A group of vets and dog breed experts have issued an open letter to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs ahead of the second reading of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill tomorrow (29 November), to ensure it protects a number of dog breeds which are at risk of disappearing in the UK.
The full letter can be found below and The Kennel Club is urging other concerned dog enthusiasts to contact their MP:
We are writing to you in response to the introduction of the private members’ Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill. While we acknowledge that this proposed legislation represents a positive step forward in terms of animal welfare, we wish to raise some concerns regarding the potential impact of a blanket ban on the importation of puppies under six months of age. While well-intentioned, we believe this approach could have significant negative consequences for the long-term health of certain dog breeds in the UK.
There is no doubt that illegal puppy smuggling is a serious concern, and anecdotal evidence suggests that veterinary professionals are frequently confronted with very young puppies arriving with inaccurate paperwork, which raises biosecurity risks. The intention behind an age-based restriction is understandable, and we support efforts to address these issues. However, a blanket ban on puppies under six months could lead to unintended consequences, particularly in relation to breeds with small populations or those already classified as vulnerable, such as the Bearded Collie and Sussex Spaniel.
Moreover, while there are critical concerns with puppy smuggling relating to untraceable dogs, Kennel Club-registered dogs have both UK owners and overseas breeder details listed in both The Kennel Club’s database, as well as in the exporting country’s kennel clubs.
There are numerous breeds within the UK, particularly those with small gene pools, that rely on the importation of new breeding lines to maintain genetic diversity and protect the long-term health of the breed. These include:
- Irish Wolfhound (a vulnerable native breed)
- Skye Terrier (a vulnerable native breed)
- Barbet
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Schnauzer
Since the relaxation of pet travel rules in 2012, the number of imported dogs registered by The Kennel Club has nearly doubled, contributing to significant improvements in genetic diversity within our pedigree dog breeds. Ensuring a broad gene pool is essential for maintaining the overall health of these breeds, including those where genetic diversity is currently not an issue. A reduction in genetic diversity can lead to an increased prevalence of inherited diseases, as well as reduced fitness and fertility in these breeds. Furthermore, geographic isolation can have as large an impact on genetic diversity as inbreeding.
Additionally, the early experiences of a puppy, particularly during the first five months of life, are crucial for their mental and social development. If a puppy destined for breeding is unable to travel until six months of age, this will significantly delay their opportunities for training, socialisation, and proper acclimatisation to new environments. A late relocation can also cause unnecessary stress and hinder their continued development, which could have long-term implications for both their health and behaviour.
In order for the diversity of dogs in the UK to be protected, without undermining the core aim of the Bill, we would ask Government to first consider the inclusion of a mechanism, similar to those already in use by DEFRA with livestock and biological material importation and exportation, that would provide the necessary protocols and accompanying documentation to facilitate the movement of this small but significant group of responsible breeders and importers.
Thank you for considering our views. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further and work together to find a solution that balances both animal welfare and the long-term health of dog breeds in the UK.
Signatories:
Dr Andrew Higgins BVetMed MSc PhD FRSB FRCVS;
Professor Steve Dean MRCVS, DVR;
Vikki Van-Beck - The Northern Boxer Club;
Yvette Dumont - Eastern Counties Poodle Club;
Amanda Orchard - Russian Toy Club UK, South Of England Pomeranian Club;
Sally Ellison - Don & Cornwall Cocker Spaniel Club;
Trisha Bellinger - Lancashire Heeler Association;
Sally McKinlay - Estrela Mountain Dog Association;
Sam Clark - Farlap Bloodhounds;
Liz Lewis - Pyrenean Sheepdog Club of Great Britain;
Julia Spittle - Griffon Bruxellois Breeders Association;
Vicki Hayes – Curly Coated Retriever Club of Great Britian;
Karen Angier - Southern Border Collie Club;
Jacky Cutler - Lancashire Heeler Association;
Cathy Thompson-Morgan - Portuguese Water Dog Club Of Great Britain;
Lisa Dixon - English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Club;
Lynn Pay - Eurasier Society UK;
Maureen Sale - Bearded Collie Club;
Amanda Warren - Welsh and West of England Bullmastiff Society;
Francine Kelly - Ulster Chihuahua Club;
Nicola King - Picardy Sheepdog Club;
Peter Barnaby - The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club;
Carl Henshaw - White Swiss Shepherd Dog Club of the UK;
Aly Prowse - Large Munsterlander Club;
Katherine French - Miniature Pinscher Club;
Anita Pritchard - The English Shetland Sheepdog Club;
Roslyn Bellamy - Flatcoated Retriever Society;
Sue Virgo - The Yorkshire Afghan Hound Society;
Rachel Spencer - Korthals Griffon Club of Great Britain;
Stuart Winterton - The Greenland Dog Club of Great Britain;
Maxine Munday - Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Club of Great Britain;
Pauline Torrance - Lhasa Apso Association of Wales and South West;
Sal Rich - Turkish Kangal Dog Club;
Vitalija Smith - Sealyham Terrier Club;
Tracy McCall - Scottish Dobermann Club;
Ashlie Carter - The Japanese Akita Inu Breed Club;
Tracy Irving - Pennine & Yorkshire Welsh Corgi Association;
David Spencer - Midland & Northern Counties French Bulldog Club;
Anna Sampson - Northern Portuguese Podengo Association;
Steph Downey – The Canadian Eskimo Dog Club of Great Britain;
Dianne Reid - Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand and Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit Club;
Mary Pascoe - Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) Club;
Liz Whitmore - Hovawart Club Of Great Britain;
Yvonne Cox - Birmingham & District Dobermann Club;
Wendy Starkey - Southern Dachshund Association.
Lynn Gibbins – Entlebucher Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain.