01. December 2022
The case of Winnie, a young Bulldog
The heartbreaking case of Winnie, a young Bulldog, who died due to severe defects associated with brachycephaly. When did it become normal for humans to breed dogs that need operations for them to breathe? And what will it take for that human behaviour to change?
03. March 2021
“My dog has no nose.” “How does he smell?” “Terrible!” (The image to the right, courtesy of the ‘Campaign for Responsible Use of Flat Faced dogs’, emphasises how the muzzle of the French Bulldog has virtually disappeared.) Joking apart, dogs with no noses not only exist but are becoming ever more popular - the French bulldog, the pug, the British bulldog to name but a few. You know the ones I mean (or maybe you don’t?) – flat-faced dogs which have been bred to such an...
29. January 2021
Kendal Shepherd on Jordan Shelley's Wags Lyrical podcast, talking about Breed Specific Legislation, The Dangerous Dogs Acts, and her new book, Demystifying Dog Behaviour for the Veterinarian. Recorded on January 27th 2021.
19. January 2021
Sometimes, a little good news from past behaviour counselling clients can transform an otherwise dull and gloomy day.
13. January 2021
This was the evidence I presented in response to the questions asked by the EFRA enquiry, which was conducted in 2018 under the auspices of Neil Parish MP. Although the results of the enquiry were disappointing, in that Government saw no need for changes in the law, a further call for evidence on the cause of dog bites and efficacy o legislation in preventing them was made. Professor Angus Nurse of Middlesex University has been tasked with this. - Do Defra’s draft clauses translate the...
13. January 2021
So we humans are at it again. In the biblical manner (as God gave use dominion over the animals, right?) we have selected dogs as the species of choice to be used for our own purposes. Needing something to cuddle and ‘love’ us when in enforced seclusion, purchasing ‘pandemic puppies’ has become all the rage. The price of such a puppy has soared in line with demand, as has puppy farming and puppy smuggling. Ignoring pleas from reputable organisations as well as individuals ‘to see a...
12. January 2021
Why can we not see the need to routinely investigate dog 'attack' incidents, including fatalities, in a thorough behavioural and social manner? This viewpoint was originally published in 2013, in response to a fatal dog bite in the UK. The assumption, in this most recent dog-related fatality as well as those before them, is that there is already enough information to know why it happened: five large dogs in a small house who killed a child must have had an irresponsible owner, and that is...
12. January 2021
Article by Dr Kendal Shepherd in the Veterinary Record, June 2013
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DDA section from 'Demystifying Dog Behaviour for Veterinarians'
My experience of the Dangerous Dogs Act - why extending the breed ban to include XL Bullies may be an unmitigated disaster.
DDA section from book.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 224.1 KB
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Table comparing bull breed standards
Table includes the UK Government XL Bully standard and illustrates how using breed standards to identify potential danger is an utter nonsense and always has been.
Table comparing bull breed standards.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 137.8 KB