Bet you probably would have contacted Researchers in Australia. I think that the reply email you received might have included something like this:-Could I just mention that there is a Survey taking place in Australia at the moment on the IN-Breeding Problem in Pedigree Dogs.
I contacted those involved in this Research explaining that the Cavaliers in Australia would probably have been exported from Britain in the early days ,and presumeably will have many of the same Genes and had had the In-Bred Back-grounds ........................
I have just received an E-Mail ,thanking me for this information , that it will be of interest .
"The early indications of the research into the coefficient of inbreeding indicates that we have a low COI in Australia".
You may have read the following which I posted elswhere and I may as well post it here as some may be interested. In the following I noted this and I think that some time after that date I may post some more information on what may be happening in Australia.
"This form also sets a target for all clubs to develop a breeding practices policy by June 2010."
Also Dr Frank Nicholas mentioned below is actually an Emeritus Professor and apparently is doing some sort of heritable diseases database for the UK RSPCA, this where veterinarians around the UK can input information into the database, also I think that at Sydney University Associate Professor Paul McGreevy may also be involved with this. I think that the UK AHT and BVA just might also be involved, and remember a while back some comments were made after some UK Cavalier breeders arranged for question forms to be sent out to veterinarians so as to find out from them how many SM cases they may have seen in their practice. The APGAW and Bateson Reports both mention the importance of collecting health information and to have a database.
Anyway the following is from the DOC format document at this address.
http://www.dogsvictoria.org.au/assets/coi-research.doc
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING
RESEARCH INTO COEFFICIENT OF INBREEDING IN PUREBRED DOGS.
In 2008, Dr Frank Nicholas, from Sydney University, approached the ANKC for approval to be granted access to the pedigree data from the ANKC national database. The reason for having access to this data was for research purposes in setting up a heritable diseases database. This was agreed at the ANKC conference held in October 2008.
It is important for all members to realise that the data supplied does not include any member’s personal details and is, in fact, totally non-identifying data that is given to anyone making pedigree enquiries into the database. The only difference is that the entire database was released rather than the normal practice of only releasing those details pertaining to a specific enquiry.
Part of the process of this research project is that two postgraduate students from the University of Sydney are using the data to conduct research into the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) of purebred dogs.
Considering the situation that arose in the United Kingdom as a result of a BBC television program concerning breeding practices amongst dog breeders in the UK, DOGS Victoria believes there is a possibility, that once the research students’ work is published, some public focus may arise in Australia about inbreeding of purebred dogs.
DOGS Victoria believes in being proactive and will be taking a leadership role on this issue. We are strongly recommending that all breeders, national breed councils, and breed clubs establish and implement an improved breeding practices policy with consideration for the overall health and welfare of your particular breed.
DOGS Victoria acknowledges that quite a number of national breed councils, breed clubs and breeders already have responsible breeding practices in place, and it is requested these breeding requirements, or litter registrations limitations (LRL), be forwarded to the DOGS Victoria office by emailing [email protected] .
If you, your club, or your national breed council requires assistance in developing a breeding practices policy, please feel free to contact DOGS Victoria by emailing [email protected] or the DOGS Victoria canine health committee by emailing [email protected] .
All clubs will have received a survey form from the DOGS Victoria office to assist in listing their breeding requirements or LRL. This form also sets a target for all clubs to develop a breeding practices policy by June 2010.
The early indications of the research into the coefficient of inbreeding indicates that we have a low COI in Australia, so the results of this research should show purebred dogs in a positive light in Australia, and as such we will continue to support this important research.
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