{"id":70,"date":"2019-02-06T09:42:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T09:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/?page_id=70"},"modified":"2022-11-30T16:06:56","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T16:06:56","slug":"news-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/?page_id=70","title":{"rendered":"News & Events"},"content":{"rendered":"

1 December, 2022: BWG feature in the Kennel Gazette “Taking on key roles to help brachycephalic dogs”<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10th July, 2020: BWG feature in Vet Record article “Puppy prices soar in Covid-19 lockdown”<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3rd June, 2019: The RVC has established an interdisciplinary group to co-ordinate research expertise on brachycephalic companion animals<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

14th March, 2019: BWG feature in Vet Record article, which discusses the Brachycephalic advertising incident at Crufts<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

26th Feb, 2019: BWG release a statement following Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine televised discussion: “Should people be buying brachycephalic dogs”?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7th Feb, 2019:\u00a0\u00a0BWG influence the evidence base on opinion in the US about brachycephalic dogs<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

2nd Feb, 2019: THE KENNEL CLUB AND UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE LAUNCH VITAL SCHEME TO IMPROVE HEALTH OF PUGS, FRENCH BULLDOGS AND BULLDOGS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The future health of French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs has taken a huge step forward today with the launch of a new health screening scheme.<\/span><\/p>\n

Developed by the University of Cambridge and funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the new Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assesses dogs for the presence and severity of a breathing problem known as BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). The scheme is currently available for any Pug, French Bulldog and Bulldog, and has the potential to improve the health and welfare of these breeds for generations to come. The scheme provides breeders with a means to know more about the health of their dogs, giving them the information they need to reduce the risk of breeding puppies with BOAS.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dogs with a flat, wide-shaped head are said to be brachycephalic (\u2018brachy\u2019 meaning short, and \u2018cephalic\u2019, meaning head). The soft tissue in the nose and throat of some brachycephalic dogs may be excessive for the airways, partially obstructing the airway and making it difficult for them to breathe normally (causing heavy panting or noisy breathing). This condition is known as BOAS and is a progressive disorder that can impair a dog\u2019s ability to exercise, play, eat and sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

The scheme\u2019s launch, which took place at the University of Cambridge, saw presentations from the leading BOAS researchers and vets, and Kennel Club breed and genetics experts, to guests from across the canine health and welfare spectrum. It provided the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the process behind the scheme, including a demonstration carried out by Chief Assessor Dr Jane Ladlow, who has been leading the BOAS research and development of the scheme at the University of Cambridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

