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Kennel Club announces Assured Breeder Scheme updates
The updates include a recommendation of DNA testing for Lafora’s disease in beagles.
Existing Assured Breeders have a grace period of six months to comply with new requirements

New updates to the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, which aim to further improve dog health and responsible breeding, have been announced.

The updates, which come into effect immediately, include a recommendation of DNA testing for Lafora’s disease in beagles and a requirement of respiratory function grade testing in pugs.

The Kennel Club said in a statement: “The range of breed-specific health testing and screening requirements and recommendations under the ABS is regularly reviewed following consultations with breed clubs and councils and with the agreement and advice from the Kennel Club Dog Health Group, in a collaborative effort to ensure that health and welfare issues are kept at the forefront of what the scheme sets out to achieve: the encouragement of responsible breeding.

“The list of ABS breed specific requirements and recommendations is updated twice a year to ensure that they remain relevant and of maximum health benefit to all dogs bred by Kennel Club Assured Breeders. Further tests can be expected to be announced as they are developed.”

Existing Assured Breeders have a grace period of six months to comply with any new requirements and recommendations to allow them to take account of any existing breeding plans.

Bill Lambert, senior health and welfare manager at the Kennel Club, said: “One of the key benefits of the Assured Breeder Scheme is that it is designed to be flexible and is constantly evolving which allows for the greatest positive impact on dog health. 

“These latest updates will help to maintain maximum progress for dog health improvements and encourage good breeding practices, which will in turn help to protect the future of the UK's much-loved pedigree dogs and ensure that puppy buyers can be easily signposted to breeders who do all they can to produce healthy pups.”

Breed specific updates are as follows:

Beagle
  • add recommendation of DNA testing for Lafora’s disease
Braque D’Auvergne (Imp)
  • add requirement of hip scoring
  • add recommendation of eye testing – annual
  • add recommendation of bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter.
Bullmastiff
  • add requirement of hip scoring (upgraded from recommendation)
  • add recommendation of elbow grading.
French Bulldog
  • add requirement of respiratory function grade testing.
Leonberger
  • add requirement of elbow grading (upgraded from recommendation)
  • add requirement of eye testing for PLA
  • add recommendation of DNA testing for LNP1, LNP2 and LEMP.
Miniature Schnauzer
  • add requirement of DNA testing for MAC.
Papillon
  • add requirement of DNA testing for pap-PRA1.
Pug
  • add requirement of respiratory function grade testing
  • add recommendation of participation in the Pug Breed Council health scheme.
Retriever (Labrador)
  • add requirement of elbow grading (upgraded from recommendation).
Spaniel (Cocker)
  • add requirement of DNA testing for AMS and AON (upgraded from recommendation).
Spaniel (Irish Water)
  • add recommendation of eye testing – annual.

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.