Breed Notes 13th August The August Kennel Club Journal is now available, both on line and to those members, Club Secretaries and anyone who subscribe to it.
There is a very full “Events” section, which, understandably, is not up to date as with many of the KC Staff working from home, show changes and cancellations are taking longer to process. If I have kept up to date, there are still a few shows left for 2020 but even these must have question marks as to whether they will take place, as some are scheduled using indoor venues and others to be held outdoors. We can only hope for a positive outcome as after all the shielding and distancing we have all had to do, it really would be great to get out and meet up again Listed in the journal are approved judges for future shows, KC Fines and Breach of Regulations and also a list of applied for kennel names, so, go and have a good read and enjoy. Also in the Journal is a page related to Breed Health Surveys. Currently, our breed is not listed, although I am aware that our RCBC, BHC and Clubs are soon to be working on this. There has been much discussion recently on social media concerning some health issues and I would state that in my opinion, the Rough Collie is generally a very healthy breed with minimal breed health issues, all of which are currently being addressed. However, as advances in technology and genetic tests become more available, it would appear that currently tests are available for anything from coat colour, coat length, depth of colour in coat, parentage etc. Having had a quick look on some of the more well-known Lab sites, there are some new tests available, including: IPD - Inflammatory Pulmonary Disease, BRAF which is a transitional cell carcinoma, DMS - Dermatomyositis and many more! RELAX - just because there is a test available, there is no need to assume that a) your dog has this issue or b) there is a problem within the breed. Not all of these tests, although some are Collie related, are yet to be a requirement under our KC and if future numbers deem so, then our BHC’s will inform us via the RCBC and Breed Clubs. Feel free to test should you so wish but until an issue arises where regular numbers are affected, be sensible, contact your Breed Club or BHC and make enquiries concerning anything. Dr Google has much to answer for! Finally, some very worrying news has reached me, concerning one of our Approved KC Judges, who has recently, via social media, stated that as they have concerns regarding a specific health issue within the breed, and states- “the only way to get the breed out of this mess is to out cross to a similar breed”
Carole Smedley (Antoc) |
