ABGA Health Committee

Mission and Goals

Mission

The mission of the ABGA Health Committee is to help Brussels Griffons live a longer and healthier life through periodically monitoring the health status of the breed, developing resources to improve breed health with an emphasis on understanding canine genetics and to help apply health information to improve breeding programs and owner care.

Goals

To identify health issues of concern to dog owners and breeders

To seek ways to use the observations, experience and knowledge of Brussels Griffon owners, breeders, veterinarians, and other canine experts to advance the health of the Brussels Griffon

To identify and sponsor research and education programs that …
#1. Meet the highest scientific and educational standards
#2. Have the greatest potential for advancing the health of the Brussels Griffon
#3. Have expectations for producing materials and applications that are reasonable and affordable for breeders and owners

To responsibly monitor any grant work done for the Brussels Griffon breed and make the results of such work available for dissemination to ABGA members, the Brussels Griffon breeders and owners, and to the public through publication in the ABGA Bulletin, professional journals, and the AKC Canine Health Foundation

To facilitate ABGA cooperation with the projects and programs of the AKC Canine Health Foundation

To raise funds adequate to advance ABGA Health Committee projects

To work toward the future development of an incorporated ABGA Health Foundation established with 501c3 status that will invest health funds for both income and growth of principle to finance future projects identified as having great potential in helping the Brussels Griffon to lead a longer and healthier life

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.

2003 ABGA Puppy Mortality Survey

Summary of Results

Final Data for Puppy Mortality Survey

Mission

In 2003 the ABGA conducted a "Puppy Mortality Survey" in order to asses the difficult whelping practices of the Brussels Griffon and to quantify birth defects which are common in all breeds.

Methodology

The survey was mailed to 536 people, which included 334 ABGA and NBGC members and 202 English and Foreign breeders. (Foreign consists of Australia, Austria, the Chech Republic, Finland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden) The surveys were returned to Mark Grigalunas and the information was accumulated. Details of the results of the survey are attached.

General Points of Interest

#1. Out of 536 surveys sent, 97 were received for an average 18% response rate. The majority of the surveys received came from ABGA members for a total of 41 for a 29% response rate. (30% - 50% is considered to be a good response rate)

#2. The "ABGA" reported the highest c-section rate at 50% verses the low of "Foreign" at 19%. This may or may not reflect an issue of convenience or an issue of health. In general, foreign dogs are known to be of a larger size and easier whelpers..

#3. There was an even average of 76% live puppies born per litter across all categories.

#4. The average size of a Brussels Griffon litter is 3.8 puppies with 2.9 live puppies.

#5. Cleft palates were the largest birth defect reported at 5%. The least was hydrocephalic at 1%. Breeders may wish to continue investigating ways to lower the amount of cleft palates.

#6. The average cost of a c-section is $505 with a low of $200 and a high of $1500 being reported.

#7. Based on the surveys statistics, a US Brussels Griffon breeder can expect 47% of their litters to be born involving a c-section with 4 puppies being born and with 3 puppies surviving.