The dog welfare directive of 2 May 2001

As of 1 September, 2001 existing legislation regulating outdoor dog husbandry is replaced by the domestic dog welfare directive of 2 May, 2001. The new directive applies to details of housing and breeding of dogs kept indoors and as domestic companions. Thus, minimum requirements for housing, care and feeding now apply to the great majority of private dog owners. However these requirements do not apply to animals in transit, in individual veterinary treatment or to those used for scientific experimentation whose goals justify deviations from these standards. Additional regulations apply to dog breeding and showing. Puppies may not be separated from their mother and litter before eight weeks of age. "Prohibition of breeding for aggressiveness" cited in Paragraph 11b of the animal welfare law is defined, and includes various breeds and hybrids. The directive includes an index for the care and treatment of dogs by commercial breeders. After a transitional period no dogs which have been subjected to amputations at the expense of the animal's welfare in order to achieve specific features may be shown publicly. The author provides critical commentary on the regulations of the domestic dog welfare directive and points out areas which will continue to be of concern.     

Selection against canine hip dysplasia: success or failure?

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a multifactorial skeletal disorder which is very common in pedigree dogs and represents a huge concern for canine welfare. Control schemes based on selective breeding have been in operation for decades. The aim of these schemes is to reduce the impact of CHD on canine welfare by selecting for reduced radiographic evidence of CHD pathology as assessed by a variety of phenotypes. There is less information regarding the genotypic correlation between these phenotypes and the impact of CHD on canine welfare. Although the phenotypes chosen as the basis for these control schemes have displayed heritable phenotypic variation in many studies, success in achieving improvement in the phenotypes has been mixed. There is significant room for improvement in the current schemes through the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs), which can combine a dog's CHD phenotype with CHD phenotypes of relatives, other phenotypes as they are proven to be genetically correlated with CHD (especially elbow dysplasia phenotypes), and information from genetic tests for population-relevant DNA markers, as such tests become available. Additionally, breed clubs should be encouraged and assisted to formulate rational, evidenced-based breeding recommendations for CHD which suit their individual circumstances and dynamically to adjust the breeding recommendations based on continuous tracking of CHD genetic trends. These improvements can assist in safely and effectively reducing the impact of CHD on pedigree dog welfare.     

Diseases with relevance to protection of animals with an example of the musculoskeletal system of dogs

Protection of animals needs major concern in breeding programmes especially if inherited diseases occur which cause pain, suffering and/or damages for the animals. Dogs breeders and people keeping dogs as well as veterinarians should be informed about the etiology on sequels of diseases which cause pain to the animals and from which the animals have to be protected in order to make them more conscious on these problems and to achieve changes in dog breeding programmes. The information system "Inherited Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System of Dogs" should display the already published knowledge about etiology, pathogenesis, appearance, therapy and genetics of these diseases. This information system was built up in such a way that it can be used by students as a learning programme to understand the basic relationships among animal protection, diseases, and dog breeding. The user is also supplied with support for breeding decisions as well as for interpretation of breeding values and genotype probabilities. Additionally, information can be obtained on all in the German Association for Dog Breeding (VDH) represented breeds and breeding clubs. Actions to reduce genetically caused diseases required for members of dog breeding clubs are also available. The information system ist programmed by using HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Publication is possible on CD-ROM and on Internet. The supplied hyperlinks allow to make use of other publications on the world wide web related to dog and diseases of dogs.     

Barking in family dogs: An ethological approach

Although it is one of the most conspicuous features of dog behaviour, barking has received little attention from ethologists or from an applied perspective. In this review, an ethological look is taken at the communicative aspect of dog barking. Emerging new research has indicated that in the repertoire of dog vocalisations barking has unique features in showing wide ranges of acoustic parameters, such as frequency, tonality and rhythmicity. Barking has been shown to be context dependent, and provides information for humans about the inner state of the dog although there are few indications that barking is used for intra-species communication. It is assumed that dog barking emerged through selective processes in which human preferences for certain acoustic aspects of the vocalisation may have been paramount. A more experiment-oriented approach is required for the study of dog vocalisation that could shed light on the possible communicative function of these acoustic signals.     

