MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR LEONBERGER DOGS , 25TH SEPTEMBER 2010
Venue:Hotel Kirchner Leonberg
Time 10:00 – 13:45
Those present: representatives from the member clubs of :
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, USA.
Participant with observer status: Ireland.
Excused: Slovak Republic.
The Committee: All members of the board were present.
Chairman: the Union president Willi Güllix.
Minutes: were taken by the Union secretary, Hein Sibrijns.
Agenda:
c) Secretary
d) Auditors
3. Discussion of the reports and discharge of the Committee.
4. The Budget for 2010, Membership dues 2010.
5. News and reports from the member countries.
6. Breeding problems in the Union.
7. Poly neuropathy test and its consequences for breeding.
8. Future activities of the Union.
1. Introduction.
The President opened the meeting at 10:00 am.
He welcomed the delegates, and noted with pleasure that so many clubs were represented.
The in July deceased Mr. Fred Inwood was remembered with 1 minute silence.
2. Reports
a. President’s Report- Willi Güllix
There is warning on the FCI’s website:
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) informs all its members and contract partners that it holds no official relations with the Federación Canina Internacional and its members and that it does not recognise this Federación.
Because sometimes misunderstandings happen, the Union member clubs were asked to publish this warning on their website.
In November 2009 an international judges seminar was held in Leonberg, with 33 satisfied participants from 15 countries one can indeed use the word “international”.
Since July 2010 there is a genetic for test which classifies, by means of a simple blood sample, designates a Leonberger as clear (N/N), carrier (D/N), or affected (D/D).
Dogs that are tested D/D develop a severe form of poly neuropathy. Before the age of 3 years. This isn’t only harmful for the individual unfortunate dog, his breeder and his owner, it is also harmful for all clubs and creates a negative image of our breed.
Apart from that, breeders who breed from D/D tested dogs can expect claims from puppy buyers, because since July 2010 no breeder can claim not to be aware this. Until that time it wasn’t possible to recognize carriers because of lack of scientific knowledge and because carriers don’t show clinical signs of the disease, or only show signs at an older age. The president emphasizes that poly neuropathy isn’t a breed specific Leonberger disease, it occurs in many other breeds.
We must fight this disease by means of a strategic breeding program, without creating panic.
Panicking harms the image of our breed in public.
b. Treasurer’s Report - Peter Cejnek
The balance sheet was handed out at the meeting.
All member clubs were fully paid up for 2009.
It was surprising that some clubs paid for the same number of club members as in 2008. That isn’t normal, because the number of club members can’t stay exactly the same each year.
It was pointed out that the membership dues are coposed of an annual fee of 50 Euros and 0.20 Euros per club member.
On 31-12-2009 the Union’s assets amounted to 4597.26 Euros and the total number of members from the member clubs was 10,437.
c. Secretary’s report - Hein Sibrijns.
The Union web site has attracted many visitors.
For the rest, see the president’s report.
d. Auditor’s report.
Säde Crivelli (CH) and José-Maria Itturalde Perez de Aranaza (E) had checked the accounts which closed 31-12-2009, as well as the accounts for the current year. They were satisfied that everything is in order and they thanked the Treasurer Peter Cejnek for doing a good job. They proposed that the meeting accept the accounts and discharged the treasurer and the board. The proposal was not discussed and was accepted unanimously.
3. Discharge of the Committee
The Committee was unanimously discharged.
4. The Budget for 2011/Membership fees for 2011.
The Union finances are healthy.
It was unanimously decided to maintain the membership dues at a fixed fee of 50 euros plus 0.20 euros per member.
5. News from the member countries.
The Austrian Club nominated Mr. Thomas Walker as new second delegate.
A big club show will be organized in conjunction with the FCI world dog show in Salzburg in 2012.
One can buy the well known Leonberger picture by the Austrian artist René Marcel Rivière “two faces from Picasso” from the club.
The Russian Club celebrates its 15th anniversary with a jubilee club show on 21-22 May 2011. All are heartily invited to join.
They thanked the Union and the member clubs for the constructive cooperation.
The club wants to install a breeding ability test as mandatory for breeding. To achieve this they need confirmation of membership of the ILU for the Russian Kennel Federation (RKF).
The Irish Club is still a young club. Next year they will obtain full membership of the IKC , then they can also apply for full membership of the Union.
The German Club announced that 320 dogs had been entered for the club show on the 26th September.
As off this year dogs with hip score HD-C are not longer admitted for breeding.
Puppies aren’t tattooed anymore, they are micro chipped.
For artificial insemination one needs authorisation from the breeding committee in advance.
