Breed Watch – Chinese Crested

Following the Dog Health Group’s Breed Standards & Conformation sub-group meeting, I have been requested to contact you on behalf of the sub-group with regard to Breed Watch.

Following discussion of visible health and welfare concerns in a number of breeds,

the sub-group concluded, following approval of the Dog Health Group and the Board, that “nervous temperament” should be monitored and therefore should be added to Breed Watch as points of concern for the breed.

Breed Watch is an early warning system intended for judges to note any visible points of concern which they should take into consideration and penalise when judging the breed. Judges are asked to complete the judge’s health monitoring form following appointments at championship shows. This is to prevent introduction of health and welfare concerns that are detrimental to a dog’s wellbeing and to maintain high standards of health in the show ring. The form can be accessed online below;

Judges' breed health monitoring form | The Kennel Club

Exhibitors should also take the time to become familiar with the points of concern that can affect their breed, as they too have an important role to play in ensuring that dogs are free from health concerns and exaggeration.

As Breed Watch serves as a “roll-on, roll-off” system, after a period of 12 months should no reports of these concerns be made by judges when completing the mandatory health monitoring form given above, then the point(s) will be reviewed and potentially removed. All points of concern are assessed quarterly and breed health co-ordinators will receive an annual summary to share with their breed, this is to continually review points of concerns reported by Judges.

More information on Breed Watch and the Judges Health Monitoring process can be found at http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/for-exhibitors-and-judges-of-show-dogs/