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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th April 2013
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Merle bulldogs no longer registered
Step to improve pedigree breed health

The Kennel Club (KC) has announced that it will not be registering any merle bulldogs due to health concerns.

The decision was made at the request of the Bulldog Breed Council because of the increased risk of hearing and sight impairment associated with the bulldog breed.

This association relates to a gene with two mutations; merle, which is dominant to the other gene, non-merle.

Bulldogs with the merle gene have dapple coats, which are not naturally found in the breed. These dogs are also more likely to have hearing and sight defects as a result.

Those that carry two copies of the merle gene are significantly more at risk.

The KC General Committee has therefore decided that it will no longer accept the registration of any merle bulldog puppy, in the view of health concerns.

Imported merle bulldogs will not be able to register either.

These steps are all part of the KC's effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs, as it continues to work in collaboration with breed health coordinators.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.