Kennel Club urges more health screening to help protect dogs

Multi-breed health screening day at Stoneleigh ahead of Crufts

The Kennel Club is holding a multi-breed health screening day, taking place on Friday 21st February from 9.30am - 4pm at the Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh.

The health screening assessments available on the day are: 

  • Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments for French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs, carried out by approved assessor, Dr Dinu Catilina DVM CertAVP(GSAS) MRCVS (£40 per session)
  • Heart Scheme assessments for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, carried out by cardiologist Dave Fisher BVetMed CertSAC CertSAM MRCVS (£70 per session);
  • BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme examinations available to all dogs, carried out by ophthalmologist Robert Pontefract B.V.M.S, Cert V Ophthal, M.R.C.V.S. (£45 per session)

The sessions will be booked on a first come, first served basis and can be booked now by emailing our health team. More information about the schemes is available via the links below, and on the Kennel Club website:

Bill Lambert, Head of Health and Welfare at the Kennel Club, said: “Ahead of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, we would like to underline the importance of all breeders and owners using the tools available to them to help protect the health of their much-loved dogs.

“Among others, the Kennel Club and University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, launched in February 2019, is non-invasive examination in which Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are assessed by a specially-trained vet who examines the dog’s breathing when calm and then again after moving, using a list of criteria and protocol to give a grade. These assessments and other health tools can help breeders make informed decisions, and ensures the health and welfare of dogs comes first, which must always be a priority.

“The health team at the Kennel Club can answer any questions that you have about the wide range of screening schemes available on the day – how they work, the potential outcomes and can also give advice on how you might wish to apply this knowledge when choosing to breed your dogs. Having your dogs screened provides breeders with vital information which can be used effectively to breed puppies that have a far greater chance of living long and healthy lives.  We really do urge all those who care about the health of their breed, both now and in the future, to have their dogs routinely screened and we hope many will take the opportunity to book an appointment and come along to Stoneleigh on 21st February.”

The screening will take place at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2LZ.

For booking and further information, please email our health team.