Poor breeding practices affect the physical and emotional health of your pet dogs

Our Aims

To promote and support initiatives and reforms that will effectively improve dog welfare related to: a) genetic and breed health; and b) breeding, rearing and selling practices.

Whilst acknowledging the numerous dog welfare issues in the UK, DBRG will retain a focus on breed and breeding issues from which many other welfare issues ensue.

Campaign to ensure the breeding of sound, healthy dogs.

Together we can improve the welfare standards of dog breeding in the UK.

Our Objectives

  • Widespread use of the RSPCA /BVA AWF  Puppy Contract and PIP 1
  • Widespread use of The Standard for Dog Breeding2
  • A requirement for the registration of all dog breeders with their local authorities
  • All advertisements for the sale or re-homing of dogs/puppies to include a breeder's registration number provided by the relevant local authority
  • A ban on the sale of puppies by anyone other than the breeder3
  • A requirement that anyone breeding two litters of puppies, or more, per 12 month period, should be licensed by the relevant local authority
  • Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 as a statuory duty for an appropriate body (such as a local authority) and resourced accordingly
  • Repeal of the Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973, 1991, 1999 and replacement with new regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, that require high standards of welfare for dogs; that protect the genetic health of offspring; and that effectively regulate the sale of puppies4
  • New regulations under Section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure traceability to the breeder of a dog via the microchip
  • Accelerated and effective measures by the Kennel Club to improve dog health 5
  • Inclusion of animal welfare as a core part of the curriculum in junior and secondary schools, in particular with regard to the lifelong care and welfare of dogs
  • Establishment of a Government-funded body to provide independent expert advice on companion animal welfare 6
  • Facilitate the translation of good scientific research into practical tools and advice that improves dog genetic and breed health, breeding and rearing
Footnotes
1  https://puppycontract.rspca.org.uk/home 
    http://www.dogbreeding reform group.uk/puppy-contract-and-pip.html
2  http://www.dogbreedingreformgroup.uk/the-standard-for-dog-breeding.html
3  Or by re-homing organisations affiliated to the Association of Cats and Dogs Homes
4   As proposed in the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding (DAC), 'Recommendations on regulations and legislation.' 
5   Measures would include: banning the mating of second-degree relatives (ie,grandson to grandmother); maintentance of effective population sizes  
    (EPS) to above 100; outcrossing breeding strategies where the burden of genetic diseases cannot easily be remedied within the exisiting gene pool;  
   limiting the number of times a 'popular sire' is used; requiring genetic/clinical health testing/use of estimated breeding values (EBVs); eliminating
   exaggerated physical traits which impede a dog's ability to enjoy a normal active life
6  For example, by setting up a Companion Animal Welfare Committee comprising independent experts selected according to Nolan principles
Dogs are for life. Think carefully. Choose wisely. Love deeply.
Canadian Federation of Humane Societies