Understanding and addressing the specific health concerns within a dog breed is crucial for responsible breeding and the overall welfare of the animals. Breed Health and Conservation Plans (BHCPs) are designed to tackle this by utilizing evidence and data to identify prevalent health issues in pedigree dog breeds. These comprehensive plans serve as a vital resource for breeders and owners, guiding them in recognizing and mitigating health and welfare problems. By leveraging health tests and schemes, breeders can work towards preventing the transmission of genetic issues to future generations of puppies. Furthermore, BHCPs support breeders by providing them with essential tools and expert knowledge to manage genetic diversity, comprehend the consequences of inbreeding, and devise effective strategies for preserving the population of their chosen breed.
Collaborative Efforts for Breed Advancement
The development of these plans involves close collaboration between breed clubs and breed representatives. This partnership ensures that all available evidence is gathered and analyzed to pinpoint the most pressing concerns for the breed. Through this joint effort, effective strategies can be formulated and implemented to manage and reduce the prevalence of these identified problems.
Key Priorities for the Breed
The current primary health and welfare priorities identified for this breed include:
- Spongiform leucoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM)/ Shaking Puppy Syndrome: A serious neurological disorder affecting puppies.
- Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome (CECS)/ Paroxysmal Gluten-Sensitive Dyskinesia (PGSD): A condition characterized by episodic cramping and neurological signs.
- Gall Bladder Mucocele: A condition affecting the gall bladder.
- Cushing’s Disease: A hormonal disorder that can affect dogs.
- Genetic Diversity: Maintaining a healthy gene pool is essential for the long-term health of the breed.
Strategic Plan for Improvement
In conjunction with breed clubs, a list of actions has been agreed upon to enhance the health of the breed. Both parties are dedicated to addressing these areas and will conduct regular reviews to ensure that the implemented actions remain focused and relevant to the breed’s ongoing health needs.
Breed Club Initiatives:
- The breed clubs have successfully requested that SLEM becomes a recommendation under the Assured Breeder Scheme. This action was completed in 2018.
- Breed clubs are developing an open register for gall bladder mucocoele. The Breed Health Co-ordinator is actively working on this initiative, which will be accessible on the Border Terrier Health website. Efforts are also underway to store tissue samples from affected cases, with the hope of housing them at the Kennel Club Genetics Centre.
- An open register for Cushing’s disease has been established by the breed clubs. This action was completed in 2019, and the register is available on the Border Terrier Health website.
- Breed clubs are actively encouraging participation in any ongoing epilepsy research. This initiative is ONGOING.
Kennel Club Contributions:
- The Kennel Club is investigating the possibility of developing an optimum contribution tool to aid breeders in making informed decisions. This is currently IN PROGRESS.
- An inquiry into the progress of CECS research has been COMPLETED in 2019. The breed has been collaborating with Dr. Mark Lowrie at the University of Cambridge on this research, with further details available on the Border Terrier Health website.
- The investigation into a potential Cushing’s disease VetCompass paper was COMPLETED in 2017, resulting in a published paper by the VetCompass research group focusing on Border Terriers.
- A direct link to the Border Terrier Health website has been added to the Border Terrier page on The Kennel Club website. This was COMPLETED in 2021.
While the comprehensive evidence base is available at the discretion of the breed clubs, interested parties can contact The Kennel Club’s health team for access to the full report.
Guidance for Breeders and Puppy Buyers
Breeders are strongly encouraged to be mindful of the key health priorities within their breed. It is essential to actively work towards reducing and eliminating the presence of these diseases when selecting dogs for breeding.
Prospective puppy buyers should also be aware of these critical health issues. It is advisable to inquire with breeders about their efforts to address these concerns and whether any of these health problems have been noted within their breeding lines. Understanding these aspects empowers buyers to make informed decisions when choosing a new canine companion.