FOXI3 carriers (hairless dogs) banned from showing at the German Winner Show Gelsenkirchen

Dogs with extensive hairlessness of the breeds Chinese Crested, Mexican Naked Dog (Xoloitzcuintle) and Peruvian Naked Dog are heterozygous carriers of a mutated copy of the FOXI3 gene. This genotype leads to ectodermal dysplasia, which means that carriers of the mutant allele not only lack hair follicles, but in many cases also teeth or have dental anomalies.  

The showing of and breeding with carriers of the mutated FOXI3 gene is controversial in Germany and there are currently several unresolved court cases in this area. At the VDH's shows in Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen, decisions on participation have so far been made on a case-by-case basis on presentation of a veterinary certificate and fulfilment of the health requirements specified by the VDH (in particular with regard to missing teeth).  

As part of the requirements for the implementation of § 10 TierSchHuV, the veterinary office of the city of Gelsenkirchen has issued the condition for the German Winner Show from 26-28 July 2024 that carriers of the mutated FOXI3 gene may not be exhibited. The VDH initially had to accept this requirement in order to safeguard the event and due to the short notice of the announcement. However, due to the existing legal uncertainties, the VDH has questioned the requirements of the veterinary office and has reserved the right to further legal examination. We will also have to await future legal decisions in this regard, particularly the legal dispute in Erfurt. 

In this context, it should be made clear that fully coated representatives of the above-mentioned breeds (who are not carriers of the mutated FOXI3 allele) can participate in the event.