On July 12th, 2025, the scenic city of Jos hosted a remarkable gathering of canine breeders, veterinarians, animal health experts, and law enforcement officers at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), University of Jos. Organized by Farm Alert in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Kennel Club (NKC), Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Plateau Chapter, VTH Jos, Booster Dog Food, Royal Choice Food, Siberian Husky Club, Cane Corso Breeders Association of Nigeria, Boerboel Dog Breeders Association, Nigeria, Rottweiler Club of Nigeria, the Dog Breeders Conference brought together over 100 onsite participants and more than 80 virtual attendees.

Themed “Canine Health Revolution: Defeating Parvoviral Enteritis, Leptospirosis & Ticks, Together” the event was both timely and urgent, serving as a much-needed platform for addressing the growing concerns around dog health, breeding ethics, and the disease burdens breeders face across Nigeria.

A Gathering with Purpose

The conference began with a moment of prayer and a heartfelt welcome from the organizers. Dr. Janet Maiyaki, Farm Alert’s Chief Partnership & Growth, set the tone by articulating the goals of the day: to bridge the gap between veterinarians and breeders, address gaps in disease prevention, and introduce practical, scalable solutions.

Goodwill messages followed from respected stakeholders across the veterinary and breeding landscape. Dr. Jonathan, Chairman of NVMA Plateau Chapter, emphasized the importance of collaboration and information flow between professionals and practitioners. A breeder representative from Jos echoed these sentiments, calling for more hands-on training and better access to knowledge and tools.

The NKC, represented by Dr. Femi Suleiman, reaffirmed its commitment to international standards and ethical breeding. Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the sponsors, offered their support and shared optimism about the evolving role of breeding in law enforcement, security, and family companionship.

Diseases That Matter: A Deep Dive into Canine Health

The technical sessions kicked off with a compelling presentation by Dr. Moses Arokoyo, an experienced canine consultant. Speaking on Parvoviral Enteritis, he unpacked the devastating impact the disease can have on kennels and young pups. He introduced Primodog, a new vaccine capable of being administered from just four weeks of age. Its advantage, he noted, lies in its ability to bypass maternal antibody interference, thus offering earlier and more effective protection.

One breeder in the room shared a poignant story of losing five puppies in one night to parvovirus, an emotional reminder that timely vaccination isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Following Dr. Arokoyo’s session, Dr. Enokela Idoga took the stage to discuss Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease that quietly circulates in many kennels. With clear explanations and practical advice, he detailed the clinical signs, modes of transmission, and the often overlooked risk it poses to humans. He emphasized the role breeders play not only in preventing disease in dogs but also in safeguarding public health. “Leptospirosis isn’t just a dog problem,” he said. “It’s a people problem too.”

Practical Tools, Tangible Solutions

During a brief refreshment and networking break, participants explored veterinary products and innovations. Farm Alert’s team showcased solutions like NexGard, a broad-spectrum parasite control chewable, and offered consultations on product usage. The energy in the room reflected the hunger for practical solutions—something the conference deliberately prioritized.

Dr. Arokoyo returned for a second session on tick-borne diseases, particularly Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis, both of which are endemic in Nigeria. He demystified treatment protocols and strongly discouraged indiscriminate use of antibiotics and outdated therapies. He called on breeders to move away from self-treatment and prioritize expert consultation and long-term parasite control programs.

Ethics and Enforcement in Breeding

Perhaps one of the most anticipated sessions came from Assistant Inspector General Aishatu Abubakar Baju, head of the Force Animal Branch of the Nigeria Police. In her powerful talk on ethical breeding, AIG Baju highlighted the link between responsible practices and legal compliance. She cautioned breeders against common ethical breaches, such as falsifying records, over-breeding bitches, and abandoning puppies that do not meet breed “standards.”

Professor Lami Lombin, Director of VTH Jos, complemented this perspective with a lecture on biosecurity in kennels. She argued that kennel operators must apply the same biosecurity discipline seen in poultry farms—emphasizing the role of disinfection, visitor control, and environmental hygiene in disease prevention.

Unfiltered Questions, Honest Answers

The interactive Q&A session proved to be one of the day’s most dynamic segments. One breeder raised a concern about the overuse of antibiotics in puppies—a habit borne out of fear and desperation during disease outbreaks. Dr. Noella responded with clarity, cautioning that such practices can harm gut health and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

Another breeder courageously shared the trauma of losing her entire kennel to Brucellosis, seeking clarity on how to prevent future occurrences. The expert panel collectively emphasized laboratory testing, cautious isolation protocols, and the importance of confirmed diagnosis before any decision to cull.

A breeder, called for early warning systems and real-time disease alerts to be made available via Farm Alert’s media platforms—a suggestion that resonated across the room and was noted by the organizers.

A Movement, Not Just a Meeting

In his closing remarks, Dr. Femi Kayode, CEO of Farm Alert, expressed deep appreciation to all participants, partners, and speakers. He reiterated the company’s mission to not just diagnose the challenges faced by breeders but to provide timely, accessible, and effective solutions.

“We are not here for talk shows,” Dr. Kayode said firmly. “We are here to solve problems, real problems that impact the lives of breeders, dogs, and families.”

He acknowledged the efforts of the planning committee for their dedication to excellence. Participants were later given a tour of the VTH facility, including the vaccine trial units and radiology labs.

Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds

The Farm Alert Dog Breeders Conference in Jos was more than just a one-day event, it marked the beginning of a new era in canine health and breeder-veterinarian collaboration. It addressed real pain points, introduced lifesaving tools, and gave voice to previously underrepresented challenges in the breeding community.

As Farm Alert continues to build bridges between breeders and veterinary professionals, it promises that every future conference will go beyond knowledge-sharing to introduce solutions that breeders can act on immediately.