As part of its ongoing commitment to the Fit for Function, Fit for Life campaign and at the instigation of the Kennel Club’s Dog Health Group, the Kennel Club is organising a Judges’ Seminar on Molosser type breeds to include presentations on the Mastiff, the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Dogue de Bordeaux.

The seminar, which will take place at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park on Thursday 11th February 2010, will be the first meeting organised by the Kennel Club as a result of its Breed Watch initiative, which asks judges and breeders to identify any health issues that they notice occurring within a breed so that the appropriate action can be take.

The seminar will be led by Frank Kane, Chairman of the Kennel Club Breed Standards Stud Book Sub-Committee and a member of the Dog Health Group.

Invitations have been sent to all judges approved to award Mastiff CCs in 2010 and 2011 and breed specialists from each of the registered clubs’ judges lists. It is anticipated that approximately 80 judges will attend this event.

The seminar programme will include feedback on information received by the Dog Health Group from judges during the last year. It will also include presentations from Professors Sheila Crispin and Mike Herrtage and members of the Dog Health Group on general dog conformation and movement, and the importance of recognising obvious health issues relating to skin and eyes.

Breed experts from the Netherlands, Italy and the UK will be speaking on breed specific conformation and movement, with an opportunity to watch dogs of these breeds on the move. It is intended that delegates will contribute to the discussions throughout the day.

This is the first of this type of seminar to be organised by the Kennel Club as a result of its Breed Watch initiative and it is hoped that the future of these three breeds will benefit from the information received and the exchange of views.

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