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Irish Pug Dog Club Statement - May 2020
The Irish Pug Dog Club would like to state its extreme dismay and outrage at the decision by the Dutch government recently to ban the breeding of pugs and 11 other brachycephalic breeds in the Netherlands.
The pug is one of the most ancient breeds, originating in China perhaps 1000 years ago. Ironically, in Europe, the breed was originally developed in the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Over hundreds of years, dedicated breeders around the world have nurtured and developed the wonderful pug that so many people know and love. The breed is part of our heritage, as valuable as any work of art. We view any attempt to eradicate the purebred pug as extreme vandalism of an important part of world heritage.
In recent times, great strides have been made in health testing and health breeding. In particular, BOAS testing is addressing any breathing issues within the breed.
Unfortunately, the great popularity of pugs has led to the proliferation of puppy farmers and back yard breeders. These people mass produce pugs for profit with no concern for the health of the breed. In fact, many such breeders have little concern for pedigrees and are happy to produce cross breeds, many of which turn out to be very unhealthy.
Conversely, ethical, responsible breeders understand the genetics and physical construction of their breed. They breed with health in mind. They stand over their puppies and offer a lifetime of support to the puppy buyers.
Ironically, the Dutch ban on the breeding of brachycephalic dogs only serves to penalise the ethical breeders. There is a high likelihood that it will drive the breeding of pugs underground to illegal back yard breeders and puppy farmers. The end result could well be that the breed in the Netherlands becomes less healthy as ignorant underground breeders proliferate, and responsible breeders with generations of careful breeding behind them are banned.
The Irish Pug Dog Club would like to extend our sympathies and support to the breeders of the Netherlands - to the breeders of pugs, affenpinschers, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois, petit brabancons, Japanese chins, King Charles spaniels, Pekingese and shih tzus.
The pug is one of the most ancient breeds, originating in China perhaps 1000 years ago. Ironically, in Europe, the breed was originally developed in the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Over hundreds of years, dedicated breeders around the world have nurtured and developed the wonderful pug that so many people know and love. The breed is part of our heritage, as valuable as any work of art. We view any attempt to eradicate the purebred pug as extreme vandalism of an important part of world heritage.
In recent times, great strides have been made in health testing and health breeding. In particular, BOAS testing is addressing any breathing issues within the breed.
Unfortunately, the great popularity of pugs has led to the proliferation of puppy farmers and back yard breeders. These people mass produce pugs for profit with no concern for the health of the breed. In fact, many such breeders have little concern for pedigrees and are happy to produce cross breeds, many of which turn out to be very unhealthy.
Conversely, ethical, responsible breeders understand the genetics and physical construction of their breed. They breed with health in mind. They stand over their puppies and offer a lifetime of support to the puppy buyers.
Ironically, the Dutch ban on the breeding of brachycephalic dogs only serves to penalise the ethical breeders. There is a high likelihood that it will drive the breeding of pugs underground to illegal back yard breeders and puppy farmers. The end result could well be that the breed in the Netherlands becomes less healthy as ignorant underground breeders proliferate, and responsible breeders with generations of careful breeding behind them are banned.
The Irish Pug Dog Club would like to extend our sympathies and support to the breeders of the Netherlands - to the breeders of pugs, affenpinschers, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois, petit brabancons, Japanese chins, King Charles spaniels, Pekingese and shih tzus.
Download a pdf of this page here: irish_pug_dog_club_statement_may_2020.pdf