Illegal dog breeding continues one year after Supreme Court verdict

– Through the Supreme Court judgment, the Society sent its strongest signal yet that the system for breeding purebred dogs has failed. Nonetheless, we see no willingness from the Norwegian Kennel Club to improve the current situation for other dog breeds. There are several dog breeds that are just as sick as the Cavalier, and these are now being bred in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, says Åshild Roaldset, veterinarian and CEO at the Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals.

The Supreme Court's judgment, which was issued on 10 October 2023, concluded that it is forbidden to breed purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Norway. The Supreme Court concluded that the probability of passing on painful, hereditary disorders in this breed, is so high, that further breeding is a violation of Norwegian law. Corresponding statutory violations of the Animal Welfare Act occur for other dog breeds with the same disease burden as the Cavalier.

The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals therefore stresses that new dog breeding regulations must stop unethical dog breeding, which is harmful to dogs.  

Regulated, knowledge-based dog breeding

Breeding based on the idea of ​​"pure breeds" has led to extensive inbreeding. Man-made disorders like major joint problems, allergies, poor reproductive ability and shortened lifespan are commonly seen in several breeds. These disorders clearly show that dog breeding must be regulated, and the framework for future dog breeding regulations must be based on genetic knowledge.  

– We have an expectation that the Animal Welfare Act will be interpreted and applied with a background in science, not old dogmas. We therefore encourage the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Geir Pollestad, to base dog breeding regulations on science, says Roaldset.