Blood samples fro LPN1 testing will be taken for free on the club show.
The English Club is working on a temperament test. A health seminar on amongst others DCM will be held on the 24th October. All are heartily invited.
A presentation on Anal Furunculosis is available on DVD.
In England many people work with their Leos:
There are 3 carting groups, 3 groups for water work and 3 groups fro agility. There are now “working championship”.
A welfare committee was founded, which occupies itself also with rescue.
A Leonberger seminar with Guido Perosino and Petra Junehall will be organized.
This year two well known personalities died: Fred Inwood and Nigel Holliday.
In the Norwegian Club 22 litters with a total of 126 puppies were born last year.
Next year the club celebrates it 20th anniversary with a club show in May in Kristianstadt, all are heartily invited. There will be two more club shows.
The Danish Club had noting special to declare.
The Finnish Club is educating many working dogs, amongst others water rescue dogs.
The club will vote on the introduction of a voluntary breeding ability test, identical to the German one..
The Swedish Club has a new president.
This year the club celebrates its 30th anniversary. The venue for the jubilee club show is still to be decided.
Veterans can now be entered free of charge for club shows.
The Swedish club informed its breeders that it is necessary to have breeding dogs tested for LPN1.
A judges seminar will be organized.
The Czech Club reported that it is now difficult to find good homes for all puppies born
The club show will be held in April 2011, all are heartily invited.
A temperament test was held; all participating dogs passed the test.
The Dutch Club will organize a club show in conjunction with the FCI European Winner show in Leeuwarden in 2011.
There is an active water work group.
The American Club reported that, after years of hard work, the breed is now fully recognized by AKC in the working group.
A 10 years old Leonberger veteran was Best of Group on an AKC all breed show.
The club show is still organized after European model, so with written critiques on each dog
The French Club announced that one could still enter for the club show in Cluny.
In the future the date for the club show will be 2 weeks earlier.
Removal of dew claws is now illegal in France.
The Belgian Club organized this year its 30th club show.
It was pointed out that one must not cause panic about poly neuropathy, it should be stated more clearly that one can mate carriers (D/N) to free (N/N) dogs.
A sub club for water work will soon be founded.
The report form the New Zealand Club was read.
The club had its first Open Show and had a first Ribbon Parade on the South Island.
The Leonberger population counts approximately 350 dogs. Most of them are on the North Island, it was quite a milestone for the club to have now enough dogs on the South Island for a Ribbon Parade.
A Leonberger is now training under the official NZ Surf Lifesaving umbrella. This is not only the first Leonberger, it is the first dog in general in NZ.
They are researching the possibilities of using water rescue dogs in conjunction with surf patrol.
The first championship club show has been planned for October 2011, Guido Perosino has been invited to judge.
The Spanish Club invited all for the 100th anniversary of the Spanish Kennel Club.
On this occasion the club will organize a big Fiesta on the 20th-22d May in Madrid.
The Swiss Club clarified that LPN1-carriers must be used for breeding, otherwise the gene pool will be overly limited.
LPN1 test will be made obligated in the breeding rules..
In the Italian Club the number of puppies born sank from 225 in 2008 to 113 in 2009, the number of club members sank also.
20 Dogs passed the breeding ability check. They support the PN research is Bern (CH) financially.
All are heartily invited for the club show on 1stMay 2011, judge is Olli Kokonen from Finland.
The Millennium Award 2011 will be awarded to Mr. Willi Güllix.
In Canada live 700-800 Leonbergers. In 2009 120 puppies and imports were registered.
The code of ethics includes health tests and a temperament test.
An interval of 15 minutes was taken.
During this interval the board decided to award the ILU Awards BOB and Best Veteran to 2 shows in 2011, namely the 20th Anniversary Club Show in Norway and the 30h Anniversary Club Show in Sweden.
Both clubs can also apply for the German Club CAC On these special occasions
6. Breeding problems in the Union.
In the last meeting a recommendation for minimum age for filling in tooth cards was discussed, one agreed on the age of 8 months.
We miss a confirmation from the member clubs that the recommendation had been followed.
As decided in the last meeting Sharon Springel developed a questionnaire to investigate why and how many females stay empty after a mating.
The questionnaire has been translated into several languages and can be filled in on, or downloaded from the Union’s website.
One is asked to fill as many forms as possible, also for matings that weren’t successful. The forms will stay online until August
Until now 114 forms have been returned, 23 of them were from bitches that staid empty.
This result (+/- 20%) isn’t a ground for worries.
Jenny Bergdahl remarks that the DCM research in Sweden is still going on. Teams in France and Great Britain work also on this subject within the LUPA project.
