The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Kennel Club joined together for a celebration at the London Vet Show on 19th November to mark 50 years since the launch of the scheme to screen for hip dysplasia in dogs.
BVA President Sean Wensley said: ‘Hundreds of thousands of dogs have benefited from the scheme, which helps breeders identify those dogs with the healthiest hips so that the best possible choices can be made as part of a responsible breeding programme.’
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said ‘In the fifty years since its development, many responsible breeders have utilised the scheme to screen for hip dysplasia in dogs, which has had a tremendously positive effect on dog health overall. The Scheme allows breeders to make responsible breeding choices, which will go a long way to protecting and maintaining dog health in years to come, and the Kennel Club and BVA are both proud of what the scheme has so far achieved.’
The Hip Dysplasia Scheme was the first of four Canine Health Schemes, now operated by BVA and the KC, these include health schemes for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, inherited eye diseases and chiari-malformation/syringomyelia.
Celebrations were held at the Kennel Club stand and included celebratory words from BVA President Sean Wensley, treats and a ‘hip-hip-hooray’ for the Canine Health Schemes from everyone present.
BVA and KC celebrate 50 years since the launch of the Hip Dysplasia Scheme at the London Vet Show 2015