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Prevent Extreme Breeds

Recommendations and demands

At legal level, Germany has adopted standards which lay down the ethical principles for breeding pets. However, there are no precisely defined traits of extreme breeding, what may lead to confusion, misinterpretations and gaps in enforcement. 

There are legal requirements to prevent extreme breeding practices...

When it comes to defective breeding, the German Animal Welfare Act is actually quite clear: animals may not be bred if it is likely that their offspring will experience pain, suffering or damage due to hereditary factors.(Section 11b Animal Welfare Act: English version / German version) For example, because they are missing organs or body parts, are severely altered or do no longer function in a normal way. It is not a question of whether a particular form of breeding or pet breed is prohibited. The decisive factor is whether the bred traits, such as short muzzles, etc., harm the animal. 

There are also clear guidelines at European level: anyone who breeds animals must ensure that the health and well-being of the offspring are not compromised. This is stated in the law on the European Convention of 13 November 1987 on the Protection of Pet Animals (Federal Law Gazette 1991 II p. 402), which Germany signed back in 1991: ‘Any person who selects a pet animal for breeding shall be responsible for having regard to the anatomical, physiological and behavioural characteristics which are likely to put at risk the health and welfare of either the offspring or the female parent.’ 

...but the guidelines are too vague!

Nevertheless, there are major gaps in practice: the legal requirements are often too vague. The expert opinion on Section 11b of the Animal Welfare Act, published in 1999. lists some forms of torture breeding, but it is outdated and many traits have not yet been described. As a result, authorities and veterinarians often come to very different assessments – a situation that many experts now describe as legal uncertainty. 

'We call for more scientific research into breeds suspected of having health problems and for new legally binding lists that describe in detail which breeds and individual traits are considered defective.'

— ZZF President Norbert Holthenrich

What do we need to change?

The German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF) supports the prevention of extreme breeding and has added the forms of torture breeding described in the report to its negative list of unsuitable pets. 

However, to ensure that animals are even better protected against defective breeding in future, ZZF is calling for more scientific research. This applies in particular to breeding practices where health problems are suspected. Only when it is clear which traits actually harm pets effective action can be taken against them. 

Defective breeding is not always black and white

When it comes to torture breeding, many people immediately think of obvious deformities or serious health problems. But it is not always that simple. Many phenotypes cannot be easily classified as ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ – health problems manifest themselves in very different ways. This is precisely why ZZF is convinced that a differentiated and objective assessment is necessary. 

After all, not every deviation from the natural wild type automatically means that an animal is suffering. Some characteristics – such as a smaller or bigger body size or a special coat or fin shape – may look unusual, but may not have any demonstrable negative health effect. Conversely, a harmless-looking trait may be associated with genetic defects that can cause pain or physical constraints. 

A good example is dwarf or giant forms in pets. Domestication and selective breeding have resulted in the miniature pinscher, the dwarf rabbit, the Belgian giant and the standard budgerigar – all animals with significantly altered phenotypes. In order to assess if it is an extreme breed consensus is needed. But what reference size should be used to assess their skeletal form? 

In some dog breeds, such as Dachshunds and Miniature Spitz Dogs, the appearance also differs markedly from the original dog form. And in fish with long fins – known as veil fins – the changes are clearly visible. But how can it be objectively determined to what extent the traits harm the animal or not? 

The ZZF therefore calls for clear, scientifically sound criteria appropriate to classify such traits correctly – so that mere deviation does not automatically indicates a case of defective breeding. 

Albino iguanas are often kept as pets in Asia.
Foto: Smarterpix/DSom

Recommendation for breeding

  • ZZF recommends that its members consistently avoid breeding goals that pose health risks 
  • Breeding goals should avoid extreme breeding traits 
  • Breeders should carefully select breeding stock, should avoid too excessive inbreeding and should remove genetically defective animals from the breeding stock 
  • Careful human contact is helpful, but it must not lead to imprinting or maladjustment to humans. Although humans can and should carefully interact with young animals during this phase to accustom them to touch and everyday stimuli, too much closeness can be problematic: imprinting on humans that is too early or too intense can lead to behavioural disorders or maladjustment. 
  • Isolated hand-rearing, i.e. the complete rearing of young animals without their animal parents, is restricted to cases without alternatives – for example, if the animal parents have been lost or if it is required to guarantee animal welfare. 

ZZF therefore calls on all breeders to act with maximum caution and carefully plan their breeding practice. True love for pets is not about appearance, but about their healthy, species-appropriate life. 

Relevant standards

Contact

Dr. Stefan K. Hetz

Dr. Stefan K. Hetz

Scientific Consultant for Pet Animals and International Affairs