DogWellNet Digest: Issue #45 - 16 March 2022

Brief Description: The Belgian shepherd is a true working dog in all its varieties. Some varieties have a special working line. Police, army, and border control have utilized the Malinois variety for decades. Belgians work in all working dog trials, including search and rescue (SAR), tracking, herding and of course participate in other activities like agility, obedience, dock diving and barn hunt. Loyal and intense, the dogs enjoy every activity with their owners.

NEW: Get a GRIHP! on Belgian Shepherds is part of a series to highlight the Big Picture of health, welfare, and breeding and to help develop Globally Relevant Integrated Health Profiles (GRIHPs) for many breeds.

Learn more about the Belgian Shepherds in our  Pedigree Breeds database:

Belgian Shepherd Dog/ Groenendael | Belgian Shepherd Dog/ Laekenois  | Belgian Shepherd Dog/ Malinois  | Belgian Shepherd Dog/ Tervueren
 

Pedigree Breeds Database Updates

We routinely add and update breed pages in our Pedigree Breeds Database.

New Breeds:

Poodle, Medium

Brief Description: Originally the medium poodle was bred to be a hunting dog, specializing in retrieving birds from water. Today's dogs are versatile companions that compete in different dog sports/performance events. Poodles are well known competitors in the conformation show rings. The medium poodle is recognized by F.C.I. in European countries along with the other poodle sizes; variety data is from same resources. Size for the medium poodle is listed in the F.C.I. breed standard as between 35-45 cm. The AKC and UK Kennel Club do not recognize the medium poodle.

Learn more about the Medium Poodle in our Pedigree Breeds Database.

• IPFD Contributing Partner Société Centrale Canine (the French Kennel Club) translated its analysis of their 2021 French studbook statistics in English (French studbook statistics - favourite breeds in France and French Studbook statistics - French Breeds). Download attachment below:

Traduction LOF 2021 French studbook statistics - favourite breeds in France.docx

Traduction LOF 2021 French Studbook statistics - French Breeds.docx

• Harmonization of Genetic Testing (HGTD) Project Initiator Partner, Embark Veterinary, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition have partnered on the largest research study to date investigating genetic risk factors that may lead to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). This late-onset heart condition affects both purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike. If your dog has been diagnosed with DCM, simply submit an intake form for your dog, and the research team will be in touch.

Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD)

Ask Aimee

Our HGTD Project Manager, Aimee Llewellyn-Zaidi, provides answers to your questions on canine genetic testing in Ask Aimee.

If you’d like to submit a question to Aimee, please email her at aimee.llewellyn-zaidi@ipfdogs.com.

Get Involved in HGTD!
We welcome additional participant GTPs, more collaborators from any stakeholders concerned with dog health and welfare, the advice of experts, the participation of breed clubs and other consumer groups. We stand ready to provide more information to ongoing discussions.

Please feel free to contact us as we work together for healthy dogs and to support those who breed and own them: IPFD Veterinary Science Officer, Dr. Brenda Bonnett and/or HGTD Project Manager, Aimee Llewellyn-Zaidi.