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Kennel Club to offer Respiratory Function Grading at Crufts
This is the first time that The Kennel Club will be offering free Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments to brachycephalic breeds at the show.
The assessments are open to French bulldog, bulldog and pug exhibitors. 

The Kennel Club is offering free Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments for bulldog, French bulldog and pug exhibitors at Crufts for the first time.

These assessments will be available on Saturday, 12 March, and bookings will not be taken in advance. Any exhibitors wishing to secure an assessment can do so by speaking to the assessors, or visiting The Kennel Club stand. 

Alongside the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments, The Kennel Club is also offering free eye testing to all exhibitors.

Booked on a first-come first-served basis, the eye testing sessions have been funded jointly by The Kennel Club and British Veterinary Association (BVA), there will be 60 eye testing appointments per day.

Exhibitors are encouraged to book by emailing health@thekennelclub.org.uk with the following details, the name of the owner, the registered name of the dog, registration number, microchip number, preferred time slot (am or pm), and mobile telephone number. 

Crufts show manager Vanessa McAlpine commented on the testing: “By screening breeding stock, breeders can use the information to eliminate or reduce the frequency of eye disease or breathing issues being passed on to puppies. 

“We are expecting a huge uptake for this offer.” 

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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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.