Collies and Dachshunds born in litters of a different coat type to that of their parents, due to recessive genes, are now eligible to be entered in the register of the breed to which their coat most closely conforms, the Kennel Club has announced.
Annex D to Regulation B2 has been amended as follows (amendments in bold):
1. When Chihuahuas (Smooth Coat) are mated any dog in the resulting litter shall be eligible for entry in the register of the breed to which its coat most closely conforms. Therefore, progeny may also be registered as Chihuahuas (Long Coat).
2. When Belgian Shepherd Dogs are mated any dog in the resulting litter shall be entered in the register of the breed to which its coat and/or colour most closely conforms.
3. When Collies (Smooth) are mated any dog in the resulting litter shall be eligible for entry in the register of the breed to which its coat most closely conforms. Therefore, progeny may also be registered as Collies (Rough).
4. When Dachshunds are mated any dog in the resulting litter shall be entered in the register of the breed to which its coat most closely conforms.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “It makes sense that Collies and Dachshunds born with a different coat type to that of their parents should be eligible to be entered in the register of the breed to which their coat most closely conforms, especially as a precedent already exists with the Belgian Shepherd Dog and Chihuahua breeds. However, we would point out that the Kennel Club reserves the right to DNA profile any litters where parentage may be in question. Also, in the case of Dachshunds, we would emphasise that this latest amendment to the regulations is about coat type only and does not allow for the interchange of Dachshunds between the two sizes.”