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Kennel Club announces Assured Breeder Scheme updates
The updates include a recommendation of DNA testing for Lafora’s disease in beagles.
Existing Assured Breeders have a grace period of six months to comply with new requirements

New updates to the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, which aim to further improve dog health and responsible breeding, have been announced.

The updates, which come into effect immediately, include a recommendation of DNA testing for Lafora’s disease in beagles and a requirement of respiratory function grade testing in pugs.

The Kennel Club said in a statement: “The range of breed-specific health testing and screening requirements and recommendations under the ABS is regularly reviewed following consultations with breed clubs and councils and with the agreement and advice from the Kennel Club Dog Health Group, in a collaborative effort to ensure that health and welfare issues are kept at the forefront of what the scheme sets out to achieve: the encouragement of responsible breeding.

“The list of ABS breed specific requirements and recommendations is updated twice a year to ensure that they remain relevant and of maximum health benefit to all dogs bred by Kennel Club Assured Breeders. Further tests can be expected to be announced as they are developed.”

Existing Assured Breeders have a grace period of six months to comply with any new requirements and recommendations to allow them to take account of any existing breeding plans.

Bill Lambert, senior health and welfare manager at the Kennel Club, said: “One of the key benefits of the Assured Breeder Scheme is that it is designed to be flexible and is constantly evolving which allows for the greatest positive impact on dog health. 

“These latest updates will help to maintain maximum progress for dog health improvements and encourage good breeding practices, which will in turn help to protect the future of the UK's much-loved pedigree dogs and ensure that puppy buyers can be easily signposted to breeders who do all they can to produce healthy pups.”

Breed specific updates are as follows:

Beagle
  • add recommendation of DNA testing for Lafora’s disease
Braque D’Auvergne (Imp)
  • add requirement of hip scoring
  • add recommendation of eye testing – annual
  • add recommendation of bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter.
Bullmastiff
  • add requirement of hip scoring (upgraded from recommendation)
  • add recommendation of elbow grading.
French Bulldog
  • add requirement of respiratory function grade testing.
Leonberger
  • add requirement of elbow grading (upgraded from recommendation)
  • add requirement of eye testing for PLA
  • add recommendation of DNA testing for LNP1, LNP2 and LEMP.
Miniature Schnauzer
  • add requirement of DNA testing for MAC.
Papillon
  • add requirement of DNA testing for pap-PRA1.
Pug
  • add requirement of respiratory function grade testing
  • add recommendation of participation in the Pug Breed Council health scheme.
Retriever (Labrador)
  • add requirement of elbow grading (upgraded from recommendation).
Spaniel (Cocker)
  • add requirement of DNA testing for AMS and AON (upgraded from recommendation).
Spaniel (Irish Water)
  • add recommendation of eye testing – annual.

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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
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.