Old Conflict, Long Shadows

Veterinary mistrust and contempt for ‘the breeder’ has a long history, extending from at least the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Recognising the impact of problematic breeding practices on canine health, veterinarians have often conflated criticism of poor breeding with contempt for breeders themselves. Veterinary intervention to improve dog breeding practices has been effective when directed towards clinical support to control breed-related disease through health screening, but breeders have seldom accepted veterinary political criticism of conformation-related disease, because of the differing world views and power structures of these two communities. Drawing on history, touching on social psychology and informed by a detailed discussion of dog breeding politics today, this chapter argues that the veterinary profession should reflect on the causes and consequences of its disconnect with dog breeders, suggesting that greater engagement between these groups would improve both human and canine well-being.