What is the scheme?
The Kennel Club and University of Cambridge's Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assesses Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs for a breathing problem known as BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome).
The scheme advises owners if their dog is affected by BOAS and gives guidance to breeders on how to lower the risk of producing affected puppies. A selection of regionally approved assessors (vets trained especially in BOAS) have been appointed to carry out respiratory function grading on dogs of these breeds.
Dogs can be assessed from the age of 12 months and this should be repeated every two years for their lifetime, or until you stop using them for breeding.
What is BOAS?
Dogs with a flat, wide-shaped head are said to be brachycephalic (‘brachy’ meaning short, and ‘cephalic’, meaning head). The soft tissue in the nose and throat of some brachycephalic dogs may be excessive for the airways, partially obstructing the airway and making it difficult for them to breathe normally (causing heavy panting or noisy breathing). This condition is known as BOAS and is a progressive disorder that can impair a dog’s ability to exercise, play, eat and sleep.
Find out more about BOAS or watch our film on The Kennel Club Academy.
How can I book an assessment?
You could look at our list of health testing clinics, or alternatively find your closest regional assessor below and contact them directly to book an assessment.
Scotland
Assessor: | Laura Hamilton |
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Location: | East Lothian |
Practice: | Animal 1st Veterinary Surgery |
Bookings (via email): | Laura Hamilton |
Assessor: | Adele Fitzpatrick |
Location: | Glasgow |
Practice: | The Natural Vet/Vet Crèche |
Bookings (via email): | Adele Fitzpatrick |
Assessor: | Tim Borthwick |
Location: | County of Lanark |
Practice: | Clyde Vet Group – Lanark Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | Clyde Vet Group – Lanark Hospital |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01555 660000 |
Assessor: | Niall Morton |
Location: | City of Dundee |
Practice: | Wallace Vets - Broughty Ferry |
Bookings (via email): | N/A |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01382 549600 |
Assessor: | Paik Koh |
Location: | East Lothian |
Practice: | DentalVets |
Bookings (via email): | DentalVets |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01620 890002 |
Assessor: | Anne Christison |
Location: | Edinburgh |
Practice: | West End Vets |
Bookings (via email): | West End Vets |
Bookings (via telephone): | 0131 229 7619 |
Assessor: | Claire Robertson |
Location: | Livingstone |
Practice: | Riverside Vets |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01506 437096 |
Ireland
Assessor: | Ian Finney |
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Location: | Stamullen, County Meath |
Practice: | Shenick Veterinary Centre |
Bookings (via email): | Ian Finney |
Bookings (via phone): | +353 (83) 033 2468 |
Assessor: | Dr. Tim Kirby |
Location: | Kerry |
Practice: | PetBond Ltd |
Bookings (via email): | PetBond Ltd |
Assessor: | David Woods |
Location: | Wexford, Ireland |
Practice: | Wexford Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | David Woods |
Bookings (via phone): |
+353 (53) 914 5755 |
Northern Ireland
Assessor: | Currently no assessors |
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Location: | |
Name: | |
Bookings (via email): |
Wales
Assessor: | Emma Havard |
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Location: | Carmarthenshire |
Practice: | Vets4Pets – Cross Hands |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via phone): |
01269 833 150 |
Assessor: | Geraint Jones |
Location: | Swansea |
Practice: | St James Veterinary Group - Parkway Surgery |
Bookings (via email): | parkway@stjamesvet.co.uk |
