THE FRENCH BULLDOG CLUB OF ENGLAND presents

1. THE FRENCH BULLDOG CLUB OF ENGLAND presents Ta Da!Ta Da!

2. FRENCH BULLDOG HEALTH SCHEME AGENDA Introduction Objective Suggested Health Levels Support to the Membership Additional Steps Further Information Summary

3. INTRODUCTION Background Kennel Club Initiative Fit for function Fit for life Frenchie Health Levels French Bulldog Club of England actions Health Sub Committee meeting 25th January 2009 & 30th May 2009 Research by Committee members

4. KENNEL CLUB INITIATIVE FIT FOR FUNCTION-FIT FOR LIFE SOME ASPECTS OF THIS SCHEME INCLUDE Aim to make Breeders, Judges & puppy buyers aware of the opportunities that there are to work with the Kennel Club on health related issues and remind them that a dogs health would be the most important consideration in any decision they make. The majority of pedigree dogs currently live without any illness which is detrimental to their quality of life. The aim is to increase this, to every single dog having the opportunity of a healthy life. Halting the trend towards exaggeration in certain breeds encouraging participation in and funding of research into health testing. Educating judges Further developing the Accredited Breeder Scheme All initiatives viewable on the Kennel Club website.All initiatives viewable on the Kennel Club website.

5. OBJECTIVE OF THIS SESSION To inform members To outline current thinking To propose next steps To obtain membership support Can you help?Can you help?

6. FRENCHIE HEALTH LEVELS Currently no recognised health testing in UK American databases show 95.1% of Frenchies spines showed abnormalities. Frenchies in line with other dogs have changed over the last 40 years e.g. length of backs and tails have shortened.

7. THE FRENCH BULLDOG CLUB OF ENGLAND ACTIONS Health sub committee meetings held January May Research by committee members Contacted specialist veterinary surgeons Spoken to Animal Health Trust Searched the internet Research is ongoing in an effort to build up a clear picture of the testing available to our breed.Research is ongoing in an effort to build up a clear picture of the testing available to our breed.

8. BASIC HEALTH SCREENING The health assessments are set at a basic level. All participation is voluntary. Many of the tests are carried out by your own veterinary surgeon as part of a general health check. If the initial assessment findings show a potential problem then further testing may be considered.

9. SUGGESTED HEALTH LEVELS BRONZE CERTIFICATE SILVER CERTIFICATE GOLD CERTIFICATE ELITE CERTIFICATE Individual certificates will be produced and personalised with the dogs photographIndividual certificates will be produced and personalised with the dogs photograph

10. BRONZE LEVEL CERTIFICATE CRITERIA KC REGISTRATION MICRO CHIP/PERMANENT TATTOO IDENTIFICATION HEART TEST BREATHING TEST HEARING TEST Easily achievable-pet dogs and show/breeding dogs initial level.Easily achievable-pet dogs and show/breeding dogs initial level.

11. SILVER LEVEL CERTIFICATE CRITERIA BRONZE LEVEL PATELLA TESTING EYE TESTING 2nd level2nd level

12. GOLD LEVEL CERTIFICATE CRITERIA BRONZE LEVEL SILVER LEVEL HIP TESTING SPINE TESTING CRUFTS QUALIFICATION 3rd level3rd level

13. ELITE LEVEL CERTIFICATE CRITERIA BRONZE LEVEL SILVER LEVEL GOLD LEVEL STUD BOOK No 2 X BRONZE PROGENY 1 X SILVER PROGENY 1 X GOLD PROGENY (PROGENY- 4 individual puppies from a minimum of 2 litters) Particularly pitched at Stud dogs and Brood bitches.Particularly pitched at Stud dogs and Brood bitches.

14. CLUB SUPPORT OFFERED TO THE MEMBERS Heart Testing Eye Testing Micro Chip/Tattoo Breathing Hearing The club will look to organise a health clinic where these tests may be carried out Would you like a Health Clinic Day?Would you like a Health Clinic Day?

