YOUR FAVOURITE BREED COULD BE DRASTICALLY CHANGED, OR EVEN BANNED, IF
		the UK Government signs the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals

The Convention which has not yet been signed by the UK, calls on member states to drastically alter breed standards or to prohibit the breeding of many of our most cherished dogs. To date, the UK has not signed or ratified the Convention and has no legal requirement to do so, although it stated in its first term of office that it intended to. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Pet Animals (RSPCA) have lobbied for the UK Government to sign and ratify the Convention despite the effect this would have on world famous UK breeds and people who work with, show or wish to own such dogs. In April 2000, the RCVS begun another campaign in favour of the Convention and initiated a consultation to present to the UK Government to encourage it to sign and ratify the Convention. Thankfully, the college bowed to pressure from dog breeders, clubs and other organisations and in August 2000, announced that it would NOT be proceeding with lobbying. However, in August 2001, the UK Government announced that it IS reviewing whether or not it should sign the Convention - more details here DEFRA announced a total review of all UK animal legislation in January 2002, expressly omitting a review of the Convention, then changed its mind AFTER the initial consolation period had ended 30 April 2002! We submit that were the UK to sign and ratify the Convention, this would have very serious implications on those who breed dogs for companionship, show, and the breeding and working of gundogs and terriers for field sports and pest control, including the use of the hunt-point-retrieve breeds used widely in falconry. The UK Kennel Club have said: “There are only a handful of breeds that have a serious health risk, and if we adopt this far-reaching legislation it will threaten the future of too many breeds.” The Kennel Club already works closely with breed clubs in order to eliminate health risks and further legislation will only be welcomed by lawyers. A few of its many ludicrous claims follow: The Bulldog has in its opinion markedly folded skin, too short a skull and abnormally positioned teeth. The heads should be completely redesigned or the breed banned. The Cocker Spaniel is considered by the Convention to have ears which are too long. They should be bred for shorter ears or banned. The Boxer it alleges has difficulties in feeding due to "abnormal positioning of its teeth" which presumably require repositioning! Docking and removal of dew claws from gundogs, terriers and other working breeds and show dogs would also be outlawed by this Convention.

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