Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

French bulldog no longer a high profile breed
french bulldog
After a number of health initiatives, the French bulldog has been removed from the Kennel Club's high profile list.
Health initiatives succeed in removing the breed from the list

French bulldogs are no longer listed as a high profile breed, thanks to numerous initiatives to improve the health and welfare of the breed.

The latest Kennel Club health report states: "The breed has taken a consistently proactive approach to health and welfare and fulfilled all the criteria for removal.” The club called this a "positive step forward for the breed."

High profile or "category three" breeds are those identified by the Kennel Club as having visible conditions that can cause pain and discomfort due to exaggerations.

Prior to 2006, there were around 500 French bulldog puppy registrations per year, according to the breed's health co-ordinator, Penny Rankine-Parsons.

The number of registrations rapidly began to climb, however, and by 2009 they had tripled. Likewise, Mrs Rankine-Parsons says the number being imported from Eastern European countries was rising "at an alarming rate".

As a result, the French Bulldog Club of England (FBCE) recommended a number of changes to the breed standard during the Kennel Club's major review of standards in 2009.

A health scheme was launched allowing French bulldogs over the age of one to have a breed-specific health check by a vet, bringing any problems to the attention of the owner.

In October 2010 the French Bulldog Health Scheme was launched to further generate data on health problems in the breed and inform people about whether they should breed their dogs.

The scheme is split into three categories - bronze, consisting of a basic vet check; silver, a DNA test for hereditary cataracts, a cardiology test and patella grading and; gold, a hip score and spine evaluation.

FBCE holds regular clinics at its three yearly shows, offers twice-yearly discounts on hereditary cataract DNA testing and has developed its website and Facebook page to provide more owners, breeders and judges with health information.

Following the breed's removal from the high profile list, Mrs Rankine-Parsons says a number of initiatives are planned for 2014. These include establishing a health group, a review of the health scheme, and the undertaking of a general health survey to include a cause of death survey.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed 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