Bookings (via phone): | |
Assessor: | Rebecca Riley |
Location: | Cardiff |
Practice: | CSVI clinic |
Bookings (via email): | CS Veterinary Imaging |
Assessor: | Annie Alford |
Location: | Cardiff |
Practice: | Morgans - Marlborough Road |
Bookings (via email): | Morgans - Marlborough Road |
Bookings (via phone): | 029 2049 1235 |
North East
Assessor: | Andrew Ward |
---|---|
Location: | Northumberland |
Practice: | St. Clair Veterinary Care |
Bookings (via email): | Andrew Ward |
North West
Assessor: | Gemma Holloway |
---|---|
Location: | Cumbria |
Practice: | Kentdale Referrals |
Bookings (via email): | Kentdale Referrals |
Assessor: | Lloyd Davies |
Location: | Greater Manchester |
Practice: | My Pet Vets, Walter Leigh Way Surgery |
Bookings (via email): | My Pet Vets, Walter Leigh Way Surgery |
Assessor: | Lisa Steinhage |
Location: | Lancashire |
Practice: | Oakhill Veterinary Centre – Lytham Road |
Bookings (via email): | Oakhill Veterinary Centre - Lytham Road |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01772 718774 |
Assessor: | Charlotte Furnell |
Location: | Lancashire |
Practice: | Oakhill Veterinary Centre - Goosnargh |
Bookings (via email): | Oakhill Veterinary Centre |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01772 861300 |
Assessor: | James Dutfield |
Location: | Cheshire |
Practice: | Goostrey Lane Vets |
Bookings (via email): | Goostrey Lane Vets |
Assessor: | Hannah Redhead |
Location: | Cheshire |
Practice: | Hillside Animal Medics |
Bookings (via email): | Hillside Animal Medics |
Bookings (via telephone): | N/A |
Assessor: | Maliha Chowdhury |
Location: | Blackburn |
Practice: | Myerscough Veterinary Group |
Bookings (via email): | Myerscough Veterinary Group |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01254 814863 |
Assessor: |
Richard Sanderson |
Location: |
Wirral |
Practice: |
Peninsula Vet Referrals |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via telephone): | |
Assessor: |
Elizabeth Willan MRCVS |
Location: |
Cheshire |
Practice: |
Companion Care |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via telephone): |
01614755720 |
Assessor: |
Javier Berrón |
Location: |
Warrington & Liverpool |
Practice: |
The Vet |
Bookings (via email): | Javier Berrón |
Bookings (via phone): | 01925 906 442 |
Yorkshire
Assessor: | Beth Laycock |
---|---|
Location: | North Yorkshire |
Practice: | Kingsway Veterinary Group Ltd - Skipton |
Bookings (via email): | Kingsway Veterinary Group Ltd - Skipton |
Assessor: | Dr Eric Rouviere |
Location: | Rotherham |
Practice: | Rotherham Vets4Pets - Moorgate |
Bookings (via email): | Eric Rouviere |
Bookings (via phone): |
01709 369808 |
Assessor: | Katie Illingworth |
Location: | North Yorkshire |
Practice: | Kingsway Veterinary Group Ltd - Skipton |
Bookings (via email): | Kingsway Veterinary Group Ltd - Skipton |
Assessor: | Natalie Ratcliffe |
Location: | South Yorkshire |
Practice: | Abbey Veterinary Group |
Bookings (via email): | natalie.ratcliffe@abbeyvetsgroup.co.uk |
Assessor: | Ana Devesa |
Location: | Glusburn |
Practice: | Ashlands Veterinary Centre |
Bookings (via email): | 01535632608 |
Bookings (via phone): | Ashlands Veterinary Centre |
West Midlands
Assessor: | Charlotte Matthews |
---|---|
Location: | Herefordshire |
Practice: | Belmont Vets |
Bookings (via email): | Belmont Vets |
Assessor: | Chris Kirtley |
Location: | Shropshire |
Practice: | Park Issa Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | Park Issa Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via phone): |
01691 670067 |
Assessor: | Daniel Fetic |
Location: | Halesowen |
Practice: | Local vets Halesowen |
Bookings (via email): |
|
Bookings (via phone): | 0121 296 7776 |
Assessor: | Diana Baker |
Location: | Shropshire |
Practice: | Elite Kennel Fertility |
Bookings (via email): | office@elitekennelfertility.com |
