The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) breed, along with other breeds was
tarnished by a recent TV programme. Whilst the bias and editor
selectivity of the programme is debatable, the impact on the British
public was immense. The key issue raised by the programme was the
health of pedigree dogs, and the role of the Kennel Club and
breeders/exhibitors in influencing this. The possibility of a follow
up programme or similar programmes cannot be dismissed, and besides
it is incumbent on the Kennel Club, Breed Clubs and Breeders of
Pedigree Dogs to make further and continual efforts to address this
issue.
The Kennel Club, various Breed Clubs and many responsible breeders
have done much to improve the health of pedigree dogs over many
years; however more can be done and, indeed, should be done. It is
important that any National scheme to improve the health of pedigree
dogs is wholly beneficial and a positive way forward. It must be
open and available to all breeders of pedigree dogs (All GSD
breeders if the GSD breed are to be used as a pilot scheme) that
register their litters with the Kennel Club and fulfil the required
criteria. It must also complement and underpin existing breed health
screening schemes, breed surveys and breed standards.
It is also very important to persuade, encourage and attract
breeders of pedigree dogs to participate in breed health improvement
schemes. A National scheme to improve the health of pedigree dogs,
should contain an incentive to participate and at the same time be
applicable to all breeds, albeit that some criteria will vary
between the breeds. Such detail can be discussed and resolved with
each breed.
A
thorough and carefully considered approach by the Kennel Club and
the respective Breed Clubs to a National scheme to improve the
health of pedigree dogs is essential.
Having considered the above, we present our proposals for a Two Tier
Kennel Club Registration System based on Kennel Club “Breed
Health Certification” (“BHC”) for the German Shepherd
Dog. The Kennel Club may wish to consider introducing the “BHC” for
the German Shepherd Dog as a pilot Kennel Club “BHC” Scheme.
The
current situation of ‘lumping’ all GSD litter registrations into a
ONE TIER registration system completely fails to recognise those
dogs used for breeding that have been tested by a number of health
screening tests, when compared with those dogs used for breeding
that have not been tested. The term “Kennel Club registered” needs
to mean much more to the Pedigree puppy buying public. A Class ONE
Kennel Club registration of a puppy, will clearly inform them that
both parents of such a puppy have completed the “BHC” criteria and
both are Breed Health Certified. Kennel Club registration
will then begin to regain its respect from the general public.
The
costs of administering a Kennel Club “BHC” Scheme will have
to be considered and appropriate charges made. The “BHC” will
encourage many breeders to Microchip/tattoo, and also DNA test for
parentage, and purchase Class One PEDIGREES from the Kennel Club,
which could be an appropriate design and colour. Some of these
aspects could be revenue earning for the Kennel Club, offsetting
some or all of the Kennel Club “BHC” Scheme administration
costs.
The Breed Health Certification and the fulfilled criteria of
the parents would need to be identified on the Kennel Club
Registration Certificates and on their Kennel Club Pedigrees. They
would then become Breed Health Certified (BHC) dogs. It would
be clearly recognised by all owners of Class ONE KC registered dogs
that their dogs’ parents are Breed Health Certified and the
fulfilled criteria they obtained to become certified. They
would have assurance that the parents of their dog had passed some
very important health screening tests.
From the introduction of the “BHC” the Kennel Club would facilitate
a Class ONE registration.
Class ONE Kennel Club registrations will be for Litters from
parents that have BOTH been Breed Health Certified, having
obtained the full “BHC” criteria.
All
other Kennel Club registrations will be for Litters from
parents where either one or both have NOT been Breed
Health Certified, NOT having obtained the full “BHC” criteria.
Litters registered prior to one or both parents obtaining Breed
Health Certification, creates the possibility of requests for
the upgrading of an existing normal registration, for dogs from such
litters, to Class ONE when BOTH parents finally do achieve Breed
Health Certification. The Kennel Club will need to decide its
policy on this possibility, a time limitation factor may need to
apply, and of course this has revenue earning potential.
IMPORTANT POINT:
All dogs must obtain Breed Health Certification in order for
their offspring to be eligible for Class ONE registration.
Therefore Class ONE registered dogs, if they are to be used for
breeding, must obtain Breed Health Certification, to enable
their own offspring to be eligible for Class ONE registration.
The “BHC” criteria will contain the following;
Examples:
1.
Micro chip/tattoo number, this to be Vet checked prior to all
health tests and DNA tests:
2.
A Kennel Club DNA parentage test, (at the present time
Foreign DNA parentage tests may not be compatible)
3.
Other DNA tests, particularly for canine diseases, may become
available; these can be considered for inclusion.
4.
BVA/KC Hips score, a maximum hip score total of 25 with one
side being no higher than 15.
5.
A recognised foreign hip grade designated a pass or
acceptable for breeding will be accepted, and noted on the
pedigrees.
6.
BVA/KC Elbows score, a maximum score of ?-?.
7.
A recognised foreign elbow grade designated a pass or
acceptable for breeding will be accepted and noted on the pedigrees.
8.
Haemophilia test (males only)
9.
NO line-breeding closer than 3:3 (this means no common
ancestors closer than the third generation, and then only one on
each side of the pedigree, Sire’s side and Dam’s side. The
line-breeding of a dog to be included on their pedigree.
10.
Only Breed Standard recognised colours will be accepted for
Class ONE registrations. White, blue, liver/brown, brindle, and
other non breed standard colours are unacceptable for Class ONE
registration.
Physical and mental soundness, as well as working ability and
functionality, are very important to the future of the GSD breeds
well being. However the existing Breed Council (BC) Breed Survey may
be more appropriate for dealing with these aspects.
Kennel Club Breed Health Certification will be completely
independent from the GSD Breed Council Breed Survey and is primarily
for the purpose of improving the health of the pedigree dogs.
These proposals require the approval of the GSD Breed Council, GSD
League and BAGSD, in order to obtain both their input and their
unified support and co-operation in fully implementing a Kennel Club
Breed Health Certification for the GSD breed.
Proposals need to be presented to the Kennel Club no later than 23rd
November 2008 and preferably earlier if possible, to facilitate more
informed and meaningful discussions and to improve the possibility
of reaching an agreement.
Every effort should be made by our National Breed Organisations, The
GSD Breed Council, The GSD League, and BAGSD to ensure there is
clear and informed communication throughout our breed regarding
proposals sent to the Kennel Club for their joint deliberation, and
also on the outcome of their meeting with the Kennel Club on the 23rd
November.
The
earliest implementation date of a Kennel Club Breed Health
Certification and the Two Tier Registration System would
clearly be beneficial, notwithstanding the need for ensuring that
all necessary administration is in place. Some advance notice of the
implementation date may be considered appropriate.
Advertising and promotion of the Kennel Club Breed Health
Certification and the Two Tier Registration System is
essential to its success.
Periodical revue and evaluation of the Kennel Club Breed Health
Certification and the Two Tier Registration System will
be necessary.
David Payne – Videx GSD
:
+44 (0)1905 830900 -
email: