A working group formed by the Kennel Club is developing a new scheme to improve the hearts of Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Issues with current schemes can deter some breeders

A working group formed by the Kennel Club is developing a new scheme to improve the hearts of Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Earlier this year, The Kennel Club joined forces with the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VCS) and representatives of the Cavalier breed clubs. The aim of the group was to develop a new and improved UK heart testing scheme based on current evidence.

According to the group, there are issues with present schemes that can put some breeders off using them. These include considerations about the age of breeding bitches and ensuring there is no negative impact of genetic diversity in the breed.

Through the development of a new scheme, the team hopes to overcome such issues and ensure that breeders can use it to safeguard the future health of the breed.

A protocol for the new scheme is now under development, while the Kennel Club assess whether it can be made mandatory for Kennel Club breeders. The team expects the new scheme will run alongside the current scheme for a short period while they assess the benefits of the new scheme.

The group is also looking at the practicalities of gathering and recording results and how they may be issued and published. Such plans will be discussed in a presentation to interested Cavalier breeders soon.

“We are keen that all those involved are being as proactive as possible and are tackling the issue of Cavalier hearts in the UK in a productive, timely and realistic way,” commented Bill Lamber, Kennel Club health and breeder service manager.

“We all want to improve the health of this wonderful breed and to be able to provide robust tool that does this successfully.”

He adds: “We are keen to ensure that the new scheme will be supported and utilised by the Cavalier breeders, who at the end of the day are the ones making the breeding decisions that determine the breed’s future.”