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Evaluation of Swedish breeding CKCS

anniemac

Well-known member
I found this on the Internet and did not know if someone could explain in Anne terms (meaning layman)

http://7thspace.com/headlines/35814...ogram_for_cavalier_king_charles_spaniels.html

" breeding program with the aim of reducing the prevalence of mitral regurgitation (MR) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) is currently ongoing in Sweden. In this investigation 353 CKCS were selected as a sample of the population and 150 were examined by auscultation for heart murmurs when they reached the age of six years in 2007 and 2009.

The aim with this investigation was to study the prevalence of heart murmurs in six-year-old CKCS and to estimate if prevalence has decreased since the breeding program was introduced 2001. The effect of the breeding program was evaluated by comparing the prevalence of heart murmurs in the two groups.

In 2007, the prevalence of heart murmurs was 52% (50% for females and 54% for males) and in 2009, the prevalence was 55% (44% for females and 67% for males). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of heart murmurs between 2007 and 2009 (P=0.8).

For all six-year-old CKCS, the prevalence of heart murmur was 53% (females 46% and males 61%), which is higher than previous Swedish investigations.

Author: Tobias LundinClarence Kvart
Credits/Source: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2010, 52:54"
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

I found this on the Internet and did not know if someone could explain in Anne terms (meaning layman)

http://7thspace.com/headlines/35814...ogram_for_cavalier_king_charles_spaniels.html

" breeding program with the aim of reducing the prevalence of mitral regurgitation (MR) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) is currently ongoing in Sweden. In this investigation 353 CKCS were selected as a sample of the population and 150 were examined by auscultation for heart murmurs when they reached the age of six years in 2007 and 2009.

The aim with this investigation was to study the prevalence of heart murmurs in six-year-old CKCS and to estimate if prevalence has decreased since the breeding program was introduced 2001. The effect of the breeding program was evaluated by comparing the prevalence of heart murmurs in the two groups.

In 2007, the prevalence of heart murmurs was 52% (50% for females and 54% for males) and in 2009, the prevalence was 55% (44% for females and 67% for males). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of heart murmurs between 2007 and 2009 (P=0.8).

For all six-year-old CKCS, the prevalence of heart murmur was 53% (females 46% and males 61%), which is higher than previous Swedish investigations.

Author: Tobias LundinClarence Kvart
Credits/Source: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2010, 52:54"


EVALUATION OF SWEEDISH BREEDING CKCS


Just read this, DR KVART ,is a Cardioligst well known for his Research work into the CKCS MMVD Problem,I think he is involved in the LUPA Research into this Problem ,but I am not certain.

In the Reading of the information, it would seem to be disappointing,in the 6 year old Cavaliers who were being Researched,that the Prevalance of Heart Murmurs in the 6 year old Cavaliers is now Higher than in Previous Swedish Investigations.

I just don't know ,but does this tie in with what was said at the CKCS CLUB'S AGM last year by the Club's Cardiologist , that 50 % of Cavaliers between 5-6 years old have Heart Murmur ,and this is no better than it was 18 years ago.

I keep mentioning this , I wonder if this was one of the Reasons I Received the Vile Anonymous Letter through the Post from some-body in the Cavalier World does'nt want those Facts known about.

Bet
 
This is a very important report. The Swedish MVD breeding protocol implimented in 2001 has three significant aspects:

-- (1) Cavaliers can breed at 48 months, if they have been auscultated (examined with a stethoscope) and found clear of MVD murmurs within 8 months of breeding. (NOTE: This essentially means that a Cavalier found clear at 40 months can be bred 8 months later without being tested again before the breeding.)

-- (2) Cavaliers can breed at 24 months, if they have been auscultated (examined with a stethoscope) and found clear of MVD murmurs within 8 months of breeding, and if their parents also were found clear. (NOTE: This essentially means that a Cavalier found clear at 16 months can be bred 8 months later without being tested again before the breeding.)

-- (3) These breeding guidelines have been mandatory, meaning that any litters bred in violation of the protocol could not be registered.

The conclusions in the report, comparing 6-year-olds born in 2001 with 6-year-olds born in 2003 shows that over 50% had murmurs and that there was no significant change in the percentage between the 2001 dogs and the 2003 dogs.

