions, and plenary discussions. A report on the workshop, Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki, June 2024, was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Companion Animal Health and Genetics.

June 2025 Virtual Dog Health Forum
IPFD welcomed approximately 150 key stakeholders in the dog world ‒ including the same brilliant thought leaders who led discussions at the 5th International Dog Health Workshop (IDHW) in Helsinki, Finland ‒ to join us for our 2025 Virtual Dog Health Forum.

Building upon the momentum from the 5^th IDHW, the Forum facilitated ongoing conversations on key issues in dog health and well-being, refocused collaborative work on action items from the Helsinki workshop, and set the stage for the 6^th IDHW in Bologna, Italy in 2026 (co-hosted by IPFD Contributing Partner, Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) ‒ the Italian Kennel Club).

The Forum theme, ‘Bridging the Gap’, embodies three concepts:

• Maintaining our momentum throughout the two years between the 5^th and 6^th IDHWs
• Sharing perspectives and expertise between stakeholder groups on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and other regions around the globe
• Finding common ground among the diverse views and priorities in the dog community and identifying opportunities for international collaboration ‒ with the aim of enhancing the health and well-being of all dogs worldwide

We have posted several recorded presentations from the Virtual Dog Health Forum, shared with permission by the respective speakers. More presentations will be posted soon.

The Report: Summary of Collective Next Steps and Proposed Actions
Authored by IPFD staff and workshop theme leaders and facilitators, the report summarizes key discussion points for each of the four Forum/IDHW themes and identifies priorities and planned actions. These include:

Theme 1: Supply & Demand

• Explore how IPFD might help collect and share dog population and breed demographic data internationally.
• Prioritize actions that encourage and support good, responsible dog breeders. Ethical breeders with long-term dedication exist but are often invisible to the public; more visibility and recognition needed.
• Destigmatize responsible dog breeding and strengthen breeder-veterinarian relationships.
• Bridge gaps between researchers, vets, breeders, and the public — especially around perceptions of breeders.
• Identify ways to improve public education about acquiring healthy dogs.
   

Theme 2: Breeding for Health and Well-Being

• Develop and share guidelines/pathways for crossbreeding projects and health-focused breeding approaches across all breeds.
• Consider expanding the audience beyond pedigree dog systems to include designer breeds, crossbreeds, and non-registered dogs. IPFD could help facilitate broader inclusion efforts.
   

Theme 3: Big Data in Dog Health

• Big Data resource catalogue on IPFD's new website, including the information on who to contact regarding each resource. The catalogue should list cohort studies, genome projects (e.g., Dog10K, Golden Retriever Lifetime Study), national health databases, breed-specific data repositories, and available sequence archives. IPFD to compile the catalogue, not hold the data itself.
• Seek sponsorship or collaborative funding to support development of the catalogue. Even modest pooled funds could make the project feasible.
• Survey kennel clubs about their capacity to contribute health and pedigree data.
• Facilitate connections between data holders and users.
   

Theme 4: Breed vs Variety (Genetic Diversity)

• Collate and share crossbreeding and outcrossing projects and guidelines.
• Collect and share registration rules regarding crossbreeding between varieties and breeds
• Facilitate specific small group discussions to support kennel clubs in developing breed-specific crossbreeding guidance.
• Organize a dedicated working group or online event on outcrossing to share experiences.

Next Steps Before the 6^th IDHW in Bologna (2026)

Overall, there is strong momentum across multiple themes. Success depends on kennel and breed club engagement, international cooperation, realistic resource commitments, and shared leadership and volunteer participation. Much more discussion is still needed – and this discussion continues next year in Bologna.

Watch for updates soon on these next steps:

• Share Dan O’Neill’s proposed resolutions with participants for feedback, and further comments.
• Some of the proposed resolutions may require more discussion before broad agreement is possible — everyone agreed that ample dialogue is still needed.
• Allow time for participants to bring drafts to their boards or organizations for comment.
• Collect feedback and seek agreement on key points well before Bologna 2026.
• Compile and distribute discussion summaries, notes, shared resources, and chat contributions.

Overall, there is strong momentum across multiple themes. Success depends on kennel and breed club engagement, international cooperation, realistic resource commitments, and shared leadership and volunteer participation. Much more discussion is still needed – and this discussion continues next year in Bologna.

Thank you to all participants, speakers, panelists, organizers, – and our Forum Sponsor, Royal Canin – for making the Virtual Forum a success and for supporting our efforts to enhance the health and well-being of all dogs around the world.

Click here to download the report (PDF)

Mark Your Calendar: 6^th International Dog Health Workshop (30 May - 1 June 2026, Bologna, Italy)

'All Roads Lead to  Dog Health'
The 6^th International Dog Health Workshop will feature a new “hybrid” format, beginning with online presentations and discussions in the spring of 2026 (date(s) TBD) – followed by a multi-day, in-person collaborative event (30 May – 1 June) in Bologna, Italy, co-hosted by the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI). The workshop will immediately precede the FCI Judges’ Congress and 2026 World Dog Show, providing additional opportunities for networking and new collaborative efforts. Stay tuned for updates!

Quick Links

Virtual Dog Health Forum: Overview   |   Report on the IPFD Virtual Dog Health Forum ‒ "Bridging the Gap" ‒ June 2025 | Recorded Presentations

5^th IDHW: Overview  |  Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki, June 2024

Questions? Want to Get Involved? Contact Us!

Email: info@ipfdogs.com

The Virtual Dog Health Forum was brought to you free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our Lead Sponsor:
 

The Royal Canin Division, owner of the ROYAL CANIN® brand, is part of Mars, Incorporated and a global leader in Health Through Nutrition for cats and dogs. Founded in 1968 by French veterinarian, Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin continues to push the limits of nutrition and knowledge in partnership with pet professionals and experts to fulfill its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Royal Canin collaborates with partners, including breeders and veterinarians, not only to design precise, science-based nutrition for cats and dogs but also to develop a variety of tools and services to generate a significant positive impact on pet health. The company does this in a respectful, responsible, and sustainable way towards pets, people, and planet.

To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com