Presentation about inbreeding control with the Laekenois.
On April 14th 2012 the BCHN working group "Preserving the Laekenois Shepherd" organized a gathering for breeders, where Jack Windig (from CGN Livestock Research) has held a presentation about inbreeding control with the Laekenois.
This reading was sponsored by the Dutch Kennel Club ("Raad van Beheer") and the BHCN and we are very thankful to both parties for this!
20 People were present, the group consisted of breeders, owners of (stud)males and other people interested, among them a representative of the NHC (Dutch Shepherd Association) because of the small population of Dutch Shepherds Rough coat.
The working group had provided Jack Windig with all data about the population of Laekenois, like the amount of dogs in the Netherlands and number of litters, health etcetera in an earlier stage, so he could make calculations about the current status of the breed. Based on these and his own data he gave the presentation.
Although the conclusion from Jack wasn't a positive one for the Laekenois, because we currently have a too small population to persist as a closed population, the atmosphere among the breeders was positive to create a plan together to refresh the gene pool.
Therefore, the intention is to organize a discussion session following the reading from Jack Windig in Spring 2013. At this discussion session we would like to discuss a health inventory and a future plan for breeding.
If you would have ideas, remarks or information for the new Laekenois breeding plan, please don't hesitate to let us know. Would you be interested in Jack Windig's presentation please send an e-mail to mirjam@laekenseherder.eu
We would like to thank Jack Windig once again for his interesting presentation and we would like to thank the people that took the time and effort to visit the presentation and are willing to commit to preserving this beautiful variety of the Belgian Shepherd.
On behalf of “Behoud Laekense herder” ("Preserving the Laekenois")
Petra Colijn
Tovie and Peter Hermans
Mirjam Busser
