Post date: Oct 09, 2011 2:14:4 PM
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE KARLTON INDEX:
The first full listing against the framework of The Karlton Index has now been completed and published (October 9th 2011) at www.thekarltonindex.com
The top scoring breed is Dachshunds. Congratulations to the team behind the Dachshund Breed Council for their impressive work and commitment to breed health.
The top twenty includes Leonbergers, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Hungarian Vizslas. Full list of top twenty available here:
http://www.thekarltonindex.com/wordpress/?page_id=116
At the other end of the scale several breeds are visibly doing so little in terms of breed health that more than twenty score Zero out of 100 and sixty breeds scored less than double figures. Included in this group of breeds is Shih Tzu, Pomeranian and Yorkshire Terrier.
Full list of poor performing breeds can be found at: http://www.thekarltonindex.com/wordpress/?page_id=118
On completing the first full index, Philippa Robinson founder of the Karlton Index says:
“The full review of all breeds has been very enlightening. On the whole findings are disappointing but there are glimpses of brilliant work being done in some quarters like the Dachshund Breed Council and the teams addressing the health agenda in Leonbergers and Vizslas for instance. The teams behind the top performing breeds are characterised by a determined urgency and they tackle health without a hint of complacency.
But over twenty breeds scored zero, in other words nothing of substance could be found on health. Clearly the claims that media attention and external criticism of dog breeding is unwarranted and unnecessary because breeders are “doing all they can” to improve the health of dogs, are flimsy at best in this group. Many in the bottom twenty breeds came from the Toy group.
Some of the more controversial breeds like Bulldog, Pug and Neapolitan Mastiff also score poorly despite coming under additional scrutiny from being on the Kennel Club’s list of high profile breeds. I was surprised that many popular breeds like Boxers, Dalmatians and Poodles also came out with low scores.
The framework is based on recognised business improvement tools and to that end the entire aim of the project is to support the work being done by breed clubs. My conclusions are that the Kennel Club and other interested stakeholders should target resources more effectively for breed clubs. They need much more support to develop balanced health strategies and embark upon meaningful health surveillance.”
The next assessment against the Karlton Index is scheduled for Spring 2013.
End of press release
The full listing can be accessed at www.thekarltonindex.com
Philippa Robinson is a campaigner for better health and welfare in dogs and is a business consultant by profession. Her contact details are
email: philippa@thekarltonindex.com Telephone 07850 232836
The Kartlon Index report on Dachshunds says:
As identified in the spring The Dachshund Breed Council (DBC) continues to set the benchmark in its approach to breed health. It impresses with the following:
Establishing a balanced strategy for prioritising health issues
Setting objectives and measures to help gauge progress
Communicating this far and wide using a dedicated website, regular press releases and social media
Organising regular health related events and campaigns
Involving a wide range of people in the health agenda, including pet owners
Regularly surveying the breed on health matters and publishing the results
Developing very strong partnerships across the relevant breed clubs and with the KC and veterinary/scientific profession
Being very generous in sharing information and practice.
Their approach is by far the most advanced in the UK, and rightly, the Kennel Club now links its Dachshund information pages to the DBC, thus giving prospective dachshund owners direct access to this invaluable source of information. They can do this in confidence that the information is credible, current and comprehensive. The work done by the DBC team is nothing short of outstanding.