Hip dysplasia and dog breeding

Summary

Hip dysplasia is considered to be one of the most serious problems in dog breeding. In the past 20 years the studies of, and the attempts to control, this condition have been directed mainly to the overall picture of the abnormality of the hips. The various efforts have resulted in a decrease in the incidence of HD in several breeds of dogs. For other breeds the results have not been very convincing, however. In some instances they are even said to be conflicting with other aims of breeding. Based on these data some separate studies have recently been performded in respect of the details of the disorders in the hip joints and of the heritability of these elements.

The present study concerns itself with the roots of the disorders as they are observed in the various breeds. A great variety of data indicates that selection within the canine species for specific morphological traits must be considered as one of the most important roots of the occurrence of HD. The collected data strongly indicate that improvements in the HD status in the various breeds can be reached by selection against specific disorders of the hip joints in these breeds.     

Food intake and growth of German shepherd puppies

The nutritional programme followed during the growth and development of the German shepherd puppy may have a significant influence on the dog's value as a potential working or breeding animal. Limited research has been undertaken on the nutrition of the dog from birth until four to five weeks of age. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline in terms of food intake and growth, which can be used in a nutritional and managerial programme in a commercial breeding unit. The food intake and growth of 10 German shepherd dog litters, with an average of six puppies per litter, were monitored from birth to 12 weeks of age. Both food intake and growth was described by regression equations. A commercially available diet was fed throughout the study. Performance criteria, namely food intake and bodyweight, were established which could be used in a commercial German shepherd dog breeding unit.     

Exaggerated breed characteristics in dogs

Dutch dog owners seem to be aware of bad dog breeding practices with regard to exaggerated breed characteristics that are detrimental to the dog's welfare. Yet they do not always look for these features when buying a dog. Most dog owners think that veterinarians could have an important role in preventing these exaggerated physical traits, by providing information about these traits and taking action in their capacity as veterinarian. Articles 36 and 55 of the Dutch GWWD (animal health and welfare law) provide opportunities to act against the breeding of dogs with exaggerated genetic traits.     

Breeding implications resulting from classification of patellae luxation in dogs

Patellar luxation (PL) is one of the major hereditary orthopaedic abnormalities observed in a variety of dog breeds. When the patellae move sideways out of the trochlear groove, this is called PL. The PL score varies between dogs from normal to very severe. Reducing the prevalence of PL by breeding could prevent surgery, thereby improve welfare. Orthopaedic specialists differentiate between normal and loose patellae, where the patellae can be moved to the edge of the trochlear groove, considering scoring loose patellae as normal in the future. Loose patellae are considered acceptable for breeding so far by the breeding organization. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic background of PL to decide on the importance of loose patellae when breeding for healthy dogs. Data are available from two dog breeds, that is Flat‐coated Retrievers (n = 3808) and Kooiker dogs (n = 794), with a total of 4602 dogs. Results show that loose patellae indicate that dogs are genetically more susceptible to develop PL because family members of the dogs with loose patellae showed more severe PL. In addition, the estimated breeding values for dogs with loose patellae indicate that breeding values of dogs with loose patellae were worse than breeding values obtained for dogs with a normal score. Given these results, it is advised to orthopaedic specialists to continue to score loose patellae as a separate class and to dog breeders to minimize the use of dogs in breeding with a genetically higher susceptibility for PL.     

Intra‐thoracic gossypiboma (textiloma) in a 6‐year‐old cocker spaniel

This report documents the first case of gossypiboma (textiloma) identified within the thorax of a dog. CT findings, surgical removal and histopathology are described. Intra‐thoracic gossypiboma has not previously been reported in dogs and is rarely reported in the human medical literature, where it is most commonly associated with previous cardiac or pulmonary surgery. This dog had previously had a thoracotomy for attempted surgical correction of a persistent right aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum 6 years prior to presentation. A brief review of the previous literature and recommendations for prevention of this condition are provided.     

