Animal Welfare Campaign: Officer Warns of 'Cruel Breeding' in Popular Dog Breeds

Brandenburg's animal welfare officer, Anne Zinke, is sounding the alarm about the suffering caused by breeding popular dog breeds. She warns that the demand for "trend animals" like French and English Bulldogs, Dachshunds, and Pomeranians is increasing, despite many of these animals facing a high risk of pain, suffering, or permanent damage due to extreme breeding practices.

“

Whether in urban areas or on social media: French and English Bulldogs, Dachshunds, or Pomeranians continue to be among the most sought-after breeds, with an increasing trend.

Zinke, who has served as the state animal welfare officer since December 2022, explained that "lifestyle or living being" is the title of a postcard campaign she initiated with the association "Tierwohl statt Lifestyle - Gemeinsam gegen Qualzucht e.V." (Animal Welfare Instead of Lifestyle - Together Against Cruel Breeding). She defines cruel breeding as any practice where offspring must live with pain, suffering, or damage due to intentionally bred traits. These traits are often selected for their perceived cuteness or aesthetic appeal, such as oversized eyes, overly rounded heads, broad faces, and specific coat or eye colors.

The issue extends beyond dogs, affecting cats like Sphynx, Persians, and Scottish Folds, as well as other pets such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and reptiles. Extreme body shapes, like excessively long backs, disproportionately short limbs, or very small or large body sizes, can also be problematic. Zinke highlighted that short-faced dogs are particularly vulnerable to overheating in high temperatures.

“

This happens even though many of these animals have a high risk of pain, suffering, or permanent damage due to extreme breeding selection, or develop such issues during their lives.

Images and videos of these so-called "trend animals" circulating on social media and in advertising are exacerbating the problem by further driving demand for breeds with inherent health issues. The campaign aims to educate the public about the consequences of these breeding practices, urging a shift in perspective from viewing pets as mere lifestyle accessories to recognizing them as living beings deserving of health and well-being.

“

Lifestyle or living being