Brachycephalic dog breeds
In conclusion, in order to prevent the welfare concerns over brachycephalic dogs from spiralling out of control, vets and breeders need to work together to decrease the popularity of affected breeds. Another statement from the President of the BVA, Sean Wensley, stated that there is a concerning ‘ want for designer dogs and brachycephalic breeds ’ ( BVA reveals concerns for dog health and welfare , 2016) and this is the image that needs to be advertised against. We as readers and potential owners need to understand that a dog is more than an accessory (S. Denenberg, personal communication, January 8, 2021) and we should consider its welfare before we go ahead with purchasing a new puppy. An outright ban will most likely backfire on the veterinary community, with fewer owners referring their puppies for conformation-altering surgeries due to fear of prosecution. This means that the only viable way to prevent the exacerbation of inherited abnormalities is for the Kennel Club, breeding societies, veterinary surgeons, and owners to join forces and reduce the widespread popularity of affected brachycephalic breeds and knock them of the list of top ten breeds. This is the only way to prevent the concerns over animal welfare from escalating beyond the point of no return, where breeds will no longer have the genetic variation to recover from such an intense selective breeding programme.
Bibliography
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