Scottish Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club

Cavalier Club ‘Delighted’ with new DNA tests.

Scientist working in the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust has identified the mutation responsible for causing dry eye and curly coat syndrome and episodic falling in cavaliers.

Episodic falling is a neurological condition induced by exercise, excitement or frustration, in which muscle tone increases. This means the dog is unable to relax its muscles, becomes rigid and falls over, scientists say:-

Affected dogs usually start to demonstrate clinical signs before they are a year old, with most having their first episode aged between four and seven months of age.

This study was undertaken in collaboration with Professor Jacques Penderis from the Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, who diagnosed many of the dogs who contributed to the study.

We now have a real chance to eradicate dry eye and curly coat, which is fantastic news for anyone involved in cavaliers.

PhD student Oliver Foreman, who analysed more than five million letters of DNA from dogs affected with the two diseases, identified the mutations. By identifying the genetic mutations responsible for causing these conditions, the AHT has been able to develop DNA tests to identify carriers.

Charitable Trust chairman Mike Townsend said ‘Every dog deserves to lead a healthy, happy life and this breakthrough will make a real difference to the future health of cavaliers’.

(Full report in Dog World 8 April 11)

Pargeter Quaich for B.O.S at May S.K.C Show.

The Club would be most grateful for any help in locating this missing trophy.It has been lost for a number of years, possibly since the year 2000.

It would be lovely to have it back.

8)Scottish CKCS Club

Open Show

06/06/2010

Judge: Ted Rogerson

I was honoured and delighted to be asked to judge the Scottish Cavalier Club open show. May I thank the exhibitors for giving me an entry; the overall quality of the exhibits was very good. May I also thank the committee for a wonderful lunch and Elizabeth my steward for making everything run smoothly.

V.Dog ( 3-0 )

1st Mrs.L.Gow: Lyncraeg Daydream J.W. Sh. Cm. An 8 year Blenheim boy super head type, short coupled body, good reach of neck and a good tail carriage which kept him well balanced on the move, showed well.

2nd Mr.N.Lunam: Flossybrook Total Eclipse. A nice masculine headed dog with a good ear set strong shoulders and body sound on the move.

3rd Mr.Morrison: Bowerswell Sindar Sh. Cm.

M.P.Dog ( 5-0 )

1st Mr & Mrs.Taylor: Tingewood TomintoulShowed his socks off for one so young, his handler had his full attention. He had the lovely dark eyes and good nose pigment although lacking in coat he was a nice happy puppy.

2nd Mrs.L.Gillhespy :Marigill Marakesh A well broken Blenheim with a lovely sweet clear face and good pigment, a nice level standing and moving showed well.

3rd Miss D.Kerr: Kinvaar`s Mile High Club

4th Lady I.Culbert: Volney Tabasco

P.Dog ( 4-1 )

1st Mrs.G.Baille: Selkies Odanodan at Fyrnrose ( B.P.I.S.) Super Blenheim although a little heavily marked he had excellent dark eyes and black nose pigment, good reach of neck and angulations he moved around the ring with plenty of drive keeping a level top line. B.P.I.S.

2nd Mrs.K.McMurray: Cinderlace Hypericum at Merrymoth I loved his head, huge dark eyes and the best of nose pigment. I felt he was a bit nervous on the day, I hope he settles as he gets older then he should do well.

3rd Mrs.M.McKinlay: Monixain Akiiki

J.Dog ( 7-1 )

1st Mrs. E.Gaskell: Jeilohn Coinneach I have admired this dog for sometime, a well broken tri with beautiful head large dark eyes and a nice soft expression a good ear set correct neck and shoulders but I thought he was not himself on the day.

2nd Mr.K.Town: Poundroll Montie Carlo at Barsac Another tri boy not long out of puppy who had a good neck and strong body with a good turn of stifle moved well just beaten by one on maturity.

3rd Mrs Mowatt & Mrs Gillespy: Marigil Manila

4th Mrs.P.M.Cockburn: Phymars Excaliber

M.Dog ( 3-3 )

1st Mrs Mowatt & Mrs Gillespy: Marigil Manila A heavily marked Blenheim with the desired lozenge nice head and sound body moved well easy winner of this class.

2nd Drs R.& G.McKeracher: Barsac Dreamboat A nice size dog with a masculine head his movement was spoiled by his high tail carriage.

3rd Mr.& Mrs. Young:Stokies Gingle Bells

N.Dog ( 6-1 )

1st Mrs Mowatt & Mrs Gillespy: Marigil Manila Maiden winner

2nd Mr.& Mrs.Taylor: Costara Rufus A ruby boy nice large eyes and good nose pigment good neck and shoulders very busy hard to assess.

