On a positive note, for our Brachycephalic breeds, the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme has commenced early September, with Dr Arthur House in Victoria. This is a health scheme that is a functional assessment of breathing performed without sedation, and dogs are graded as follows:

• Normal / Grade 1 does not require surgical intervention
• Grade 2 may require minor surgery.
• Grade 3 dog should not be bred from and requires surgery.

Dogs Australia has signed up to the Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) Scheme under the education of Dr Arthur House, who has completed the course at Cambridge University UK under Dr Jane Ladlow, the Chief Assessor for The Kennel Club/University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme. Dr House is now the Chief Assessor of RFG for Australia, supervising the education of veterinarians and making the testing available Australia wide. The testings are conducted under strict supervision, in order to ensure reliability and consistency of results. For more information on the Scheme please visit the UK Kennel Club’s website and search Respiratory Function Grading Scheme.

The National British Bulldog Council of Australia Health Scheme has been approved by Dogs Australia Board of Directors. Results from the various elements will be entered into the Dogs Australia officially Registered Canine Database, ORCHID.