The Kennel Club will continue to monitor the health of the shar pei.

Kennel Club will continue to monitor health of the breed

The shar pei has been reclassified from category three to category two on the Kennel Club Breed Watch System.

The reclassification follows a recommendation from the Kennel Club Dog Health Group, which is made up of vets, dog experts and canine researchers.

It means that shar pei best of breed winners - or those winning their third challenge certificate - will no longer require a veterinary health check at championship dog shows.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We would like to commend the dedication, passion and commitment of shar pei breeders, owners and dog show exhibitors for their enthusiasm and engagement in improving health. Their efforts have had a very real impact on the health of the breed.

“The shar pei community has sufficiently demonstrated to the Kennel Club their dedication in ensuring involvement in all health initiatives undertaken by the breed.”

The Kennel Club stresses that it will continue to monitor the health of the breed. The breed health coordinator will still need to submit an annual breed health report and work with the Kennel Club on the ‘Breed Health and Conservation Plan’. Judges at dog shows will also still be required to submit health monitoring forms after each championship appointment.

Heather Morris, health coordinator for the shar pei breed, said: “It is fantastic news for shar pei breeders and owners who have been, and are still continuing to improve the health and well-being of this wonderful breed.

“We are thankful to the Kennel Club for its support and we appreciate knowing that it will be there in the future to help support us in improving the health of shar peis.”