News item | 8/24/2023 | 08:32
The temporary exception for breeding with extremely short-snouted dogs in combination with a dog with a longer snout will be canceled immediately. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) lays down the criteria for breeding short-muzzled dogs in a new rule to ensure that dogs are bred more responsibly. This is to prevent dogs from being bred with characteristics that cause unnecessary suffering.
Minister Piet Adema: “It is extremely important that pets are healthy and have no limitations. This is a great step in breeding healthy dogs.”
Breeding not excluded
Dogs with extremely short muzzles such as pugs and French bulldogs are more likely to have breathing problems due to a too short muzzle. Therefore, since 2019, short-muzzled dogs may only be bred if they meet the requirements 6 Criteria drawn up by experts. The breeding of these breeds is therefore not excluded, but they must, among other things, show a normal breath sound at rest and have a good ratio between the skull and nose. These rules are now laid down in a policy rule.
Crossing dogs
This policy rule puts an end to the temporary exception for breeding, subject to conditions, with dogs with a so-called craniofacial ratio (CFR) of <0.3. This means that adult dogs that do not meet the criteria may no longer be used for the so-called outcross, the deliberate crossing of dogs to improve a breed. This exception is no longer necessary, as breeders have had ample time over the past 4.5 years to gradually work towards dogs with a healthy muzzle length.
Operation
The policy rule also makes it explicit that adult dogs that have had surgery to improve their welfare may not be bred to prevent their unhealthy genetic characteristics from being passed on. This involves, for example, an operation in which the nostrils are enlarged and the soft palate is shortened, so that the dog can breathe better.
supervision
The NVWA will enforce these stricter rules. If a breeder violates the rules, a fine of € 1,500 euros can follow. In addition, in most cases an order subject to periodic penalty payments is also imposed to ensure that the breeder actually stops breeding.
Breeders can ask the veterinarian to assess their short-muzzled dog against the criteria and issue a vet certificate. Future owners of dogs are advised to ask for this vet statement when purchasing a dog. In addition, it is of course always good to ask to see a puppy’s mother.
You can find more tips at the website of the National Information Center for Companion Animals..