International Dog Health Workshop 2019: Summary report published
VetCompass researchers attended the International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) International Dog Health Workshop (IDHW) in 2019. A report of the meeting has been published in Canine Medicine and Genetics, which included VetCompass researchers as authors.
Background: Dogs are the most popular mammal kept as a companion animal globally. Positive human-dog relationships can benefit both the human owners as well as the dogs. However, popularity as a companion animal species does not universally benefit dogs in reverse. Breed-related health problems in dogs have received increasing attention over the last decade, sparking increased concerns for dog welfare across many stakeholders. Progress towards improved welfare requires meaningful collaboration between all those working in dog health, science and welfare. The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), together with an alternating host organisation, holds biennial meetings called the International Dog Health Workshops (IDHW). The IPFD 4th IDHW was hosted by the UK Kennel Club in Windsor, UK in May 2019. With the aim of encouraging international and multi-stakeholder collaborations that are effective and ongoing, the 4th IDHW 2019 provided a forum to identify specific needs and actions that could improve health, well-being and welfare in dogs, building on outcomes and evaluating actions of previous IDHWs.
Full report freely available online: https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-020-00083-x
