Notice Board

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November Championship Show

This show will be held on Saturday 13th November 2010

Kennel Club Building,

Stoneleigh Park, Nr. Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ

Judge: Mrs Sheila Atter (Ridley)

To view and download the schedule click here

To view and download the entry form click here

To view and download the three generation pedigree form click here

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Testing for Primary Lens Luxation - The Animal Health Trust

Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) is a well-recognised, painful and blinding inherited eye condition that affects many breeds of dog. In affected dogs the zonular fibres that support the lens breakdown or disintegrate, causing the lens to fall into the wrong position within the eye. If the lens falls into the anterior chamber of the eye glaucoma and loss of vision can quickly result.

Scientists at the AHT have identified a mutation that is associated with the development of PLL in several breeds of dog. The DNA test we are now offering examines the DNA from each dog being tested for the presence or absence of this precise mutation. It is thus a mutation-based test™ and not a linkage-based test™.

Breeders will be sent results identifying their dog as belonging to one of three categories:

CLEAR: these dogs have two normal copies of DNA. Our research has demonstrated clear dogs will not develop PLL as a result of the mutation we are testing for, although we cannot exclude the possibility they might develop PLL due to other causes, such as trauma or the effects of other, unidentified mutations.

CARRIER: these dogs have one copy of the mutation and one normal copy of DNA. Our research has demonstrated that carriers have a very low risk of developing PLL. The majority of carriers do not develop PLL during their lives but a small percentage do. We currently estimate that between 2% – 20% of carriers will develop the condition, although we believe the true percentage is nearer to 2% than 20%. We do not currently know why some carriers develop the condition whereas the majority do not, and we advise that all carriers have their eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist every 6- 12 months, from the age of 2, throughout their entire lives.

GENETICALLY AFFECTED: these dogs have two copies of the mutation and will almost certainly develop PLL during their lifetime. We advise that all genetically affected dogs have their eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist every 6 months, from the age of 18 months, so the clinical signs of PLL are detected as early as possible.

Breeding Advice

Our research has also demonstrated that the frequency of the PLL mutation is extremely high in most breeds. This means that allowing only CLEAR dogs to breed could have a devastating effect on breed diversity and substantially increase the likelihood of new inherited diseases emerging. Therefore, we strongly advise breeders to consider all their dogs for breeding, regardless of their PLL genotype. GENETICALLY AFFECTED and CARRIER dogs can be bred with, but should only be bred to DNA tested, CLEAR dogs. All puppies from any litter that has at least one CARRIER parent should be DNA tested, so that the CARRIERS can be identified and followed clinically throughout their lives. This practise should be followed for at least one or two generations, to allow the PLL mutation to be slowly eliminated from the population without severely reducing the genetic diversity of breeds at risk.

Samples submitted should be cheek swabs (a non-invasive sampling method) obtainable from the Animal Health Trust. Samples should be sent together with a completed DNA Testing form and payment for each sample to

Genetic Services, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU.

Kits for taking cheek swabs are available by phoning +44 (0)1638 555621 or via e-mail to swabrequest@aht.org.uk. The price of the test is £40, which includes both VAT and the cost of the sampling kit.

Further information can be obtained by e-mailing dnatesting@aht.org.uk.

KENNEL CLUB AMENDMENTS TO B REGULATIONS

At its meeting on 6th January 2009, the General Committee agreed amendments to Regulation B22c. The underlined amendment is effective for matings taken place on or after 1st March 2009.

B22c
The General Committee will not accept an application to register a litter when:- (1) The dam has already whelped six litters, or (2) (2)The dam has already reached the age of 8 years at the date of whelping, or (3) (3)The dam was under one year old at the time of mating, or (4) (4) The offspring are the result of any mating between father and daughter, mother and son or brother and sister, save in exceptional circumstances or for scientifically proven welfare reasons.

Relief from the restriction set out in 22c(2) may be considered by the General Committee normally provided application is made prior to the mating, and the proposed dam has previously whelped at least one other registered litter. Any such application must be supported by veterinary evidence as to the suitability of the bitch involved in the proposed whelping.

PRT Health Matters

Canine health issues are at the forefront of many discussions at the moment and the KC now requires Breed Clubs to report regularly on their breed’s general state of health.

The PRT Club has had a health reporting mechanism in place for some years, co-ordinated by the Club’s Archivist, but in response to the KC‘s requirement to formalise our health reporting system it will in future be co-ordinated by Jo Sollis.

This health reporting service is totally confidential and, if fully used by members, would enable the co-ordinator to identify an adverse health trend should it develop in the breed. Professional advice could then be obtained and a discreet, positive way forward found.

Jo Sollis can be contacted by
Tel +44 1594826494 or
Email jo.sollis@dsl.pipex.com

2009 PRT Breed Standard

Please see the revised PRT Breed Standard in the Breed Standard pages

Championship Show Judges for 2010

Manchester   Mrs F somerfield

Crufts Roger Thomas

National Terrier Gwen Small

WELKS Patrick Dooner

Birmingham Roger Bigland

SKC Lynne Bull

Southern Counties Kim Denby Gardner

Blackpool Frank Bothwell

Windsor Martin Phillips

East of England Eileen Neadham

Leeds Les Aspin

Paignton David Shields

Bournemouth Eleanor Bothwell

Welsh KC Kevin Moore

SKC Lesley Roberts

Richmond Moira Borass

Darlington Anne Milne

Northern PRTC Margaret Hooley

Midland Counties Alan Small

PRT Club Sheila Atter

LKA Brian Aubrey