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One delegate said that while this all "looks great on paper" dogs are continuing to slip through the net.

Vets debate pedigree dog health at BVA Congress

The Kennel Club came under criticism from some delegates during a debate on the health of pedigree dogs on Friday (18 November). The closing session of BVA Congress explored whether we are making any progress in addressing extreme conformation and inherited conditions in pedigree dogs.

Nick Blayney, a veterinary surgeon and chairman of the Kennel Club's Dog Health Group, said the organisation is unable to reach a huge percentage of the population as it only has jurisdiction over around three per cent of the dogs acquired in the UK each year. However, he acknowledged that the Kennel Club carries responsibility as a public body and can have a significant influence.

He outlined the various initiatives taken to address health issues in pedigree dogs, including the club's Breed Watch Scheme and Vet Health Check, DNA testing schemes and an ongoing project to develop health plans for all breeds. The vet health check has had three outcomes, according to Mr Blayney: a number of dogs were retired from showing, a few dogs have been failed, and the show fraternity have become more aware of the link between extreme conformation and disease.

Four breeds - the Chinese crested, French bulldog, basset hound and clumber spaniel - have been removed from category three, which lists the breeds with the most serious identified conformational problems. And a new, proven scheme for the control of mitral valve disease in Cavalier King Charles spaniels is set to arrive imminently, he added. Nonetheless, progress has been slower than desired.

One delegate said that while this all "looks great on paper" dogs are continuing to slip through the net and golden opportunities are being missed. She referred to Crufts 2016, where a German shepherd dog was awarded 'best of breed' despite struggling to walk and displaying temperamental issues. There were also overweight Labradors and a Pekingese with breathing problems, showing that vets need greater influence to make strong decisions, she added.

Mr Blayney admitted that the vet health check failed in the case of this GSD; the veterinary surgeon who performed the checks had been "desperate" to fail the dog but the protocols prevented him from doing so. The problem was further underlined by a police dog demonstration during Crufts. In this case, the GSDs had square hips, good temperaments and they were enjoying themselves. "Those are the dogs we should be seeing in the show ring," Mr Blayney said.

But he does not believe the breed standards are the problem. "Most of them are pretty well written, though the terminology can cause tension between vets and the show fraternity," he explained to delegates. "The problem is with the interpretation, which is a big issue."

Another delegate said she took "great umbrage" at what she called the Kennel Club "denying responsibility" on the basis that estimates suggest only a small percentage of dogs are bred to Assured Breeder standards.

"Everyone follows the breed standards, whether they register their puppies with the Kennel Club or not." She also referred to the pug breed standard, which states pugs 'must never be lean or leggy'. Several breed standards also say the jaw should be 'undershot'.

Responding, Mr Blayney said: "Balanced, level criticisms made of this sort of thing will be taken care of. What happens at the moment is the Kennel Club gets a bit thick-skinned about generic criticism and therefore it doesn't listen. I think the profession has actually done itself harm in linking itself with individual lobbyists. We must be clear that we are evidence based."

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) formed the other major part of the discussions, with speaker Brenda Bonnett, CEO of the International Partnership for Dogs, suggesting vets should be recording cases in the clinical notes, regardless of what the dog presents with.

Responding, Robin Hargreaves said: "Vets are not unaware of breathing problems in pugs… but we don't put it on the clinical records in the same way that I don't put down that great Danes are big. It's just a fact of life."

Data on the prevalence of BOAS is not necessarily easy to collect, as practice management systems may not be compatible with schemes such as VetCompass, which analyses veterinary clinical information.

What is clear from the discussion is that more data is needed to determine the actual prevalence of BOAS in the UK. Work must be done to change the opinions of not only judges and breeders, but also the dog-buying public. In terms of what the individual practice can do, suggestions included pre-puppy days to give advice and health screening for those considering breeding their dogs; forging closer links with breed clubs and educating owners that snuffling and snorting is not 'normal'.

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