3rd Mrs.L.Gow:Costara Ruadh at Lyncraeg

4th D & J.Todd: Muirlee Son of Joshua

G.Dog ( 5-0 )

1st Mrs.P.M.Cockburn: Phymars Raffles Gorgeous headed tri boy super eyes and ear set good neck and chest going into well laid back shoulder moved well, expertly handled.

2nd Mrs.S.L.Mowatt: Asmena Slip Anchor A nice Blenheim boy with good pigment and body, a lovely turn of stifle moved well once he settled.

3rd Mrs.D.M.Sloan: Turretbank Oliver

4th Mrs.& Miss L.H.Harper & Barbour: Pamojill Ryan at Kirkbrae

P.G.Dog ( 4-0 )

1st Ms.E.McInally: Dalvreck Danzatore ( R.B.I.S.) Impressive well balanced Blenheim, the darkest of eyes and good expression perfect ear setting good spring of rib and turn of stifle, immaculately turned out he moved well a true showman.

2nd Miss.E.Drennan: Blairburn Bit N Bobs of Calaten Sh.Cm Another good Blenheim with the same qualities as one he could change places on another day.

3rd Lady I.Culbert: Spindlepoint Covent Garden

4th Mrs.A.Lang: Waldor Manhatten Among Celxo

S.P.G.Dog ( 5-1 )

1st Mr & Mrs.Taylor: Tingewood Tomintoul Minor puppy winner

2nd Mr.& Mrs.Taylor: Costara Rufus Second in Novice

3rd Mr.N.Lunam: Tingewood Red Oktober

4th Mr.G.Kirkwood:Marisk Macallan

L.Dog ( 5-0 )

1st Miss.E.Drennan: Blairburn Bit N Bobs of Calaten Sh.Cm Second in Post Graduate.

2nd Mrs.Morrison:Bowerswell Hello Its Me. A heavily marked tri, with his tan in all the right places, good body and top line and tail carriage on the move never stopped wagging his tail.

3rd Mrs.& Miss L.H.Harper & Barbour: Pamojill Ryan at Kirkbrae

4th Mrs.A.Lang: Waldor Manhatten Among Celxo

O.Dog ( 4-1 )

1st Mrs.D.M.Sloan: Turretbank Isaac Gorgeous heavenly marked dripping in coat, lovely head darkest of eyes and nose pigment, good neck and shoulders short bodied with level top line. Just pipped for best dog, he seemed a touch nervous in the challenge.( R.B.D.)

2nd Mrs.Morrison: Bowerswell the Minstral Sh.Cm A heavily marked tri of good shape and size enjoyed his day happy to be in the ring.

3rd Mr.& Mrs. Young:Stokies Gingle Bells

S.Vintage ( 6-3 )

1st Mrs.S.L.Mowatt:Lorphil Lucianna What a joy to see an old girl of this calibre, a small Blenheim with large dark eyes and still great nose pigment, went around the ring has if she owned it a little star.

2nd Mrs.E.Glen: Sandbrae Atomic Blue A very pretty feminine black/tan with lovely tan good neck and short coupled body show well she enjoyed her day out.

3rd WITHDRAWN

V.Bitch ( 6-3 )

1st Mrs.M.Scott Toscam Monte Lucia ( B.V.I.S.) I have judged this girl before and still have not changed my opinion of her, she still has got the darkest of eyes and super nose pigment, of good shape and size, nice reach of neck and short body she showed her socks off.

2nd Mrs.M.Butler: Marigill Masquerade A happy go lucky tri of good body a level top line and carried her tail very well, needed to settle a little more.

3rd Mrs.A.M.Bates: Kavenka Sugar and Spice

M.P.Bitch ( 7-3 )

1st Mrs.D.M.Sloan:Turretbank Hubble Bubble A promising black/tan youngster with good rich tan, nice head and lovely dark eyes, compact body and good top line moved well.

2nd Mr.N.Lunam: Tingewood Tomatin Another nice well balanced puppy good top line and tail carriage a very happy show girl.

3rd Mr.N.Lunam: Tingewood Tamdhu

4th Mrs.H.Barr: Stronepoint Miss Ellie

P.Bitch ( 8-2 )

1st Mr.C.& Mrs B.Turnbull: Peakdowns Skye What a quality class this was it was difficult to pick a winner. A gorgeous well broken Blenheim with large dark eyes beautiful head, good reach of neck nice shoulder placement level top line showed really well. (B.P.B.)

