A new draft law might ban a popular dog breed in Germany. The law seeks to end the breeding of dogs with “skeletal anomalies.”
According to news sources, the new draft bill was introduced to strengthen existing laws under its Animal Protection Act. Here’s what you should know.
@cnnThe German government is considering a draft law that seeks to end the breeding of dogs with “skeletal anomalies,” such as very long spines and very short legs. This potentially includes the country’s beloved sausage dog, says the German Kennel Club (VDH). The country’s agriculture ministry says the draft bill aims to strengthen existing “torture breeding” laws, and would have to pass various stages in German Parliament before becoming law. CNN’s Fred Pleitgen reports. #cnn #news #germany #sausagedog #dachshund
CNN reports a draft bill was published in February and is now being considered in the German government.
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The bill, which the German Agriculture Ministry put forward, was introduced as part of the Animal Protection Act, and it’s looking to build on laws to strengthen laws on what they’re calling “torture breeding.”
CNN notes that “the document said it could ban the reproduction of breeds prone to particular problems, such as the frequent spinal issues seen in dogs with short legs and a long back.”
This includes dogs that have “skeletal anomalies,” like long spines and short legs, which are key characteristics of a beloved dog breed: the Dachshund or “sausage dog.”
According to the CNN report, the sausage dog is considered a “staple” breed in Germany and one of the country’s most popular dogs.
“We’ve gotten in touch with them. They say that they have absolutely no plan to end breeding of sausage dogs here in this country,” CNN reports. “They say they simply want to protect animals and end what they call torture breeding.”
“Now, the German Kennel Club doesn’t buy any of this,” CNN adds. “They say while some of the provisions in this draft law are good, like, for instance, combating the illegal puppy trade, they say that some of the rules set out for the breeding could in fact ban breeding of German sausage dogs.”
Quick facts about Dachshunds
The Dachshund dog breed is popular in Germany and the United States for many reasons. One of those reasons is their personality, which is considered to be “curious, friendly, and spunky,” according to the American Kennel Club.
“The famously long, low silhouette, ever-alert expression, and bold, vivacious personality of the Dachshund have made him a superstar of the canine kingdom.”
While they may be small in stature, they aren’t in personality. The American Kennel Club notes that the name “Dachshund” is a German word that means “badger dog.” Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers.
Their “short legs keep them low to the ground to track scents, and their narrow bodies allow them to crawl into burrows, looking for badgers. Despite their small size, Dachshunds are brave and fierce.”
It would be a shame never to see this dog breed again in Germany. And while there are some health conditions this dog breed sees more often than other dog breeds, that’s not really unique to the sausage dog.
Guess we will have to wait and see how this proposed bill turns out.
