The Kennel Club – Breed Health Plans

Due to the current publicity surrounding The Kennel Club – Breed Health Plans, The Neapolitan Mastiff Club, aware that some enthusiasts might be lost in the implications and connotations surrounding these plans, would like to provide all Neapolitan Mastiff enthusiasts with a recap on the chain of events which have brought us to the present situation, and an update on the direction in which the breed and breed club are subsequently heading.

As you are probably all aware, in August 2008 the BBC screened what has since been deemed: a controversial documentary ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’ and, as was the responsibility of the programmes researchers, unearthed and highlighted some very questionable praxis’s, policies, and procedures, practised by fellow canine enthusiasts and which have undoubtedly gone unmonitored, unchallenged, and unchecked, within the canine world for decades. As said, the documentary highlighted issues, which I’m sure we would all agree, need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by our Canine Governing Body, the BVA, Breeders and Breed enthusiasts, NOW and for the foreseeable future.

However, the documentary as heart-rendering as at points, it was, by virtue of implication, now has the public at large believing that: the Kennel Club was established by the Third Reich, all breeds of pedigree dogs are genetic mutations, all breeders are hell bent on creating monstrous mutants, all Judges & exhibitors are members of the genetic mutation appreciation society, and together, we are all taking over the canine world with our mutant muts!!!  And this is where the producers of said documentary crossed the boundaries, of documenting a very poignant and valid remonstration of specific conditions and diseases that affect the health & welfare of specific breeds, toward a witch-hunt fuelled by the desire to see us ALL, for we have ALL been tarred with the same brush, burned at the stake!!

The subsequent publicity created by the media frenzy, has placed enormous pressure upon our canine governing body to get its house into order, and although we all welcome urgent action of those major issues raised by the documentary, we also have to recognise that: during the last 20 or so years the KC have genuinely taken stock of the Kennel Club and its agenda, reviewing and revising its own ethics, ethos and persona, recognising the importance of understanding the canine & canine owner of the 21st century, opening its doors to all canines, pedigree, hybrid and mongrel.  The KC have encouraged the development of new canine activities and events, established and supported canine charities, sponsored veterinary research and veterinary schemes, embraced the concept of promotion and the age of technology, and in more recent years have become pro-active in the political arena, liasing with other canine governing bodies, canine organisations, and government appointed representatives from around the world, in a bid to view and monitor worldwide canine specifics including health & welfare, ultimately the KC has broadened its own horizons, securing its own future toward and beyond the 21st century.

We also have to recognise that, the KC have had in place since 1965 a hip dysplasia & eye scheme, with elbow dysplasia screening and DNA testing coming into play in the late nineties, but the fact of the matter is, the KC can not enforce screening (yet!) and due to the number of dogs of any one breed being screened at any one time in the UK, the scores for any one condition held on KC database, could not be relied upon to provide an accurate picture of any one condition in any one breed in the UK.  But, the fact that canine enthusiasts were and are encouraged to adopt screening indicates that the KC recognised that there are health problems amidst the canine population, and they have been slowly beginning to address them.

With the dawn of the new millennium came sweeping new reforms, in all areas of our lives and in all areas of our world, new legislation ensured that new policies and procedures designed to address specific issues were being implemented everywhere, including the canine world.  Across the waters, the momentum with which many pet health & welfare new reforms were being sanctioned, again prompted the KC to take stock, but as said, statistics held could not provide accurate analysis for the UK, and so in 2003/04 the KC sponsored and supported a nationwide purebred dog health survey, and in collaboration with Registered Breed Clubs, set about reviewing and revising Breed Standards as a portal for addressing the health & welfare of pedigree dogs. 

The Neapolitan Mastiff, having maintained its position as a Rare Breed on the KC Breed Register since1975, although not having gained CC Status, was recognised with ‘Interim’ Breed Standard, which had been reviewed & revised by the KC on a couple of occasions prior to the Approval of, The Neapolitan Mastiff Club Registration in 2002.  From this time, and in conjunction with our canine governing body, as the KC Registered ‘Parent’ Breed Club representing the interests of the Neapolitan Mastiff in the UK, TNM Club has worked very closely with the KC in its consideration of breed health & welfare issues and in review and amendment of the Breed Standard.

