Dear representatives of the Nordic Kennel Union                                            

During the last couple of years, we have witnessed how the academia has produced a large set of articles based on their research regarding the health and wellbeing of our beloved breeds. We have also witnessed the court proceedings in Norway regarding the English Bulldog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and how media, from New York Times to the Finnish public service company Yle are questioning the concept of closed studbooks. Today the scientific evidences are unquestionable, most of our breeds are highly inbred and many dogs are suffering from inherited defects.

We as breeders can see, that our national kennel clubs are working on the topic, with a varied diligence and of course, with the challenges that comes along with the membership of the FCI. We highly appreciate the work that is being done, however, we urge you to do more. 

As of today, most of us are left with no other option than continued inbreeding as we are not allowed to outcross. We do have some slim possibilities to apply for outcross litters or to add unrelated dogs to our studbooks, but it requires that we, in a democratic manner, first succeed in making our breed clubs agree. However, what we have seen during the last couple of years is that only a minority of breeders have understood and accepted that our breeds are in need of new genetic diversity.  Many breed clubs do not yet fully understand the situations of their breeds, some are not even aware that this research is available and some actually deniy or ignore the science. This leaves the breeders, who are trying to breed in accordance with our national animal welfare legislations and our kennel club rules, in an impossible equation.   

In the era of social media, this has become a hazardous task for us who are striving for a change. We are verbally attacked, bullied and sometimes even threatened. This kind of hostile environment is not acceptable.  We, as a community of breeders across a wide range of different breeds, who have embraced the scientific research and are striving for a change, are trying our best to take care of each other. But we are worried about two major issues: 

1.      The health and wellbeing of our dogs and their offspring. 

2.      That we, despite our knowledge regarding the detrimental effects of inbreeding, violate our national animal welfare legislations if forced to bred highly inbreed dogs with a large set of genetic defects. 

We therefor ask you, the Nordic Kennel Union, to speed up the process regarding how to handle this. We consider each kennel club accountable for their own rules and our breeds' health and prosperity as well as the wellbeing of its members. We do need to change our breeding practices or accept the fact that we, knowingly, most likely violate our national animal welfare legislations as we continue to push our breeds towards higher risks of genetic defects, suffering and finally, extinction.  

With kind regards   

Breeders 

Erövrarens, Linda Johansson, Sweden

Snömarkens, Johanna Sandström, Sweden

Polar Quest, Anneli Karlsson, Sweden

Galottens, Pernilla Andersson, Sweden

Brightstaff, Siri Ekberg, Sweden

Allas Vår, Kickan Hansson, Sweden

Bring it on, Jill Adolfsson, Sweden

Agriper’s, Ida Fernberg, Sweden

Aasatrons, Maja Blom, Sweden

Quills, Birgitta Backström, Sweden

Cirtap’s, Birgitta Lindblad, Sweden

Miltassias, licensed veterinary nurse Pia Cederberg, Sweden

Zappajos, Jennie Olausson, Sweden

Focus On, Cecilie Oen, Norway

Courthill Collies, Lise-Lotte Wulff, Norway

Wayosi, Mona Hansen, Norway

Ulvehiet, Aina Överland, Norway

Justinian, Anette Jahr, Norway

Citagarden, Anne-Brit Balevik, Norway

Phrostmade, Lill Kristin Nilsen, Norway

Perfect Image, Lill Bredvold, Norway

Featherfox, Saija Jänkävaara, Finland

June So Fine, Josefine Juneståhl, Sweden

Triathlon, Iris Carlsson, Sweden

Boomtown, Sussie Paakkinen, Sweden

Vixax, Marie Axelsson, Sweden

Nosgården, Anna Östring, Sweden

Blackpepoon, Tarja Kolkka, Finland

Ten Forward, Teresa Olofsson, Sweden

Dobvoyage, Madelene Dahlgren, Sweden

Team Bessas, Gun Ågren, Sweden

Gråmanns, Thorvald Steinsson, Sweden

Grå-Damen’s, Sara Halldorsdottir, Sweden

Nasherhaus, Melissa Westergård, Sweden

Bod Khyi, Monika Wahlstedt, Sweden

Swede for Speed, Mari Andersson, Sweden

Mon Belamour, Susanna Kettunen, Finland

Polarmarkens, Maria Strömbäck Kristo, Sweden

Flatastic, Birgitte van Vondelen Jörgensen, Netherlands

Duritzans, Gunnel Alsterbrink, Sweden

Vangteigen, Arild Bjorli, Norway

Peukaloniityn, Hanna Parkkola, Finland

Bettyjorda, Sofie Berntsen, Norway

Milfeddyg, Liisa Kotisalo, Finland

Havana Luxe, Margarita Aurora Sörensen, Norway

Sandtofte, Jens Christiansen, Denmark

Dobfancier’s, Laine Löfman & Torbjörn Eriksson, Sweden

 

Dog owners and health professionals

Cecilie Sperre Jörgensen, Norway

Ulrika Spangenberg, Sweden

Carina Backström, Sweden

Madelene Axelsson, Sweden

Susanne Nilsson, Sweden, 

Louise Gilbu, Norway

Krista Luukkonen Fredriksson, Sweden

Marit Sandersen, Norway

Anna Andresen, Sweden

Lena Karlsson, Sweden

Sam Minty Ackerby, Sweden

Therese Karlsson, Sweden

AnnaLena Lindström, Sweden

Helene Gustafsson, Sweden

Lena Eriksson, Sweden

Vibeke Saetherskar, Norway

Monica Evans, Sweden

Sofia Österberg, Sweden

Helle Haugenes, Norway

Mia Ågren, Sweden

Beatrice Cederblad, Sweden

Janicke Blomsnes, Sweden

Nathalie Volden Stene, Norway

Emma Thool, Sweden

Lotta Tegnér, Sweden

Anja Lehikoinen, Finland

Therese Sandbekk, Norway

Lovisa Lindqvist, Sweden

Memea Mohlin, Sweden

Ditti Gry Azizi Kristensen, Sweden

Miriam Linkfeldt, Sweden

Ulrika Jönsson Kühnel, Sweden

Tiina Ollanketo, Finland

Felicia Persson, Sweden

Anniken Krogh, Sweden

Ida Wilkenson, Sweden

Bodil Carlsson, Sweden

Ida Johansson, Sweden

Marie Hermansson, Sweden

Agneta Johansson, Sweden

Carina Berentsen, Norway

Eva Kronqvist, Sweden

Tarja Palosaari, Finland

Irene Berglund, Sweden

Susanne Samuelsson, Sweden

Madelene Jansson, Sweden

Michaela Hartikainen, licensed veterinary nurse, Sweden

Karen Lisager, licensed veterinarian, Sweden

Knut Jörgen Buland, licensed veterinarian, Norway

Maria Bergendahl, licensed veterinary nurse, Sweden

Ann-Marie Ekesten, licensed veterinary nurse, Sweden