Page 98 - K9News_Issue13_October2020_download_Neat

Bulldog
Bulldog

HEAL
HEALTH &
TH &

TION
ORMA
CONFORMATION
CONF
Scheme
heme
Sc

History At the present time there are three levels on the
Bulldog Health scheme, Bronze, Silver, Gold.
In 2006 the Bulldog Breed Council Health
certificate was first developed as a breeding tool.
We had meetings at the Kennel Club who asked
what plans we had to improve the health of the Bronze
breed and so it was developed with input from
The Bronze level is a form that is completed
the Breed Clubs as a voluntary assessment,
with no pass or fail. The aim was to identify by the vet (list of vets can be found on
health problems, so efforts could be made to website) this is a general health form in
which the vet evaluates the over all health of
help breeders and pet breeders not to breed
the dog. A dog will fail this level if any of the
two dogs sharing the same health problems or
below are found.
issues. It was meant to be particularly helpful to
newcomers to the breed.
As we move on to the present day, the Bulldog  Heart – referred to a cardiologist (if any
Breed Council revised their health Scheme in abnormality found).
2014 to incorporate the Kennel Clubs Breed 
Watch Items. The Bulldog is one of the Kennel Eyes – with any conditions that are
detrimental to the dog’s health.
Clubs High Profile Breeds (Category 3). The
scheme is also now a pass or fail, and a dog may  Any sign of aggression.
not progress if they fail a level.  Spine – any palpable abnormality will
be referred for further investigation and
Aim of the new Bulldog Breed Council
X-ray. (eg: Spina Bifida)
Health & Conformation Scheme.
To promote the health and wellbeing of the
Bulldog.
The Bulldog Breed Council Health and
To promote healthy breeding practice. Conformation scheme is a working document
To enable data collection, to monitor current which can be changed if issues are no longer
issues of the Breed and to compare with the past relevant to the breed or if issues arise in our
and to make improvements in the future. breed. The scheme has currently had over a
thousand participants with over a hundred who
To Educate both Breeders and Pet Owners. have achieved Gold.
To reward their participation in the scheme by
achieving Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. All information regarding the health scheme and

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / JULY 2020