FARMERS FEAR NEW PUPPY FARMING LAWS WILL SHRINK WORKING DOG GENE POOL

In the world of dog shows the right look is crucial, but it counts for nothing in a stockyard, according to veteran working dog breeder Nigel Armstrong.

“They do not have to be pretty,” he said. “They can be ugly, as long as they work well.”

But the retired farmer is concerned new legislation in Western Australia designed to stamp out cruel puppy farming, often for the companion dog market, will create more red tape for those who sell working dogs for farms.

The new laws will require anyone who wants to breed dogs to register.

Fellow working dog breeder and animal genetics specialist Don Robertson said the current system, in which farmers bred, raised and sold working dogs, helped ensure genetic diversity.

“But it will not occur when specialised populations are set aside and restricted.”

He said because they are bred for their work ability rather than looks, livestock dogs rarely suffer the genetic problems seen in pedigree companion dogs.

“When the opportunity arises they’ve got a truck dog or a neighbour’s dog that is good, they will breed a litter and select one or two pups for themselves and the rest will go to their neighbours or friends or shearers.”

“In addition to those we have got a handful of specialised people, like Nigel, who are really passionate about improving their dogs.”

‘Some farmers will not bother’

He said the requirement to apply to breed the dogs will force some to stop.

“I just feel farmers will not be bothered and even some of my colleagues and friends who love working sheep dogs may not be allowed to because of where they live.”

Local Government Minister David Templeman said the legislation, which has passed Western Australia’s lower house, is about making every dog traceable and cracking down on the intensive breeding industry supplying pet shops and private sales.

He said the new laws will not be onerous for primary producers.

“For farmers, all that is required of them is to maintain their registration now if they own a dog, but if they choose to breed, a one-off application,” Mr Templeman said.

Call for exemption

Kellerberrin farmer Gordon Curtin, who is the chairman of the Australian Federation of Livestock Working Dogs, has been lobbying for an exemption for the industry.

“Basically, that is the proposal that we put forward that dogs that are bred on farms for farms, for primary industry and primary production, you can be exempt from being a registered breeder,” Mr Curtis said.

“We think it is an important subject that they should be given an exemption.”

Mr Templeman said an exemption will be given to working dogs with regards to sterilisation under the new laws.

Nationals MLA Shane Love said puppy farming also needed to be defined in the bill.

“We need to state that we are trying to get at the problem of puppy farming with this legislation and not trying to change the world or upset every Aboriginal community in Western Australia or cause unnecessary disruption to the lives of people in rural areas,” Mr Love told the Legislative Assembly.