The Swedish Vallhund Society has shown its commitment to the health and welfare of the breed by asking its members to abide by certain recommendations which include joining the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme.

The breed club has become the first to officially enshrine the recommendation to join the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme into its Code of Ethics. It also approved a range of other recommendations at its 2009 Annual General Meeting, which include asking that dogs and bitches used for breeding are:

• Believed to be clear from hereditary defects
• X-rayed and scored under the BVA/KC HD scheme and do not have a total score of more than 20
• Eye tested and obtain any certificates required at the time under the Kennel Club schemes.

Chris Millard, Chairman of the Swedish Vallhund Society, said: “The Committee of the Swedish Vallhund Society is delighted that the members and the Kennel Club have taken such a pro active stance to ensure the health and welfare of this ancient breed continues for future generations to come.

“This is a very positive step and members have recognised that these are not draconian measures introduced to control the membership but a way of ensuring the breed maintains its current healthy status.”

Bill Lambert, Kennel Club Breed Health Manager, said: “We are heartened to see the Swedish Vallhund Society being so supportive of the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme.

“The scheme was established to bind together responsible breeders, who follow the principles of good breeding practice, so that the public can differentiate them from irresponsible breeders who bring the rest of the dog breeding community into disrepute.

“For the sake of the welfare of all dogs and in order to formalise what all responsible breeders are already doing, we hope that other breed clubs will write the principles and standards of the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme into their Code of Ethics. We would also like to see even more responsible breeders being encouraged to join and support the scheme.”

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Accredited Breeder Scheme (ABS), Pastoral Group 

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