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Kennel Club agree to breeders' eye test requests
Changes to the eye test scheme for petit basset griffon vendeens have been agreed following requests by breeders.
Changes to the eye test scheme for petit basset griffon vendeens have been agreed following requests by breeders.

Reclassification for petit basset griffon vendeens

Primary open angle glaucoma test results in petit basset griffon vendeens are to be published by the Kennel Club after requests by pedigree breeders.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Kennel Club, and the International Sheepdog Society currently run and Canine Heath Scheme which includes eye tests.

On Monday it was announced that following a meeting of the Canine Heath Scheme's Eye Panel Working Party, a decision has been made to reclassify primary open angle glaucoma in petit basset griffon vendeens, as schedule a instead of schedule b.

That in turn, means the results of conditions will be published by the Kennel Club.  Results including a ‘G’ notation, in the same manner as other glaucoma conditions, will appear alongside the date of testing on registration certificates and in the Kennel Club Breed Records Supplement.


Aimee Llewellyn, Kennel Club health information manager, said: “The Kennel Club would normally insist on a minimum of three months warning to breeders before agreeing to such a change, but as the request for the move has been made by the breed club this was not considered necessary in this case.

“The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs, as well as working jointly with the BVA on health schemes for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye diseases.

"These programmes help conscientious breeders to identify those dogs that are clinically free of such diseases so that the best possible choices for breeding programmes may be made.”


For further information regarding this change, please contact either the Canine Health Schemes at the BVA via chs@bva.co.uk or the Kennel Club Health and Breeders Services department via hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk.


Further information on the BVA/KC health schemes can be found here.

Image by Małgorzata Miłaszewska

 

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.