DNA research into Back Disease - we need your help!
The Breed Council's IVDD research project with the Animal Health Trust is still collecting DNA samples from “Affected” dogs.
We are looking for dogs of any variety that have undergone back surgery for herniated discs in the lumbar spine in the age range 4-8 (although they may be older now). If you have a Dachshund who could help in this research, please contact Gina Salisbury who is coordinating the sample collection on behalf of the Health Sub-committee. E-mail: gina.salisbury@btinternet.com Tel: 01425 476826 (UK-owned dogs only please)
The research will follow-up on work already done in Scandinavia which has identified an area of Chromosome 12 which appears to correlate with disc calcifications. It may therefore be possible to use this as a risk indicator.
Download the Project Brief and Sample Submission Form (both are pdf files).
Sausage Stroll raises over £1400 for IVDD research
Mad About Dachshunds celebrated their first Birthday by organising a “Sausage Stroll” at the Tattleton Estate in Sussex on 25th August. Jane and Denise persuaded lots of lovely people to sponsor the event and it looks like they will have raised at least £1400 for the Breed Council’s Back Disease research programme.
Matt Whyman and Hercules from ‘Walking with sausage dogs‘ joined in and there were some copies of the book available as raffle prizes. Stephanie from ‘Ice my biscuit‘ brought samples of her Dachshund-shaped biscuits for everyone to enjoy too. Emma Newman, one of the Breed Council’s Pet Advisors was also there with her two Mini Longs and busily snapping pictures which she has posted on Facebook.
The “stroll” itself was rather muddy, but demonstrated that Dachshunds are “proper country dogs”.
Breed Council Chairman Ian Seath raised over £100 from personal spon
sorship for taking part in the Sausage Stroll.
If you're looking for Dachshund gifts, please support the organisations that sponsored the Sausage Stroll and who are listed at Mad About Dachshunds.
Breed Seminar and A2 Assessment - 14th September
The Great Joint Dachshund Association will be holding a Breed Seminar and A2 Assessment event on Saturday 14th September 2013. The Seminar is an ideal opportunity to learn about Dachshunds, whatever your current knowledge and experience. The speaker will be Ian Seath (Sunsong Wires & Mini Smooths) who will talk about the Breed Standard and conformation and movement.
For those who meet the UK Dachshund Clubs’ criteria, there will be an opportunity to be assessed and, if successful, have your name put forward for the UK Dachshund A2 Judging List when you have met all the other relevant criteria. The assessments will take place in the afternoon and those people attending just the seminar may stay to watch, if they wish. To be assessed at this event you must have already judged at least 150 Dachshunds.
All participants can choose to sit the Breed Council’s Written Assessment Paper which forms part of the A2 approval criteria. The Written Paper will be available during the afternoon and there is a Pass Mark of 70%.
The venue is Chieveley Village Hall, High Street, Chieveley, Newbury, RG20 8TE. This is easy to find, just off the M4/A34 and is a venue already used for dog club events.
Download a Booking Form: GJDA Booking Form 140913
Read about the A2 Assessment process.
Have you visited the new KC website?
The Kennel Club has completely redesigned its website and restructured the content to make it easier for people to find what they're looking for. If you've had a chance to look at the new site, the KC is keen to get your feedback with a
short survey, available here.
Current news includes details of a series of educational seminars on health issues, breeding practices and scientific developments which will help breeders and their puppy rearing programmes. These seminars are being run throughout the UK between from September to December.
Details here.
Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) - warning from the AHT
The Animal Health Trust is warning dog owners to stay vigilant for the signs of
seasonal canine illness (SCI), a mystery illness which in recent years made a number of dogs walked in woodlands suddenly become ill.
Cases of SCI are usually seen from August to November with dogs showing clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhoea and/or lethargy within 24 to 72 hours of walking in woodland. Dog owners are advised to seek immediate veterinary advice should they see these signs in their dog following a woodland walk.
On the internet
DNA Testing and domestic dogs - an paper by Dr. Cathryn Mellersh
6 endangered dog species
Rocky, the 24 year old Dachshund
Owners delighted by return of dogs stolen from kennels
