Breeding Guidelines

UKBC Guidelines

This site is for information only. When in doubt consult your vet or other qualified person and use common sense.

Any problems with the pop-up menus or broken links, please e-mail and tell us.

Description Standard Influential dogs

Right breed? Right breeder? What to look for

Aims and commitee Join here Breeder membership UKBC Breeder Code of ethics

UK dogs in the stud register Roll of Honour Owners pages UKBC breeder members SABT score ladder

Overview Hip scoring Elbows UKBC hip and elbow recommendations

Upcoming events SABT appraisal 2007 SABT appraisal 2006 SABT appraisal 2005 SABT appraisal 2004 SABT appraisal 2003 EBBASA appraisal 2006 SABT appraised list

Puppies UKBC Breeder list

The UKBC recommends that only dogs, which meet or exceed the following heath standards, should be bred. Breeding dogs should, of course, also have a stable temperament, overall good health and have passed an appraisal and been registered by one of the S. African breed registries, e.g. SABT.

Hips should be scored under a recognised scheme and be of average or better standard for the breed. The scoring schemes most usually seen in the UK are the BVA, mean average score 20 as at Jan.06, and Pennhip, breed average 0.57, as at Jan. 06. Please see here for more information on hip scoring.

Elbows should be X-rayed at 12 months or older and formally scored under a recognised scheme at an acceptable level, e.g. BVA 0 to 1. Dogs born before December 2005, which have been x-rayed and certified in writing as 'normal' or 'clear' by the veterinarian before January 2007 are also acceptable under these guidelines. Please see here for more information on elbows.

Eyes should be certified as free of entropion or ectropion

Bitches should be certified free of vaginal hyperplasia.

Any mating can produce dogs with bad elbows or hips but it is more likely if one or both of the parents themselves have poor elbows &/or hips. Puppy-buyers should insist on seeing the parents' scores and can then make an informed decision as to whether to buy or not.