2nd Mrs.L.Gow: Lochbuie Teazle The same quality has one but not as mature could easily change places on another day. Both these puppies should do well in the future.

3rd Miss D Kerr: Suesitna Santa Lucia from Kinvaar

4th Mrs.K.McMurray: Cinderlace Primrose at Merrymoth

J.Bitch ( 8-1 )

1st Mr.J.& Mrs.M.J.Hurst.& Mrs.S.Wake: Llustant Lunar Belle A very glamorous sweet headed girl with melting expression, dark eyes and good ear set, nice reach of neck and good spring of rib, sound bodied, long length of coat in perfect condition, well presented, moved with drive never stopped showing a worthy Best in Show winner.

2nd Mrs.L.M.Gillespy: Marigill Miesque Another good Blenheim with the desired lozenge, lovely head with large dark eyes, good neck and well laid back shoulders, took time to settle.

3rd Mr.P.Heatley & Fitzsimmons: Fyrnrose Beaba at Glendream

4th Mrs.S.L.Mowatt: Marigill Mysterious

M.Bitch ( 5-3 )

1st Mrs.S.L.Mowatt: Marigill Mysterious A short compact Blenheim good head type and cushioning giving her a nice sweet expression, moved well.

2nd Mrs.C.White: Rothes Hazel at Carleny Of nice size with a good top line well angulated never stopped showing.

N.Bitch ( 5-2 )

1st Mrs.L.M.Gillespy: Brymarden Blue Moon A rich chestnut Blenheim nice head with pleasing expression of sound short coupled body, one of the best movers of the day.

2nd Mrs.E.Glen: Sandbrae Serenade in Blue A full coated black/tan with good rich tan, pretty head, the perfect shape and size showed well, pity about her mouth.

3rd D.&J.Todd: Muirlee Little Emma

G.Bitch ( 4-1 )

1st Mr.J.& Mrs.M.J.Hurst.& Mrs.S.Wake: Llustant Conqueress So well balanced on the move, good head with large dark eyes a well cushioned muscle, nice neck and shoulders, moved and showed well.

2nd D. & J. Todd: Bowerswell Unforgettable A very dark rich coloured ruby, she never stopped wagging her tail, gave her handler a difficult time, hard to assess her overall movement.

3rd Miss M.Gray: Spindlepoint Koura Bay for Evarclasi

P.G.Bitch ( 7-3 )

1st Miss. M.Gray: Spindlepoint Sophia Loren for Evarclasi Sh.Cm. A most elegant girl with a lovely head and soft expression, large dark eyes and black nose pigment, good neck and shoulders short coupled body, she covered the ground with ease she was a joy to go over. ( R.B.B.)

2nd Ms.E.McInally Dalvreck Misteeq Another quality rich chestnut Blenheim, pretty head and well cushioned face, good mature body well balanced throughout , well presented.

3rd Ms.S.A.Ross: Fyrnrose Morwyn Mist

4th Mrs.A.Bates: Blairburn Brandy Truffle of Kavenka

S.P.G.Bitch ( 4-0 )

1st M.McCabe: Kenmilfare Bonnie Lass Pretty black/tan in full coat, lovely dark eyes with pleasing expression, level top line and good tail carriage, happy girl who enjoyed her day.

2nd D.& J.Todd: Muirlee Little Chancer Another black/tan with a pretty face and lovely long ear leathers, good reach of neck and well laid back shoulders, stood four square.

3rd Mrs.M.Workman: Ttition Puppetry for Costara

4th Mrs.E.Glen: Sandbrae Serenade in Blue

L.Bitch ( 10-4 )

1st M.McCabe: Kenmilfare Bonnie Lass

1st in S.P.G.

2nd Mrs.E.Glen: Sandbrae Beyond the Blue A small black/tan with a pretty well cushioned face, short coupled body and level top line with an excellent tail carriage .

3rd Mrs.L.M.Gillespy: Asmena Angelique

4th Mrs.E.Gaskell: Jeilohn Lucinda

O.Bitch ( 8-5 )

1st Mrs.G.Baillie: Fyrnrose Mrs Tiggy Winkle J.W. A good quality bitch, with a nice feminine head, large dark eyes with ultra soft expression, good body and out line, super balanced stood out in this class.

2nd Mrs.M.Mc Murray: Merrymoth Maeve Another who was also well balanced on the move, a sweet headed girl with a good reach of neck and firm body keeping a level top line.

3rd Mrs.E.Glen: Sandbrae Rhapsody in Blue

COME ON YOU JUNIOR HANDLERS !

