If you want to ensure you have healthy bulldogs you need to take part in the Bulldog Breed Council health test programme. At Finstar Kennels we have been 100% behind testing our dogs going as far as bringing Cambridge University into our home to test 18 or so bulldogs/pugs etc (see separate page). We are committed to ensuring all our dogs, whatever the breed, are the healthiest they can be.
In our current ownership our boy Leo is Gold Health Tested with accolades - his daughter Chilli is Bronze health tested and has passed several elements of the Silver Health Test but due to Covid her certificate has been put on hold. Prior to mating, Abifinstar Cat Ballou (Bella owned by Hayley Havers) passed bronze and Carasmel Miss Hot Legs (Lois owned my me) and our Abifinstar Belle Star (Chilli's Mum) also passed Bronze..
Going further back to our earlier generations, Abifinstar Queen Aphrodite (owned by Gail Parry) has passed both the Bronze and Silver award and joined us at our BOAS health testing day 15 December 2015.
With regard to the Bulldog Breed Council Bronze and Silver Awards - details of the Health Statement and Award requirements can be found at :http://www.bulldogbreedcouncil.co.uk/statement-of-health.html
You will need to order the forms from the Bulldog Breed Council and pay the required price. If you're dog is successful at examination, you will be issued with a certificate.
What to do next?
BRONZE LEVEL
SILVER LEVEL (there have been changes so please check the Breed Council website)
GOLD LEVEL
Gold stars will be awarded for:
In our current ownership our boy Leo is Gold Health Tested with accolades - his daughter Chilli is Bronze health tested and has passed several elements of the Silver Health Test but due to Covid her certificate has been put on hold. Prior to mating, Abifinstar Cat Ballou (Bella owned by Hayley Havers) passed bronze and Carasmel Miss Hot Legs (Lois owned my me) and our Abifinstar Belle Star (Chilli's Mum) also passed Bronze..
Going further back to our earlier generations, Abifinstar Queen Aphrodite (owned by Gail Parry) has passed both the Bronze and Silver award and joined us at our BOAS health testing day 15 December 2015.
With regard to the Bulldog Breed Council Bronze and Silver Awards - details of the Health Statement and Award requirements can be found at :http://www.bulldogbreedcouncil.co.uk/statement-of-health.html
You will need to order the forms from the Bulldog Breed Council and pay the required price. If you're dog is successful at examination, you will be issued with a certificate.
What to do next?
- All dogs to be Kennel Club Registered.
- All dogs to be microchipped or permanent tattoo.
- To purchase a Bulldog Breed Council Bronze Health Certificate (this is a form in triplicate and only one form is needed). One payment of £5.00 covers the cost of the Bronze, Silver and Gold
- On purchase you will have to supply the owners name and current address, the dogs Kennel Club Name and Registration number with date of birth and also microchip number. (All certificates will be numbered, only one per dog and all information will be kept by the Bulldog Breed Council Health Coordinator.
BRONZE LEVEL
- All Bulldogs to be tested from 12 months.
- All examinations indicated on the Bulldog Breed Council Health & Conformation form are non-invasive.
- All dogs to be assessed by one of the Bulldog Breed Council Approved Vets. (can be found on Bulldog Breed Council Website put link here please sara)
- One copy to be kept by vet, one copy by the owner and the top copy to be sent to Health Coordinator within a month of the Certificate being purchased.
- Copy to be sent back to Health Administrator: Mrs Lieza Handley, 18 Sandbeds Road, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV12 4EY.
- A Bronze Health Certificate will not be awarded if the dog does not meet the following criteria:
- Heart –any abnormality will be referred to a cardiologist for further tests.
- Eyes – with any conditions that are detrimental to the dog’s health.
- Any sign of aggression.
- Spine – any palpable abnormality will be referred for further investigation and X-ray. (eg: Spina Bifida)
- If the information is not clear and is any way questionable, the anonymous form (identified only by certificate number) will be presented to Bulldog Breed Council whose decision is final.
- Once the dog has achieved a clear form without the issues listed above, the Bronze Level Health Certificate will be issued and sent to the owner . It will also be listed on the Breed Council website.
- All data collected from the Bulldog Breed Council Health & Conformation Form, will be used at the Bulldog Breed Council Health & Conformation meetings for future surveys and general health information. (all certificates will be identified by number only)
SILVER LEVEL (there have been changes so please check the Breed Council website)
- All examinations indicated on the Bulldog Breed Council Health & Conformation Silver Certificate are non-invasive.
- To apply for the Silver Level the following requirements have to be met:
- NO EXTRA FORM IS NEEDED, JUST THE RESULTS OF THE FOLLOWING IS NEEDED, TO BE EMAILED TO [email protected] .
- To have been awarded a Bronze Level Certificate.
- Clear results on eye examination recorded.
- To have Putnam Test (Grade 0-1)
- To have an HUU DNA test of Clear/ Carrier (certificate copy sent in, which includes
- Microchip/tattoo number)
- No adverse tail problems ( inverted or lack of tail will fail Silver level)
- Not be a Monorchid or Cryptorchid
- Not have Blue or Green Eyes
- Not have Non Recognised Colours
- Not be a Dudley
- Once the dog has achieved all the above, a Silver Level Health & Conformation Certificate is issued and sent to the owner it will also be listed on the Breed Council website.
GOLD LEVEL
- All Bulldogs to be over 24 months.
- NO EXTRA FORM IS NEEDED, JUST THE RESULTS OF THE FOLLOWING IS NEEDED, TO BE EMAILED TO [email protected] .
- To have been awarded both the Bronze and Silver levels.
- BVA Eye Scheme – copy of certificate. Clear results on eye examination recorded.
- BOAS Research Scheme. Certificate of Participation. (No official grading at the present time.)
- Heart screening by qualified Auscultation approved Veterinary Surgeon.
- Copies of the certificates which include Microchip/tattoo number of all the above tests to be sent in.
- Once the dog has achieved all the above, the Gold Level Health and Conformation Certificate is issued and sent to the owner it will also be listed on the Breed Council website.
- We understand that most people would not willingly put their dogs under general anaesthetic, but if the situation does arise, the results of the following tests and the data they would provide would be invaluable to the future of the breed.
Gold stars will be awarded for:
- Trachea measurements.
- Spinal X-Ray (Thorax area).
- Heart Doppler examination.
- HUU Clear
- Kennel Club Stud Book Number
- UK Champion