15. HEART TESTING WE PROPOSE TO ARRANGE FOR A CARDIOLOGIST TO VISIT AT A FUTURE CLUB EVENT. COST APPROX. �10 PER DOG (1/3 of the cost if visiting a cardiologist independently) Whilst puppies may be tested they need to be 12months of age for results to be recorded officiallyWhilst puppies may be tested they need to be 12months of age for results to be recorded officially

16. EYE TESTING ANIMAL HEALTH TRUST TEST FOR HEREDITARY CATARACTS Price �67.00 www.aht.org.uk Forms may be downloaded or collected from Club events. Kits for taking cheek swabs are available by phoning 01638 555621 or email: swab.request@aht.org.uk SWABS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT CLUB EVENTS. CERF eye testing � further information available. There is a tiny bit of evidence coming through that French Bulldogs may get (an) other form of HC, that would not be detected by the AHT DNA tests, so breeders should certainly continue to have their dogs eyes examined as well as using the DNA test. (Please contact me for further information)CERF eye testing � further information available. There is a tiny bit of evidence coming through that French Bulldogs may get (an) other form of HC, that would not be detected by the AHT DNA tests, so breeders should certainly continue to have their dogs eyes examined as well as using the DNA test. (Please contact me for further information)

17. MICRO CHIP/TATTOO Brian King (Kingsline) will attend Frenchie shows/events offering his Micro chipping service. Cost �15.00 (�2.00 of each microchip donated to Frenchie Health Scheme) This may also be obtained through your veterinary surgery. Brian is here today-no appointment necessary.Brian is here today-no appointment necessary.

18. BREATHING Basic breathing test to ascertain any signs of difficulty or stress after a short period of exercise. Basic breathing test carried out by a veterinary surgeon under controlled conditions.Basic breathing test carried out by a veterinary surgeon under controlled conditions.

19. HEARING A basic hearing test can be carried out by your veterinary surgeon. Further testing to BAER standard (Brainstem auditory evoked response) is available from the Animal Health Trust. Information can be found on their website www.aht.org.uk Cost �16.00 + vat French Bulldogs are on the list at the AHT as having reported congenital deafness.French Bulldogs are on the list at the AHT as having reported congenital deafness.

20. ADDITIONAL OPTIONS BY THE INDIVIDUAL THROUGH THEIR VETERINARY SURGEON Patella-Putnam scored test Spine x-rays DSM-DNA swabs Hips x-rays Currently the Animal Health Trust have no plans to work on DSM. We are investigating the possibility of having hips and spines x rayed at the same time- awaiting further info. Patella testing-via an Orthopaedic veterinary surgeonCurrently the Animal Health Trust have no plans to work on DSM. We are investigating the possibility of having hips and spines x rayed at the same time- awaiting further info. Patella testing-via an Orthopaedic veterinary surgeon

21. PATELLA PUTNAM SCORING Graded 1-4 via clinical assessment Through your veterinary surgeon (preferably an orthopaedic specialist). Approx cost (consultation charge) �20-25.00 + vat Create a list of suitable vets country wide.Create a list of suitable vets country wide.

22. SPINE X-RAYS THE PREFFERED FORMAT FOR THESE X RAYS IS TO USE A DIGITAL FACILITY. allowing transmission via email POSSIBLE ASSESSMENT OF X RAYS BY TAPPING INTO THE AMERICAN SPINAL DATABASE (to be confirmed) Further information will followFurther information will follow

23. DEGENERATIVE SPINAL MYELOPATHY OFFERED BY THE ORTHOPEDIC FOUNDATION FOR ANIMALS. WWW.OFFA.ORG (exclusive license arrangement with the university of Missouri (USA)) ORDER FORMS AVAILABLE VIA THE INTERNET TEST KIT INCLUDES FTA CARD, COLLECTION SWAB & MAILING LABELS (foam tipped applicator swabs for collection of the DNA cheek sample are applied to the FTA card for submission)

24. Degenerative Myelopathy Research  The fee for each test is $65 and includes the test kit, laboratory processing, and subsequent registration in the OFA databases This is part of an ongoing collaborative Degenerative Myelopathy research project involving scientists at the University of Missouri & the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard University. In addition there are FREE DNA tests for DM offered to dogs meeting one of the following criteria; Any dog (any breed) diagnosed as potentially affected with DM by a veterinary surgeon All dogs 10 years of age or older from the following breeds ONLY Boxer Chesapeake Bay Retriever French Bulldog Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rhodesian Ridgeback Do you have a dog that qualifies?Do you have a dog that qualifies?

25. FURTHER INFORMATION SOURCES Books Healthy Frenchies & Healthier Frenchies by Jan Grebe Dr Ann Windsor Web FBC of America www.fbca.com Animal Health Trust DNA testing www.aht.org.uk Orthopedic Foundation for Animals www.ofa.org Further sites/literature will be added as they become available.Further sites/literature will be added as they become available.

26. SUMMARY We (the owners and breeders), the Veterinary profession and the KC want healthier dogs Nothing currently set up for Frenchies The proposal from the club is that Responsibility is with the individual Club will help and has made suggestions Further information will be available But we need your support We are the guardians of the breed and need to ensure it continues.We are the guardians of the breed and need to ensure it continues.

27. ANY QUESTIONS?