I wasn’t going to publicly wade in to this debate.. but my views for what they are worth are these.
I do not support BSL, breed specific legislation. I think it is unhelpful and inaccurate and knee jerk, box ticking. We cannot judge a book by its cover and shouldn’t be judging a dog by its size, shape or looks. Ban dogs, we will still see those dogs, just as when we ban drugs they find a way into society.
We do however, need to consider the environment that the dog is living in, whether or not the dog is getting the correct input, the correct treatment, nutrition, enrichment, care, and outlets. This is down to educating those who choose to bring a dog into their homes, and I hope I do a good job of supporting those people and sharing my passion and knowledge.
BUT WE MUST ALSO look at the environment the dog was BRED in, we MUST look at how well the dam (mother) was treated when carrying the litter and afterwards. What was the environment the pups were born into, how did the first weeks of their lives shape the dog we have in front of us now. Pregnant bitches will pass on messages via DNA to their puppies if life is tough during pregnancy.
We must look at learning history, what has the puppy or the dog learned of the world up to now. What do they understand will be the consequence of their behaviours.
All of this is important because.. genes will give a dog a propensity for behaviour.. environment and learning history will have a capability of switching these genes on.
SO MY OPINION IS, it’s not the owners, and the dogs didn’t ask to be bred. THE BUCK VERY FIRMLY STOPS WITH THE BREEDERS OF THESE DOGS. THOSE THAT ARE SELECTING DOGS TO BREED FROM ESTABLISHING POTENTIAL BEHAVIOUR TRAITS AND PHYSCIAL ISSUES FROM THE PAST, AND SETTING UP THE VERY EARLY LIVES OF THESE ANIMALS AND THEREFORE PREDICTING THE FUTURE.
WE NEED TO REGULATE BREEDING. WHO IS BREEDING. WHY ARE THEY BREEDING. WHAT LINES ARE THEY BREEDING. WHO ARE THEY BREEDING FOR (WHAT MARKET AND PURPOSE) WHAT KNOWLEDGE DO THEY HAVE TO DO THIS CORRECTLY AND ETHICALLY.
If dogs are selectively bred for a trait… we will see that trait. Look at all the different dog breeds we have today. With every physical trait we select, we see a behavioural trait underlying it and vice versa.
If dogs are too closely interbred we will see maladaptive traits and behaviours. We will also, as I do, see lots of bad conformation and dogs with huge physical deformities’ and inconsistencies which will lead to pain issues which will cause behaviour issues. AND VET BILLS AND HEART ACHE.
Let’s start at the top and work down.
If you have an American XL and would like to know now this may affect you, please get in touch. Equally if you would like help to train and prepare for the ban ahead, please let me know. I am here to support you, not judge you. x
