Brief Summary of the IFEZ Meeting 2019

Beat Kempf, President of Eurasierfreunde Schweiz (EFS), as the current President of the International Federation for Eurasier Breeding (IFEZ), greeted those present at the IFEZ meeting with a short statement on the fundamental intentions of IFEZ.

The initial main part of the conference concerned information and questions about innovations and problems of the IFEZ members:

• In a first round of discussions, the IFEZ clubs presented the changes in personnel in the committees of their clubs. Even if in some cases there have been many changes, it is very positive to note that it has been possible to get younger people to adopt an active role in a Eurasier club.
• The questions and problems surrounding the membership of the Eurasier Society UK (ESUK) in IFEZ (now dormant for a year) were discussed and evaluated in detail. As the requirements of IFEZ have not been met for more than 12 months, a final reasonable period for fulfilling these obligations was decided by the full members of IFEZ. ESUK will be automatically excluded on the scheduled date if the multiple requirements have not been met by then.
• Since the English club "ESUK" did not fulfil its obligations as an IFEZ member by 20/11/2019, the IFEZ President Beat Kempf sent a notification to the club committee, dated 23/11/2019, that the Eurasier Society UK, following the vote of the IFEZ full members, is, with immediate effect, no longer a member of IFEZ and must stop advertising IFEZ in any communications or advertising.
• The new homepage of the IFEZ is almost finished and is very successful. After the latest revisions, it can be activated safely at the beginning of 2020.
• The conditions under which club officials could participate at meetings via Skype was discussed.
  
  

A second main part of the conference was again devoted to a variety of topics about the Eurasier:

• The moderate changes in Standard 291 presented by EKW (in co-ordination with KZG and ZG) and approved by VDH, are again to be considered for approval by the FCI.
• Underactive thyroid is one of the autoimmune diseases that have a large hereditary component and develop gradually. Various thyroid values are tested in all clubs for as many animals as possible, but is mandatory for the breeding dogs. The problem of comparability of reference values of different laboratories was discussed. Not all clubs can use Biocontrol as a laboratory. An assessment of all previously recorded anonymized values is highly desirable.
• Other health issues addressed were: epilepsy and the problem of correct diagnosis and recording; ways to prevent the popular sire syndrome IFEZ-wide; meaningful genetic tests; and state of genetic diversity in our breed.
• The discussion of all these topics was lively and engaging!
• Information was also exchanged about regulations such as different breeding fees and health deposits, and puppy prices were compared and discussed.
• From January 1st, 2020 the presidency of the IFEZ passes to the Eurasier Vereniging Nederland (EVN).
  After working through the usual formalities, there were many interesting, exciting chats about Eurasiers during the evening of the meeting, as well as on the Friday evening and Sunday morning. This large, international group only meets in person once a year. Throughout the year, communication is usually only possible by phone or email. It was an all-round successful meeting for the good of our beautiful breed.

Gisela Aach, IFEZ Secretary
Translation: Brigitte Mordan-Grimm

ECA Eurasier Club Austria

In 2019, our Austrian Eurasier Association ECA celebrated 35 years since its inauguration. The ECA joined IFEZ in 1997. Georg Petermayer, a committee member, created the new database with a breeding evaluation program, which he still successfully supervises today. The IFEZ member associations appreciate the valuable membership of the ECA. We wish the club all the best for the future. To celebrate the event, the ECA organised an annual meeting with a club show in Feldkirchen an der Donau, held on 18/19 May 2019. All Eurasier friends from near and far were cordially invited.

Brief Summary of the IFEZ Meeting 2018

Beat Kempf, Chair of the Eurasierfreunde Switzerland (EFS) and current Chair of IFEZ welcomed the numerous delegates of IFEZ clubs and started the meeting with a short presentation that was both positive and motivating for the successful future of IFEZ. Intensification and modernization of both internal pathways and external presentation are necessary, and would be the main topics of the meeting.

