Kennel Club offers free Respiratory Function Grading scheme training for Welsh vets

The Kennel Club and University of Cambridge are offering free Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) scheme training for vets in Wales, to increase availability of the scheme for dog owners and breeders and to improve dog health.

The RFG scheme assesses Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a life-limiting and progressive disorder that can impair a dog’s ability to breathe, sleep, eat, play and exercise. The aim of the scheme is to advise owners if their dog is affected by BOAS before surgery is considered, and gives guidance to breeders so they can make informed decisions to lower the risk of producing affected puppies. It is a mandatory requirement for Kennel Club Assured Breeders of Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs to participate in this scheme prior to breeding. More information about the scheme can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/rfgs.

The Kennel Club is holding a veterinary training day led by Dr Jane Ladlow MA VetMB CertVR CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS, of the University of Cambridge, on Wednesday 3 May at Knighton & District Community Centre, Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1DR, and invites local veterinarians to apply.

To become an assessor, vets are required to attend one training day, followed by a review each year. The training day is completely free of charge and lasts a full day (10am – 4pm). The day starts with a theory-based session, which includes a presentation from the scheme’s Chief Assessor, Dr Jane Ladlow MA VetMB CertVR CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS, on the research behind the RFG scheme and an overview of its progress since its launch in February 2019.

The presentation is followed by a practical session, which provides an opportunity to observe and practice the assessments on volunteer dogs under the Chief Assessor’s supervision. These training days are designed to deliver all the information a veterinarian needs to become an assessor and offer this service to all owners and breeders of Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs within their region.

Any veterinarian that lives in Wales and is interested in attending the training day to become an assessor for the RFG scheme can register at bit.ly/3JHyW5E before Monday 10 April. Places will be confirmed via email shortly after registering.

Interested vets who are unable to attend the training day in May but would like to be added to The Kennel Club’s waiting list for future training days, can email the health team on  health@thekennelclub.org.uk.

More information about the RFG scheme and what The Kennel Club is doing to improve and protect brachycephalic health is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/brachyhub.