ABGA 2004 Health Survey
Mission / Objectives
The ABGA will conduct a general Health Survey to determine if there are any health problems experienced in the Brussels Griffon within the memberships of ABGA and NBGC, to prioritize areas of greatest concern, and to serve as a record of the state of the breed's health as of 2004. The information will be compiled by the data bank manager, a report generated, and then the Health Committee, together with the Board, will determine in what areas the "Health Fund" moneys will be used.
Methodology
The Health Survey will be sent to ABGA and NBGC members in early 2004 via a direct mailing. A postcard will be mailed approximately two weeks prior to the survey as a "be looking for" announcement. Another postcard will be mailed one week after the survey has been sent as a "reminder". One week later a group of volunteers will make personal phone calls to remind the members to please participate. The survey will not be posted via the internet or printed in either of the clubs magazines. The data bank manager feels that it is extremely important to know how many surveys were sent verses received to quantify a response rate. The respondents will be asked to complete the survey for any dogs that they have owned or have sold to someone who would not receive the survey over the past 10 years. (non ABGA or NBGC members) Co-owners of dogs should coordinate their efforts to avoid duplicating reports on an individual dog. All surveys will be sent directly to the data bank manager. (Rebecca Stanavitch)
Report / Conclusion
The data bank manager will supply the ABGA with the statistics and a written report by early 2005 for publication to the memberships of ABGA and NBGC at our National in March of 2005 and then posted on our website. The report will include a ranking of disorders reported, with the assumption that a disorder that is reported with less than 1% incidence is low and not statistically significant. This report would inform breeders and pet owners of the Brussels Griffon on the rate of occurrence of potential health problems within the breed.
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