Bookings (via phone): | 01948 668059 |
Assessor: | Hannah Brooks |
Location: | Staffordshire |
Practice: | Bramble and Bear - The Mobile Vet Clinic |
Bookings (via email): | Bramble and Bear - The Mobile Vet Clinic |
Bookings (via phone): | 01782 438663 |
Assessor: | Dr Helen Price |
Location: | Staffordshire |
Practice: | Wombourne Veterinary Centre |
Bookings (via email): | Wombourne Veterinary Centre |
Bookings (via phone): | 01902 324551 |
Assessor: | John Alexander |
Location: | Herefordshire |
Practice: | Alexander-Wallace Ltd |
Bookings (via phone): | 07875389511 |
Assessor: | Magdalena Ferrante |
Location: | West Midlands |
Practice: | West Bromwich |
Bookings (via email): | Vet4Pets - West Bromwich |
Assessor: | Rumen Beleliev |
Location: | Oldbury, Birmingham |
Practice: |
Local Vets Oldbury |
Bookings (via email): | Rumen Beleliev |
Assessor: | Susan Seffer |
Location: | West Midlands |
Practice: | 608 Veterinary Practice |
Bookings (via email): | Susan Seffer |
Assessor: | Heather Tyrie |
Location: | Wolverhampton |
Practice (bookings via email): | Trusted Vets |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01902 766905 |
Assessor: | Stephanie Edwards BVetMed MRCVS |
Location: | Shropshire |
Practice: | Severn Edge Vets, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4AR |
Practice (bookings via email): | Stephanie Edwards |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01746763998 |
Assessor: | Stephanie Edwards |
Location: | Bridgnorth |
Practice: | Severn Edge Vets |
Practice (bookings via email): | Severn Edge Vets |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01746763998 |
East Midlands
Assessor: | Alistair Mitchell |
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Location: | Lincolnshire |
Practice: | Holbeach and Fleet Veterinary Clinic |
Bookings (via email): | Alistair Mitchell |
Assessor: | Dinu Catilina |
Location: | Derbyshire |
Practice: | Prime Veterinary Practice |
Bookings (via email): | Prime Veterinary Practice |
Assessor: | Elizabeth Nobes |
Location: | Northampton |
Practice: | Spinney Lodge Vets |
Bookings (via email): | Elizabeth Nobes |
Bookings (via phone): |
01604 648221 |
Assessor: | James Millington |
Location: | Chesterfield |
Practice: | Staveley Vets |
Bookings (via email): | Staveley Vets |
Assessor: | Dr Sean Brister |
Location: | Derbyshire |
Practice: | Shirebrook Vets |
Bookings (via email): | Shirebrook Vets |
Bookings (via phone): | 01623 579579 |
Assessor: | Vicky Lees |
Location: | Lincolnshire |
Practice: | Priory Veterinary Practice - Stamford |
Bookings (via email): | Priory Veterinary Practice - Stamford |
Bookings (via phone): | 01780 322333 |
Assessor: | Katie Wain |
Location: | Nottingham University and locum in Warwickshire |
Practice: | Nottingham University and locum in Warwickshire |
Bookings (via email): | Katie Wain |
East of England
Practice: | Mayne Veterinary Clinic |
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Bookings (via email): | Charlie Lloyd |
Assessor: | Charlotte Gray |
Location: | East Sussex |
Practice: | Badgers Oak Veterinary Clinic |
Bookings (via email): | Badgers Oak Veterinary Clinic |
Assessor: |
Fran Thomlinson |
Location: |
Cambridgeshire |
Practice: |
The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via phone): |
01223 337621 |
Assessor: |
Jane Ladlow |
Location: |
Cambridgeshire |
Practice: | Granta Veterinary Specialists |
Bookings (via email): | Jane Ladlow |
Assessor: | Katarzyna Atmaca |
Location: | West Sussex |
Practice: | Portland Vets East Grinstead |
Bookings (via email): | Portland Vets East Grinstead |
Practice: |
Millennium Veterinary Practice |
Bookings (via email): | |
Assessor: |
Susana Monforte Monteiro |
Location: |
Cambridge |
Practice: |
Queens Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | University of Cambridge Veterinary School |
