Welfare Reports

Companion Animal Welfare Council (CAWC) Report on Breeding and Welfare in Companion Animals (2006)

CAWC logo This major report recognised the clear welfare consequences of selection for specific traits in companion animals. It recognised that the welfare problems can be very serious because they can affect large numbers of animals throughout the whole of their lives and can do so generation after generation.

The report also highlighted the fact that this was a welfare problem which had been largely overlooked in the past.

It recommended that the following code, based on the wording of the Council of Europe Convention, 1987, be adopted by all those who breed companion animals:

'The selection and breeding of companion animals can result in, or perpetuate, characteristics or inherited conditions that seriously affect the quality of animals' lives. No one should breed companion animals without careful regard to characteristics (anatomical, physiological and behavioural) that may put at risk the health and welfare of the offspring or the female parent.'

The full report may be viewed here.

CAWC Fixing ancestral problems. Genetics and welfare in companion animals focusing on syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels as an example (April 2008)

The aim of this workshop was to review the measures that are being undertaken to tackle genetic welfare problems, to look at the latest developments, identify bottlenecks and assess how these may be overcome. Three approaches were identified:

  1. Take steps to eliminate the problem through selective breeding, minimising further loss of genetic diversity (this approach is currently underway in the case of Cavaliers with SM and MVD)
  2. Outbreeding to another breed or breeds in a managed program
  3. Not breeding from carriers of the disadvantageous trait (even if it meant, and if welfare is the priority, losing a particular breed)

The report recommended that in the case of Syringomyelia scientists and breed club representatives, facilitated by the KC, should devise a scheme for collecting MRI data for use in a program to reduce or eliminate the disease.

CAWC Approaches to Tackling Genetic Welfare Problems in Companion Animals (October 2008)

This report identified the lack of a structured and co-ordinated approach for addressing genetic welfare problems. It concluded that an independent advisory body be set up to consider the best way forward to tackle problems on a breed by breed basis (this may be an appropriate role for CAWC).

The authority of such a body would rest on the composition of its members and would address, with breeders and others, the ethical and practical genetic aspects. It would address the issue of whether continued breeding in a population would be justified, and if so what the aims (and perhaps methods) of the future breeding strategies should be.

CAWC Towards an independent advisory body on tackling genetic welfare problems in companion animals (February 2009)

This report acknowledged the increased level of interest in tackling genetic welfare problems particularly relating to dogs, referring to the All Party Group on Animal Welfare (APGAW), the Dogs Trust / Kennel Club independent review under Sir Patrick Bateson, and the recently published RSPCA report (Rooney and Sargan, 2009).

It was agreed that the advisory body should be independent and would need to be constituted so as to cover a spectrum of relevant sectors and interests. It would set its own priorities in the light of information about welfare problems.

The scope and terms of reference of an advisory body would include all companion animals; consider the best ways forward for tackling genetic welfare problems on a breed by breed (or strain) basis; advise and promote the development of breeding strategies; make recommendations about research priorities; and communicate its findings effectively.

A start will be made by engaging CAWC as the parent body for the advisory group and appointing a steering group to begin work and to look at funding.

This report has been submitted to the APGAW and Bateson inquiries whose findings will in turn inform the new advisory group.

The full reports of the above may be viewed here.

Pedigree dog breeding in the UK: a major welfare concern? Dr Nicola Rooney and Dr David Sargan (February 2009)

Front cover of report An independent scientific report commissioned by the RSPCA.

This report identified that many dogs of different breeds experience compromised welfare due to the effects of selective breeding practices. It identified two welfare issues: exaggerated anatomical features that reduce quality of life; and the increased prevalence of inherited disorders.

It endorses the findings of the CAWC Report of 2006 that the welfare issues are serious and widespread. The report suggests that measures taken so far to reduce or eradicate these problems have had only limited success, due in part because most screening programs are voluntary.

The report's recommendations include: systematic collection of disease and mortality data; banning close matings; opening stud books; an ethical review of all breeds; increasing genetic diversity; making registration of dogs conditional on the health screening of parents; introducing codes of practice that prioritise health, welfare and temperament; educating the public that a desirable dog is one that experiences high welfare; the development of schemes for calculating estimated breeding values (EBVs) for genetic diseases.

The full report may be viewed here.

A healthier future for pedigree dogs

Front cover of report An independent scientific report commissioned by the RSPCA.

The report of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare inquiry into the health and welfare issues surrounding the breeding of pedigree dogs (November 2009).

This major report found 'a serious problem with the health and welfare of many pedigree dogs' caused by some of the current breeding practices. It suggests that action should be taken immediately to address this situation.

The report's recommendations include: a limit on the number of times a sire can be used for breeding; health screening should be made a legal requirement for dogs selected for breeding; the title of Champion should not be given unless a dog has been health screened; the word 'pedigree' should be linked to a high standard of breeding for health and welfare; an independent advisory body should be set up to advise the Kennel Club and breed clubs; a puppy sale contract should be introduced to protect consumers; DEFRA should take forward a campaign for public awareness.

The full report may be viewed here.

Front cover of report

Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding Report, Professor Sir Patrick Bateson FRS (January 2010)

Funded by Dogs Trust and Kennel Club

This peer reviewed scientific report found that current dog breeding practices impose welfare costs on dogs 'in many cases' through poor husbandry, high levels of inbreeding, and the use of breeding pairs which will transmit inherited diseases to their offspring, or extreme characteristics which affect quality of life.

The report's recommendations include: reward for breeders who deliver high welfare standards; establishing a non-statutory independent Advisory Council on Dog Breeding to develop breeding strategies on an individual breed basis; a computerised system for the collection of disease prevalence from vets; an Accredited Breeder Scheme with UKAS accreditation; permanent identification of dogs; new regulations under the Animal Welfare Act creating an obligation on dog breeders to have regard to the health and welfare of parent dogs and their offspring.

The full report may be viewed here.


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