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KC to stop registering puppies from two merle parents
From Jan 2013, the Kennel Club will not register puppies from merle-to-merle breeding.

From 1st January 2013, the Kennel Club will no longer accept the registration of any puppies for any breed that have two merle (dappled) coloured parents.

The decision was made following a recommendation from the Dog Health Group, as the dominant merle mutation is known to be associated with health risks.

Now, the Kennel Club will not register any litter where both parents are merle for Shetland Sheepdogs, all varieties of Dachsunds and Beaucerons. Neither will the Kennel Club register any merle coloured dogs from breeds where the merle patterning is proven not to occur naturally, such as the Chihuahua.

The merle mutation is known to increase the risk of impaired hearing and sight, especially in dogs that carry two copies of the merle allele.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com