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Comfort in crisis: Leading animal organisations unite to support pets and owners through Coronavirus (COVID-19)
25 Mar 2020 | Animal health
Canine Health Schemes
Suspension of Canine Health Schemes until further notice
In line with current government advice, we are not processing any submissions to the Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes and are unable to offer Eye Screening until further notice.
- Veterinary practices have been advised to suspend or delay non-essential services during the lockdown period, including pre-breeding health testing.
- The CHS team is unable to provide a scoring/grading service for Hip and Elbow Submissions received prior to lockdown, as our ways of working would not allow staff to follow strict social distancing guidance and carry out this work safely.
This will be kept under review and in line with government announcements. We are asking all animal owners and breeders to respect their vets’ clinical and professional judgement and be patient during this time.
For the latest guidance and advice on Covid-19, please visit the BVA Coronavirus information hub.
Dog health screening schemes
The Canine Health Schemes (CHS), established by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club, works with expert veterinary surgeons to offer dog health screening schemes for a number of known hereditary conditions in order to improve dog health and welfare.
The schemes allow breeders to screen their dogs for a range of inherited diseases, helping them to make informed and responsible breeding decisions.
Over 11,000 dogs had their hips scored in 2018
Over 6,000 dogs had their elbows graded in 2018
Over 20,000 dogs had eye examinations in 2018
Our schemes
Our mission is to improve dog health and welfare by reducing the incidence and severity of inherited disease.The schemes are open to both pedigree and crossbred dogs and submissions from outside the UK are welcome.
Healthy dogs create healthy puppies
All pedigree and crossbred dogs can suffer from inherited diseases which are passed on from parent to puppy.
Health testing and screening allows owners and breeders to screen for inherited diseases, the results can then be used to help make sure that only healthy dogs are bred from. Responsible breeders should always health test the dogs they plan to use for breeding. To make sure you are buying a happy and health puppy, always ask to see the relevant health test results for both parents.
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The Puppy Contract
You can use The Puppy Contract, developed by the Animal Welfare Foundation and the RSPCA, to help you ask all the right questions, including questions about health testing, when buying a puppy.
The Assured Breeder Scheme
The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme promotes good breeding practice and aims to work together with breeders and buyers to force irresponsible breeders, or puppy farmers, out of business.