Hunting dog breeding in Germany may be facing a turning point. As a result of the amendment to the Animal Protection Act and the Animal Protection Dog Ordinance, certain dog breeds, including traditional hunting dog breeds such as the Dachshund, Beagle and German Shepherd, could soon no longer be bred. This is the fear of the German Kennel Club (VDH), Germany's largest umbrella organization for dog breeders.

What does the new law say?

The Animal Welfare Act, which was proposed by Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir, aims to prevent so-called "torture breeding". Qualitative breeding is breeding in which health problems frequently occur due to genetic defects or anatomical characteristics. Current legislation stipulates that dogs with certain genetic characteristics that are considered harmful to health may no longer be bred or exhibited.

According to the VDH, this does not only apply to sick animals, but also to many healthy hunting dogs whose conformation could be classified as problematic by the legislation. One particularly controversial regulation is the definition of skeletal anomalies, which are classified as torture breeding traits. These include short legs, a feature that characterizes many hunting dogs such as dachshunds and corgis (dachshund breeding).

Is the end of the Dachshund looming?

The dachshund, one of the best-known hunting dog breeds in Germany, could be particularly affected by the planned changes. According to a study cited in the guidelines for the Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance, 99 percent of all dachshunds carry a genetic trait that is classified as an abnormality. The study also shows alarming figures for other popular hunting dogs such as the Beagle and Cocker Spaniel. These characteristics could mean that these dogs will not be allowed to be shown or bred in the future(dachshund breeding).

Effects on hunting and breeding

Should a breeding ban actually be imposed, this would have far-reaching consequences. Many hunting dog breeds that have been bred and used for centuries could be removed from the breeding program. The VDH sees this as a threat to controlled pedigree dog breeding. Jörg Batscherer, Managing Director of the VDH, warns that the interpretation of the regulation could lead to a "breeding ban through the back door"(dachshund breeding).

In addition to restricting breeding, dog sporting events and shows for certain breeds could also be banned. The result would be a creeping elimination of these dogs from public life and ultimately a decline in hunting dog breeding in Germany.

Illegal puppy trade as a consequence?

Another consequence could be an increase in the illegal puppy trade. If breeding is banned in Germany, it is to be expected that the demand for these dogs will remain. This could lead to an increase in the import of dogs from abroad, particularly from countries where breeding conditions are often worse. Such dogs often come from so-called "breeding stations" where the health of the animals is neglected (dachshund breeding).

VDH calls for scientifically sound regulations

The VDH is calling for clear, scientifically based criteria for breeding characteristics. So far, the draft law leaves a lot of room for interpretation, which leads to uncertainties. There is a risk that healthy dogs will be excluded from breeding on the basis of external characteristics that are classified as "abnormal". The VDH points out that many hunting dog breeds have been bred for centuries and possess important genetic characteristics that are essential for hunting (dachshund breeding).

The planned amendment to the Animal Welfare Act could have far-reaching consequences for hunting dog breeding in Germany. While the aim of preventing torture breeding is generally to be welcomed, there is a risk that healthy and valuable hunting dog breeds will be adversely affected by imprecise regulations. It remains to be seen whether politicians will address the concerns of the VDH and other breeding associations in order to find a balance between animal welfare and the preservation of traditional dog breeds.