The Joint Breed Liaison Committee

JBLC UPDATE Autumn 2020

Who would have thought a year ago that this year would provide the challenges it has? Pretty much everything ground to a halt in Spring and even though some things are happening again, life is sadly very far from normal. Obviously shows have been cancelled and Club Committees have been unable to meet. Our JBLC meeting was cancelled in April but we did manage to get together virtually via Microsoft Teams in October.

• Research into Addisons disease – Just as we were trying to organize a date for Professor Catchpole to come and talk to us about his work, Covid struck and this in turn affected research and the work that students could do in the laboratory. We will update you as and when work resumes.
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) Testing - We had hoped to run sessions at Club shows, but obviously this has not been possible. Early on in the pandemic health testing was stopped completely but as things eased testing was possible again, however it is best to check with the KC regarding the current situation.
  As things stand testing for CEA can be done through Pet Genetics laboratory - once you have paid for your test they will send you a kit for taking a cheek swab and there is a video online to show you how to do this, as it is slightly different from some of the tests that other labs provide - if you want to get in touch with them use the following link:https://www.petgeneticslab.co.uk/
• BVA/KC Eye/Hip & Elbow Testing - For details of the current situation for the BVA/KC health schemes covering eye testing, the hip dysplasia scheme and elbow dysplasia scheme, all up to date details will be on the BVA web site. Follow the link: https://www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/
• DNA Databank – Very sadly the AHT closed in July. The AHT was a Charitable Trust and tragically ran out of funding to continue its important work. We have been informed that no DNA samples have been lost and they have been transferred to Cambridge Veterinary School. We hope to have more updates in due course.
• BeaCon – remember to add your dogs details to BeaCon. We need details from all dogs with or without health conditions. Do update them with any health information you have eg hip scores, eye test results etc. and remember to update annually. BeaCon are looking for help to maintain this resource so if you have IT skills and are interested in finding out more contact Sarah Ritchie.
• Bearded Collie Breed Strategy – Remember the JBLC Facebook Resource page contains much useful information such as the sire useage tables, a leaflet that can be handed out to puppy owners about breed health, information about choosing a sire etc. so don’t forget to look there!
  • The recommendation remains that dogs should sire no more than two litters a year for current registration levels.
  • We have recently added a list to the resource page of UK Sperm Banks to aid members who may wish to utilize this facility. If you know of any others that you would be happy to recommend please let Liz Ayrton (BHC) or Yvonne Fox (JBLC Secretary) know.
  • If you have stored semen for your dog that you are willing to make available to approved bitches don’t forget to add them to the stud dog page in the BCC Yearbook.
  • We are also interested in compiling a list of stud dog handlers – if you are willing to act in this capacity or know of others who do so please contact us with an idea of the area you/they cover. Any payment/costs would be between the handler and user.
  • We will be writing to judges reminding them of correct Bearded Collie Breed type, character and temperament.
• 2020 Health survey – We had the best ever response to the health survey, conducted in February 2020, so many thanks to all of you who completed it and encouraged your puppy people to do so too – results were consistent with those found the previous year with no new health concerns or increased frequency of health issues coming to the fore. The full summary is on the JBLC Resource Page.
• Fundraising - Many thanks again to Liz Gault for raising £690 for JBLC funds over 2019 with her jam and other sweet treats. Thanks to all who bought them too! Together with the money raised by Sharon Jenkinson’s parachute jump – £1009, and donations from the Breed Clubs, funds are reasonably healthy.
• Club Committees – Our Clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to attract new Committee members and many have several vacant places to fill. This threatens the running of shows as well as social events and could soon make them become unviable. If you are able to help in any capacity please contact the Secretaries of the Clubs – they would love to hear from you!