Since the Club was founded in 1973 the HPC of GB have put a clear and committed emphasis on ensuring that we carry out all necessary health testing to maintain a healthy gene pool. In previous years this mainly related to Hip Scoring and Eye Testing, and in the more recent past we have also included DNA testing for Degenerative Myelopathy.
It has always been the practice that Members are required to forward all copies of such health test results to the Secretary in order that the Club can maintain an oversight on these three areas. However, it seems that this practice has fallen by the wayside.
Since the inception of the Pet Passport, it has become easier for individuals to import Pulis from outside the UK and a number of dogs have very sadly become available to the general public via commercial pet retailers as well as by more traditional means from breeders, pet owners and breed enthusiasts.
It is of great concern to the HPC of GB that these Pulis may have come from sources where there has been little or no health testing on their breeding stock, or were imported before the particular health test would apply (e.g. as in Hip Scoring where a test is only valid after the dog has reached 12 months of age). Naturally there is potential harm to the good health of the genepool if stock is introduced to it without testing having been carried out.
The HPC of GB wish to remind all Members that compliance with of the Code of Ethics, (See HPC of GB Rule 16), is mandatory for continued membership and that items 17, 18 & 20 of the Code of Ethics must be adhered to, and copies of any such certificates/results be forwarded to the Secretary for Club records.
The HPC of GB ask all members to regard this matter with the importance it deserves. This is not a case of being over cautious, but one of ensuring that we keep this lovely breed of ours as healthy as possible, and to minimise the unnecessary risk of introducing health issues in the future.
The Code of Ethics and Club Rules can be found on the Club’s website under the “Club Info” tab.
William Fulton
Chairman,
Hungarian Puli Club of Great Britain.
OFFICERS
President: Mrs. Ann Arch, Chairman: Mr. William Fulton.
Hon Treasurer: Mr. John Whitton. Hon Secretary: Mrs. Catherine Knight COMMITTEE
Mrs. Miranda Turrell, Miss Amanda Mills, Miss Victoria Casey,
Mr. Michael Gilchrist, Mr. Robert Corah, Mr. Alan Rathband, Mr. Neil Croft.