Here is the importance of this report, as I see it:

-- This was an ideal control study, because all breeding stock had to meet the protocol guidelines in order to participate in the study (and, in order for their litters to be registered by the Swedish Kennel Club).

-- The Swedish protocol is significantly less restrictive than the MVD breeding protocol recommended for UK and USA breeders. Our protocol calls for no dogs to be bred before age 5 years and murmur-clear, unless the breeding pair are murmur-clear and at least 2.5 years old AND their four parents were murmur-clear at 5 years.

This study is further proof that anything less than following the UK/USA version of the MVD protocol will not work. That is exactly what canine geneticist Lennart Swenson told both the UK and USA clubs when he announced the MVD protocol in 1997/1998.
 
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Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

Evaluation OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS.

Thanks Rod for this , I see it has been Peer Reviewed ,the Submission date 10-6-2010,and the Acceptance date 23-9-2010, so as the saying goes ,Hot Off The Press.

This must mean does it not ,that if the Breeding Guidelines are not followed closely, that this is the only chance the Cavalier Breed will have of having a Future.

I noticed at the Conclusion of the Veterinary Paper ,it was said that ,as a Result from this Investigation indicates that the Prevelance of MMVD in 6 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniels born 2001 and 2003 is at least 50% and lacks signs of decrease despite the Current Breeding Program introduced in Sweden 2001,I don't think that the UK Cavalier Breeders should be taking any comfort from this Veterinary Paper, even although it concerns Swedish Cavaliers, since it is known that there are some Cavalier Breeders who are Members of the Cavalier Club, who,according to the Kennel Club's Breed Supplements are just not heeding the Breeding Guidelines.

In fact I think it has been mentioned that 12 Top Cavalier Stud Dogs had all been bred from before they were 2.5 years of age.

Bet


EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS

Should have added this Question, is the only hope the Cavalier Breed has from the mess it's in because of MMVD and SM, is to find the Genes for both those Diseases since it looks like that the Breeding Protocols are not going to work.

This is going back to what I have been saying for ages , has the Cavalier Breed now got so many Carriers of the MMVD Genes that even with Breeding Guidelines ,that is not going to help our Cavaliers much

Bet
 
... has the Cavalier Breed now got so many Carriers of the MMVD Genes that even with Breeding Guidelines ,that is not going to help our Cavaliers much

I don't think that is the problem. We have an MVD breeding protocol -- see http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mvdprotocol.htm -- which even Dr. Kvart has said Sweden should have been following to start with. He believes that the Swedish Kennel Club needs to toughen its version.

The real protocol is designed to eliminate early-onset MVD in as early as the third generation. If the UK and USA breeders had been following it since its introduction in 1997/1998, there would be no early onset MVD in the breed by now.
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

I don't think that is the problem. We have an MVD breeding protocol -- see http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mvdprotocol.htm -- which even Dr. Kvart has said Sweden should have been following to start with. He believes that the Swedish Kennel Club needs to toughen its version.

The real protocol is designed to eliminate early-onset MVD in as early as the third generation. If the UK and USA breeders had been following it since its introduction in 1997/1998, there would be no early onset MVD in the breed by now.


EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS


Sorry Rod, I have to disagree with you , all the Breeding Guidelines in the World won't get to the Bottom of the MMVD Problem in our Cavaliers.

Thoses Gene/Genes have got to be found to give the Cavalier Breed the chance of Healthier ,Longer Lives.

Yes ,by all means have Breeding Guidelines for both MMVD and SM, but it's the Genes for both those Diseases that have to be found.

I will say again and keep on saying it, is the Cavalier Breed in such a Dreadful State with their MMVD Problem , because there are so many Cavalier Carriers now of the MMVD GENE or Genes and is this what Preventing Progress in the Cavaliers' MMVD Problem,.

It is no use Deluding our-selves ,this is what seems to be happening.

It will ,will it not, be those Genes that are causing the Early Onset of the Cavaliers' early Murmurs,so yes use the Breeding Guidelines for MMVD and SM, but it is Imperative that the Genes for the Diseases are found.

Even To-days Long Lived Cavaliers could be Carriers, so unfortunately age is giving no information about the MMVD Problem.

We know that the Cavalier Breed has had Heart Trouble since the 1940's, so is that a Link to their Heart Problem.

All I can say is, for every-body in the Cavalier World , Cavalier Breeders and Cavalier Pet Owners, to give the support that the Reseaechers are needing into finding the Genes for MMVD and SM,otherwise the Cavalier Breed could be
finished.

