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Kennel Club may officially recognise crossbreeds
Labradoodle
"The Kennel Club’s concern is that too many crossbreed breeders are making false promises".
New register could include ancestry and health test results
 
For the first time, the Kennel Club may officially recognise crossbreed dogs such as Labradoodles and puggles, in the same way as pedigrees.

These breeds have long been registered on the club's companion dog and activity registers, but this does not include health test results or detailed information about ancestry.

Demand for crossbreeds, or 'designer dogs', has risen dramatically in recent years and is thought to be fuelled by celebrity fashions. Examples include Rita Ora and Rihanna, who both own maltipoos (Maltese-poodle crosses).

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "The Kennel Club’s concern is that too many crossbreed breeders are making false promises about how their dog will turn out.

"By their nature, crossbreed puppies will inherit a random combination of genes from their two breeds of parent and so you cannot accurately predict their size, exercise, grooming needs or temperament, which is why two dogs within the same crossbreed category can look and behave entirely differently."

Such false promises could result in owners abandoning their dogs when they realise they don't suit their lifestyles, she added.

Lack of DNA testing for breeding dogs is another problem. Ms Kisko explained: "Many breeders of crossbreeds are failing to give the parents of their puppies the appropriate health and DNA tests for conditions that can affect their breeds, leading the puppies to inherit problems.

"The parents of a crossbreed puppy should both be health tested for the conditions that are most likely to affect their individual breed."

However, the proposal to recognise crossbreeds has reportedly prompted criticism from some.

Jean Lanning, a former breeder and dog show judge, is quoted by the Telegraph as saying: "A register of crossbreeds will only encourage unscrupulous breeders to charge even greater sums than they do already on the basis that what they are selling is a designer dog".

The Kennel Club says it is currently asking for opinions from breeders and the wider public to find out if there is an "appetite" for a crossbreed register.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.