In Norway it was found that Herpes virus infections are rather common, they have a negative influence on conceiving, and on the number of puppies.
It was asked if people have experience with anti herpes vaccination. The university of Liege in Belgium acknowledges that a vaccination for Herpes is successful.
8. Poly neuropathy test.
Poly neuropathy: a non-neglectable, very sensitive issue.
An important, first step, was made in fighting the disease.
When a genetic test for a form of poly neuropathy was announced, the board had the choice between issuing a recommendation right away towards the Union member clubs, or to first discuss the difficult theme with the member clubs in this meeting.
Question is what is possible where breeding regulations are concerned and what isn’t.
Only consistent, international, breeding measures bring the wished achievement, especially when we take international breeding exchange into consideration.
The tested LPN1 mutation has until now only be researched in Leonbergers. That is why the unlucky denomination “Leonberger Poly Neuropathy” is used.
The test cannot be used for other breeds. LPN1 causes a severe form of PN before the third year.
It was stressed that carriers (D/N) must still be used for breeding, because otherwise the already narrow gene pool is too much limited.
One carries on with the development of a test for LPN2.
The universities of Minnesota and Bern published in August “questions and answers”, it is important that the member clubs publish these Q&A on their websites.
It is important that as many dogs as possible are tested, especially the family of carriers.
It was proposed that that Union works out a proposal for handling the LPN1 test in relation to breeding.
In coordination with the member clubs was decided:
8. Leonberger Symposium.
In the previous meeting we asked to discuss the wishes for the costs and the themes to be discussed in the member clubs.
That didn’t happen.
Austria proposed to vote:
The symposium won’t be put on the agenda again in the next 5 years, because it looks like there aren’t many interested.
The result of the vote, after discussion, was:
12 votes for adjournment
3 votes against
2 abstentions
9. Miscellaneous.
There were no requests.
12. Closure.
The president closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their positive contributions.
There was a good discussion.
The meeting closed at 1.45 pm
Leonberg, 25th September 2010
Willi Gullix Hein Sibrijns
President I.L.U. Secretary I.L.U.
Chairman of the meeting. Recorder of the Minutes
.
Venue:Hotel Kirchner Leonberg
Time 10:00 – 13:45
Those present: representatives from the member clubs of :
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, USA.
Participant with observer status: Ireland.
Excused: Slovak Republic.
The Committee: All members of the board were present.
Chairman: the Union president Willi Güllix.
Minutes: were taken by the Union secretary, Hein Sibrijns.
Agenda:
- Welcoming Introduction.
- Reports a) President
c) Secretary
d) Auditors
3. Discussion of the reports and discharge of the Committee.
4. The Budget for 2010, Membership dues 2010.
5. News and reports from the member countries.
6. Breeding problems in the Union.
7. Poly neuropathy test and its consequences for breeding.
8. Future activities of the Union.
- Preparation Leonberger Symposium.
- Miscellaneous.
- Closure.
1. Introduction.
The President opened the meeting at 10:00 am.
He welcomed the delegates, and noted with pleasure that so many clubs were represented.
The in July deceased Mr. Fred Inwood was remembered with 1 minute silence.
2. Reports
a. President’s Report- Willi Güllix
There is warning on the FCI’s website:
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) informs all its members and contract partners that it holds no official relations with the Federación Canina Internacional and its members and that it does not recognise this Federación.
Because sometimes misunderstandings happen, the Union member clubs were asked to publish this warning on their website.
In November 2009 an international judges seminar was held in Leonberg, with 33 satisfied participants from 15 countries one can indeed use the word “international”.
Since July 2010 there is a genetic for test which classifies, by means of a simple blood sample, designates a Leonberger as clear (N/N), carrier (D/N), or affected (D/D).
Dogs that are tested D/D develop a severe form of poly neuropathy. Before the age of 3 years. This isn’t only harmful for the individual unfortunate dog, his breeder and his owner, it is also harmful for all clubs and creates a negative image of our breed.
Apart from that, breeders who breed from D/D tested dogs can expect claims from puppy buyers, because since July 2010 no breeder can claim not to be aware this. Until that time it wasn’t possible to recognize carriers because of lack of scientific knowledge and because carriers don’t show clinical signs of the disease, or only show signs at an older age. The president emphasizes that poly neuropathy isn’t a breed specific Leonberger disease, it occurs in many other breeds.
We must fight this disease by means of a strategic breeding program, without creating panic.
Panicking harms the image of our breed in public.
b. Treasurer’s Report - Peter Cejnek
The balance sheet was handed out at the meeting.
