Schedule for 3rd March Open Show 2012
Schedules available in download section..
BEARDED COLLIES SAY NO TO MERLE
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Merle Briefing
MERLE BRIEFING/STATEMENT In October 2009 The Joint Breed Liaison Committee representing all six of the UK Bearded Collie Clubs approached the Kennel Club with concerns that the merle gene could be introduced into UK KC registered Bearded Collies via the inclusion in the breed register of so called ‘working bearded collies’ which contain bloodlines from other breeds, most notably Border Collies. Merle, which causes a dappled coat colouration, is a deleterious gene associated with known health problems and not included in the Bearded Collie Breed Standard. It is of particular concern that the merle colouration can be ‘hidden’ resulting in just a small amount of flecking in the eye or very small markings on the ears or tail that can easily be overlooked. In addition some ‘working bearded collies’ are known to suffer from inherited eye disease and MDR-1 mutation as well as epilepsy and other serious health problems, not currently seen in Bearded Collies. The Bearded Collie breed as we know it today was established by Mrs Willison in the late 1940’s. She started with a foundation stock and worked hard to purify the breed into the beginnings of the breed we have to day, a breed that our breeders have refined and nurtured over the years. We are extremely fortunate that we have three of Mrs Willisons kennel maids alive today who can confirm that at no time was the ‘merle’ colour ever associated with the Bearded Collie. We also have a database which contains all the KC registered Beardies going back to 1948 (over 53,000) and none of these have been registered as merle. Furthermore merle has never been included in the KC standard for the breed. After our initial correspondence we were encouraged by the KC’s own geneticist Prof Jeff Sampson to make a formal application to the KC to ban the registration of merle Bearded Collies and those sired or whelped by a merle parent. The KC had recently approved a similar request from the Chihuahua and Bull Terrier breed Clubs due to ‘possible health problems that are associated with this colour’ and because ‘ ….the colour has not hitherto been encountered in the UK…’ In October 2010 the KC turned down our request stating merely that it would ban the registration of offspring of merle to merle matings. Despite an appeal by the Joint Breed Liaison Committee, supported by the oldest and most influential kennels in the breed, and further correspondence with the new KC Chairman Prof Steve Dean, the KC have consistently refused to offer an explanation for their decision. Such is the strength of feeling against the possible introduction of this harmful gene into our breed, the Joint Breed Liaison Committee and the majority of the Bearded Collie kennels have taken the unusual step of running a full page ’ If it’s a Merle it’s not a Bearded Collie’ advertisement in both of the national dog papers. The advert aims to highlight our concerns for the future health of our breed and the illogical way the KC has treated our case. We also wish to express our dismay that the KC has failed to listen to the Breed Clubs and the most senior people in the breed and has refused to answer any of our questions or provide any evidence on which their decision was made. .
Support the petition add your Affix
Thank you for all the support we have been getting for the ad, I would like to state however that just because an affix does NOT appear on the advert, it does not mean that it's holder supports the registration of merles. The names appearing in the advert are those whose owners contacted members of the Joint Breed Liaison Committee, or are involved via the JBL Committee and made known their views. Due to time constraints it was not possible to contact every single affix holder to canvas their view prior to placing the advert but this does not mean that we do not welcome their support or acknowledge their importance to our breed. The BCC hopes shortly to place an online ‘petition of support’ on its website and would be delighted if those whose affixes do not appear on the advert but who wish to support the cause, would sign. Your interest will be noted and you will be included in any future action, provided we have contact details for you. We also welcome those who wish to show their support by writing to the dog press or by registering their support via the breed notes. We have been delighted by the positive response to this issue within the breed and cannot stress enough how grateful we are to everyone who has offered their support, in any way whatsoever. Yvonne Fox Secretary Joint Breed Liaison Committee .
The Bearded Collie Club of Scotland Calendar 2012 now available. ONLY ONE LEFT!
TheClub Calendar available at £5.99 plus £1 postage and packing. Contains Champ Shows, Club Open Shows, Sat nav references and Judges. Please email alan@jemmetta.fsnet.co.uk if you would like one taken to any Championship Show or posted. ONLY ONE LEFT!.
Puppies at Breed Shows
Please note puppies of four months old (on the day of the show) may be entered as NFC (not for competition) £3 per puppy Championship Show and £1.50 Open Shows as per KC guidelines..
History page - Winners of past shows
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Updated judging criteria
The current judging criteria is now available to download on the downloads page.
Annual Trophy & Special Trophy Awards for 2010
See results Annual Points Trophies - Page 1 New Special Annual Points Trophies - Page 2.