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The pedigree dog – welfare ethics versus aesthetics

The pedigree dog – welfare ethics versus aesthetics
The pedigree dog – welfare ethics versus aesthetics
The domestic dog Canis familiaris has been selectively bred by humans for thousands of years and exhibits a greater morphological diversity than any other single species (Clutton-Brock 1999). Initially the selective breeding of dogs was primarily to satisfy functional requirements; however, with the inception of dog shows in the mid 19th century, the aesthetic quality of these animals was soon to have a bearing on breeding practices (The Kennel Club, 2000).
Dog breeders have produced animals which are morphologically far removed from their progenitor the wolf, but in doing so some dogs appear to have paid a high price, as selective breeding has led to the existence of over 350 known diseases and conditions in pedigree dogs (Gough and Thomas 2005). Whilst the UK Kennel Club, and many breed clubs, recognise there is a need to ensure both the physical and behavioural health of pedigree dogs (Kisko 2007), many breed standards are still linked to specific problems.
This study adapts the four principles of bioethics (Beauchamp and Childress 1994) - beneficence, non-malificence, autonomy and justice - to welfare ethics, and considers whether the practice of selectively breeding pedigree dogs to meet breed standards is compatible with these four principles. We report on the results of a postal questionnaire sent to the secretaries of breed societies. The study aimed to investigate breed society views of ethical aspects of dog breeding, through an understanding of the current practices of breed clubs and the content of the breed society’s published rule books and codes of ethics. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative data was used to analyse and evaluate the responses.
This study found that, although efforts are being made to improve the health and welfare of pedigree dogs in the UK, the selective breeding of pedigree dogs to meet breed standards does not fully satisfy the principles of welfare ethics.
dog, pedigree, welfare, ethics, aesthetics, breeding
Lewis, R.
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McBride, E.A.
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Lamb, D.
c39f5b85-a890-43c8-ad07-4cf4f7ec3c5b
Lewis, R.
6f1ba3ae-babd-4e0e-9fc4-7dee2e4d57af
McBride, E.A.
8f13b829-a141-4b67-b2d7-08f839972646
Lamb, D.
c39f5b85-a890-43c8-ad07-4cf4f7ec3c5b

Lewis, R., McBride, E.A. and Lamb, D. (2008) The pedigree dog – welfare ethics versus aesthetics. Universitites Federation for Animal Welfare Animal Welfare Conference 2008, Birmingham, UK. 03 Jul 2008.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)

Abstract

The domestic dog Canis familiaris has been selectively bred by humans for thousands of years and exhibits a greater morphological diversity than any other single species (Clutton-Brock 1999). Initially the selective breeding of dogs was primarily to satisfy functional requirements; however, with the inception of dog shows in the mid 19th century, the aesthetic quality of these animals was soon to have a bearing on breeding practices (The Kennel Club, 2000).
Dog breeders have produced animals which are morphologically far removed from their progenitor the wolf, but in doing so some dogs appear to have paid a high price, as selective breeding has led to the existence of over 350 known diseases and conditions in pedigree dogs (Gough and Thomas 2005). Whilst the UK Kennel Club, and many breed clubs, recognise there is a need to ensure both the physical and behavioural health of pedigree dogs (Kisko 2007), many breed standards are still linked to specific problems.
This study adapts the four principles of bioethics (Beauchamp and Childress 1994) - beneficence, non-malificence, autonomy and justice - to welfare ethics, and considers whether the practice of selectively breeding pedigree dogs to meet breed standards is compatible with these four principles. We report on the results of a postal questionnaire sent to the secretaries of breed societies. The study aimed to investigate breed society views of ethical aspects of dog breeding, through an understanding of the current practices of breed clubs and the content of the breed society’s published rule books and codes of ethics. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative data was used to analyse and evaluate the responses.
This study found that, although efforts are being made to improve the health and welfare of pedigree dogs in the UK, the selective breeding of pedigree dogs to meet breed standards does not fully satisfy the principles of welfare ethics.

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More information

Published date: 2008
Venue - Dates: Universitites Federation for Animal Welfare Animal Welfare Conference 2008, Birmingham, UK, 2008-07-03 - 2008-07-03
Keywords: dog, pedigree, welfare, ethics, aesthetics, breeding

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 55281
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/55281
PURE UUID: dbede9b2-ae0e-4672-9292-b8093e027274

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 04 Aug 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 10:53

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Contributors

Author: R. Lewis
Author: E.A. McBride
Author: D. Lamb

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