Bet
 
...Sorry Rod, I have to disagree with you , all the Breeding Guidelines in the World won't get to the Bottom of the MMVD Problem in our Cavaliers. ...

Well, then, Bet, you must be much wiser than Lennart Swenson and the other specialists who have researched early-onset MVD and devised the MVD breeding protocol. The problem with that protocol is not that it has not worked and will not work. The problem is that it has not been tried.

For the past twelve years, nearly all breeders have twisted and turned every which way to avoid it. The handful of breeders who have been following it faithfully report that it has been successful.
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

Well, then, Bet, you must be much wiser than Lennart Swenson and the other specialists who have researched early-onset MVD and devised the MVD breeding protocol. The problem with that protocol is not that it has not worked and will not work. The problem is that it has not been tried.

For the past twelve years, nearly all breeders have twisted and turned every which way to avoid it. The handful of breeders who have been following it faithfully report that it has been successful.

EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS

Rod, I for sure am not getting into an Argument about this, just one question , how do the Cavalier Breeders who have been following the Breeding Guidelines know that their Successful Cavaliers are not Carriers of the MMVD GENES

This will not be known until the MMVD GENE/GENES are discovered.

As I said in my Previous Post ,yes by all means follow the Breeding Recomendations for
SM and MMVD ,but the Gene/Genes have got to be found ,do you not agree.

Bet
 
EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS

Rod, I for sure am not getting into an Argument about this, just one question , how do the Cavalier Breeders who have been following the Breeding Guidelines know that their Successful Cavaliers are not Carriers of the MMVD GENES

This will not be known until the MMVD GENE/GENES are discovered.

As I said in my Previous Post ,yes by all means follow the Breeding Recomendations for
SM and MMVD ,but the Gene/Genes have got to be found ,do you not agree.

Bet

The purpose of the MVD breeding protocol is to eliminate early-onset MVD (murmurs starting before the fifth birthday) in future generations. That is what it does, and if enough breeders would faithfully follow it, that is what would happen.

Nearly every breed develops MVD. It is the most common heart disorder among purebred canines. But it is an elderly dog disease in the other breeds, and since it appears so late in life and progresses so slowly, it rarely is the cause of death.

I venture to say that no gene research will ever rid any breed of MVD. The problem that needs to be solved among Cavaliers is to eliminate early-onset MVD. Early-onset MVD is the reason that MVD is 20 times more common in the CKCS than in any other breed.

The geneticist who devised the MVD protocol -- based upon the decade plus of auscultation records -- stated that if the protocol was followed, early-onset MVD would be significantly eliminated within two to three generations. So, Bet, there is the evidence that early-onset MVD carriers would be eliminated.

At some point, Bet, you really ought to read the transcripts of these symposia. You keep asking the same questions which were definitively answered at the symposiums in the UK in 1997 and in the USA in 1998. So, the answers to your questions have been there for you to read for the past twelve years.
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs.

The purpose of the MVD breeding protocol is to eliminate early-onset MVD (murmurs starting before the fifth birthday) in future generations. That is what it does, and if enough breeders would faithfully follow it, that is what would happen.

Nearly every breed develops MVD. It is the most common heart disorder among purebred canines. But it is an elderly dog disease in the other breeds, and since it appears so late in life and progresses so slowly, it rarely is the cause of death.

I venture to say that no gene research will ever rid any breed of MVD. The problem that needs to be solved among Cavaliers is to eliminate early-onset MVD. Early-onset MVD is the reason that MVD is 20 times more common in the CKCS than in any other breed.

The geneticist who devised the MVD protocol -- based upon the decade plus of auscultation records -- stated that if the protocol was followed, early-onset MVD would be significantly eliminated within two to three generations. So, Bet, there is the evidence that early-onset MVD carriers would be eliminated.

At some point, Bet, you really ought to read the transcripts of these symposia. You keep asking the same questions which were definitively answered at the symposiums in the UK in 1997 and in the USA in 1998. So, the answers to your questions have been there for you to read for the past twelve years.


Evaluation of SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS.


If as you say Rod that the Breeding Guidelines will significantly reduce the MMVD Problem, then why are we Pinning our Hopes on the Genetic Research for the SM Problem.

