Kennel Club Breed Health Coordinator
KENNEL CLUB BREED HEALTH COORDINATOR
The Kennel Club requires all breeds to appoint one person as a Breed Health Coordinator (BHC). The main role of the BHC is to facilitate, over time, the communication and collection of data on the health of their chosen breed. The BHC acts as a spokesperson for the breed on matters of health and will collaborate with the KC on any health concerns the breed may have.
There's more info on the role here: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/breed-health-co-ordinators/
The KC Breed Health Coordinator for the Portuguese Podengo is Betty Judge: plushcourt@hotmail.com
Health
HEALTH SURVEY
In 2006, the Club started an ongoing Health Survey for the Portuguese Podengo breed. The reason we carry this out is to determine if there are any genetic health problems affecting the breed. If any specific health issues start to emerge, we can quickly identify the pattern and hopefully correct it with the help of the Kennel Club’s Scientific Committee.
The Kennel Club also requires Registered Clubs to report back to them annually regarding the Health of the Breed and without this survey we would not be able to do this. It is important to send the forms back even if your dog is healthy because this gives us the overall picture of the breed's health status.
The Survey is confidential and information is collected on a, "no blame, no shame" basis.
COVID-19 & GOVERNMENT ADVICE FOR PET OWNERS
The gov.uk web site has advice and rules for those with pets and it is regularly updated. You can find it here; this is the link for England but it has links to the pages for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals
CORONAVIRUS
If you have any concerns about how coronavirus / COVID-19 might impact your dog, please check the Kennel Club's 'Health and Dog Care' pages or go straight to either of these links:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/coronavirus-hub/
They have a very good FAQ section which confirms that for some animals, including dogs, it is possible for them to become infected through contact with an already infected human. However, there is no evidence the virus can spread from animals to humans.
And please remember: hands - face - space.
PLL
The Kennel Club, in conjunction with a number of other organisations and the breed clubs concerned, run DNA screening schemes for many breeds. The DNA tests used in these schemes can accurately identify clear, carrier and affected dogs, and can be used by breeders to effectively eliminate undesirable disease genes in their stock. Primary Lens Luxation (“PLL”) is a well-recognised, painful and blinding eye condition that affects many breeds of dog and there have been a very small number of cases in the Portuguese Podengo, although not to the point where a KC screening scheme is necessary.
However, to prevent it becoming a problem, the Club has encouraged all breeders and owners to have their dogs tested and to report the results to our Health Coordinator. Breeders are encouraged not to breed from affected dogs as this will hopefully eradicate the disease from the breed. Note that it is not always the case that affected dogs will produce more affected dogs: when two carriers are crossed, 25% (on average) of the offspring will be affected by the disease, 25% will be clear and the remaining 50% will themselves be carriers. DNA testing will reveal if a dog is:
Clear: the dog will not develop PLL as a result of the mutation(s) tested for.
Carrier: the dog carries the gene. Independent research has demonstrated that carriers have a very low risk of developing PLL.
Affected: This dog carries the gene and will almost certainly develop PLL during their lifetime.
You can google 'animal dna tests' to find a testing service. For more info about PLL:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectopia_lentis
Photo by Joel Mills.