German Animal Welfare Regulation for the Protection of Dogs

The new Animal Protection Dog Ordinance (Tierschutzhundeverodnung) has been in force since 1 January 2022. Among other regulations, it provides for a ban on showing certain dogs:

§ 10 Prohibition of exhibition

It is prohibited to show dogs or to organize exhibitions with dogs,

1. in which parts of the body, in particular ears or tail, have been completely or partially amputated in a manner contrary to the protection of the animal, or
2. in which for hereditary reasons

   a) body parts or organs are missing or unsuitable for the proper use of the species or have been altered, resulting in pain, suffering or damage,

   b) behavioural disorders associated with suffering occur,

   c) any species-appropriate contact with conspecifics causes them or a conspecific pain or avoidable suffering or harm; or

   d) the keeping is only possible with pain or avoidable suffering or leads to harm.

The responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the ordinance lies with the organizer and exhibitor. The veterinary office will pay special attention to compliance with the Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance, violations can be punished with fines.

Based on the experience of past exhibitions, we have agreed with the veterinary office on the following concept:

1. Clinical or special examination for certain dog breeds
2. Random checks of all dogs

We would like to point out that the regulations of § 10 TierSchHuV and the associated requirements do not only apply to participants in the actual show, but also to dogs presented in the context of other parts of the event (junior handling, mixed breed competition, breed presentation).

1. clinical or special examination before a dog show

For dogs of the following breeds entered for the show, a general veterinary examination and/or special examination must be carried out in advance and certified with the VDH forms (download see below). VDH forms from previous events will be accepted if they are still valid. The period of validity can be found in the table below. Forms for the simple clinical examination, for example, are valid for one year according to the current status.

Please upload the required certificates (regardless of whether they are forms from a past event or new forms) when entering your dog in the OnlineDogShows portal.

Since the form „Clinical examination before a dog show” has been changed in the past months, it is possible that old forms do not exactly match the requirements for the current show. The submission of old forms is possible. Regardless of the form, for participation in the show the current rules for participation, displayed on this homepage have to be followed.

*Results of the 'Respiratory Function Grading Scheme' developed by the University of Cambridge are recognised. Animals graded 0 or 1 are allowed to participate in the show. For dogs of the Pug, French and English Bulldog breeds, only the Cambridge test and the likewise scientifically validated, treadmill-supported fitness test of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover ("VDH Fitness Test") can be accepted at the VDH shows in Dortmund (VDH European Winner & Spring Winner and Bundessieger & Autumn Winner Show) and Gelsenkirchen (German Winner Show). Other stress test results can no longer be accepted as a basis for show participation for dogs of these breeds.

Form "Clinical examination before a dog show" 

Form "Special examination"

Form "Exercise test"

Further information about the VDH exercise test, which is offered by the VDH member clubs, can be found here

Further information about the VDH-Fitness- und Cambridge-Test can be found here.

You can submit the completed forms in the exhibitor portal until 04.10.2023.

Irrespective of the presentation of the examination form, animals with relevant diseases in the sense of § 10 No. 2 TierSchHuV, which were not detected during the examination, may be excluded from the event by the responsible veterinary office or the organiser at their own discretion.

2. Checks at the show

In accordance with official requirements, the VDH shall carry out random inspections of the registered dogs at the exhibition. If a dog shows one of the characteristics listed below or relevant diseases in the sense of § 10 S.1 Nr. 2 TierSchHuV during these inspections, the dog must be excluded from the event by the responsible veterinary office or the organizer at his own discretion.

Dog owners/exhibitors will be informed at the entrance when their tickets are scanned if their animals are scheduled for inspection and directed to the examination rooms in hall 8. The inspection will take place before the owners/exhibitors go to the rings. The Special Managers will be informed which dogs will be inspected. Only after this and in case of proof that the control has taken place and that there are no veterinary concerns about the dog's participation, the dog is allowed to be judged in the ring.

In addition, controls may be carried out in the halls. All dogs participating in the final competitions in the ring of honor will additionally be checked by a veterinarian in the preliminary ring.

