Hello. Welcome to my website.
The aim of this site is to tell the story of my campaign to improve the health of pedigree dogs by raising awareness of the problems and trying to bring about change.
I believe the current self-regulatory system of dog breeding has resulted in unacceptable levels of genetic disease in many of our dog breeds. It has also allowed selection for exaggerated physical traits which impact on a dog’s quality of life.
I believe there is an overwhelming need for reform of the dog breeding system with better regulation and a clear priority given by the Government, Welfare Organisations, Kennel Club, breed clubs, individual breeders and pet owners, to genetic health and welfare.
My own experience of these problems comes from owning two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, a breed with a number of inherited diseases. The two most serious and widespread being Chiari-like Malformation Syringomyelia (CM/SM) and Mitral Valve Disease (MVD).
I hope you will find the information here interesting, helpful and inspiring. I hope you will join me in working for a better world for pedigree dogs.
Recent News in Brief
The BVA AWF and RSPCA Puppy Contract and PIP was launched at the BSAVA Congress 2012
The Puppy Contract is supported by the major animal welfare organisations and aims to safeguard the puppy buyer and breeder. Puppy buyers are advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the Puppy Contract to ensure that puppies have been ethically bred and that all reasonable care has been taken to breed puppies free from genetic disease and extreme conformations.
The Contract and PIP is available to all and can be downloaded from www.puppycontract.org.uk
Cavalier News
British Veterinary Association and Kennel Club announce the official Chiari malformation/Syringomyelila (CMSM) Health Scheme
22 September 2011
At long last the BVA and KC have announced this much needed scheme to try to eliminate CMSM from the Cavalier breed (and other breeds)
Breeders will now be able to MRI scan their breeding dogs as part of a standardised scheme in order to know if their dogs have the disease and are likely to pass it on to their offspring.
Scans will be graded for CM and SM and the results will be passed on to the Animal Health Trust (AHT) to aid the development of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for Cavaliers. Results will be published on the KC’s Health Test Results Finder.
The scheme will start in January 2012.