Present: Trudi Süsstrunk and Ruth Knuchel (SSK), Inge Bysted, Nis Crone Köser and Lone Köser (DSK), Godelieve de Wit-Bazelmans, Irma Thissen, Hans van Raad and Jettie Alberts (VNS), Vigdis Ingjer and Anniken Thekla Bille (NSK), Wilfried Knickmeier and Dr. Hans J. Jacobs (IGS)
1. Introduction
Welcome by Hans Jacobs. Jettie Alberts volunteers to take the minutes.
2 Agenda of the Day
Hans presented his agenda and admitted that there might be too much.
3 ISF
– State of the art: Looking back at the past year one has to admit that we did not reach all goals we had in mind. All clubs had problems of their own. Most important, though, is to move with small steps towards a fruitful collaboration. Trust between the clubs is the most valuable asset.
– Statutes were implemented last year. They consist only of the most basic rules. We do not want discussions about articles but pragmatic work for the breed.
– Aims: Hans declares that the ISF constitutes an incredible chance. He expresses his doubts that national clubs are the panacea for the breed. ISF needs to keep the overview on the entire breed.
– Nevertheless we need to ask ourselves what we expect of the ISF. In what direction do we want the ISF to develop? Besides co-ordination and information across any border we have to strengthen the image of the ISF.
The ISF was founded in 2006, it was perceived important to keep in touch with all developments in our breed outside the Netherlands. It was suggested that information should be shared and published in all magazines.
Hans is going to prepare a report about the ISF. He suggests to focus on goals that can be reached.
Breeding committees and those who make the clubmagazines should be alert on sharing information that may be interesting for other Clubs.
For the future it is of utmost importance to enlarge the circle of members again. All clubs are welcome!
Absent clubs are to be contacted again and invited to collaborate with the ISF. Canada expressed to be interested. And we all hope that other clubs will follow.
4 DoesData – a short report
– information (basis and source of breeding strategy, responsibility)
– exchange of information (health matters, pedigrees)
Most information has been shared in the preceding DoesData-meeting.
DD is a mutual enterprise that belongs to all of the participating clubs corporately. Hans at this point with a glance into the past expresses again his thanks to the VNS and especially to Jettie Alberts for the prospective, utmost responsible – and in this sense extremely modern – attitude to share health information with the other clubs.
5 Various topics concerning health
– ED / HD
There have been more X-rays made and the diagnostic of ED has become more advanced.
Jenna Kalinnen from Finland sent statistics from that country (November 2013):
ED 244 dogs X-rayed. Results: 4% 1, 1% 2, 1% 3, 94% free.
HD 360 dogs X-rayed. Results: 66% A , 24% B, 8% C, 2% D.
Without making it a “breed-problem” we should keep monitoring. Maybe a questionnaire to all countries might help. Since it is extremely important to make sure the results are compatible questionnaires might best be harmonized by the different clubs. The IGS is preparing a questionnaire and would be grateful to hear about experiences in other countries.
The VNS has done a questionnaire about health for specific age-groups for decades. It will now be available on the website.
Denmark offers the opportunity via the Website, but results reach the vet, not the club (MUST INQUIRE AGAIN, as fare as I remember this is correct!) We decided to exchange forms of the different questionnaires.
– PRA
A new case has been found in Finland. Father was carrier, mother not DNA tested.
We all agree that bloodsamples of this dog need to get to Bochum.
VNS will consider to pay for this examination if necessary.
As a result of DNA-analysis children of free parents are considered free of PRA in Denmark. We think a PRA check is needed when there is no parental DNA check.
– Cataract
Finland reported increased problems in November 2013: 55% possible carriers by descendants (???). Different types are diagnosed.
In Norway the advice is more lenient about cataract. We need to watch this aspect carefully.
– other health matters (health questionnaire)
When there are serious kidney problems, blood samples and possible tissue samples should be sent to Utrecht.
6 Organisational matters
– Blood Database
There are Schapendoes blood samples kept in Bern for further investigation.
Taking bloodsamples is very expensive in Scandinavia. Maybe offering the opportunity on clubshows might help. We have to react anticipatorily: We are happy that we were able to solve the PRA-problem. If there is ever again going to be another similar genetic problem it would be completely disadvantageous if one had to start right from the scratch with collecting blood samples, etc. It is more than wise to be prepared!
– Inventarisation
We have educated Dutch judges and several from abroad how to attribute B, G, V, T and O, but find that some judges still interpret the grades more generously.
Since Inventarisatie is about weeding out real problems it does not harm our breed but it needs attention.
Temperament and tests about that will be put on the agenda next year.
Switzerland has its own temperament test. Denmark has a test for young dogs.
We shall exchange the different tests form well in advance before the next meeting.
– European studbook
The European Studbook is not kept up to date.
– representatives of clubs, direct contact
We agree that representatives of Clubs need not be members of the board at the time.
It is of utmost importance that information is shared as well as possible. Everybody is called upon to do his best to improve contact with other clubs even more.
7 medical-technical achievements, developments
– genetic analysis of parentage
Genetic analysis of Parentage is now obligatory in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is to be expected that other countries will follow.
That includes studdogs used from abroad.
8 Legal matters
– export/import of puppies after rabies-vaccination
Crossing borders with a dog without a rabies vaccination has been made impossible in the EU.
That would mean a puppy needs to stay with its breeder up to 15 weeks.
We await the severity of this law in awe.
9 Report of the Treasurer
At this moment the ISF saldo is 148 Euro.
We need to plan ahead for next year and next meetings. The Treasurer to be elected will propose how to proceed in the future.
10 Elections
We all agree Hans Jacobs should stay on as Chairman.
Irma Thissen offers herself as Treasurer and is applauded in.
Irma suggests Jettie Alberts as secretary, she accepts and the meeting agrees.
11 Miscellaneous
– ESS
2015 Italy
2016 Germany
2017 Netherlands (70th anniversary)
– Exchange of magazines
We discuss the possibilities to exchange clubmagazines per mail (PDF).
These mails should be shared with all concerned within the Club.
Hans thanks everybody for coming and for a lively discussion. He expressed his gratitude that the meeting had taken place again in a friendly and constructive attitude.
He closes the meeting and wishes everybody good luck for the clubshow the next day.
Jettie Alberts.