Breed Notes
18th February 2022

Firstly, many many thanks to Val Dyer (Javarm) who, along with others attended to recent funeral of Flora Denning and has sent me the lovely Order of Service.
It was good to learn that Flora, apart from breeding her Bayland collies, also had a lovely German Shepherd, she  was actually a well known and published poet and included in the Service were 2 of her poems and reading them was very poignant with titles If Only and A Secret Place. Flora was born in March 1927 and died recently last January. The Service was held at Gloucester Crematorium and should anyone wish to donate to her Memory, these can be made to the PDSA or cheques sent direct to the funeral directors, L W Clutterbuck Ltd of Dursley on 01453.542754.
With no major shows this last weekend gave me time to read the latest BRS issued by the KC. This covers the period July to September 2021, so I suppose now some of the staff are returning to the KC and announcements regarding the issue of KCSB and CC’s will, hopefully, be arriving soon and we shall be catching up!
For our breed, 34 litters were recorded along with a total of 167 new registrations. These included a new single registration, 4 new imports, many of whom have already been in the show ring. Just 8 changes of name and 91 transfer of ownerships and 1 recorded Export Pedigree to Czech Republic.
These figures bring up a total of 180 in the 1st Quarter, 134 in the 2nd and 172 in this current quarter. Figures for 2020 over the same period were: 118,217 and 69 – but as we all know 2020 was an exceptional year
Under the Health sections, we had an import cleared for CEA/RPED AND GPRA and probably by an Eye Specialist, not by DNA.
Another 17 are listed with Hip Scores, varying from 5 to 45!  With the average for these 17 being around 11, which is good, but disturbing to see a few over 20.
Also under the health scheme are 4 listed having been through Elbow Dysplasia, again with none of these registering a figure above Zero
DNA schemes for our breed are numerous and 9 have been tested by DNA for CEA/CH with 9 collies affected; 8 recorded as Carriers and just 2 Clear. A Linkage based test, also for CEA/CH also records 4 more affected.
Another health issue, DM (Degenerative Radiculomyelopthy) records 1 affected, 16 Carriers and 4 Clear.
MDR1, (Multi-Drug Resistance) which is recessively inherited and a danger to our breed, amongst others in the Pastoral Group shows: 6 Collies Affected, 14 Carriers and 8 Clear.
Finally, under a DNA Test for PRA it is good to see all 18 tested were Clear.
I am sure we all have the health of our lovely breed in mind when breeding but I do question why are so many testing for issues, which do not, currently, affect our breed?
Is the answer the way a “Bundle of Tests” is offered by certain Testing Laboratories, to those making the choice to test for specific issues or are there now more health issues within the breed that many of us are not aware of? Perhaps some one could enlighten me (and others) please.
The Rough Collie is a relatively healthy and long lived breed and with careful selection in breeding programs, long may it continue but, maybe I am alone, I do have my concerns over some of the issues our breed is being tested for, which, to my mind and maybe that of both the KC and the general public could make us an “Un-Healthy Breed”

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)