British bulldog to lose its Churchillian jowl after breeding standards shake-up.Byline: ANI London, January 14 (ANI): The classic British bulldog is to lose its Churchillian jowl jowl 1 n. 1. The jaw, especially the lower jaw. 2. The cheek. jowl 2 n. because of a change in breeding standards effected by the Kennel Club. The shake-up means that the dog will have a shrunken face, a sunken nose, longer legs, and a leaner body. The British Bulldog Breed Council is unhappy with the change, and is considering taking legal action against the club. "What you'll get is a completely different dog, not a British bulldog," Time Online quoted Robin Searle, the chairman, as saying. New breeding standards for 209 dog species have been brought into immediate force, according to the online report. The decision to effect these changes was following the furore over breeding practices shown on a BBC One documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, last summer. Those opposed to the shake-up may lodge their objections until the end of June. Issuing a statement, the Kennel Club has said that it is determined to show its commitment to dog welfare, and has ordered the removal of characteristic features from some dogs. "The breed standards have been revised so they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog breathing, walking and seeing freely," the statement said. The shar pei will lose the familiar folds of skin on the neck, skull and legs. While the Clumber spaniel and the labrador retriever must stay slim to qualify as top show dogs, flat faces without a muzzle on Pekingese are also no longer acceptable because they cause breathing difficulties. The bloodhound bloodhound, breed of large hound whose ancestors were known in the Mediterranean region before the Christian era. It stands about 25 in. (63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 80 and 110 lb (36.3–49.9 kg). , German shepherd hound, basset hound, Saint Bernard, chow chow, the Dogue de Bordeaux Dogue de Bordeaux a French breed of dogs, resembling the Bull mastiff. The head is massive with a short nose; the coat is short and dark auburn or fawn in color. Called also French mastiff. and mastiff mastiff (măs`tĭf), breed of very large, powerful working dog developed in England more than 2,000 years ago. It stands from 27 to 33 in. (68.6–83.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 165 to 185 lb (74.9–83.9 kg). are the other breeds that are to change. Even judges at licensed dog shows have been asked to comply with the new breed standards while picking the healthiest and best-adjusted champions. Incestuous breeding of dogs is also to be banned. Marc Abraham, veterinary adviser to the Kennel Club, said: "The changes will leave breeders and judges in no doubt about their responsibilities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs, first and foremost." Jemima Harrison of Passionate Productions, which made Pedigree Dogs Exposed, welcomed the changes, but said that it would take years to put right all the problems. Jenny Baker, chairwoman of the Shar Pei Society of Great Britain, also supported the changes. "We have never encouraged breeding of loose skin on the neck, legs or skull." Country's leading zoologists and animal behaviour expert Sir Patrick Bateson, who is the president of the Zoological Society of London The Zoological Society of London (sometimes known by the abbreviation ZSL) is a learned society founded in London in April 1826 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Lord Auckland, Sir Humphry Davy, Joseph Sabine, Nicholas Aylward Vigors and other eminent naturalists. , has announced that he would be heading an independent inquiry into dog breeding techniques. He will also review the registration and showing of dogs, and hopes to complete his report by the autumn. (ANI) Copyright 2008 Asian News International The Asian News International (ANI) agency provides multimedia news to China and 50 bureaus in India. It covers virtually all of South Asia since its foundation and presently claims, on its official website, to be the leading South Asia-wide news agency. (ANI) - All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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