Proposed Changes to Animal Protection Law Could Impact Dachshund Breeding in Germany
The future of dachshunds, the beloved German dog breed known for their long bodies and short legs, is in jeopardy as proposed changes to an animal protection law in Germany could potentially ban their breeding. The German Ministry of Food and Agriculture has drafted a bill aimed at combating “torture breeding” and regulating the online trade of animals, but the bill contains requirements that could spell trouble for dachshunds and other popular dog breeds.
The bill lists various disease characteristics, including anomalies of the skeletal system, that would be outlawed, potentially leading to a ban on breeding animals with significant size deviations from the “original wolf type.” This could impact not only dachshunds but also other breeds like beagles, Jack Russell terriers, and miniature schnauzers, as well as dogs with short noses such as English bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs.
Leif Kopernik, the chief executive of Germany’s kennel club, expressed concerns about the vague and undefined disease characteristics listed in the draft law, warning that many healthy and popular dog breeds could be banned from breeding if the bill is implemented as is. The kennel club is calling for a clear and scientific catalog of disease characteristics to provide legal certainty and combat torture breeding more effectively.
While a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food emphasized that the draft is in an early stage and likely to be modified by the German parliament, the proposed changes have sparked a debate about the welfare of animals and the breeding of deformities. Dachshunds, in particular, have been a focal point of the discussion, given their long history in Germany as hunting dogs with distinctive characteristics.
Breeders like Sandra Karthäuser, who has been breeding rough-haired dachshunds for over a decade, find it incomprehensible that officials are considering regulating the breed, citing the lack of evidence that dachshunds are inherently ill due to their exterior. While acknowledging that certain breed lines may be predisposed to health conditions, Karthäuser argues against a blanket ban on the entire breed, suggesting that other popular breeds with health issues would also need to be considered.
As the debate continues, dachshund enthusiasts and breeders are closely watching the developments in Germany, hoping for a resolution that balances animal welfare with the preservation of beloved dog breeds.
