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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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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."