This could be seen as an attempt to sabotage the KC/AHT EBV scheme.
I have written to the KC, Cavalier Club, & Sarah Blott at the AHT to make them aware of the situation.
Jeez -- not only does that site misinterpet existing research, but also fails to note that every single study done in addition to Clare Rusbridge's work has confirmed at *least* the rate of affectedness she initially predicted (and sadly, some huge studies since rate it far higher). Also: how can they set up an EBV system that is at all useful if they accept MRIs 'signed by any vet' -- vet?! Who is going to interpret quality? MRIs being of too low a quality is already known to be a major reason why the UK EBV system isn't yet available. It is why UK breeders wanted a panel for interpretation, which is what the new KC/BVA scheme gives them.
And how ludicrous to use a 'survey' set up by breeders on the internet to state rates of MVD and CM/SM and how many dogs have symptoms. We all know how easy it is for vets to miss symptoms, much less dog owners or breeders. Using 'statistcs' and 'evidence' from a breeder sponsored online survey just
might be a bit biased in favour of low rates of disease and symptoms.
Maybe like the low rates of affected dogs being submitted for the UK EBVs, even though breeders who scan have readily admitted on their own discussion sites that about half their scans show that dog is affected with SM. Several, including various UK club committee members over recent years, have agreed with that rate. An artificially low rate -- seemingly too many breeders only submitting their good scans only --has also stalled the EBV scheme as there isn't enough honest info for it to be meaningful yet for breeders to actually use it to improve breed health :sl*p:.
How amazing that this breeder-led online survey has fabulously lower rates of both MVD and CM/SM than *all* the actual research over the past decades has revealed!
No one takes online surveys where anyone can respond, seriously.
A lot of breeders and researchers have worked hard to get the KC/BVA scheme up and I think anyone wanting something reputable and valuable will want to support it -- and also perhaps, work to have it eventually appropriately linked to any new international schemes, where the integrity of scan interpretation etc can be guaranteed. It would make more sense to have any additional programmes for breeders outside the UK, submit in to the UK scheme and grow it to an international programme.