We are now living in a different era, the looking for Genes that are causing Disease both in Humans and Dogs, is now at the Fore -Front of Research

I am not saying to disregard the Recommended Breeding Guidelines, it's the only thing that can be done at the moment, but the Finding of the Genes is a Priority for the Researchers Researching MMVD and SM in Cavaliers.

Maybe you can explain how else the Cavalier Carriers of those Two Diseases will ever be found unless the Genes for them are found.

You are quoting about a Seminar 12 years ago, times have changed since then.

Look at what Rupert's Fund is now doing by Researching Older Cavaliers for the SM Genes ,look at the Information that is being found, yes MRI Scan Cavalier Breeding Stock for SM, but it's finding of the SM Genes by the Funding of Rupert's Fund, that is going to be the biggest Benefit for our Cavaliers.

The same will happen with the MMVD Problem in Cavaliers.

This is the World we are living in to-day, look at the Advances in Breast Cancer, there are now Genes being found that were not know about 10 years ago.

Now Women can be investigated in the same Family to discover what Type of Gene they have if they are suffering from Cancer, and can be given the Medication that will be best suited to them.

So Rod, don't knock Genetic Research,

Bet
 
If as you say Rod that the Breeding Guidelines will significantly reduce the MMVD Problem, then why are we Pinning our Hopes on the Genetic Research for the SM Problem.

The better question is that, if the MVD breeding protocol will significantly reduce the early-onset MVD problem, why aren't more breeders following it? And, there is a very similar SM breeding protocol. Why aren't more breeders following it, too?

You are quoting about a Seminar 12 years ago, times have changed since then.

Bet, tell me exactly what has changed that calls for following a different MVD breeding protocol? What has changed in the past 12 years that warrants ignoring a breeding protocol that, over the past 12 years, has worked for the breeders who have been following it? What do we know now that warrants following a different MVD protocol? The answer is nothing! There is nothing new that calls for following a different MVD protocol as a minimum standard. We know, from Simon Swift in 2009 and now Clarence Kvart this month, that nothing less than the MVD protocol has worked.

So Rod, don't knock Genetic Research

When did I do that?
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

The better question is that, if the MVD breeding protocol will significantly reduce the early-onset MVD problem, why aren't more breeders following it? And, there is a very similar SM breeding protocol. Why aren't more breeders following it, too?



Bet, tell me exactly what has changed that calls for following a different MVD breeding protocol? What has changed in the past 12 years that warrants ignoring a breeding protocol that, over the past 12 years, has worked for the breeders who have been following it? What do we know now that warrants following a different MVD protocol? The answer is nothing! There is nothing new that calls for following a different MVD protocol as a minimum standard. We know, from Simon Swift in 2009 and now Clarence Kvart this month, that nothing less than the MVD protocol has worked.



When did I do that?

EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS.

Rod,

I am not advocating a New Breeding Protocol,yes have the Cavalier Breeding Guidelines for MMVD, but for the Future of Cavaliers the MMVD Genes have to be found, at the moment it is not known the Mode of Inheritance for MMVD in Cavaliers.This will only come from the Scientific Researchers into the Cavaliers MMVD Problem.So some Cavalier Breeders should not be using this as an excuse for not following the Breeding Guidelines,OH We Can't follow the Breeding Guidelines for SM and MMVD ,we have to wait until those Genes are found,at the moment the Breeding Guidelines must be followed ,or some Cavalier Breeders will make the Cavaliers in a bigger mess than they are in at the moment from MMVD and SM.

Bet
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS.

Rod,

I am not advocating a New Breeding Protocol,yes have the Cavalier Breeding Guidelines for MMVD, but for the Future of Cavaliers the MMVD Genes have to be found, at the moment it is not known the Mode of Inheritance for MMVD in Cavaliers.This will only come from the Scientific Researchers into the Cavaliers MMVD Problem.So some Cavalier Breeders should not be using this as an excuse for not following the Breeding Guidelines,OH We Can't follow the Breeding Guidelines for SM and MMVD ,we have to wait until those Genes are found,at the moment the Breeding Guidelines must be followed ,or some Cavalier Breeders will make the Cavaliers in a bigger mess than they are in at the moment from MMVD and SM.

Bet


EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS

Could I Link this in with this Thread.

It has appeared in Australia with comments from R W Mitten,Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine,University of Melbourne.

