Petition to Extend the Interbreeding Period Between Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers Miniature

To:  ANKC - Australian National Kennel Council

I am actioning this petition on behalf of Miniature Bull Terrier breeders in Australia.

The current interbreeding period is due to finish on January 1st 2009.

We believe it is in the best interests of the breed to have this option available to breeders to continue to expand the gene pool. More importantly, continue to produce healthy, quality animals.

Interbreeding has been available here in Australia since 1988 and has proven very successful in improving the overall quality of the minis but more importantly greatly reduced the incidence of Primary Lens Luxation (PLL).

Miniatures suffer from a hereditary eye disease PLL but fortunately the Bull Terrier does not.

Research into this hereditary condition is being carried out at great expense in the UK by the Animal Health Trust. This is to locate the genetic marker for this condition.

When found, it will enable the Trust to establish a simple DNA test. This DNA test will identify the genetic PLL status of all miniatures.
e.g.: wether they are clear, carrier or affected.

Only then will there be the chance to eradicate this scourge of our breed.

It is thought that when the test becomes available that at best almost all minis will be carriers with the probability of a higher number of interbreds being clear (obviously some are but without the test it is impossible to know).

The late onset of this disease which rarely appears before the age of 5 has been the reason for it being so entrenched in the breed worldwide.

Australian minis at the present time have the unenviable reputation of being the healthiest. In the greater majority, on par with the best minis in the world.

They are highly sort after by breeders in other countries purely because of the reduced risk of PLL occurring. This is due to a larger degree, to the continuous interbreeding program.

Whilst it hasn’t eradicated PLL in Australia, it has certainly been reduced.
Especially when compared to other countries were interbreeding is not allowed or has not been done for a number of years.

Interbred miniatures are particularly valuable. There is the immediate benefit of knowing that all first generation progeny cannot suffer from this genetic condition. Out crossing to their larger cousins also provides a much needed boost of PLL free blood lines to the minis extremely limited gene pool.

The original blood lines imported to this country are still close up in all today’s minis. As PLL is much more prevalent in all other countries we have no opportunity to import new mini bloodlines without the risk of also importing PLL.

Interbreeding was reintroduced in the UK in 2002. It was extended until 2007. Currently it has been extended for an indefinite period. It was reintroduced in an attempt to reduce incidence of PLL which had risen to an unacceptable level.

A lot of angst has been caused between Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier fanciers.

Many Bull Terrier breeders fear that PLL could be introduced into the Bull Terrier through dishonest mini breeders registering their interbred litters as Bull Terriers.

They use as an example, the incorrect listing of interbred litters as Bull Terriers in some states canine journals.

Even though it has been pointed out to them clearly that the litters were correctly registered by the breeders as Miniature Bull Terriers. It has now been addressed, and a correction will be in the March 2008 DOGS NSW Journal.

We therefore hope you will consider our petition favourably by supporting a further extension until a DNA test becomes available to enable breeders are able to continue to breed healthy stock.

If you agree to an extension of the current interbreeding period between Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers Miniature please sign this petition.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Petition to Extend the Interbreeding Period Between Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers Miniature Petition to ANKC - Australian National Kennel Council was created by and written by Steven Craven (craven@idl.net.au).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.