My flat coat has a luxating patella and will need an op soon. :( Do you know if this is likely to mean he can't be shown? (There's no point entering Crufts/ any other shows if it does). And would it just be conformation shows, or would it be obedience/agility etc if he couldn't be shown? Is it worth asking the Kennel Club, and if so who? Many thanks in advance :)

first you got to think of the dogs health before shows,

first there is luxating patella in some fcr lines,but some time it can be bought on bye over exciercing the dog or accient to.

how old is the dog and how bad is the problem i do know that a all of vet rush into do op on poblem.it like humans with knee problems first go down the rounte of gentla excersie like lead walking and swimming to bulid up the muscal around the joint first give it six month before rushing into this.
i know of a young that his knee kept sliping out but the owner new how to but it back in and over the time with gental excerise and swimming he didnt have to a op.but his was bought on bye accient.

if you do have the op you got to right in a letter to the kennel club to get the ok to show the dog after an op.

how old is the fcr and what line of breeding behind the dog.
i have had fcr four 19 year and there a few frc owner on the sit that may help  you out too,

TYhe Kennel Club do give permission to show for soem operations and I assume treat things on an individual basis.  I think the main thing they will consider is if the mater is likely to be the result of a hereditary condition.  For example I notice permission to show listed in the BRS countless times for Cruciate Ligamants being repaired. 

Basically it comes under the rules about altering the dogs conformation, and the only exemptions are operations certified by the Kennel club.

If the dog needs the op it needs the op.  So just wreite to the Kennel Clu for permission afterwards, if granted then OK, if not then not.

There is no proof that ruptured cruciates are hereditary that is why permission is given.   Some breeds are more prone to them because of their build and likewise dogs that get extensive exercise are more prone to any sort of injury.

I know of a dog in the gundog group that had patella luxation and was given permission to show, so every case must be looked at individually.

there two types of op for cruciate ligament repair the kc will only allow one method of the op.that was two years ago weather they change their mind about the two types of ops now.i dont know.

it all way best to ring the kc as well how to apply in writing about the ops and which one they allow to show or compete under their rules

Actually when my LM bitch had her's done - about 8 years ago - my vet told me that theres 10 types of repairing a cruciate so every dog is assessed differently.

Yep, obviously the dog's health comes first. I have to say from what I've read in The KG I suspect he won't be granted permission to be shown, but I can hope :D I'm relieved it doesn't apply to other show types though, I really wanted to do agility with him (though obviously it depends on how his knee does).

He's had the problem for about 6 months, he started last May when we were on holiday in Scotland. I've gone the route of gentle exercise etc to build his muscle up, but as his muscles have got stronger the problem's got worse. :( He had Xrays in June, when he had very very very early arthritis in both knees, and he had already stopped growing so wasn't likely to grow out of the problem and correct it. I've been popping his kneecap back into place for a while, and more so over the last few weeks. So it looks like an op. He's 19 months old now.

I'm probably best not sticking his breeding up on an internet forum - is it OK if I PM you? I know friends with several of his close realtives and no problems whatsoever, and the breeder has none that I know of. Admittedly I haven't asked, my friends are in close touch with her and know about his knee so I've assumed they've told her, but having considered it (now!) I might be best speaking to her directly as well (Duibh was out of the bitch's last litter so it's not urgent from that pov anyway) :)

I suppose if he couldn't be shown at conformation shows that would include ringcraft matches too?

It all depends on why the op is neccessary.  If your vet can prove that the op is needed to correct something that happened due to a trauma (road accident, etc) then you might be able to get permission to show but to be honest I don't think they'll give permission for a patella op if there's no traumatic cause.  It's only for conformation shows that this will apply.  The application can only be made after the surgery is done.

That said I'm sure you'll go ahead with the op anyway as your dog needs it :)

Debs

dunno about the showing but it woulddnt affect any ob/ag shows