Page 24 - Absolute Final 13 Spring 2025 Newsletter

HEALTH NOTES

Keeshond Health Matters Report Feb 2025
Anji Marfleet
The Kennel Club Keeshond Breed Health Coordinator
The Keeshond Health Matters fund determine their full impact. To
continues to be well supported and support the breed’s health,
the kitty now stands at £3964.62 responsible breeders should ensure
after having donated £1500 to they complete all tests in both
Cathryn Mellersh at the Canine categories. Following our Best
Genetics Centre in Cambridge in Practice guidelines means completing
2024. Her team’s hard work on PHPT both the Good Practice and Best
has finally paid off and we now have Practice tests for your breed.
the long-awaited DNA test. The KC
will record results for all Keeshonds 2024 has proven to be the worst year
but until the paper is published ever for the number of Keesies being
will not be implementing a control born in the UK since the 1940’s. There
scheme. have been 15 litters resulting in just
56 puppies – 35 dogs, 21 bitches & 5
At the end of 2024 The Kennel Club fatalities; and of the 15 litters born
produced a Health standard for every only 5 were of a decent size (1x8, 3x7
breed which is still ‘work in progress’. & 1x6) & there were 5 singletons.
The one for Keeshonds states under Even more concerning there have
the heading - Pre-breeding health been at least 12 misses (7 maiden
screening: bitches & 2 unproven boys) and 20%
Good Practice schemes and tests of litters born (3) were by C section.
We strongly recommend that
breeders, at a minimum, conduct In September at the NoEKC’s Ch
these tests before breeding, as show, out of the 10 Champion males
entered, only 3 have sired litters and
evidence indicates these conditions
are a significant concern in the breed. at the Keeshond Club’s Ch show of 8
Prioritising genetic diversity; Elbow Champion bitches entered, again only
testing (for elbow dysplasia) using 2 (both veterans) have had a litter.
the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme; Of the dogs being used at stud this
Hip testing (for hip dysplasia) using year, only two boys were being used
the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme for the first time, 2 males each sired
Best Practice schemes and tests 3 litters and there were 5 repeat
: Eye testing using the matings.
BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme I have been going on for years about
These tests address conditions that our dwindling and virtually non-
are still significant for the breed, existent gene pool – with repeat, half
though they may not be as critical as sibling matings and using the same
those listed under Good Practice. stud dogs only compounding the
They might be less common or newly problem. With the breed’s true COI
identified, and research is ongoing to (20/20 generations complete)
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