#PreventExtremeBreeds – ZZF reports on torture breeding and calls for legally watertight list of criteria

Some people choose to breed pets for traits that are on trend, special or look very unusual. However, deliberate or accidental overtyping of certain traits during breeding can harm animals. “That’s what we call torture breeding, defective or extreme breeding,” explains biologist Dr Stefan K. Hetz, scientific consultant for pets and international affairs at the German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF).

The organisation’s new German and English campaign site www.prevent-extreme-breeds.com explains how to identify breeding that causes pain, injuries or suffering to pets or their offspring. In videos, Hetz explains the traits breeders and animal lovers should look out for.

Traits that can take a huge toll on animals’ welfare are large, round heads, short jaws and short nasal bones. In dogs, these traits often lead to respiratory problems as well as thermoregulatory problems due to panting disorder or even sleep apnoea. 

Cats with folded ears have a genetic defect that causes severe cartilage defects and joint pain.

Ornamental fish missing dorsal fins or showing reshaped tail fins struggle to swim in a way that’s appropriate to their species normal behaviour. Breeding reptiles for specific colour morphs can entail a greater risk of cancer or neurological harm.

Studies on torture breeding traits called for

The German Pet Trade & Industry Association is convinced that politicians also need to clamp down on defective breeding: “The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, the German Animal Welfare Act and the 1999 expert report on section 11b of Germany’s Animal Welfare Act do include legal provisions on torture breeding. But the definition of torture breeding traits in single breeds and species is too vague, so clear definitions are repeatedly lacking,” explains Norbert Holthenrich, ZZF president.

“We need a science-based list of criteria throughout Germany that enables vets, local authorities, breeders and animal owners to assess torture breeding traits objectively and based on severity,” urges Holthenrich.

What can pet owners do?

• The expert report on the German Animal Welfare Act already outlines some extreme breeding practices today. If a breed or morph demonstrably has a poor genetic base, animal lovers should not support breeding.
• Animal fans should not follow trends and keep pets with torture traits just because celebrities do so.
• Serious breeders present health certificates and breeding objectives.
• Animal owners can help raise awareness about extreme breeding practices and share the ZZF videos.

Breeders should prioritise animal health: “The variety of pets is fascinating. Animal lovers can find exciting pets without extreme breeding traits,” comments Norbert Holthenrich.

For further information on extreme breeding practices, visit:

In German:  www.qualzucht-verhindern.de

In English: www.prevent-extreme-breeds.com

What is the ZZF?

The German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF) represents the professional, economic and political interests of the whole German pet industry. Members include pet retail businesses, system headquarters in the pet supplies trade, wholesale companies, breeders, pet groomers and pet supply manufacturers.

www.zzf.de