犬体型大小相关基因的研究进展

犬作为人类最早驯化的家养动物,在人类发展史和现代生活中扮演着非常重要的角色,如伴侣、看护、导盲、军警用犬等。人工选择过程使得家犬产生了极大的表型多样性,其中体型性状是犬最显著的表型性状之一,属高遗传力性状。本文综述了犬体型性状相关基因IGF1、IGF1R、GHR1、GHR2、SMAD2、STC2、HMGA2、IGSF1、ACSL4及IRS4的研究进展,为未来工作犬体型遗传改良育种提供重要的靶点和依据,为进一步阐明人类及其他家养动物在体型上的遗传变异提供参考。     

肉犬育肥对比试验

对大丹犬、圣伯纳犬、本地犬、大丹—圣伯纳—本地犬的三元杂交后代进行不同品种犬的育肥试验 ,试验结果表明 ,大丹犬、圣伯纳犬、三元杂交犬出栏体重均显著高于本地犬 ,料重比均显著低于本地犬 ,通过经济合算认为三元杂交后代进行育肥最适合当地的基本情况     

Genetic diversity, inbreeding and breeding practices in dogs: results from pedigree analyses

Pedigree analysis constitutes a classical approach for the study of the evolution of genetic diversity, genetic structure, history and breeding practices within a given breed. As a consequence of selection pressure, management in closed populations and historical bottlenecks, many dog breeds have experienced considerable inbreeding and show (on the basis of a pedigree approach) comparable diversity loss compared to other domestic species. This evolution is linked to breeding practices such as the overuse of popular sires or mating between related animals. The popular sire phenomenon is the most problematic breeding practice, since it has also led to the dissemination of a large number of inherited defects. The practice should be limited by taking measures such as restricting the number of litters (or offspring) per breeding animal.     

How the Kennel Club is tackling inherited disorders in the United Kingdom

Health screening of potential canine breeding stock can provide invaluable information to allow breeders to select against inherited diseases in their breeding programmes. This review details the screening programmes that are currently available to UK dog breeders and evaluates their impact as selective tools for dog breeders.     

Molecular characterization of a Babesia gibsoni isolate from a Spanish dog

Babesia gibsoni is a morphologically small Babesia species that infects dogs. Molecular techniques have shown that some small Babesia sp. recently described in canids are not related to the original B. gibsoni and they should be assigned to separate taxons. Although the 18s rRNA gene of true B. gibsoni isolates has been studied in the USA, Asia and Australia, no molecular data on the presence and genetic characteristics of B. gibsoni in Europe are available. Blood collected from a Babesia-symptomatic dog from Spain was used for DNA diagnosis by seminested PCR. DNA amplification was positive and the complete 18s rRNA gene of the dog isolate was sequenced, showing 98% homology with B. gibsoni (isolate Asia 1). Evidence from phylogenetic analysis indicated that: The Spanish isolate unambiguously belongs to the B. gibsoni group. The B. gibsoni complex might be diphyletic. In the absence of genetic data from African isolates of B. gibsoni, Asia seems to be the most likely geographical location of origin.     

昆明犬家系兴奋性状选育模式研究

统计昆明犬家系3个世代兴奋性测试记录和系谱数据,对昆明犬兴奋性状不同选育方法进行模拟研究。利用家系系谱资料及F3和F4世代兴奋性状数据,估算个体育种值,依据表型和育种值,对F4犬群按照个体表型、家系表型、个体育种值、家系育种值排序,各选择30%个体,寻找其在F5代中的个体,计算各种选择方法所产生后代的表型和遗传进展,评估各种选择方法对昆明犬兴奋性状选育最优方法。研究表明:选择昆明犬个体育种值好于选择昆明犬家系育种值好于选择家系表型好于选择个体表型,选择昆明犬公犬效果好于选择昆明犬母犬效果。     

Testing for general knowledge of dog owners--requirements for courses and examinations

The expert group of the German Veterinary Chamber has established a frame-work of basic knowledge for education and examination of normal dog owners together with other groups. The most important topics of the theoretical part are: Ethology (social-behaviour, communication dog-human and dog-dog, education, dog-training, learning, psychology, fear, aggression), keeping and caring (prevention, first aid, handling), nutrition and health (diets, vaccination, parasites, diseases), breeding (sexual differences, knowledge about dog-breeds and their needs), dogs in public and family (laws, interaction, obedience, control. The practical part concentrates on the ability of the owner to influence and control his dog, practical handling and the dogs' obedience. Minimum age of owners is 18 years, the dog should be between 18 and 24 months old. The owner has to pass the theoretical exam only once in his/her life, the practical-part has to be repeated with every new dog older than 18 months.     

