BVA Webinar on Hip and Elbow screening – tools for responsible dog breeding

The Kennel Club has a selection of health webinars where experts explain different conditions that may affect your dog and how best to treat them. Also some related webinars such as The Science of DNA testing, and The history and development of closed breed registers.

Barbet Club of GB Health Survey 2024

The Barbet Club of GB carried out a health survey in 2024. The Club updated the questions in this new survey to establish more accurate statistics for the Barbet breed in the U.K.

Health is so important and we need to be aware of any issues so breeders can move forward positively with breeding plans.

All owners, Club members and non-members, with Barbets resident in the U.K. were invited to complete the survey.

Breed Health coordinator Catherine Crowther – barbethealth@gmail.com

Please find a summary of the results here :

====================================================================

Please find some links below with information on breeding, sourcing and importing a puppy :

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/dog-care/dog-care-basics/#:~:text=You%20need%20to%20ensure%20that,well%20as%20your%20dog’s%20eyes

https://barbetclubgb.com/buying-a-barbet-puppy/

====================================================================

Recent health related articles from the BVA and the KC:

Brucella Canis – is a relatively rare but serious illness that can be passed from dogs to humans. Anyone importing a dog, or breeding a dog or simply wanting to be well informed on canine health matters should read this information.

https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/brucella-canis/#:~:text=Brucella%20canis%20is%20a%20bacterium,it%20can%20also%20infect%20humans

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners

====================================================================

KENNEL CLUB GENETIC CENTRE 

by Jane Pottinger

The role of the Genetics Centre is to collect DNA by means of a swab sample from dogs that are affected with inherited disorders and to carry out research to identify the causal mutation and subsequently to develop a DNA test to isolate carriers of a mutant gene responsible for causing the disease. Responsible breeders, by using the test can then identify carriers in dogs, thus making better informed breeding choices. 

Talented research scientist, Dr Mellersh was originally recruited by the Animal Health Trust (AHT) to work on investigating the various diseases inherited in  many dogs.  The Kennel Club helped considerably, by way of funding, and set up what was to become the Kennel Club Genetic Centre (KCGC), which enabled her to gather a team of  like-minded researchers to help in her work.  

In 2020 The AHT support ended but with continued financial help from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT), they were able to relocate to the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University to carry on their valuable work. 

As one of only a few research centres worldwide, the KCGC has gained an enviable position of being a leader in their field.

For more information, please visit their website:-  www.canine-genetics.org.uk