Founded 1978
IMPORTANT INFORMATION THE BGV CLUB HAVE A NEW MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Membership Secretary: Mrs Fiona Morris, Hermitage, Mount Pleasant, DUNS, Berwickshire, TD11 3HU Tel: 07971 406817 Email: bgvmembershipsecretary@gmail.com Membership Renewals As the renewal period is now upon us, this is a gentle reminder that annual subscriptions are due by 31st January 2025. Renewing by this date ensures you retain your voting rights, as we want to ensure your voice is heard! For members submitting renewal fees by post, please forward all cheques to Fiona at the address listed above. For those renewing via online banking, the Club’s details are as follows: Account Name: Basset Griffon Vendéen ClubSort Code: 40-39-07Account Number: 11573128Bank: HSBC Please quote reference: “your name + MEMBERSHIP” e.g. J Smith MEMBERSHIP For ease of annual renewal, please consider setting up a Standing Order.
If you would like to join the BGV Club please use this link to a membership form
Committee member and BGV Club Membership Secretary Martin Bishop is sadly leaving us at the end of December. We would like to thank Martin for his hard work and commitment to the BGV Club, and the breeds we represent, since he joined in 2018.
BGV Club combined Open and Championship Show Saturday 22nd March 2025The Kennel Club BuildingStoneleigh ParkStoneleighKenilworthCV8 2LZ Championship Show Judges Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen- Adele Walton-Haddon (Ilsham)Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen- John Walton Haddon (Ilsham) Best in Show Mr R J Price (All STKCA) Open Show Judges Basset Griffon Vendéen (Petit)- Mrs Cathy Collins Neill (Kensbridge)Basset Griffon Vendéen (Grand)- Mr Stephen Jepson (Eardley)BIS- TBC (Very soon)
From Fiona Buchanan, Kennel Club Breed Health Coordinator, Basset Griffon Vendéen (Grand & Petit) The Kennel Club’s population analysis project Pedigree dog breeds form closed populations, with finite gene pools which are likely to decline over time. This is due to selection of breeding animals, with only some contributing some of their genes to the next generation. As the gene pool of a breed gets smaller over time, it becomes harder to find unrelated individuals for mating. This can lead to inbreeding depression, increasing the risk of inherited disorders and fertility issues, and in extreme cases even extinction. As part of The Kennel Club's commitment to safeguard the future of pedigree dogs, with individual breeders playing their role in reducing these risks, it’s crucial for breeders to consider how to manage the genetic diversity of their breed population, not just in the context of the impact of inbreeding on their own litter, but for the breed. The KC have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 222 pedigree dog breeds to estimate the loss of genetic diversity and support the development of sustainable breeding strategies. An individual population analysis report has been developed for each breed based on the data held in The KC database. These reports include trends in registration, estimates of the loss of genetic diversity, statistics and trends in litter sizes, and characteristics of sires. These results are designed to form a basis for discussion with the breed communities on how they can be combined with existing knowledge of the breed’s history and other reputable external sources of information to develop strategies for long term sustainability of breed populations. As the KC Breed Health Coordinator for GBGV and PBGV I have been asked to invite up to 10 representatives from each breed into focus groups. These groups must be a good representation of the breed community and breeders. The recommendation is to include individuals from show and working communities as well as knowledgeable individuals with a particular interest in health matters. Once I have received the breed’s individual reports from the KC I will share the reports with the focus groups. We will then meet, either in person or via an online platform, to discuss the findings and complete a single feedback form on behalf of these groups. During the first part of 2025, January - April, the KC will hold themed meetings to discuss areas raised in our feedback and where possible group breeds together to share insights, challenges and ideas. In time the KC will work with myself and our breeds to offer support in developing an action plan for inclusion in our Breed Health and Conservation Plan. I am looking for volunteers to help with this project. If you feel that you fit the criteria to be involved, and would like to be part of the focus groups, please email me on tarmachangbgv@gmail.com. Fiona BuchananKennel Club Breed Health CoordinatorBasset Griffon Vendéen Club Health Officer
The BGV Club website has suffered a cyber attack by hackers and was almost completely destroyed. Fortunately we have the majority of the information safely stored and we are currently working to restore the site. We can only apologise for the inconvenience. The BGV Club Committee