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Dachshunds should no longer be bred with ‘exaggerated’ features, new guidance says

Dachshunds should no longer be bred with often-harmful, exaggerated features to make them appear “cute”, The Kennel Club has said.

The organisation confirmed it was tightening its rules for breeding after a “huge increase” in the dogs’ popularity in recent years, describing it as, “the breed of choice for advertisers, on social media and with celebrities”.

The authority on breeding standards last updated its stance in 2014, also advising against exaggerated features but specifying that the dogs’ bodies should be “moderately long and low”.

The guidance now stipulates that dachshunds should be “moderately long in proportion to height”, in a move aimed at cracking down on the breeding practices which can cause back problems.

The bodies should have specific proportions to ensure “enough ground clearance”, according to the guidance which The Times reports is in consultation with the Dachshund Breed Council, which represents the UK’s breed clubs.

The Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, said it hoped these “small but important” changes to its rules – concerning six kinds of dachshund – will “ensure they cannot be misinterpreted”.

“Dogs with over-exaggerated physical features are one of The Kennel Club’s biggest priorities and all breed standards, which are a detailed guide to breeders and judges to what a breed of dog should look like, are regularly reviewed,” a spokesperson said.

© Matt Cardy/Getty Images: The Kennel Club has tightened its rules on breeding dachshunds : - Matt Cardy/Getty

“These reviews take place by looking at ongoing breed-specific health information and are explicit that any physical exaggerations should be avoided.

“Dachshunds have been impacted by a huge increase in popularity over recent years, largely due to them being the breed of choice for advertisers, on social media and with celebrities.

“This has meant that certain exaggerated examples of the breed that may be perceived to look ‘cute’, can gradually become seen as normal and desirable, when in fact it could mean that they are more predisposed to back pain and disc disease.

“These small but important changes have been made to the Dachshund breed standard with the aim to ensure they cannot be misinterpreted and that any dogs within The Kennel Clubs’ sphere of influence are being bred with their health and welfare as the absolute priority.”

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) estimates that a fifth of all the dogs will show signs of intervertebral disc disease, with research suggesting very long miniature dachshunds have double the risk of slipping a disc by the age of five compared with the shortest dogs of the same breed.

“Mechanically, it’s a lot of weight to be carrying on a very long part of your body. Their backs go and they end up unable to walk. It’s a real problem,” Daniela Dos Santos, vice-president of the BVA, said.

More than 14,000 pedigree puppies were registered by The Kennel Club in 2020 in comparison with 7,200 in 2016.

The club spokesperson added: “While some dachshund varieties have become increasingly popular, our advice is the same when considering buying any puppy.

“Potential owners should do their research and find a good breeder who places health and welfare at the top of their agenda, is aware of any health concerns and uses the relevant tools and health schemes to breed the healthiest puppies.”

Additional reporting by PA: Reference: Independent: Andy Gregory

Komodo dragon ‘at risk of extinction’ as rising sea levels destroy habitat

The world’s largest lizard is in danger of extinction as rising water levels are shrinking its natural habitat.

The species’ status change is its first in more than two decades. The first peer-reviewed paper on how global warming would affect the giant lizards concluded last year that “urgent conservation actions are required to avoid risk of extinction”.

The lizard, which is native to Indonesia, particularly the island of Komodo, lives in forests or on the open savannah. Its inability to live on land higher above 700 metres above sea level means that its numbers are at severe risk of being decimated by rising sea levels.

Rising water levels are set to impact 30 per cent of the lizard’s habitat in the next 45 years, according to the IUCN, which announced the species’ endangered status at its world conservation congress in France this week.

While the subpopulation in Komodo National Park is currently stable and well protected, their habitat on the Indonesian island of Flores is believed to have shrunk by more than 40 per cent between 1970 and 2000, the IUCN has warned.

The species, of which there are an estimated 5,700 left, is also under threat because of volcanic activity, earthquakes, poaching, and the hunting of animals that make up their food source.

Dr Andrew Terry, conservation director at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said: “Komodo dragons were first introduced to the British public by Sir David Attenborough just 60 years ago, on BBC’s iconic series Zoo Quest for a Dragon with ZSL.

“The idea that these prehistoric animals have moved one step closer to extinction due in part to climate change is terrifying – and a further clarion call for nature to be placed at the heart of all decision making on the eve of the COP26 in Glasgow.”

The reclusive reptile can grow up to 10ft-long (three metres), live for about 30 to 50 years, and reach speeds of up to 12mph.

An average male can weigh up to 200lb (90kg), and a female will weigh up to 160lb (70kg). The heaviest one ever recorded had weighed more than 330lbs (150kg) including the undigested food inside of it.

The animal mainly feeds on fruit bats, pigs, deer, buffalo – including the hooves and bones. Its venomous saliva is able to make the prey’s blood pressure suddenly drop, and also prevent its blood from clotting.

Also at the IUCN congress, it was announed that the seven most commercially fished tuna species were reassessed and that four of them “showed signs of recovery”.

The organisation said that this was down to some countries’ efforts to enforce more sustainable fishing quotas and tackle illegal fishing.

The four species that have increased in number are the Atlantic bluefin tuna (moved from endangered to least concern), the Southern bluefin tuna (moved from critically endangered to endangered), and the albacore and yellowfin tunas (both moved from near threatened to least concern). 

Reference: Independent: Lamiat Sabin  

Tiger King zookeeper and Netflix star Erik Cowie dies aged 53

Tiger King Zookeeper Erik Cowie has died aged 53.

He rocketed to fame on the Netflix show Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness alongside Joe Exotic.

It was reported the Netflix star was found “lying down face down” in bed on Friday in New York City.

This was far from where he lived and worked for many years in Oklahoma.

© Provided by Evening Standard He rocketed to fame on the Netflix show Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness alongside Joe Exotic (James Breeden for DailyMail.com)

News of his death hit headlines on Tuesday.

A law enforcement source told TMZ: “There’s nothing suspicious about the death at this point, and no drugs were found on the scene, though a toxicology test will likely still be performed.”

The star worked as an animal caretaker who was responsible for looking after big cats at the zoo.

Often he was cited and considered the head of big cats at the zoo.

Mr Cowie continued to work at the zoo after Exotic was jailed for attempting to hire someone to kill rival Carole Baskin.

At the time, the zookeeper testified against Exotic saying he had ordered some of the zoo animals to be shot which led to a conviction.

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness swept the globe when the series made its debut on Netflix last year amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Reference: Evening Standard: Lily Waddell 

Geronimo the alpaca killed by government vets 'to prevent spread of disease'

Reference: Sky News: Amy Coles, news reporter