Post date: Oct 07, 2011 7:54:45 PM
PRESS RELEASE following the Dachshund Breed Council's meeting on 2nd October 2011
It's a Dach's Life!
The Dachshund Breed Council met on Sunday 2nd October. The majority of the meeting was devoted to health matters.
Roger Sainsbury BVM&S, MRCVS, Chairman of the Health and Welfare Sub-committee presented the final draft of the Council's proposed Breed Health Survey which will be conducted in the first quarter of 2012. Dachs-Life 2012 will be a three-month survey of UK Dachshunds, whether pet, show or working, starting in January next year. He said “The 2004 Kennel Club Breed Health Survey and our current online survey tool are very useful sources of health data, but with knowledge of the population that the dogs in these surveys come from, the data goes into a different league. This is why we are asking for information on all healthy Dachshunds too – this will allow us to see just how common these conditions really are.” More details of Dachs-Life 2012 and how to take part will be published over the coming weeks by the Breed Council and member clubs. More information can be found on-line at www.uk-dachshund-health-report.org.uk [see attachments link below]
The Council and Wirehaired Dachshund Club gratefully acknowledged the grant made by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and donations received from member clubs and the Wirehaired Dachshund Trust to support the current screening programme for Lafora Disease in Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. Owners of MWHDs have already signed-up more than 150 dogs for screening in the first two months of the programme and it is hoped the funding will enable up to 500 dogs to be tested over the next two years. Bookings for Lafora screening sessions should be made with the Lafora Coordinator, Nora Price at laforatesting@mypostoffice.co.uk (Tel: 01543 276797).
Council members discussed the genetics of coats and colours in Dachshunds as well as the genetics of current priority health conditions. Given the importance of these matters it was agreed that a Breed Conference will be organised in 2012. This will provide Dachshund owners and breeders with information and assistance on breed-specific genetics and the latest information on DNA testing and Dachshund health and welfare. Details of the date and how to book a place will be published as soon as they are available.
The full Minutes of the Council meeting will be available on-line at: www.dachshundbreedcouncil.org.uk
For further information on the Dachshund Breed Council and its work please contact the Secretary:
Lesley Brown secretary@dachshundbreecouncil.org.uk (Tel: 01404 861433)
ENDS