What’s the real story? Should dachshunds really be banned?

A draft for a new animal protection law is causing a stir. If it is implemented, many popular dog breeds could be banned in this country.

The shock is deep-seated. And not just for fans of dachshunds and German shepherds, it could also affect popular breeds such as beagles, boxers, miniature schnauzers and many others.

The background to this is a new draft of the Animal Protection Act. A draft that contains many sensible changes for the welfare of animals, but also leaves a lot of room for interpretation when it comes to implementation. So much so that, in extreme cases, any dog that visually deviates from the traditional wolf type could soon be banned in Germany.

This is possible if the catalogue of characteristics provided for in the law, which lists disease characteristics that can lead to a breeding ban, is not specified. Among other things, anomalies of the skeletal system are mentioned there. But what exactly is an anomaly? The answer requires a clear definition based on sound scientific principles. “Otherwise, it is obvious to make the dog’s ancestor, the wolf, the prototype. Then the legally defined breeding ban applies to all healthy dogs that deviate from the wolf type in their appearance,” says Prof Dr Peter Friedrich, President of the VDH.

This also includes the short-legged Dachshund, which is one of the most popular dog breeds in Germany. They are not only family and companion dogs, but also enduring hunting dogs that can effortlessly accompany their humans throughout the day. Dachshunds are one example of numerous breeds that have been bred in Germany for centuries and are indispensable here.

Dogs with short legs such as Beagles, Jack Russell Terriers, Shelties and many other breeds could also be affected by a breeding ban.

It is understandable that lovers of these dogs will not want to do without them in the future. If a breeding ban is actually imposed in Germany, the next step is obvious. Dachshunds, German shepherds and other breeds will then soon be imported into Germany from abroad. These animals often come from breeding centres run by unscrupulous puppy traders who are only interested in making a profit. These dealers react promptly to the growing demand in Germany

But as mentioned several times before, this is a draft.

The German Ministry of Agriculture has denied that the revision of the current breeding laws amounts to a ban on certain breeds. Instead, the revision should aim to abolish “torture breeding”, which could cause pain and suffering to future generations of dogs.

The Ministry of Agriculture is planning to concretise an existing law: In it, a list of symptoms is to be drawn up to serve as indicators of torture breeding. These symptoms include hereditary traits such as blindness, deafness and malformed teeth, which can cause suffering in animals. The list is intended to help breeders determine whether their breeding is in breach of the ban on cruelty-free breeding. The list is intended to make it easier for the federal states to enforce the ban.