Rising concerns about 'designer dogs'
Crossbreeds such as labradoodles will still be vulnerable to the inherited conditions of both breeds.
So-called 'designer' crossbreeds are a source of increasing concern, said the Kennel Club's Aimee Llewellyn at BSAVA Congress this morning.
During the discussion on modern dog breeding, one delegate said around 50 per cent of the pet dogs seen in her practice are designer crossbreeds.
Irresponsible breeders often market crossbreeds as having a lower level of disease risk than pedigrees. However, we are beginning to see the emergence of certain diseases in designer dogs, Aimee explained.
While these inherited conditions may not have been seen in the first generation of dogs, crossbreeds such as labradoodles will still be vulnerable to the inherited conditions of both breeds.
Asked what the Kennel Club is doing to address this, Aimee said: 'We can't ignore crossbreeds; we can't pretend they don't exist,' but are more difficult to trace and track than pedigrees, about which there is a greater wealth of information. However, this is something she believes this is an area in which the Kennel Club can expand and develop in future.
Conformation is another area of concern - one which Aimee believes is due to a combination of factors, including fashions sparked by celebrity-owned breeds, ignorance among the public of the health repercussions and irresponsible breeders profiting financially from the high demand for puppies.
The key to tackling this issue, Aimee feels, is education, to which practices can contribute through testing days, clinics and other initiatives to engage with the public.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