酶制剂在母狐貉饲料中的应用效果

近些年因毛皮动物养殖业的发展,出现了对小鱼、小虾等幼龄水产品的过度捕捞情况,使淡水鱼类资源遭到严重破坏,饲料的价格高涨,养殖成本增加,降低了养殖户经济效益。针对此现状,本试验通过不同酶制剂的应用,以植物蛋白源和鱼粉来替代狐貉日粮中的新鲜动物饲料,最终达到减轻环境压力,降低饲养成本,提高狐貉养殖经济效益的目的。     

The Ethics and Role of AI with Fresh and Frozen Semen in Dogs

The use of artificial insemination (AI) with fresh semen has resulted in many benefits for the management of dog breeding, but there are disadvantages that can sometimes be overlooked. Furthermore, poorer quality semen arising as a result of cryopreservation necessitates uterine insemination, which raises the potential for surgical insemination. A number of significant ethical concerns have been raised by key stakeholders (such as The Kennel Club and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) about AI per se , but particularly about the use of surgical insemination. This paper discusses the technological development of AI and explores a number of the ethical issues raised by its application to dog breeding. An Ethical Matrix method is used to map the potential ethical issues for key interest groups, namely dogs, breeders, owners, veterinarians and wider society. There are national variations in the way in which institutions have evaluated potential ethical impacts, and this is reflected in the different regulatory frameworks governing the use of AI in dogs. In order to facilitate decision-making and reduce some of the ethical risks associated with this technology, the veterinary research community could take several proactive steps including: (i) clarifying clinical decision-making processes, (ii) enhancing informed choice among clients and (iii) increasing the knowledge-base of potential impacts of AI.     

Hip dysplasia in labrador retrievers: the effects of age at scoring

Selective breeding policies for preventing or controlling hip dysplasia require accurate estimates of parameters in offspring/parental relationships and estimates of heritability. Recent literature includes some major studies of pedigree breeds of dog, using data derived from the hip dysplasia screening scheme set up by the British Veterinary Association. These publications have not taken into account the age of the animals when they were screened. This study analyses the data from 29,213 labrador retrievers whose ages were known when they screened. The mean hip score of the dogs was positively and significantly correlated with their age. If this relationship with age is ignored, various offspring/parental relationships and the estimates of heritability are likely to be distorted.     

Norwegian mastitis control programme

This paper describes the methods and results of the Norwegian Mastitis Control Program implemented in 1982. The program has formed an integral part of the Norwegian Cattle Health Services (NCHS) since 1995. The NCHS also have specific programs for milk fever, ketosis, reproduction and calf diseases. The goal of the program is to improve udder health by keeping the bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) low, to reduce the use of antibiotics, to keep the cost of mastitis low at herd level and improve the consumers' attitude to milk products. In 1996, a decision was made to reduce the use of antibiotics in all animal production enterprises in Norway by 25% within five years. Relevant data has been collected through the Norwegian Cattle Herd Recording System (NCHRS); including health records since 1975 and somatic cell count (SCC) data since 1980. These data have been integrated within the NCHRS. Since 2000, mastitis laboratory data have also been included in the NCHRS. Data on clinical disease, SCC and mastitis bacteriology have been presented to farmers and advisors in monthly health periodicals since 1996, and on the internet since 2005. In 1996, Norwegian recommendations on the treatment of mastitis were implemented. Optimal milking protocols and milking machine function have been emphasised and less emphasis has been placed on dry cow therapy. A selective dry cow therapy program (SDCTP) was implemented in 2006, and is still being implemented in new areas. Research demonstrates that the rate of clinical mastitis could be reduced by 15% after implementing SDCTP. The results so far show a 60% reduction in the clinical treatment of mastitis between 1994 and 2007, a reduction in BMSCC from 250,000 cells/ml to 114,000 cells/ml, and a total reduction in the mastitis cost from 0.23 NOK to 0.13 NOK per litre of milk delivered to the processors, corresponding to a fall from 9.2% to 1.7% of the milk price, respectively. This reduction is attributed to changes in attitude and breeding, eradicating bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and a better implementation of mastitis prevention programmes.