Download the latest Kennel Club Breed Health and Conservation Plan HERE

Breeders and owners of Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs can have their dog assessed for BOAS through the Kennel Club’s Respiratory Function Grading Scheme.

Through the scheme, dogs are non-invasively assessed for BOAS by specially-trained vets and given a grade to indicate whether the dog is affected and how severely. Depending on the grade, guidance is given to breeders on how to lower the risk of producing affected puppies, and advice provided to owners to ensure their dog gets the best possible diagnosis, treatment and care to ensure their quality of life. More information and the list and contact details of regionally-approved assessors is available on the Kennel Club web site: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/rfgs

The Kennel Club/University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme Regional Approved Assessor List

Scotland
Assessment Location: East Lothian Name: Laura Hamilton
Bookings: laura@animals1st.co.uk
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Willing to travel if provided with notice.

Assessment Location: Belfast
Name: Gilbert McKnight
Bookings: cedargrove@btinternet.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Will travel by prior/ specific arrangement. Please contact clinic to discuss.

Ireland
Assessment Location: Stamullen, County Meath
Name: Ian Finney
Bookings: Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Within two hour radius of Dublin

North
Assessment Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire
Kingsway Vets, 73 Otley Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1HJ
Name: Katie Illingworth
Bookings: receptionists@kingswayvets.co.uk / 01756 793224
Kingsway Vets, 73 Otley Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1HJ
Assessment Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire
Name: Beth Laycock
Bookings: receptionists@kingswayvets.co.uk / 01756 793224
Assessment Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Name: Natalie Ratcliffe
Bookings: natalie.ratcliffe@abbeyvetsgroup.co.uk
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Within one hour radius.
Assessment Location: Durham
Name: Gillian Maxwell
Bookings: cestria.vets@btconnect.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Within two hour radius
The Kennel Club/ University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme Regional Approved Assessor List

North West
Assessment Location: Nantwich, Cheshire
Hillside Veterinary Centre, 146 Crewe Road, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6NB
Name: Richard Pescod
Bookings: 01270 625310
Notes from assessor: Please be clear that you are requesting a RFG Scheme assessment.
Assessment Location: Withington, South Manchester
Yew Tree Vets, 331 Yew Tree Road, Withington, Manchester, M20 3FP
Name: James Dutfield
Bookings: yewtreevets@hotmail.co.uk / 0161 4452282
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Willing to travel with 20-30 minute radius.
Assessment Location: Wilmslow, Cheshire
The Vets’ Place, Chestnut House, Upcast Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 6EH
Name: Michael Hough
Bookings: info@thevetsplace.com / 01625 585500
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Group sessions available Cheshire/Manchester/Liverpool/Lancashire.
Assessment Location: St Helens
Name: Gemma Holloway
Bookings: referrals@rutlandhousevets.co.uk
Group sessions: Yes
Assessment Location: Preston, Lancashire
Name: Lisa Steinhage
Bookings: lisa.steinhage@oakhill-vets.com.

Midlands
Assessment Location: West Midlands
Name: Susanne Seffer
Bookings: susanneseffer@gmail.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Willing to travel within 100 mile radius.
Assessment Location: West Midlands
Name: Tom Bingham
Bookings: vet@wbvets.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Within one hour radius.
Assessment Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Name: Rebecca Rowe
Bookings: info@oaksvetsbirmingham.co.uk
Assessment Location: East Midlands
Name: Dinu Catilina
Bookings: info@primevets.co.uk
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Within one and a half hour radius.

South West
Assessment Location: Bristol
Name: Carla Puime
Bookings: carla.puime@vets4pets.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Willing to travel within 2 hour radius.
Assessment Location: Taunton, Somerset
Name: Victoria Woods
Bookings: victorialwoods@outlook.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Willing to travel with 2-3 hour radius.
Assessment Location: Exeter
Name: Edward Pattison
Bookings: ed@cityvets.co.uk
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Happy to travel up to an hour.
Assessment Location: Wiltshire, Macqueen Vet Centre, SN10 2GH
Name: Mario Antignani
Bookings: mail@macqueenvets.com
Group sessions: Yes

Isle of Wight
Assessment Location: Newport
Name: Katy Butler
Bookings: katy@iowvets.com
Group sessions: Yes
Notes from assessor: Happy to travel island wide and within one hour of Portsmouth/Southampton/Lymington on the mainland

East of England
Assessment Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
Name: Alistair Mitchell
Bookings: mitchellalistair@aol.com
Group sessions: Yes
Assessment Location: Newmarket
Name: Jane Ladlow
Bookings: jfladlow1001@gmail.com
Group sessions: Yes
Assessment Location: Cambridge
Name: Nai-Chieh
Bookings: hospital@vet.cam.ac.uk
Assessment Location: Cambridge
Name: Philip Franklin
Bookings: hospital@vet.cam.ac.uk
Group sessions: Yes
Assessment Location: Lincolnshire
Name: Richard Morris
Bookings: fenwoldvetsspilsby@gmail.com
Assessment Location: Surrey
Name: Andy Trevan
Bookings: cas@gayton.co.uk
Assessment Location: Braintree, Essex
Name: Lindsey Nice
Bookings: admin@millenniumvets.co.uk
Assessment Location: Goodmayes, London
Name: Alexander Bradnick
Bookings: alexbradnickvet@gmail.com / 02085998544
Assessment Location: Goodmayes, London
Name: Hayley Giles
Bookings: hngiles@hotmail.co.uk / 02085998544

Testing for this scheme will be available at the P&SFBA Open Show at The Richard Greenhow Centre, Gretna, Scotland on Sunday July 14th with trained vet Laura Hamilton. To reserve a place please contact Jackie Mavro on jmm10@sky.com

French Bulldog and High Profile Breed List

The KC General Committee will announce shortly that the French Bulldog Best of Breeds and potential Champion dogs will no longer be subject to a Veterinary Health Check at Championship shows following a recommendation from the Kennel Club Dog Health Group. The breed will now move from category 3 classification (High Profile Breeds) on Breed Watch to category 2 with all listed visible conditions remaining in place.

The visible health of the breed will continue to be monitored by the Kennel Club and the Breed Health Co-ordinator will still be required to submit a comprehensive annual breed health report. Judges will also be asked to submit mandatory health monitoring forms after each appointment. The Kennel Club will continue to work closely with breed representatives and offer support and advice with ongoing health and welfare initiatives.

The Kennel Club would like to commend the dedication, passion and commitment of the French Bulldog owners and exhibitors who have participated in health testing for both visible and hereditary conditions. The French Bulldog is a breed pre-disposed to conformational health and welfare concerns, however those who have been involved in the Breed Health Scheme have demonstrated that with responsible ownership, considerate breeding, transparency of information and accessibility of education and advice to owners, French Bulldogs can live long, happy, healthy lives.