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Kennel Club offers health testing at Crufts
Free eye testing available for brachycephalic breeds.
Free tests available for brachycephalic breeds.

The Kennel Club is offering health tests to competitors in its annual dog show, Crufts.

All exhibitors have the opportunity to book discounted DNA testing and eye testing, and brachycephalic breeds are offered free Respiratory Function Grading scheme assessments and eye tests.

Across the show's four days, a total of 240 eye testing appointments will be provided for all breeds on a first come, first served basis. Each day, there will be a morning session taking place from 10am to 1pm, and an afternoon session taking place from 2pm to 5pm.

Appointments for these tests can be booked via The Kennel Club website at a cost of £30 per dog, a £15 reduction from the usual rate.

Exhibitors are reminded that their dog's Kennel Club registration certificate, along with any previous eye test certificates, to the appointment. Only exhibitors with a dog pass may book an appointment.

The free Respiratory Function Grading scheme (RFG) assessments are offered exclusively to bulldog, French bulldog and pug exhibitors on Sunday 12 March. These will be booked on the day with The Kennel Club team. 

Free eye testing will be available for the following breeds; bulldogs, French bulldogs, Pekingese, pugs and shih tzus. This will run on Sunday 12 March only, and will also need to be booked on the day with The Kennel Club team.

Crufts show manager Vanessa McAlpine explained: “Crufts celebrates healthy and happy dogs, and we hope that by making health testing accessible and easily available at Crufts, that these offers will be taken up and the information provided will be used to reduce the frequency of eye disease or breathing issues being passed on to puppies. 

“The Kennel Club health team will be on hand throughout the event to speak to owners and breeders interested in improving canine health and the schemes and initiatives we offer.”

Further information on how to get a dog health tested can be found by emailing health@thekennelclub.org.uk or speaking to the team at the Crufts event. 

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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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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.