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KC to stop registering puppies from two merle parents
From Jan 2013, the Kennel Club will not register puppies from merle-to-merle breeding.

From 1st January 2013, the Kennel Club will no longer accept the registration of any puppies for any breed that have two merle (dappled) coloured parents.

The decision was made following a recommendation from the Dog Health Group, as the dominant merle mutation is known to be associated with health risks.

Now, the Kennel Club will not register any litter where both parents are merle for Shetland Sheepdogs, all varieties of Dachsunds and Beaucerons. Neither will the Kennel Club register any merle coloured dogs from breeds where the merle patterning is proven not to occur naturally, such as the Chihuahua.

The merle mutation is known to increase the risk of impaired hearing and sight, especially in dogs that carry two copies of the merle allele.

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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. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.