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French bulldog no longer a high profile breed
french bulldog
After a number of health initiatives, the French bulldog has been removed from the Kennel Club's high profile list.
Health initiatives succeed in removing the breed from the list

French bulldogs are no longer listed as a high profile breed, thanks to numerous initiatives to improve the health and welfare of the breed.

The latest Kennel Club health report states: "The breed has taken a consistently proactive approach to health and welfare and fulfilled all the criteria for removal.” The club called this a "positive step forward for the breed."

High profile or "category three" breeds are those identified by the Kennel Club as having visible conditions that can cause pain and discomfort due to exaggerations.

Prior to 2006, there were around 500 French bulldog puppy registrations per year, according to the breed's health co-ordinator, Penny Rankine-Parsons.

The number of registrations rapidly began to climb, however, and by 2009 they had tripled. Likewise, Mrs Rankine-Parsons says the number being imported from Eastern European countries was rising "at an alarming rate".

As a result, the French Bulldog Club of England (FBCE) recommended a number of changes to the breed standard during the Kennel Club's major review of standards in 2009.

A health scheme was launched allowing French bulldogs over the age of one to have a breed-specific health check by a vet, bringing any problems to the attention of the owner.

In October 2010 the French Bulldog Health Scheme was launched to further generate data on health problems in the breed and inform people about whether they should breed their dogs.

The scheme is split into three categories - bronze, consisting of a basic vet check; silver, a DNA test for hereditary cataracts, a cardiology test and patella grading and; gold, a hip score and spine evaluation.

FBCE holds regular clinics at its three yearly shows, offers twice-yearly discounts on hereditary cataract DNA testing and has developed its website and Facebook page to provide more owners, breeders and judges with health information.

Following the breed's removal from the high profile list, Mrs Rankine-Parsons says a number of initiatives are planned for 2014. These include establishing a health group, a review of the health scheme, and the undertaking of a general health survey to include a cause of death survey.

 

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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.