The Kennel Club this week urged breed clubs to remain united with them in order to safeguard the health of pedigree dogs, but has warned that it will stand firm in the face of resistance, in order to ensure that the best result is achieved for all breeders and their dogs.

The warning comes in the wake of rumours that some sections of the Bulldog community may be considering walking away from the Kennel Club as a result of action that the Kennel Club has asked to see within the breed. The Kennel Club revised the breed standards for 78 breeds late last year, with more extensive changes being made to certain breeds - such as the Bulldog - to ensure that any trend towards unhealthy exaggeration is halted.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We would be very sad if any breed was to walk away from the Kennel Club, as we believe that by working together we can all best achieve our joint aim of improving the long term health and welfare of dogs.

“However, in the face of resistance to changes that we believe are in a breed’s best interest, the Kennel Club will not be swayed and will be forced to allow those breed clubs to walk away.

Immune

“We are very pleased that the vast majority of breed clubs have been highly co-operative throughout the breed standard review process and many of the clubs have come forward with additional changes that make the breeders’ responsibility for ensuring that their dogs are fit for function, all the more plain.

“These clubs recognise the importance of all working together, and accept the fact that the Kennel Club is not making change for the sake of change. We are making changes first and foremost to protect pedigree health. If we do not act in concert with breed clubs the law is likely to step in and take action independently which will impact equally - or more so - on any groups outside the Kennel Club.

“No breed club is immune from the spotlight that is being cast on their breed and these issues will not just go away.

“There is no doubt that together we are stronger and the Kennel Club sincerely hopes that we can all work together to ensure that the best interests of dogs are served now and in the future – but if any breed clubs remains intransigent we will have to end up parting ways, in order to protect all the other breeders and dogs that the Kennel Club represents.”

The revised breed standards will be published on 1 October 2009.

A Special General Meeting has been called by the Bulldog Breed Council on September 29th, when all Clubs will get together to discuss the amendments to the breed standard.

Members of the Bulldog Breed Council and Bulldog breeders and owners were cautious in their response to the latest news. Robin Searle, the Council’s chairman told OUR DOGS: ‘There is a meeting of all the Clubs in the Council to discuss the new standard. There are now 60 changes to the breed, and I’d rather not discuss anything until after the meeting.’

Malcolm Presland of the Kofyn Bulldogs told us: ‘I haven’t heard anything about these rumours, so I can’t comment further until after the meeting.’

Chris Thomas (Kingrock), who until recently was the Press Officer for the Breed Council also declined to comment until after the meeting had been held.