A first main part of the meeting covered the components of "ways into the future of IFEZ":

• Data of IFEZ clubs will be stored in a cloud, encrypted, of course. They can then be worked on with an offline program. Important in this context are also the newly created modes of access and authorization.
• Because of the changes in the database and the DSGVO, the membership contracts with IFEZ will also be revised.
• The IFEZ homepage gets a new, modern look. After the last revisions, it can be safely activated at the turn of the year.
• The UK Club SEA (Southern Eurasier Association) was accepted as an Associated Member of IFEZ, after a extensive presentation by its Vice Chair, Dr Brigitte Mordan-Grimm.
  
  

The second main part of the meeting addressed many topics about the Eurasier:

• The moderate changes to the standard 291, approved by the VDH, are now again with the FCI for their approval.
• Hypothyroidism is one of the auto-immune diseases that has a large hereditary component and often develops subtly. All clubs test different thyroid parameter on as many dogs as possible, but testing is mandatory for all breeding animals.
• Further health topics discussed: eye diseases generally and glaucoma in particular, lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, epilepsy, breeding problems (e.g. bitch remains empty) and the recommendation to use many different sires.
• Discussion of all these topics was lively and involved!

After going through the usual formalities we had another particular highlight on Sunday.

Dr. med.vet. Eberhard Manz, CEO of Generatio, gave an introduction to the different possibilities of genetic analyses. (Most Eurasier clubs store blood samples at Generatio)

The meeting was framed by many intensive, personal discussions between the active members of the attending clubs, which usually only meet once a year, and otherwise can only communicate by telephone or email.
It was an overall a successful meeting for the good of our beautiful breed.

Gisela Aach, IFEZ Secretary
Translation: Brigitte Mordan-Grimm

 Brief Summary of the IFEZ Meeting 2017

In his capacity of current IFEZ President, Professor Dr. Kurt Kotrschal of the Eurasier Club Austria, ECA, welcomed the attendees of the individual clubs at the meeting in Stockerau near Vienna, organized by the ECA. As a special guest, he introduced Professor Dr. Heiko Scholz, President of the Kynologische Zuchtvereinigung, KZG who expressed his interest in the IFEZ work by attending the meeting.
Dr. Kotrschal briefly summarized the itinerary and went over the main points of discussion concerning the database and its possible replacement which were addressed during the year. The discussion about the future of the IFEZ was mentioned as well. Both topics should definitely be discussed in a constructive manner, not only during the meeting but also in the future.
The first part of the meeting concentrated on the application of the Eurasier Club Italiano, ECI, for associated IFEZ membership. After a brief examination of the information submitted by the ECI, confirmation of a successful data exchange by Mr. Georg Petermayer and a short discussion, the ECI was unanimously accepted as Associate Member of the IFEZ.
During the second part of the meeting many different topics pertaining to the Eurasier, the IFEZ database and the future of the IFEZ were addressed:

• The new, amended version of the Standard 291 which was approved by the VDH (German Kennel Club) was again submitted to the FCI for approval.
• The following health topics were addressed and discussed:
  • For the first time diagnosed in a Eurasier: A dysplasia of the ligamentum pectinatum (eye disease); Specialists of the DOK (Ophalmologists‘ Forum of Dortmund) are being consulted.
  • Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae are increasingly diagnosed. It cannot be determined yet if it will develop into a bigger problem in the breed although one meeting participants reported about severe difficulties in an affected dog.
  • The University of Munich Veterinary Clinic conducts a research project initiated by the KZG to determine a marker for hypothyroidism.
  • The continued propagation to spay and neuter dogs without medical indication must be limited with the help of thorough information of dog/Eurasier owners, among other things via digital media.
  • Many reasons for the partial increase of stillborn puppies were discussed. In none of the clubs there was a special tendency towards „one“ specific cause.
• The ideas and suggestions determined by a working group that discussed the future of the IFEZ were presented. One specific point was the access of the IFEZ database with its extensive information possibilities for breeding officials.
• The basic discussions concerning the new direction of the database showed many different possibilities, e.g., the development of a propriatory software, the adjustment of programs offered on the market or the upgrade of the current program and different access possibilities.
  
