Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1497813
11 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 APRIL 2023 Once we were informed, the dogs sold were DNA tested and their pedigree removed." Selvaggi said kennel clubs also have the right expertise in ap- proaching different breeds. "I could line up five different bul- ly breeds which to someone with- out a trained eye could all be the same, but to an expert like me can be distinguished immediately," he said. "This expertise is also used in guiding owners on the appropri- ate training, diet and environment which the breed needs." He also said club mem- bers are encouraged to abide by the Canine Good Citizen pro- gramme, which aims to set a standard of behaviour for dogs in the community. At the heart of the EBKC CGC program is the 10-step Canine Good Citizen test. The 10 steps include train- ing dogs to be friendly towards strangers, sitting politely for strangers, grooming, leash train- ing, dog behaviour in crowds, ba- sic command training, reactions to other dogs, reaction to distrac- tions, and supervised separation. "This is very important, as it produces trained and obedient dogs which can be taken around in public without any issues," he said, stating it should be a nation- al standard all dog owners must abide by. Such a training programme for dogs could help resolve the com- plicated relationship between bully breeds and humans but the question will linger: Is it only the dogs that require training, or do their human owners also need in- struction? kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Owner Carl Magro with 'Ticino Bully Street Bonbon', a pure breed American Bully registered with the EBKC Anthea Saliba (left) and Rosalind Agius (right) with Ninu and Lino who were given up by their owners and are now looking for a new home Ninu a bully breed dog which was abandoned and is now being cared for by the AAA Ticino Bully Street Bonbon, a pure-bred American Bully Pure-bred American Pit Bull Terrier named 'El Castro', which is registered with the EBKC training for a dog show