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Changes to breeding scheme rules
Tibetan terrier
Changes have been introduced after consultations will breed clubs and councils.
Kennel Club announces new breed-specific requirements

After consultations with breed clubs and councils, the Kennel Club is announcing changes to its Assured Breeder Scheme, which aims to promote good breeding practices.

Changes coming into force from January 1, 2015:
  • Miniature wire-haired dachshund - DNA test for Lafora's disease will become a requirement, rather than a recommendation
  • Eurasier - Hip scoring will become a requirement. Elbow grading and patella testing will be recommended
  • Newfoundland - Elbow grading will become a requirement, not a recommendation. New recommendation that bitches over the age of seven should not produce a litter
  • Parson Russell terrier - New requirement for DNA tests for primary lens luxation, late onset ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxia
  • Tibetan terrier - New requirement for DNA tests for rcd4-PRA and PRA3


Assured breeders will have a grace period of six months to implement these changes.

Commenting on the changes, Bill Lambert, KC's health and breeder services manager, said: "The most recent set of changes to the Assured Breeder Scheme will help to maintain maximum progress for dog health and encourage good breeding practices to protect the future of our much-loved pedigree dogs.



"Now that we are heading into 2015 we are pleased to be announcing these changes, all of which have come about as a direct result of input from the breed clubs and councils we work with, to further adapt the scheme to the specific needs of individual breeds with regards to health testing and welfare."

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.