Bookings (via phone): | |
Assessor: |
Adriana Raluca Delescu |
Location: |
Great Yarmouth |
Practice: |
The Veterinary Hospital - Gorleston |
Bookings (via email): | TheVeterinaryHospital Allen |
Bookings (via phone): |
01493661833 |
Assessor: |
Andrei Popescu |
Location: |
Suffolk |
Practice: |
The Veterinary Hospital - Lowestoft |
Bookings (via email): | TheVeterinaryHospital Allen |
Bookings (via phone): |
01502572141 |
Assessor: |
Shameena Shajira |
Location: |
Norfolk |
Practice: |
The Grove Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | Grove Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via phone): |
01328 862137 |
Assessor: |
Stamatios Bouses |
Location: |
Peterborough |
Practice: |
Werrington Vets |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via phone): | 01733 977200 |
London and South East
Assessor: |
Alice Webb-Wilson |
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Location: |
London |
Practice: |
Wolf Vets |
Bookings (via email): | Alice Webb-Wilson |
Bookings (via phone): |
02081674477 |
Assessor: | Andy Trevan |
Location: | Surrey |
Practice: | Gayton Veterinary Group, Redhill |
Bookings (via email): | Andy Trevan |
Assessor: | Amanda Wiltshire |
Location: | Reigate |
Practice: | Priory Veterinary Surgeons |
Bookings (via email): | Priory Veterinary Surgeons |
Bookings (via phone): |
01737 242190 |
Assessor: | Charlotte Gray |
Location: | East Sussex |
Practice: | Badgers Oak Veterinary Clinic |
Bookings (via email): | Badgers Oak Veterinary Clinic |
Assessor: |
David Duncan |
Location: |
East Grinstead |
Practice: |
Portland Vets East Grinstead |
Bookings (via email): | Kasia Atmaca |
Bookings (via phone): | |
Assessor: |
Emma Tarrant |
Location: |
Horley |
Practice: |
Portland Vets Horley |
Bookings (via email): | horley@portlandvets.co.uk |
Bookings (via phone): | |
Assessor: | Gabriella Papa |
Location: | Greater London |
Practice: | N/A |
Bookings (via email): | Gabriella Papa |
Bookings (via phone): |
N/A |
Assessor: | Katarzyna Atmaca |
Location: | West Sussex |
Practice: | Portland Vets East Grinstead |
Bookings (via email): | Portland Vets East Grinstead |
Assessor: |
Katie Brown |
Location: |
East Grinstead |
Practice: |
Portland Vets East Grinstead |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via phone): | |
Assessor: | Kevin Clifford |
Location: | Greater London |
Practice: | Brompton Veterinary Clinic |
Bookings (via email): | Kevin Clifford |
Assessor: | Laura Raine |
Location: | Greater London |
Practice: | Voo Vets Surbiton Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | Voo Vets Surbiton Hospital |
Bookings (via phone): |
02083 996666 |
Assessor: |
Matt Link |
Location: |
Milton Keynes |
Practice: |
Vets4pets Milton Keynes |
Bookings (via email): | Matt Link |
Bookings (via phone): |
|
Assessor: |
Dr Elizabeth Youens |
Location: |
Hatfield |
Practice: |
Royal Veterinary College |
Bookings (via email): | Elizabeth Youens |
Bookings (via phone): |
01707 666366 |
Assessor: |
Katherine Blazdell |
Location: |
Oxfordshire |
Practice: |
Five Elements Veterinary Acupuncture |
Bookings (via email): | Katherine Blazdell |
Bookings (via phone): |
07712 182 089 |
Assessor: |
Diana Kennedy |
Location: |
Oxfordshire |
Practice: |
Beaumont - Kidlington |
Bookings (via phone): |
01865373397 |
Assessor: | Nichola Davies |
Location: | Portsmouth |
Practice: | Harbour Veterinary Group |
Bookings (via phone): |
02392668916 |
Assessor: | Stephanie Littlejohn |
Location: | Portsmouth |
Practice: | Carmarthen Small Animal |
Bookings (via email): | Carmarthen Small Animal |
Bookings (via phone): |
02392668916 |
Assessor: | Rebecca Secluna |
Location: | Winchester |
Practice: |
Mildmay Veterinary Hospital |
Bookings (via email): | |
Bookings (via phone): |
01962854088 |
Assessor: | Rebeca Garcia Pinillos |
Location: | Berkshire |
Bookings (via email): |
Rebeca Garcia |
