NOVEMBER 2004

THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER BREED COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

PRO’S REPORT ON THE MEETING HELD AT THE COACH AND HORSES, MARKFIELD ON THE 13TH NOVEMBER 2004

The Chairman opened the meeting at 11.02am with 12 constituent clubs present:- East Midlands, Notts and Derby, Morecambe Bay, North East, East Anglia, Western, Downlands, Alyn and Deeside, Northern Counties, Potteries, Southern Counties and North West. Apologies were received from The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, North of Scotland, the Scottish Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club and South Wales.

FREE DISCUSSION PERIOD

At the invitation of the Breed Council Mr. Antonio Zsirai was invited to attend the meeting as an observer and to speak regarding his great concerns over the recent litter he has bred in which several of the puppies have unfortunately been diagnosed “positive” for HC.

His main concern was the possible lack of information available concerning hereditary eye problems in the Stafford, for newcomers to the breed who may wish to have a litter.
Whilst all Stafford owners are encouraged to have their breeding stock eye tested, it is not compulsory, and it is down to each individual owner. All animals that are eye tested have their results published in the Breed Record Supplement. Whilst the Breed Council was sympathetic to Mr. Zsirai’s case it is not their policy to name individual dogs and can only advise anybody to do their homework before making any decisions about breeding, and to check the records and not reach any conclusions on hearsay. It is highly recommended that all puppies should be eye tested for PHPV wherever possible before they are sold. However, clarification is to be sought from the AHT as to whether they can confirm at this stage in their research as to the mode of inheritance of PHPV.

BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION

Following the threat of BSL in Ontario, Canada, it has been agreed that the Public Relations Officer of the Breed council will spearhead any support that is needed worldwide in the fight against BSL. The Public Relations Officer will seek assistance from individuals who have specialised experience in certain fields, and the Breed Council feels that by centralising the fight against BSL, it will show unity within the Stafford community worldwide. A piece will be posted on the Stafford website explaining the Breed Council’s intentions.

There was a request to revert back to three Breed Council Meetings a year, which was rejected, and it remains at two meetings annually, however it must be remembered that the Breed Council does have the authority to call an emergency meeting if required.

Deep regret was expressed at the decision by the Northern Ireland Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club to resign from the Breed Council, and a letter is to be written by the Breed Council Secretary asking them to reconsider their decision.

HC UPDATE

The AHT report is very similar to that given earlier in the year the main difference being that since then they have received 14 new samples, of which 4 were from affected dogs. They have spent the time since July genotyping these additional samples with all the markers that have been typed on all the other dogs. Now all the samples have been genotyped on the same set of markers they can move forward and type the whole set with all the markers they haven’t looked at yet. A further affected animal has recently come to light and members of the sub committee are busy collecting samples which can be added to those already mentioned.

L-2-HYDROXYGLUTARIC ACIDURIA

The AHT have reported that the gene that causes the human equivalent of this disease has been discovered, so they are making plans to investigate whether by testing for the gene in the canine equivalent in the same way will identify the gene, this possibly being a great step forward for the breed. More information on this research will be made available as soon as it is received.

The date for the corresponding meeting in 2005 is the 1st October.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 4.15pm

Veronica Brown,
Public Relations Officer,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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