With the support of our Brachycephalic Breeds Advocacy Committee (BBAC), CKC is pleased to share encouraging progress in advancing the health and well-being of dogs, including brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds. We're pleased to highlight several important updates that reflect our ongoing commitment to responsible breeding, education, and other breed health initiatives.
Expanded Respiratory Screening for More Breeds
The OFA-approved Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS), a practical tool for assessing breathing and airway function, has recently expanded. Based on new University of Cambridge research examining respiratory health and conformational risk across many breeds, 14 additional breeds are now eligible for OFA certification through the RFGS program.
Newly eligible breeds include the Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Dogue de Bordeaux, Brussels Griffon, Japanese Chin, English Toy Spaniel, Maltese, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Respiratory screening is open to all brachycephalic breeds and every dog assessed receives a detailed report that can support responsible breeding practices and inform dog owners.
Since 2023, 423 dogs have been screened in Canada, supported by 20 OFA-approved RFGS examiners across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick.
Register for the Next OFA-Approved Respiratory Clinic!
Respiratory clinics continue to be offered nationally, and we'd love to see you there. The next clinic is scheduled for May 31 in Edmonton, Alberta, and we encourage you to register here.
Supporting Veterinary Education
CKC is actively working with Canadian veterinary colleges to build awareness of breed health initiatives, including RFGS, and to strengthen collaboration between breeders and veterinarians. With the support of our Advocacy Committee members and OFA-approved RFGS examiner Dr. Jenn Woods, we are grateful for the many opportunities to present to veterinary colleges across the country:
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph on October 19, 2024
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island on March 17, 2025
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal on October 31, 2025
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary (Fall 2026)
Our presentations are well received by veterinary students, who are excited and eager to get involved in future initiatives supporting breed health. We look forward to continuing to build these partnerships with veterinary colleges nationally to advance the health and well-being of all dogs.
Learning from International Leaders
In April 2026, the Brachycephalic Breeds Advocacy Committee was pleased to welcome guest speaker Dr. Andreas Schemel, MRCVS, who shared insights on key UK-based initiatives, including the Royal Kennel Club’s Nose-to-Tail Veterinary Assessment and updates on the expanded RFGS certification.
CKC members will have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Schemel at CKC’s June 6 Annual General Meeting, where these tools and their relevance to responsible breeding will be explored. We look forward to seeing you at the AGM and invite you to register here.
Global Collaboration for Canine Health
CKC continues to participate in international forums focused on improving dog health and welfare, including events hosted by the International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) and the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformation in Dogs (ICECDogs). These collaborations bring together kennel clubs, researchers, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations to share knowledge and address emerging challenges.
Thank you to our members and breed clubs for your engagement and commitment to breed health. Your ongoing support plays an important role in advancing canine health and well-being. If you have comments or questions, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].