All member clubs were fully paid up for 2009.
It was surprising that some clubs paid for the same number of club members as in 2008. That isn’t normal, because the number of club members can’t stay exactly the same each year.
It was pointed out that the membership dues are coposed of an annual fee of 50 Euros and 0.20 Euros per club member.
On 31-12-2009 the Union’s assets amounted to 4597.26 Euros and the total number of members from the member clubs was 10,437.
c. Secretary’s report - Hein Sibrijns.
The Union web site has attracted many visitors.
For the rest, see the president’s report.
d. Auditor’s report.
Säde Crivelli (CH) and José-Maria Itturalde Perez de Aranaza (E) had checked the accounts which closed 31-12-2009, as well as the accounts for the current year. They were satisfied that everything is in order and they thanked the Treasurer Peter Cejnek for doing a good job. They proposed that the meeting accept the accounts and discharged the treasurer and the board. The proposal was not discussed and was accepted unanimously.
3. Discharge of the Committee
The Committee was unanimously discharged.
4. The Budget for 2011/Membership fees for 2011.
The Union finances are healthy.
It was unanimously decided to maintain the membership dues at a fixed fee of 50 euros plus 0.20 euros per member.
5. News from the member countries.
The Austrian Club nominated Mr. Thomas Walker as new second delegate.
A big club show will be organized in conjunction with the FCI world dog show in Salzburg in 2012.
One can buy the well known Leonberger picture by the Austrian artist René Marcel Rivière “two faces from Picasso” from the club.
The Russian Club celebrates its 15th anniversary with a jubilee club show on 21-22 May 2011. All are heartily invited to join.
They thanked the Union and the member clubs for the constructive cooperation.
The club wants to install a breeding ability test as mandatory for breeding. To achieve this they need confirmation of membership of the ILU for the Russian Kennel Federation (RKF).
The Irish Club is still a young club. Next year they will obtain full membership of the IKC , then they can also apply for full membership of the Union.
The German Club announced that 320 dogs had been entered for the club show on the 26th September.
As off this year dogs with hip score HD-C are not longer admitted for breeding.
Puppies aren’t tattooed anymore, they are micro chipped.
For artificial insemination one needs authorisation from the breeding committee in advance.
Blood samples fro LPN1 testing will be taken for free on the club show.
The English Club is working on a temperament test. A health seminar on amongst others DCM will be held on the 24th October. All are heartily invited.
A presentation on Anal Furunculosis is available on DVD.
In England many people work with their Leos:
There are 3 carting groups, 3 groups for water work and 3 groups fro agility. There are now “working championship”.
A welfare committee was founded, which occupies itself also with rescue.
A Leonberger seminar with Guido Perosino and Petra Junehall will be organized.
This year two well known personalities died: Fred Inwood and Nigel Holliday.
In the Norwegian Club 22 litters with a total of 126 puppies were born last year.
Next year the club celebrates it 20th anniversary with a club show in May in Kristianstadt, all are heartily invited. There will be two more club shows.
The Danish Club had noting special to declare.
The Finnish Club is educating many working dogs, amongst others water rescue dogs.
The club will vote on the introduction of a voluntary breeding ability test, identical to the German one..
The Swedish Club has a new president.
This year the club celebrates its 30th anniversary. The venue for the jubilee club show is still to be decided.
Veterans can now be entered free of charge for club shows.
The Swedish club informed its breeders that it is necessary to have breeding dogs tested for LPN1.
A judges seminar will be organized.
The Czech Club reported that it is now difficult to find good homes for all puppies born
The club show will be held in April 2011, all are heartily invited.
A temperament test was held; all participating dogs passed the test.
The Dutch Club will organize a club show in conjunction with the FCI European Winner show in Leeuwarden in 2011.
There is an active water work group.
The American Club reported that, after years of hard work, the breed is now fully recognized by AKC in the working group.
A 10 years old Leonberger veteran was Best of Group on an AKC all breed show.
The club show is still organized after European model, so with written critiques on each dog
The French Club announced that one could still enter for the club show in Cluny.
In the future the date for the club show will be 2 weeks earlier.
Removal of dew claws is now illegal in France.
The Belgian Club organized this year its 30th club show.
It was pointed out that one must not cause panic about poly neuropathy, it should be stated more clearly that one can mate carriers (D/N) to free (N/N) dogs.
A sub club for water work will soon be founded.
The report form the New Zealand Club was read.
The club had its first Open Show and had a first Ribbon Parade on the South Island.
The Leonberger population counts approximately 350 dogs. Most of them are on the North Island, it was quite a milestone for the club to have now enough dogs on the South Island for a Ribbon Parade.
A Leonberger is now training under the official NZ Surf Lifesaving umbrella. This is not only the first Leonberger, it is the first dog in general in NZ.
They are researching the possibilities of using water rescue dogs in conjunction with surf patrol.
The first championship club show has been planned for October 2011, Guido Perosino has been invited to judge.
The Spanish Club invited all for the 100th anniversary of the Spanish Kennel Club.
On this occasion the club will organize a big Fiesta on the 20th-22d May in Madrid.
The Swiss Club clarified that LPN1-carriers must be used for breeding, otherwise the gene pool will be overly limited.
LPN1 test will be made obligated in the breeding rules..
In the Italian Club the number of puppies born sank from 225 in 2008 to 113 in 2009, the number of club members sank also.
20 Dogs passed the breeding ability check. They support the PN research is Bern (CH) financially.
All are heartily invited for the club show on 1stMay 2011, judge is Olli Kokonen from Finland.
The Millennium Award 2011 will be awarded to Mr. Willi Güllix.
In Canada live 700-800 Leonbergers. In 2009 120 puppies and imports were registered.
The code of ethics includes health tests and a temperament test.
An interval of 15 minutes was taken.
During this interval the board decided to award the ILU Awards BOB and Best Veteran to 2 shows in 2011, namely the 20th Anniversary Club Show in Norway and the 30h Anniversary Club Show in Sweden.
Both clubs can also apply for the German Club CAC On these special occasions
6. Breeding problems in the Union.
In the last meeting a recommendation for minimum age for filling in tooth cards was discussed, one agreed on the age of 8 months.
We miss a confirmation from the member clubs that the recommendation had been followed.
As decided in the last meeting Sharon Springel developed a questionnaire to investigate why and how many females stay empty after a mating.
The questionnaire has been translated into several languages and can be filled in on, or downloaded from the Union’s website.
One is asked to fill as many forms as possible, also for matings that weren’t successful. The forms will stay online until August
Until now 114 forms have been returned, 23 of them were from bitches that staid empty.
This result (+/- 20%) isn’t a ground for worries.
Jenny Bergdahl remarks that the DCM research in Sweden is still going on. Teams in France and Great Britain work also on this subject within the LUPA project.
In Norway it was found that Herpes virus infections are rather common, they have a negative influence on conceiving, and on the number of puppies.
It was asked if people have experience with anti herpes vaccination. The university of Liege in Belgium acknowledges that a vaccination for Herpes is successful.
8. Poly neuropathy test.
Poly neuropathy: a non-neglectable, very sensitive issue.
An important, first step, was made in fighting the disease.
When a genetic test for a form of poly neuropathy was announced, the board had the choice between issuing a recommendation right away towards the Union member clubs, or to first discuss the difficult theme with the member clubs in this meeting.
Question is what is possible where breeding regulations are concerned and what isn’t.
Only consistent, international, breeding measures bring the wished achievement, especially when we take international breeding exchange into consideration.
The tested LPN1 mutation has until now only be researched in Leonbergers. That is why the unlucky denomination “Leonberger Poly Neuropathy” is used.
The test cannot be used for other breeds. LPN1 causes a severe form of PN before the third year.
It was stressed that carriers (D/N) must still be used for breeding, because otherwise the already narrow gene pool is too much limited.
One carries on with the development of a test for LPN2.
The universities of Minnesota and Bern published in August “questions and answers”, it is important that the member clubs publish these Q&A on their websites.
It is important that as many dogs as possible are tested, especially the family of carriers.
It was proposed that that Union works out a proposal for handling the LPN1 test in relation to breeding.
In coordination with the member clubs was decided:
- It is recommended to imperatively use only tested dogs for breeding and to mate carriers (D/N) only to free (N/N) dogs.
- The Union will set up a database of test checked results.
- The dog’s owner must agree on publication of the dog’s data.
8. Leonberger Symposium.
In the previous meeting we asked to discuss the wishes for the costs and the themes to be discussed in the member clubs.
That didn’t happen.
Austria proposed to vote:
The symposium won’t be put on the agenda again in the next 5 years, because it looks like there aren’t many interested.
The result of the vote, after discussion, was:
12 votes for adjournment
3 votes against
2 abstentions
9. Miscellaneous.
There were no requests.
12. Closure.
The president closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their positive contributions.
There was a good discussion.
The meeting closed at 1.45 pm
Leonberg, 25th September 2010
Willi Gullix Hein Sibrijns
President I.L.U. Secretary I.L.U.
Chairman of the meeting. Recorder of the Minutes
.