Southern Counties SBT Society

Breed Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland

Meeting to be held on Saturday 14th April 2018

At the Fieldhead Hotel, Markfield Lane, Markfield LE67 9PS

At 11.00am – coffee from 10.30 (01539 245454

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on Saturday 4th November and Matters Arising

3 Reports.

3.1. Chairman’s Report.

3.2. Secretary’s Report.

3.3. Public Relation Officer’s Report.

3.4. Kennel Club Breed Liaison Officer’s Report.

4. Correspondence & matters arising.

5. Propositions

5.1 NE Propose an amendment to Rule 5 of the Breed Council Constitution

From - The Officers shall be elected at the first Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the appropriate year and then serve a period of two years. The Officers preceding this election shall remain in office until the end of that Meeting. Propositions for Officers to be received by 31st December and included on the agenda of the next appropriate meeting.

To – The Officers and the Lead Health Coordinator shall be elected at the first Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the year and then serve a period of two years. The Officers preceding this election shall remain in office until the end of that Meeting. Propositions for Officers and the Lead Health Coordinator to be received by 31st December and included on the agenda of the next appropriate meeting.

5.2 EA Propose the following

The BC to request that the KC enclose a leaflet with all SBT registrations/transfer of ownership applications where sire or dam have unknown DNA health status, giving details of the conditions and explaining the benefit of DNA health testing. It could be noted that the cost (currently £48 for single test, £59 for L2 & HC test combined) is a ‘one-off’ cost to ensure the future health of pups.

5.3 EA Propose the following.

The BC to bring to the KC’s attention those untested SBTs being used frequently at stud and ask that the KC contact the owners to explain the benefit of health testing and their obligation to produce genetically healthy pups

5.4. EA Propose the following.

The BC to ask the KC to highlight lack of health testing on individual SBT registrations rather than leave the space blank. (i.e. there are no health test records available for this dog). This should be written in such a way that it is clear there are breed specific tests available that haven’t been used.

5.5 EA Propose the following.

The BC to produce a leaflet highlighting the importance and benefits of DNA health testing which could be included by the KC with all SBT registration applications and transfers of ownership for an agreed period

5.6. EA Propose the following.

The BC to request that the KC email all breeders who have registered a litter of SBTs in the past 5 years to notify them and highlight details of the conditions and tests, in a similar way that they will when a new DNA test is approved. This email includes all the information from the initial press release, as well as a Question & Answer section to provide more background information on the tests and the conditions they are for.

5.7 EA Propose the following.

The BC ask the KC to add a link on the SBT breed information page on the KC website, at the point where health testing is mentioned, to Club websites health pages which would contain information and video clips of the health conditions themselves

5.8 EA Propose the following.

The BC ask the KC to highlight the DNA health tests more prominently on the SBT breed information page on the KC website so that potential puppy owners can’t fail to realise the importance of these tests

5.9 EA Propose the following.

The BC to ask the KC to support, advertise and publicise an annual SBT health awareness campaign by way of their website and other social media.

5.10. NW propose the following

That a standing Health Sub Committee be established comprising of the Lead Breed Health Co-Ordinator, the Breed Council Secretary, and the Health Co-Ordinators of each SBTC Breed Club whether Breed Council members or not.

5.11 NW propose the following

That the KCBLO proposes to the KC on behalf of the SBT Breed Council of GB & NI, via the Breeds Liaison Council, That the registration fees for puppies from parents that are DNA tested to the minimum recommended for the breed in question, are set at a lower level (e.g. 20%) than the registration fees for puppies from parents that are not tested to the recommended minimum.

(This differential should be a financial incentive to DNA testing and by going via the Liaison Council should hopefully get the support of all other breeds that have recommended DNA tests)

5.12 NDDSBTC Propose the following

The Judges Competency Framework be an Agenda Item at future Breed Council meetings.

5.13 SBTC propose the following.

Further to the recent KC judging developments we propose that the Breed Council consider an appropriate number of dogs to be judged by aspiring judges after reaching level 1 and before being considered eligible for a supported entry or club show as part of their progression and gaining experience in judging the breed.

5.14 SBTC propose the following

The Breed Council Secretary write to the Finnish Kennel Club regarding the recent judging. (explanation below)

Further to the judging of Marja Salminen in Holland and her refusal to judge a Stafford on the floor in the accustomed manner we would refer this matter to you and request that it is dealt with appropriately. Exhibitors pay a lot of money to enter shows and hold a realistic expectation that judging will be carried out in the appropriate manner. Many dogs, especially SBT do not like the table and it is the view that if a judge is unable to judge the breed in the manner it is expected, or at the very least afford the exhibitor the option, then they should not be judging the breed at all.

6. Election of Officers for 2-year term of office from April 2018

Chairman:

Dave Lee (proposed NE)

Alice Levy (proposed SC)

Paddy Enfield (proposed EA)

Secretary/Treasurer:

Helen Reaney (proposed SBTC)

Public Relations Officer:

No nominations received

7. Lead Health Coordinator Role and Nominations

Dr Archie Bryden – proposed EM/2nd NW

Kirsty Summerfield – proposed EA/2nd SBTC

8. Health Issues and Lead Health Co-Ordinator Report

9. Matters brought forward by delegates for discussion.

10. Free discussion period on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

11. Adoption of the balance sheet & matters arising

12. Election of auditor. At present Mr Max King

13. A.O.B.

14. Date of the next meeting. Saturday 17th November 2018 – Booked

Helen E Reaney (Hon Secretary)

Circulated to all Member Clubs 10th March 2018.