Biosecurity and management practices in different dog breeding systems have considerable margin for improvements

Area of Science:

• Veterinary medicine
• Animal husbandry
• Biosecurity

Background:

• Dog breeding facilities vary in scale, from small operations to large commercial enterprises.
• Understanding current management and biosecurity practices is crucial for improving canine health and welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare management and biosecurity practices among different categories of dog breeders in Belgium.
• To identify areas for improvement in hygiene and disease prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed 102 Belgian dog breeding facilities of varying sizes.
• Data collection focused on veterinary prophylactic protocols, antimicrobial use, biosecurity measures, and staff employment.

Main Results:

• High implementation of vaccination (91.5%) and endoparasite control (92.6%) was observed.
• Large-scale breeders demonstrated better biosecurity knowledge and practices, including disinfection and quarantine.
• Antimicrobial use post-partum and in puppies was reported by 13.8% and 10.3% of breeders, respectively.
• Moderate disinfection effectiveness and the presence of pet dogs compromised biosecurity in some facilities.

Conclusions:

• Significant room for improvement exists in hygiene and disease management across all dog breeder categories.
• Characterizing breeder practices is essential for developing targeted guidelines.
• Enhanced biosecurity and tailored management strategies can improve breeding animal and puppy health, reducing disease outbreak risks.