HELP US HELP YOU

SUPPORT THE UK CAVALIER BREED CLUBS

WHO ARE ALL PROMOTING JUNIOR HANDLING

THE CLUBS NEED YOUR SUPPORT

"THEIR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS"

CLUBS, SHOW DATES AND VENUES CAN BE

FOUND BY LINKING INTO REGIONAL CLUBS

           21ST March 2010 Kirkliston- Cavalier Club Talk on ABS

reported by Pat Morris.

Mr Bill Lambert – from the Kennel Club Health and Breeder services came to talk to us abut the Accredited Breeder scheme.

He informed us that the ACS now has 5000 members – after being launched in 2004 at Crufts.

The registration system – is to promote breeding healthy dogs in responsible ways, improve the reputation of breeders, reinforce basic concepts of good breeding, to promote health screening, and to provide greater substance to the value of KC registration of pups.

Health screening is now accelerating due to advances in technology, diagnostics and DNA tests

The ABS can only apply to KC registered dogs and NO sort of crossbred.

Applicants MUST have bred a litter and those who are inexperienced can apply for ‘pending’ status.

He explained all the requirements of members of the ABS including the maximum age and frequency of litters must follow KC policy and dogs must be permanently identifiable by microchips, tattoos or DNA. Registration papers must be handed over at the sale of the puppy. Breeders must also supply a contract of sale for each pup sold.

I was interested to hear among the other requirements that breeders can ONLY sell dogs bred by themselves (how often is that breached by puppy-farmers!) and any breed that has screening tests in place and breed specific recommendations must comply with them too. If there is perhaps a substandard pup or puppy that does not meet the 100% health screens then the breeder MUST tell the buyer.

Recommendations only – as none of this can be made mandatory – required testing all BVA/KC in place for that breed – hips, eyes, DNA and breed club schemes. In the case of Cavaliers – eyes, hearts and scanning for SM would be recommended.

Policing of the ABS – this is the part I was especially interested in.

All new applicants who have 4 litters or more in 1 year have checks and are visited – BUT 2 weeks notice is given before any inspection. (This is too long in my opinion) All new applicants are published in the Kennel Club gazette. Any and all complaints are followed up by a visit.

The puppy buyers from an Accredited breeder get a puppy feedback form in which they can state anything at all they were not happy about.

He also said there are random phone checks ‘ by a ‘mystery shopper’

.

When a potential Accredited breeder is inspected -premises and facilities are inspected, breeders records checked etc and a 3 page report is done by the Inspector.

The breeder is allowed to see this report.

Now then –how effective is this? Well there are now 14 inspectors – for the whole of the UK altogether – to cover every breed. (Sorry but this to me is woefully inadequate) There are 400 visits done a year and yes, applicants ARE rejected.

Some Accredited breeders are suspended, given advice and if they mend their ways – are allowed back. Quite a few have resigned due to ‘not being able’ to undertake health testing.

The KC is going to bring in a special ‘Accolade’ scheme for experienced breeders, Breeders Club Accolade- for current members of the breed club and a few others. This to me may look good but they’d be better concentrating on improving the policing of the whole scheme.

The Inspectors are experienced breeders, or veterinary surgeons or vet nurses, who are experienced in inspecting. They are split up by region and group. They are trained to be consistent, and also resourced and funded.

They are going to have breed ‘mentors’ – senior experienced breed figures who are no longer breeding who can mentor, help and advise newer breeders – 4 mentors per breed.

Future plans include continual development and major marketing of the scheme to the puppy buying public- marketing campaigns in the dog press, small ads etc.

They are gong to encourage vets to push the ‘Accredited breeder scheme’ – which I am sure they would if they were told a lot more about it. Posters for waiting rooms will be sent to vets and a vet manual listing all the usual health tests for each breed will be produced.

The talk lasted about an hour and we all listened intently. It was followed by quite a few questions from the audience –all good questions and some satisfactory answers.

Mr Lambert did not appear fully conversant with the Cavalier breed health issues– and the tests we would wish -although to be fair – he must have to deal with a great many breeds all of which have differing breed health tests.

I said that in my opinion – an Accredited Cavalier breeder should health test in this order

Heart testing, 2. Eye testing (litters) and if possible MRI scanning for SM.

There were quite a few questions from breeders, and people concerned – like me – about the policing of any of the ABS. If it worked – it might be good and IF all the good health conscious breeders joined – perhaps one day – we might outnumber the puppy farmers who already may well be in the scheme.

It was a worthwhile talk and interesting although I wish the ABS would succeed – I fear it has not enough ‘teeth’ but hopefully its continual development and encouragement from breeders MAY help.