Breed standards now amended and agreed - KC

THE FINAL versions of the new breed Standards have been agreed by the Kennel Club’s General Committee and sent to all breed clubs.
Overhauling the Standards was one of the first stages of the KC’s new health plan, but many clubs are unhappy with the changes.
The KC has made 60 alterations to the Bulldog Standard – one more than was originally mooted – and there are now rumours that some sections of the breed will walk away from the KC as a result.
The KC has responded by saying it will ‘stand firm in the face of resistance’.
The Bulldog clubs were so incensed with the proposed changes contained in the interim Standard that earlier this year a meeting took place between members of the breed council and the KC chaired by Dr Ruth Barbour.
“We went through the Standard very, very thoroughly and they said they would report back after discussing it with the ‘powers that be,’” said council chairman Robin Searle.

Additional change

“It has come back to us the same, with one additional change which is rather like the Peke’s – that there should be more of a snout.
“This is something we don’t think is appropriate for a Bulldog to start with; it’s a complete change of breed in appearance in lots of ways.”
The Bulldog breed clubs are holding a meeting on September 29.
“We’re going to see what we can do,” Mr Searle said. “I don’t want to disclose anything at this point.”
King Charles Spaniel breed note writer Gina Martin said the secretaries of the three breed clubs had received a letter from the KC saying that the interim Standard had become the new Standard and must be adhered to.
“This is despite the letter Shealagh Waters wrote to the KC on behalf of the three clubs outlining our concerns, especially on historical features of the King Charles Spaniel,” Mrs Martin said.
“A meeting at the KC was also requested with a representative from each club attending. However, the meeting was not granted either.”
The KC is urging breed clubs to unite with them ‘in order to safeguard the health of pedigree dogs’.
“We would be very sad if any breed was to walk away from the KC,” said spokesman Caroline Kisko. “We believe that by working together we can all best achieve our joint aim of improving the long-term health and welfare of dogs.
“However, in the face of resistance to changes that we believe are in the breed’s best interest, we will not be swayed and will be forced to allow those breed clubs to walk away.
“We are very pleased that the vast majority of breed clubs have been highly co-operative throughout the breed Standard review process and many of the clubs have come forward with additional changes that make the breeders’ responsibility for ensuring that their dogs are fit for function, all the more plain.
“These clubs recognise the importance of all working together and accept the fact that the KC is not making change for the sake of change.
“We are making changes first and foremost to protect pedigree health. If we do not act in concert with breed clubs the law is likely to step in and take action independently which will impact equally – or more so – on any groups outside the KC.
“No breed club is immune from the spotlight that is being cast on their breed and these issues will not just go away.
“There is no doubt that together we are stronger, and the KC sincerely hopes that we can all work together to ensure that the best interests of dogs are served now and in the future. But if any breed clubs remains intransigent we will have to end up parting ways, in order to protect all the other breeders and dogs that the KC represents.”
The ‘interim’ versions of the various Standards, which became effective in January pending feedback, were sent to every breed club. A total of 78 of them had been changed; in some cases in only minor ways, but in others the alterations were extensive.
All clubs were asked to review the amendments and respond regarding any ‘fundamental’ issues as part of a six-month period of consultation involving the clubs, breed councils and veterinary organisations.
After this, a further review was undertaken.
A total of 29 of the interim Standards were amended as a result of the points raised during the consultation period, the KC said this week.
Frank Kane, chairman of the KC’s Breed Standards and Stud Book committee, said on Monday: “Generally breed clubs have been very good about things. A lot of them understood the need for changes and we received encouraging responses in many cases.”
The KC says it will publish the final versions of the Standards on October 1 and will reveal no details until then. The Standards will be on the KC’s website from the same date and in the October edition of the Kennel Gazette.
Standards which were amended in January and to which no further changes are proposed will not be listed in the Gazette.

‘Unacceptable’

“There is absolutely no question that a dog should be able to see, breathe and walk freely and that it should be fit enough to have the ability to perform its original function,” Mrs Kisko said.
“The final Standards make it clear to all that the exaggeration of features for aesthetic reasons, when this is to the detriment of a dog’s health, is unacceptable.
“All judges will be expected to use the revised Standards from October. ”
The publication of the Standards coincides with the KC’s launch of ‘Breed Watch’ area on its website.
“This will serve as a constantly updated alert to all interested parties, but with dog show judges in mind in particular, to any undesirable trends or exaggerations that may be emerging in particular breeds,” a KC spokesman said.