Dunc Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Kennel Club Announces Healthy New Year Regulations for Pedigree Dogs The Kennel Club, in the next stage of its ‘Fit for Function: Fit For Life’ campaign, today released the results of its review of all breed standards to ensure that all dogs are healthy, of good temperament and fit for their original function, and announced that it will introduce strict new rules to ban the breeding of close relatives, in a move that will ensure that pedigree dogs go into 2009 with the best chance of living happy, healthy lives. The breed standards - the picture in words that describes each breed of dog - have been revised so that they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely. This will help to prevent the practice of exaggeration, where features that are perceived to be desirable, such as a short muzzle or loose skin, are made more prominent by breeders, and which can have detrimental effects on a dog’s health. The changes represent a major additional step forward for the long term health and welfare of dogs of all breeds and have been made following a series of reviews, which included breed experts and independent scientific and veterinary experts. Breed Standards are constantly reviewed by the Kennel Club and their development has benefited from extensive research that has been funded by the Kennel Club in conjunction with renowned veterinary research centres over the past 40 years. Examples of the suggested amendments include a revised standard for the Shar Pei, which removes the exaggeration of loose skin folds across the neck, skull and legs. Other changes include the preclusion of excessive weight in Labradors and a move to stop breeders exaggerating substance in Clumber Spaniels, in order to ensure they would be fit for their original purpose of working in the field. Marc Abraham, Kennel Club Veterinary Advisor, said: “The Kennel Club should be applauded for its efforts to improve the health of pedigree dogs. The changes that have been announced today will leave breeders and judges in no doubt about their responsibilities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs, first and foremost. The Kennel Club has grasped the opportunities that developments in science and technology have given it to improve pedigree health and is at the forefront of research in this area. I hope that all those who care about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs will unite with the Kennel Club and work productively with them so that we can all reach our shared goal of achieving the best possible future for dogs.†All judges will be expected to use the revised standards at Crufts 2009, which will be a showcase for healthy, well adjusted dogs. The Kennel Club show regulations have also been amended to lay down more clearly than ever, a judge’s duty only to reward those dogs that are healthy representatives of their breed, at all Kennel Club licensed shows. Judges will have the authority to remove from competition completely any dog that appears to be unhealthy and Kennel Club officials and show officials are expected to refer any dogs that they believe to be unhealthy to the on-site vet, who can authorise the dog’s removal from further competition at that show. In a further move, the Kennel Club has announced that it will crack down on the small number of breeders who continue to use the practice of mating close relatives by refusing to register those puppies that are born from any mother/son, father/daughter or brother/sister mating, taking place on or after 1st March 2009. Departures from this principle will only be made in exceptional circumstances or for scientifically proven welfare reasons. Kennel Club research into the genetic diversity of all breeds in the UK is ongoing and further changes will be considered in the future, on a breed specific basis. Additionally, all dog owners and breeders will be required to permanently identify their dogs, via microchip or tattoo, from January 2010, in order to participate in the Kennel Club/British Veterinary Association health schemes for eye disease and hip and elbow dysplasia. These schemes have been in place for many years and give dog owners in relevant breeds the opportunity to test for a number of common disorders; this move is introduced, at the express request of the veterinary profession, to ensure the fairness and accuracy of the results of the schemes. Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: “We want the New Year to begin well for pedigree dogs and the changes that have been announced today underline the Kennel Club’s deep commitment to ensuring that every pedigree dog has the best possible chance of leading a happy, healthy life. “Our revised breed standards are underpinned by new regulations, which further support show judges in their right to remove from competition those dogs who stray from the breed standard in a way that is detrimental to their health. Dog shows attract a great deal of public support in this country and are designed to celebrate and reward only those dogs that are healthy representatives of their breed and are of good temperament. We are determined to make sure that this is, and remains, so. “We are pleased to make these announcements but we cannot afford to become complacent and we will continue to work with the institutions and organisations who share our determination continually to improve the health and welfare of all dogs.†To find out more about the revised breed standards visit http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2223. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 The good thing from our point of view is that no changes were regarded as being necessary to the Siberian Husky standard. We are lucky that our breed is still pretty healthy and hasn't been messed about with too much. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 about time too, too many people are breeding the dogs in a set way which is causing more and more animals distress. Did anyone see the news tonight about the British bulldog? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura_3173 Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 I feel sorry for the British Bulldog it has been that inbred that they can hardly breath now! They don't live half as long neither and if you look at the original bulldog it is twice the size of the ones today!! Poor dogs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 I feel sorry for the British Bulldog it has been that inbred that they can hardly breath now! They don't live half as long neither and if you look at the original bulldog it is twice the size of the ones today!! Poor dogs!! OMG! :eek: That's awful! I never knew that was why the bulldog was like they were, I though it was just the breed! I feel so bad now! I don't understand why some people think it's ok to inbreed dogs but when we humans do it, the opinion suddenly changes! If it's not ok for one species then it's not ok for other species! I completely agree with the new regulations, it may even help put a stop to puppy mills/farms where I think most of the inbreeding occurs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura_3173 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 i know i think its awful too it makes me so mad and i am just glad they haven't messed up the husky breed (yet) I wouldn't put it past these people! Were we a gorgeous animal they see pound signs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 I do hope they don't start messing with the Husky breed. They are perfect the way they are! It is such a shame that so many breeds have been affected by inbreeding! It's not like we can turn it all around to put the breeds back to how they should be again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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