138.06 SINGLE BREED CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS TO BE ABLE TO APPOINT BEST IN SHOW JUDGES
Wednesday, 17 May, 2006

 

The Kennel Club has become aware that some Breed Clubs have been having difficulty finding suitable people to act as Referees at shows. Many people did not want to commit to being at a show all day knowing they may never be called upon to officiate. To respond to this need, and following a direct request from a breed club, the General Committee has decided to assist show organisers by allowing more flexibility in judging arrangements.

It was agreed that Breed Clubs can, in future, appoint a Best in Show Judge at Single Breed Championship Shows if they wish. If a Best in Show Judge is appointed they would judge all show awards after the Best of Sex cards have been awarded, i.e. Best in Show, Best Veteran in Show, Best Puppy in Show and any other classes or awards scheduled after the Best of Sex.

Such an appointment will need to be submitted to the Judges Section of the Kennel Club for approval, but would not be subject to the 9 month rule between appointments to judge Best in Show at Championship Shows.

Those Breed Clubs that wish to continue appointing a Referee rather than a Best in Show Judge will be free to do so. This change does not affect Breed Club Open Shows as existing regulations already allow the appointment of a Best in Show Judge.

Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko, said “We know that a great deal of administration and hard work goes behind staging a successful and enjoyable show and the General Committee believes that this change in the regulations will go some way to helping hard pressed club secretaries with their arrangements.”

The following amendments were approved with effect from 1 January 2007:

F(1)21.c.

FROM:

If more than one Judge is appointed for any form of competition, a further Judge must be appointed to act as Referee and the name published in the Schedule.

TO:

If more than one Judge is appointed for any form of competition, a further Judge must be appointed to act as Referee and the name published in the Schedule. However, at a Single Breed Championship Show, where more than one judge is appointed, the society may appoint a Best in Show Judge instead of a Referee, whose name must be published in the schedule.

F(1)24.d.(1)

FROM:

d. Application for Approval for Judges.

(1) Judges to award Challenge Certificates and Referees.

TO:

d. Application for Approval for Judges.

(1) Judges to award Challenge Certificates, Referees. and Best in Show Judges at Single Breed Championship Shows.

F(1)24.d.(3)

FROM:

(3) Judges for Best in Show.

TO:

(3) Judges for Best in Show (excluding Single Breed Championship Shows).

(Amendments underlined).

Amendments with effect 1 January 2007.

17 May 2006

ENDS

076.06 KENNEL CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST HELPS THE ANIMAL HEALTH TRUST CONTINUE GROUNDBREAKING GENETIC RESEARCH YOU CAN HELP TOO AT CRUFTS
Friday, 3 March, 2006

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED DUE TO THE LACK OF SAMPLES.

PLEASE GET YOURS SENT IN SO THE BREED DOES NOT MISS OUT ON THIS FUNDING.

Genetic breakthrough

During 2005 scientists at the Animal Health Trust identified the genetic mutations responsible for hereditary cataract in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and juvenile cataract in the Boston Terrier and have developed DNA diagnostic tests that are now available to distinguish carrier, clear and affected dogs. The studies, which also included the development of a diagnostic test for L-2-HGA in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, have been funded in part by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which through its Health Foundation Fund helps pay for research to develop new DNA tests for inherited conditions. This allows breeders to screen their breeding stock before they are used for breeding.

“The work done by the Animal Health Trust has been exceptional. Its findings will lead to improvements in the health of several breeds of dog.” said Kennel Club Charitable Trust chairman Mike Townsend.

New research
Now, funded by a £250,000 grant from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the same team of researchers are starting an exciting new project to study the genetics of hereditary cataract (HC) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in other breeds.

Over the next three years the Trust’s scientists aim to identify the genetic mutations that are responsible for HC in the Golden Retriever and the American Cocker Spaniel and for PRA in the Golden Retriever and the Tibetan Spaniel. They will develop DNA diagnostic tests that breeders can use to eliminate these debilitating diseases from their breeds.

Additional breeds to be studied
In addition to the breeds listed above the Trust will investigate the genetics of HC and PRA in any breed for which they collect sufficient DNA samples. The success of this research will largely depend on the successful collection of DNA from dogs that can usefully contribute to the research.

How to help
The Trust will be launching its campaign to collect DNA samples from its stand at Crufts. Any dog of any breed that has ever been diagnosed as affected with either HC or PRA, or close relatives of affected dogs, can help with their research to identify the genetic cause of these diseases. Visitors and exhibitors can help by picking up a DNA sampling pack from the AHT stand in Hall 5 (stand No 16). Can your dog help the AHT add hereditary cataract and progressive retinal atrophy to the list of DNA tests available?

 

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