It is about CKCS,and mentions that in the Past 10 years there has been an alarming increase in the Prevalance in Cavaliers with MVD

Unfortunately the Cavalier is showing the Disease at a much younger age, with around 10% of Cavaliers under 1 year of age having a Heart Murmur,and probably more than 50% of 5 year olds having murmurs.

That if you Breed from a Cavalier with a Higher Grade of MVD the Off-Springs will have more severe Grades.

All intended Breeding Stock to be regularly Examined,this way it might be possible to Breed away from known affected Blood Lines.

He goes onto say , can Cavalier Clubs do more,the first step is to make Awareness of this Condition and the Alarming Numbers of Cavaliers affected with MVD known,also Cavalier Clubs develope a Recording System of Blood- Lines affected.

I would say that this should also be applied to the Cavaliers' SM Problem as well

Bet









That Cavalier Clubs develope a Recording System of Bood Lines
 
... Could I Link this in with this Thread.

It has appeared in Australia with comments from R W Mitten,Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine,University of Melbourne.

It is about CKCS,and mentions that in the Past 10 years there has been an alarming increase in the Prevalance in Cavaliers with MVD...

Bet, what is the Internet link?

ADDED: Nevermind, I found it: http://www.cavalierclubqld.net/MVD.htm

ADDED LATER: That report was written in 2000. It is not new news.
 
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This is the frustration, isn't it?! Simon Swift in the UK and the papers from Sweden and Australia are all saying the same thing: if breeders stuck to the protocols, there wouldn't BE an MVD problem in Cavaliers! :bang: And if after 12 years they still haven't got that message, will they do any better with an SM protocol? Even with a DNA test, there are some breeders who won't bother to get it done... Science can provide answers, but human beings have to take notice of the questions! A lot of the power to change things lies in the hands of the consumers - ie those who buy Cavaliers - and that is where we can all help to spread the message: don't buy from a breeder who doesn't follow the protocols and do the health tests. But that's going to be a much slower process.

Kate, Oliver and Aled
 
Science can provide answers, but human beings have to take notice of the questions! A lot of the power to change things lies in the hands of the consumers - ie those who buy Cavaliers - and that is where we can all help to spread the message: don't buy from a breeder who doesn't follow the protocols and do the health tests. But that's going to be a much slower process.

Kate, Oliver and Aled

I am glad I asked what it meant, which means it means more things need to be done. So as a "consumer" it is vital to know just how important it is to follow these protocols and health tests. It is frustrating :bang: when there are so many that don't know. Frustrating that some breeders do not follow this and all we want to do is help make sure our breed has a healthy future.

I was talking to a friend who said she contacted her breeder telling her that her second cavalier had a heart arithmia (spelling) at age two. The breeder got angry and said she has never had any problems etc.... It says more about a person to admit there are issues then to say that everything is perfect.
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

I am glad I asked what it meant, which means it means more things need to be done. So as a "consumer" it is vital to know just how important it is to follow these protocols and health tests. It is frustrating :bang: when there are so many that don't know. Frustrating that some breeders do not follow this and all we want to do is help make sure our breed has a healthy future.

I was talking to a friend who said she contacted her breeder telling her that her second cavalier had a heart arithmia (spelling) at age two. The breeder got angry and said she has never had any problems etc.... It says more about a person to admit there are issues then to say that everything is perfect.


EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS


Yes ,THANKS ANNE, for starting this Thread.What a lot we are learning from it.

And Kate I just don't what the answer is .

Take MVD first ,I really do feel that there probably a lot of Cavalier Carriers around now with the MVD Genes, and with the SM Problem, the Cavaliers might have a wee bit better chance of not having so many SM Carriers around.

Hopefully there might be some information on the 7th about how the SM Genetic Research is going.

I know that Breeders have to follow the Recommended CKCS CLUB Breeding Guidelines, but I feel that the Prospective Cavalier Buyers havs such a big part to play, make them aware only to buy a Cavalier from a Cavalier Breeders who Health Tests, and make them aware about the Serious Plight our Cavaliers are in because of SM and MVD.

Bet
 
Evaluation OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS

EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS


Yes ,THANKS ANNE, for starting this Thread.What a lot we are learning from it.

And Kate I just don't what the answer is .