Assessor: | Sophie Groombridge |
Location: | Farnborough |
Practice: | Grazely Vets |
Bookings (via email): | 01252 544244 |
Bookings (via phone): |
Grazely Vets |
South West
Assessor: | Carla Puime |
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Location: | Bristol |
Practice: | Bristol Emersons Green Vets4Pets |
Bookings (via email): | Bristol Emersons Green Vets4Pets |
Assessor: | Edward Pattison |
Location: | Devon |
Practice: | CityVet |
Bookings (via email): | Edward Pattison |
Bookings (via email): | 01392 250066 |
Assessor: | Mario Antignani |
Location: | Whiltshire |
Practice: | Macqueen Veterinary Centre |
Bookings (via email): | Macqueen Veterinary Centre |
Assessor: | Samantha Lane |
Location: | Somerset |
Practice: | Bath Vets Referrals |
Bookings (via email): | Bath Vets Referrals |
Bookings (via telephone): | 01225 982777 |
Assessor: | Bradley Cooper |
Location: |
Tewkesbury |
Practice: | Folly Gardens Vets |
Bookings (via telephone): |
South East
Assessor: | Georgina Brown |
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Location: | East Sussex |
Practice: | New Priory Vets |
Bookings (via email): | 01273540430 |
Bookings (via telephone): | New Priory Vets |
Isle of Wight
Assessor: | Currently no assessors |
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Location: | |
Practice: | |
Bookings (via email): |
Getting your dog assessed
How much does it cost?
What do I need to bring to the assessment?
What happens during the assessment?
How often do I need to have my dog assessed?
What does each grade mean?
- Grade 0: Your dog is clinically unaffected and is currently free of respiratory signs of BOAS. If your dog is under 2 years old we suggest they have an annual health check with their own vet, as BOAS can develop later in life.
- Grade 1: Your dog is clinically unaffected but does have some respiratory noise. This does not affect their exercise performance. If your dog is under 2 years old, close monitoring by their vet is advised. All dogs should have a repeat assessment every two years with an approved assessor, as BOAS can develop later in life.
- Grade 2: Your dog is clinically affected and has moderate respiratory signs of BOAS that should be monitored and may require veterinary treatment.
- Grade 3: Your dog is clinically affected and has severe respiratory signs of BOAS and should be seen by your own vet for a thorough veterinary examination with treatment. We do not recommend that you breed from your dog.
These grades have an expiry date and dogs should be assessed every two years for their lifetime, or until you stop using them for breeding.
Breeding advice
For breeds where respiratory function grading is recommended, you should ideally only breed from two dogs that have both been through the scheme. Using these dogs will give you the information you need to reduce the chances of the puppies you breed suffering from BOAS when they grow up. If you are looking to buy a puppy of this breed you should ensure both parents are tested under the scheme.
The way that BOAS is inherited is not fully understood and is not always entirely predictable. Using the guidelines below can help you reduce the chances of breeding puppies affected by BOAS. However, even if used responsibly, this guidance cannot guarantee that a puppy from two unaffected parents will be free from BOAS.
- Green: the lowest risk of breeding dogs affected by BOAS
- Amber: a higher risk of producing puppies that may grow up to be affected by BOAS. Any mating of a grade 2 dog should not only consider genetic diversity, but also the health of the individual dog. BOAS is a progressive condition and special attention should be taken with any grade 2. Therefore, before considering breeding from your dog, please be aware of any respiratory issues and further consider how mating and whelping may impact your dog.