These checks can be performed in dogs of all breeds. In order to ensure the most effective selection of random samples, known breed dispositions will be taken into account here.

Dogs with the following characteristics (heredity is assumed) are not allowed to participate in VDH events with a term. This is not an exhaustive list. Other characteristics may - in consultation with the local veterinary offices - also lead to exclusion according to § 10 TierSchHuV if they fulfil the criteria of the regulation.

Disturbance of respiration including disturbance of thermoregulation, pathological respiratory sounds respiratory sounds, dyspnoea, cyanosis, hyperthermia especially in brachycephalic breeds.

Eye including eyelids:

• Eyelid malpositions such as en- and ectropion (the characteristics are relevant for exclusion, if clinical symptoms are present), exophthalmos
• Blindness
• Strabismus

Neurological symptoms

Deformity of the skull, coupled with clinical symptoms, e.g. open fontanelles, disproportionate shortening of the mandible or maxilla, visibility of teeth or tongue when the mouth is closed, brachycephalic obstructive airway Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

Dwarfism (pituitary form)

Skin and hair
Pigmentation-related traits:

• Whiteheadedness/extreme spotting associated with deafness and/or UV-related skin damage (Note: Audiometric measurement is too invasive (anaesthesia) for show approval. The potentially problematic gene does not lead to a show ban, special attention should be paid to clinical signs during entry inspections).

• Merle markings plus predominant white markings in the head area, especially unpigmented ears: Show only with genetic test (All genotypes which, according to the current state of knowledge, are associated with a significant risk of developing impairments of the sensory organs, lead to exclusion).

• Colour Dilution Alopecia (Note on Colour Dilution: There is still a need for research to differentiate healthy dilute (e.g. "classic" Weimaraner) from diseased dilute (dogs with Colour Dilution Alopecia).

Other characteristics in the skin/hair area:

• Albinism
• Dermoid cysts
• ectodermal dysplasia: hairless animals of the naked dog breeds with clinical signs such as comedones, hypodontia (see below), dental defects or malocclusions

• Excessive formation of skin wrinkles (wrinkles affecting sensory organs and/or body orifices; wrinkles that impair movement and/or behaviour typical of the species), skin fold dermatitis

• Missing or shortened vibrissae, even after shearing

Teeth:

• Exclude in case of hereditary absence of canini (canine or fang teeth), P4/upper jaw or M1/lower jaw (fangs, together they form the crushing scissors) or if more than two other teeth are missing; except P1 (upper and lower jaw) and M3 (lower jaw). The exhibitor has the option to prove with a veterinary certificate that the missing teeth are due to accident or non-hereditary disease.

• Misaligned teeth, which are associated with injuries/irritation of the mucous membrane of the mouth or loss of tooth substance.

Lameness

Shortened/misshapen tail in association with clinical signs (dermatitis dermatitis on the underside of the tail, neurological deficits, restrictions in hygiene and bodily functions due to lack of mobility of the tail, etc.).

Tail length The tail must cover the anus when rolled out.

Amputated dewclaws: Dogs, whose dewclaws have been amputated without a medical reason, are not allowed to participate.

Vibrissae

We would like to point out that besides the prominent vibrissae on the upper lip (pili tactiles labiales superiores), vibrissae can also be found on the lower lip as well as on the larynx, the cheeks and above the eye. These should also not be shorn off. (see illustration)

Money back guarantee: Should your dog be excluded due to a hereditary trait in the sense of § 10 No. 2 TierSchHuV, you will receive your registration fee back as a gesture of goodwill and without acknowledging any legal obligation. This does not apply in case of shortened vibrissae or non-compliance with the docking ban.

3. dogs, in which characteristics in the sense of § 10 TierSchHuV are found during the show, must leave the ring without being judged.

4. the breed judges will implement the Breed Specific Instructions (BSI) and pay special attention to health and functionality in the breeds listed therein. The breeds listed in the BSI were selected based on the estimated risk of health-threatening exaggerations of breed characteristics and possible misleading interpretation of the standard.