NZVA Encourages Responsible Pet Ownership and Breeding Practices for Dog Health and Welfare

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is urging dog owners to think twice before choosing a pet with extreme conformations that can lead to long-term suffering and costly veterinary bills. Extreme conformation refers to physical traits in dogs that have been altered through breeding practices to exaggerate certain characteristics, resulting in health issues such as bulging eyes, breathing problems, and skin conditions.

NZVA’s head of veterinary services for companion animals, Sally Cory, emphasized the importance of researching and choosing a registered breeder through Dogs New Zealand to reduce the risk of these health issues. She highlighted the need for breeders to conduct genetic testing and health screenings to ensure puppies have good conformation and quality of life.

CAV president Becky Murphy also stressed the importance of responsible breeding practices and encouraged potential dog owners to do their homework, view both parents, and sign a puppy contract. The ICECDogs position paper, developed through collaboration with experts from various countries, focuses on the innate health concept to assess a dog’s health and welfare based on its body shape.

The group aims to educate the public on the risks associated with extreme conformations and reduce the demand for dogs bred with these traits. They advise against promoting, breeding, selling, or acquiring dogs with extreme conformations to protect the welfare of dogs. The Dogs New Zealand website provides a list of recognized breeders and health screening tests for each breed to help potential owners make informed decisions.

Overall, the NZVA and ICECDogs are working to ensure that dogs are bred responsibly and that potential owners are aware of the health risks associated with extreme conformations. By promoting education and responsible breeding practices, they hope to improve the welfare of dogs in New Zealand.