The assessment, which can now be carried out by a number of specially-trained assessors located across the UK, involves listening to the dog\u2019s airway both before and after an exercise tolerance test. Assessors, who are all specially-trained BOAS vets, then use a pre-defined protocol to grade the dog from zero to three. Dogs graded as zero will be free of respiratory signs of BOAS, while dogs graded as three will show severe respiratory signs of BOAS, indicating that further veterinary examination is advised. The scheme issues guidance that dogs graded three should not be bred from.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Kennel Club registered dogs, these grades will be recorded on the Kennel Club\u2019s database and published in the Breed Records Supplement, on the dog\u2019s registration certificate, and on the Kennel Club Health Test Results Finder and Health webpages. The BOAS scheme will be supported by guidelines for breeders, which enable them to understand the grade for their dogs in terms of risk when considering potential matings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking at the inaugural launch event, Bill Lambert, Senior Health and Welfare Manager at the Kennel Club said: \u201cThe high demand for these breeds, combined with the already recognised health problems has made brachycephalic health and welfare one of the most pressing canine issues in the UK, and one of the Kennel Club\u2019s top priorities. We\u2019re proud to have been able to fund and develop this important scheme with the University of Cambridge and continue to support further research into BOAS, together with the other steps we are taking to improve the health of future generations of these breeds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaunching the BOAS scheme is a huge step in the right direction to improve the health of these brachycephalic dogs and protect the future of these much-loved breeds. It will enable vets to identify dogs at risk of BOAS, provide breeders and owners with the best available information and advice to make informed decisions and inform ongoing research into the condition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Jane Ladlow, MA VetMB CertVR CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS<\/em>, Royal College and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Cambridge, said: \u201cThe way that BOAS is inherited is very complex and so not always entirely predictable. We are researching the genetics of this condition but it is likely to take a few years before we have a viable genetics test. We have realised over the last few years how useful the functional grading scheme is in determining disease severity and it reflects the initial genetic data we have. The scheme is a vital tool to help advise all owners if their dog is affected by BOAS and gives guidance to breeders to lower the risk of producing affected puppies. It also, crucially, facilitates important data collection and enables researchers to monitor the frequency of the condition and progress in the breed affected, which will inform ongoing research, for the overall improvement of relevant breeds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to working with the Kennel Club and other collaborative parties dedicated to improving brachycephalic dog health across the board through promoting the scheme and engaging vets, breeders and puppy-buyers to raise awareness and understanding of this complex Syndrome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brachycephalic Working Group Chairman, Dan O\u2019Neill, said:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG) welcomes and supports this new scheme as a positive step towards improving the diagnosis, treatment and care of affected brachycephalic dogs and the health of future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe scheme is a practical, accessible and evidence-based tool that we would urge anyone who breeds Pugs, Bulldogs or French Bulldogs to use to help to reduce the breathing problems these breeds can face, which is a shared goal of everyone who cares about dogs and their health and welfare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis collaborative approach, which also generates further evidence, will accelerate the continued development of practical tools and sensible resources to help improve the health of these dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe also encourage owners of Pugs, Bulldogs or French Bulldogs , who have concerns that their dog could potentially be affected by breathing problems, to consider requesting this assessment and speaking to their veterinary surgeon, so that their dog gets the best possible diagnosis and care.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For more details on the scheme please see the Kennel Club website<\/a> and the BOAS research group website at: www.vet.cam.ac.uk\/boas<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pictured above: The University of Cambridge BOAS research team at the launch event. From left, Jane Ladlow, Dr David Sargan and Nai-Chieh Liu. Credit: The Kennel Club and Heidi Hudson
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4th December 2018:\u00a0<\/strong>BVA releases a good practice guide for the responsible use of pet animals in advertising<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/dd>\n
30th June 2018:\u00a0<\/strong>BWG releases a Position Statement on Avoiding the Use of \u2018Flat faced\u2019 (Brachycephalic) Dogs in Advertising, Media, Marketing and Promotion<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/dd>\n
27th June, 2018:<\/strong> BVA<\/a> Blog:\u00a0Pugs on Film – the problems of Pugmania in the media<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/dd>\n
26th June 2018:<\/strong>\u00a0Breeding for extremes in dogs and cats<\/a>:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0EU parliamentary discussion with MEPs hosted by The EU Dog and Cat Alliance<\/a>, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe<\/a> (FVE)\u00a0and\u00a0Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations<\/a> (FECAVA) to highlight need for change in EU and national legislation and to raise consumer awareness and promote responsible ownership.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

25th June, 2018:<\/strong> FECAVA<\/a> issue press release that Companion animal vets worldwide voice concern about new \u2018pug\u2019 film<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Initiatives by the UK\u00a0Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG)\u00a0to work with Disney to reduce the negative impact of the Patrick film were applauded.\u00a0FECAVA, FVE<\/a> and WSAVA<\/a> fully support such BWG initiatives.<\/p>\n

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20th June, 2018:<\/strong> Disney release a Pug Welfare video<\/a><\/strong><\/em> on the Disney UK Youtube Channel.\u00a0Beattie Edmondson explains how to keep Pugs in good health.<\/dd>\n
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17th June 2018:<\/strong> The Kennel Club<\/a> announces that French Bulldogs have overtaken Labradors as UK’s most commonly registered pedigree dog breed and\u00a0 warns about the welfare impact of bad breeders cashing in on this latest trend.<\/dd>\n
27 April 2018:<\/strong>\u00a0BWG meeting in London<\/dd>\n
15 Dec , 2017:\u00a0<\/strong>Open Letter asking advertisers not to feature brachycephalic breeds published<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
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10 Nov 2017:<\/strong>\u00a0Official\u00a0BWG Framework Document<\/a> is released!<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

31 Oct 2017:<\/strong> BWG meeting in London<\/p>\n

21 Jun 2017:<\/strong> BWG meeting in London<\/p>\n

18 Jan 2017:<\/strong> BWG meeting in London<\/p>\n

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French bulldog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bulldog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Home<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 December, 2022: BWG feature in the Kennel Gazette “Taking on key roles to help brachycephalic dogs” 10th July, 2020: BWG feature in Vet Record article “Puppy prices soar in Covid-19 lockdown” 3rd June, 2019: The RVC has established an interdisciplinary group to co-ordinate research expertise on brachycephalic companion animals 14th March, 2019: BWG feature … Continue reading News & Events<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-70","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":840,"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions\/840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ukbwg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}