15/04/2011 App to help would be owners of pups

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The Advisory Council on Dog Breeding is planning to hold an autumn seminar to discuss key issues they plan to tackle. Their members recently agreed to address various issues relating to the health of dogs and how breed clubs can be more involved. The council’s seminar would be primarily for breed coordinators to brief them on evidence relating to welfare and health and how they can improve things. The council has established a working group to identify the causes surrounding bad welfare problems and work out how to resolve them.

Council members have all agreed that breeders should appreciate foremost that they are breeding pets first and show dogs second and should ensure their dogs are healthy, fit and well socialised. It was felt that some breed clubs had put the welfare of dogs on the back burner and should become more engaged with the need for greater emphasis on happy, healthy pups.

The council has been working on draft guidance for the dog buying public in order to help would be owners distinguish the difference between buying a puppy and an adult dog. Members of the council are also considering a smart phone application which would be based around the advice for choosing the right dog for their own circumstances.

One of the council’s first projects is to develop guidance to the public on how to buy a dog. This will involve distinguishing between what needs to be considered when buying a puppy and when buying an adult dog, and helping people get a dog who is fit, healthy and suitable for the environment in which it will live.

This draft guidance is nearing completion and the latest version will be considered at the council’s May meeting.

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