Take MVD first ,I really do feel that there probably a lot of Cavalier Carriers around now with the MVD Genes, and with the SM Problem, the Cavaliers might have a wee bit better chance of not having so many SM Carriers around.

Hopefully there might be some information on the 7th about how the SM Genetic Research is going.

I know that Breeders have to follow the Recommended CKCS CLUB Breeding Guidelines, but I feel that the Prospective Cavalier Buyers havs such a big part to play, make them aware only to buy a Cavalier from a Cavalier Breeders who Health Tests, and make them aware about the Serious Plight our Cavaliers are in because of SM and MVD.

Bet

EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS


Could I put the Record Straight .

On the CC Forum List there are sure some Ruffled Feathers about the Mention from Dr R Mitten.

The information I quoted from him about the state of the Cavaliers' MVD problem is according to the Vociferious Cavalier Brreder on the CC List , 10 years old.

Then we have to use the up to date information MMVD Cavalier That has just come from Sweden,or do some of those Cavalier Breeders have an excuse for not wanting to believe it either.!!!

"That in the 6 year old Cavaliers who were being Researched, the Prevalance of Heart Murmurs in the 6 year old Cavaliers is NOW HIGHER THAN IN PREVIOUS SWEDISH INVESTIGATIONS."

Many of those Swedish Cavaliers will not doubt have the Genes of British Cavaliers ,since the Swedish Cavaliers would probably come from Cavaliers who were exported from Britain in the 60's.

This can also be linked in with what was said at the UK CKCS CLUB 'S AGM last Year by the Cardiologist giving his lecture, that 50% of 5-6 year old Cavaliers have a Heart Murmur,and that this is no better than it was 18 years ago.

What is wrong with some Cavalier Breeders that they seem to be continually in Denial about the MVD problem in our Breed.That they want to gloss the Problem in Cavaliers and blame it all on the Puppy Farmers, when this is impossible ,since most of the Data for the MVD FIgures has come from Cavaliers at CKCS SHOWS ,and I don't think many Folk will believe that Cavaliers from Puppy Farms will be at Cavalier Shows.

Bet
 
On a lighter note, there has been one Cavalier from a puppy farm at the last two Cavalier Club championship shows! I've taken my Aled to them to have his heart checked - interestingly, he was the only 2-3 year-old examined who had a murmur (just as Oliver, from an impeccable show background, was the only 8-9 year-old examined who had a murmur). Aled has a Grade 3 but no problems, Oliver a Grade 2 which could just be old age.

Kate, Oliver and Aled
 
Evaluation of swedish breeding ckcs

On a lighter note, there has been one Cavalier from a puppy farm at the last two Cavalier Club championship shows! I've taken my Aled to them to have his heart checked - interestingly, he was the only 2-3 year-old examined who had a murmur (just as Oliver, from an impeccable show background, was the only 8-9 year-old examined who had a murmur). Aled has a Grade 3 but no problems, Oliver a Grade 2 which could just be old age.

Kate, Oliver and Aled

EVALUATION OF SWEDISH BREEDING CKCS

This Article has just appeared in this week's DOG WORLD from Dr Cathryn Mellersh, who is the Animal Health Trust's Head of Genetics, and makes the point I have been trying to make.

She mentionsthat the Mutation which cause Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Golden Retreivers has been identified.

She further mentions that this Mutation is Present in UK Golden Retriever Population ,so it is likely that Several Hundred New Carriers are being born each year and as a Result the Golden Retrievers are going Blind.

She also says that this Break through will enable the Breeders to learn whether their Dogs are Carriers of this Mutation,and will in turn make better informed Breeding Decisions and will therefore produce Puppies who will not go Blind as a Result of the Mutation.

Can this be being applied to the Cavalier Breeders who ignored the warning from Dr P.Darke, the UK CKCS CLUB'S Cardiologist who carried out Heart Surveys at Cavalier Shows in 1983 and said how Wide- Spread the MVD Problem was in the Cavalier Breed.

If only he had been listened to then , would there now have been less chance of so many Cavalier Carriers of the MVD Genes around to-day.

Is this one of the reasons why it is being said by the Researchers of the MVD Problem in our Cavalier Breed to -day that the MVD is not improving ,in fact in some cases getting worse.

What a lot those Cavalier Breeders who were around in the 1980's have to answer for ,by not heeding the warning that was given to them by Dr P.Darke.

Bet
 
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