From 2004 to 2007, following concerns raised by the Breed Health & Welfare Strategy Group (Formerly the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals), TNM Club liased very closely with enthusiasts, exhibitors, breeders and owners, encouraged participation in the KC / BSAVA Purebred Dog Health Survey, and has undertaken an independent breed specific health survey, in order to provide the KC with a clearer picture of health & welfare issues relevant to the breed and breeding programmes in the UK.   In 2007 the final amendments to the Interim Breed Standard were announced in the Kennel Gazette and, having satisfied all concerned parties that the Breed Standard depicted the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of the breed, and in its consideration of health & welfare ensured that any exaggerations detrimental to health & welfare were discouraged, the final amended Interim Breed Standard was accepted as approved by all parties.

In October 2008, two months after the said documentary and the persisting ‘hang em high’ mentality provoked by the media frenzy which followed, the KC informed all Registered Breed Clubs that with immediate affect, the Breed Clubs own Code of Ethics was to be removed anywhere it was being utilised and was to be replaced with the Kennel Club Universal Code of Ethics. Obviously, The Neapolitan Mastiff Club complied.

In December 2008, 4 months after the said documentary, the KC issued to all Registered ‘Parent’ Breed Clubs - Breed Health Plans. The Kennel Club Breed Health Plans, in present format, are details of proposals including changes to Breed Standards of those breeds deemed to be in need of urgent review, put forward by the Breed Health & Welfare Strategy Group, designed to assist the KC in its address of the health & welfare of specific breeds. 

As said, The Neapolitan Mastiff Club appreciates that the Kennel Club are duty bound to address these issues more especially in the present climate but, can not comprehend why?, the Breed Health & Welfare Strategy Group, after 4 years examining the health & welfare of the Neapolitan Mastiff, and in review of the Breed Standard and subsequent approval of final amendments, have now decided that the Neapolitan Mastiff Breed Standard requires re-reviewing?

We have ourselves scrutinised the research papers, statistical information, and peer-reviewed scientific literature, utilised by the Breed Health & Welfare Strategy Group, and cited as source of validation for breed specific disease diagnosis.   And, can find nothing amongst this literature that, (a) was not evident in the previous 4 years analysis, (b) would validate diagnosis of predisposition to condition or disease within the breed in the UK, (c) would suggest that the health of the Neapolitan Mastiff gene pool in the UK has dramatically deteriorated, or (d) that there is reason for urgent re-review and re-amendment of the Breed Standard.

The overall health, soundness and temperament of the Neapolitan Mastiff in the UK has dramatically improved during the last 20 years and throughout the last 10 years, we have genuinely seen a stability of health and continuity of type developing within the gene pool.  During the last 5 years although more subtle, improvements have continued and the breed has progressed toward the healthy & sound canine we all aspire to breed.  The Neapolitan Mastiff Club recognises that there remain health problems that require continued attention, and that the breed has a long way to go before we could rest on our laurels but, in collaboration with our enthusiasts, breeders and canine governing body in its review and revision of the breed standard from 2002 to 2007 we believed that, that was already our modus operandi

Obviously once again, as per our KC directive TNM Club has complied and responded to the KC Breed Health Plans returning all completed relevant paperwork and forms but, due to the grave concern generated by the proposed changes to the Breed Standard, which would fundamentally change the overall appearance of the breed, the Officers & Committee, have respectfully requested that a meeting be scheduled at the Kennel Club’s earliest convenience, where representatives of both parties can meet to discuss these fundamental issues raised by the KC Breed Health Plans.  We will of course endeavour to keep everyone posted.

This years Neapolitan Mastiff Club Show is on 11th. April 2009 at Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Road, Wolverhampton. WV6 9NW - The day commences at 10 a.m. and there will be lots of good dogs to see so come along!

Italian Judge: Uberto Gasche