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DNA control scheme for Briards
Kennel Club takes steps to improve breed health

The Kennel Club (KC) has approved a new DNA control scheme for Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) in Briards.

The scheme has come at the request of the Briard Club, which hopes to eliminate the condition in the breed. As a first step to achieve this, breeders must adhere to the following protocols, set by the KC:

1. All Briards used for breeding should be either proven hereditarily clear of CSNB; or have a CSNB DNA test before they are used for breeding.



2. Identified carriers may be used for breeding providing that they are only mated to a Briard that is either hereditarily clear or DNA tested clear of CSNB. Carriers should not be mated to carriers and the Kennel Club will refuse to register any progeny resulting from such a mating.



3. All of the offspring of a carrier mated to a clear should be clearly identified, DNA tested and registered as either tested clear or a carrier.

The protocols come into effect on January 1, 2013, and as a result Briard puppies should not be affected by CSNB.

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk