PROGRESS PRESS STATEMENT

16th August 2009

PROGRESS held a meeting at the Hatherton House Hotel, Stafford on August 16th 2009.

The meeting was attended by a very large cross section of the Pekingese Community as well as representatives from other Brachycephalic breeds.

PROGRESS convened the event to celebrate the work that the group has done so far and to respond to the challenge made by Mr Ronnie Irving, Chairman of the Kennel Club that he had made a few weeks ago "to start thinking of the future of the breed"

The need for breed unity was discussed and as many people in the breed as possible had been notified about this open meeting. This included advertisements in the Dog Press and personal invitations from the group.

It was agreed during the meeting that Pekingese Dogs are essentially healthy but that more could be done to identify and address possible health issues in the breed.

The substantive item for discussion was the use of Scientific studies which, it was hoped, would enable the Pekingese dog to remain healthy well into the 21st century. In addition PROGRESS developed ways that it could continue to liaise with all in the Pekingese breed and the Kennel Club. The aim of this communication will be to attain the unity of the breed that so many desire, as well as improving the profile and health of the Pekingese breed.

The meeting agreed to promote research into genetic studies. This will involve simple anonymous testing to establish a genetic profile for the breed. PROGRESS will help to coordinate this work.

The group also enthusiastically supported an International Conference on Pekingese health issues
"New Ideas- New Concepts" being held on 16th January, 2010 at the Sketchley Grange Hotel, Hinckley, Leicestershire.

The PROGRESS web site will be developed to incorporate examples of Pekingese Dogs agility in a You Tube type format.



It was also agreed to develop a register of Professionals, including Veterinary Surgeons, Geneticists & Physiologists to help coordinate the work of PROGRESS.

The meeting decided to establish close collaboration with the other Brachycephalic Breeds.

The session closed with PROGRESS reaffirming its determination to establish unity in the breed and to tirelessly promote and implement evidence based research.

Further details can be found on the PROGRESS website:

www.pekesprogress.co.uk

e-mail coordinator@pekesprogress.co.uk