- Red: a mating which has a high risk of producing puppies that may grow up to be affected by BOAS. These matings are not recommended. Producing puppies affected by BOAS has a serious impact on their health and welfare. A mating which may produce affected puppies should never knowingly be carried out
Find a dog's BOAS grade
Our Health Test Results Finder can help you find any dog's BOAS grade, as well as results from any DNA tests and health screening schemes that we record. This tool can help you make informed decisions, whether you're a breeder trying to find a suitable healthy mate for your dog, or a puppy buyer wanting to know more about the health of a puppy's parents.
Making balanced breeding decisions
As well as considering the implications of a dog’s respiratory function grading score, there are other equally important factors to consider when deciding whether two dogs should be mated together, such as temperament, genetic diversity, conformation, other available health test results, the general health of the dogs etc. Your breeding decisions should always be well balanced between and take into consideration the qualities and compatibility of both the sire and dam that you are considering.
Questions and answers
What happens with my result?
Your dog’s grades will be recorded on The Kennel Club’s database and will be published in one or more of the following:
- the Breed Records Supplement
- our Health Test Results Finder
If my dog was tested before 2019 am I able to send the results to be added?
Yes, The Kennel Club will accept results from dogs assessed during 2017 and 2018, carried out by a regional assessor trained under The Kennel Club/Cambridge scheme, providing the results are submitted on a signed and dated form including the dog’s microchip and The Kennel Club registration number and name. Please email these results to us.
Can I appeal my dog’s grade?
Any appeals against a grade given to a dog must be lodged in writing to The Kennel Club within 30 days of the examination. Following this, the owner is eligible to take the dog, with the original certificate issued, for an additional examination under the chief assessor. The chief assessor will charge the normal fee. Should the chief assessor agree with the initial assessor, the appeal will be deemed to have failed, and the chief assessor will inform The Kennel Club accordingly. In such an event no further appeal is possible. The decision of the chief assessor is final. Should the chief assessor disagree with the first assessment, the dog’s new grade shall be referred to The Kennel Club for amendment.
The final result of any appeal must be received by the Kennel Club within 90 days of examination, otherwise the first result may be sent to The Kennel Club for publication.
Contact information
Chief Assessor: Dr. Jane Ladlow
Health Results Appeal
Breeder Services Dept
The Kennel Club
1-5 Clarges Street
Piccadilly, London
W1J 8AB
What statistics are known about RFGS results?
Statistics on the number of dogs scored by the scheme and their results can be accessed in our RFGS breed-specific information.
How to become an assessor
If you’re a veterinary surgeon and wish to become an assessor for the Respiratory Function Grading scheme, please email Health (The Kennel Club) with the following details:
- Full name
- Email address
- Veterinary practice name
- Veterinary practice address
You'll be invited to attend a training day consisting of a theoretical and practical session, providing you with the knowledge you need to perform the assessments. The assessment itself is completely non-invasive and takes approximately 15 minutes.
By becoming a Respiratory Function Grading scheme Assessor, you not only equip yourself with a valuable tool to assess disease severity, but also contribute to educating owners and breeders about BOAS and how they can minimise the risk of producing affected puppies.
What are the terms and conditions?
Experienced an issue with the RFG scheme?
What countries operate the RFG Scheme?
The RFG Scheme is currently operational in various countries worldwide. The licensing of the scheme is extended to the following countries:
- Australia - The Australian National Kennel Council
- Austria - Österreichische Kynologenverband
- Belgium - Societe Royale Saint-Hubert
- Croatia - Hrvatski kinološki Savez
- Czech Republic - Czech-Moravian Cynological Union
- Denmark - Dansk Kennel Klub
- Germany - Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen
- Iceland - Hundareaktarfelag Islands
- Ireland - Irish Kennel Club
- Mexico - Canófila Federation Mexicana
- Netherlands - De Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch
- New Zealand - Dogs New Zealand
- North America - The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Norway - Norsk Kennel Klub
- Portugal - Clube Português de Canicultura
- Romania - Asociatia Chinologica Romana
- Sweden - Svenska Kennelklubben
- Switzerland - Société Cynologique Suisse
For details on how to participate in the assessment process in any of these countries, please contact us at health@thekennelclub.org.uk or reach out directly to the respective international organisation.