  

After all general regulations were addressed, the presidency was transferred from Dr. Kurt Kotrschal to Mr. Beat Kempf, President of the Eurasierfreunde Switzerland, EFS at the end of the meeting. It was a special highlight.

Professor Dr. Kurt Kotrschal, Chairperson of the Wolf Science Center near Vienna held a very interesting and entertaining lecture about the wolf-dog-human relationship.

The meeting was enhanced by all the personal, intensive discussions amongst the representatives of the clubs who, during the course of the year, mostly only get in touch via phone or email. It was an all in all successful and attractive meeting for the well-being of our breed with just one disappointment:

The planned visit of the Wolf Science Center in Ernstbrunn under the supervision of Dr. Kurt Kotrschal had to be cancelled to the disappointment of all. The storm „Herwart“ reached Austria on Sunday morning and all parks in the area were closed as a precaution. Very sad but, a natural misfortune that could not be influenced.

Gisela Aach, IFEZ Secretary
Translation: Ute Molush

 Brief Summary of the IFEZ Conference 2016

In his capacity of current IFEZ president, Professor Dr. Kurt Kotrschal, President of the Eurasier Club Austria, welcomed the many representatives of the member clubs of the International Federation of Eurasier Breeding. He stated that it has become a great custom to meet and discuss the Eurasier breed itself, careful breeding strategies and to exchange our experience.
The IFEZ is a godsent. With its extensive database it offers broad possibilities for scientifically based breeding of healthy Eurasiers in all clubs. We can be proud of it. A special welcome was given to the interested representatives of the Czech club who were present for the first time.

During the first part of the meeting several Eurasier breed topics were discussed:

• The moderate change of the Standard 291 which was approved by the VDH (German Kennel Club) was submitted to the FCI for approval.
• Dandy-Walker-Like-Malformation (DWLM) can be handled well from a breeding perspective as most clubs recommend or require genetic testing. The genetic diversity will not suffer.
• Hypothyroidsm is one of those autoimmune diseases which have a big hereditary component and which develop slowly and silently. The testing of four different thyroid values is highly recommended for as many dogs as possible, not only for those who are used for breeding.
• Gastric Torsion is being observed increasingly but currently no special cluster, for example in specific lines, can be detected.
• Further health topics which were discussed included: degenerative myelopathie, Glaucoma, eye disease in general, lumbosacral transitional veterbra (currently it is permissible to breed with type 1), epilepsy, heart disease, patellar luxation, breeding problems - e.g., unsuccessful breedings. For many of these topics luckily no new cases could be reported. Nevertheless all breeding officials will continue to be vigilant pertaining to the different health aspects of the Eurasiers.
  
  

The second part of the meeting consisted of a vivid discussion about the duties and possibilities of the IFEZ in the presence and specifically in the future.
Critical conclusions and possible changes for the future require the hard work of everyone. The IFEZ and its goals must be emphasized even more, it must be marketed as a „seal of excellence“ of Eurasier breeding; this can be reached first and foremost by the strong clubs, secondly through PR measures on the website of the IFEZ, on Facebook and possibly through other media.

The third part of the meeting contained the introduction of new ideas and possibilities for the development of a new format of health data administration. A working group presented a well-prepared project plan for an open online database.
Data exchange is obviously the core of all cooperating IFEZ clubs. Since these thoughts were presented for the first time, a very vivid discussion developed concerning the accessibility of Eurasier data, touching topics like:
Individuals as users; clubs only as users of the database; different access levels; consideration on limitations of users‘ circles; control instruments assuring the accuracy of data and data security; assuring the breeding in accordance with the standard; guided breeding of a still young breed. These were only some of the partically very controversial topics. This discussion will now resume in the individual clubs.
The work on the project itself will continue and will be on the itinerary again next year. No decisions were made.

After all required rules and regulations were met, the end of the meeting was highlighted by a very special and interesting presentation by Professor Dr. Kurt Kotrschal, Chairperson of the Wolf Science Center near Vienna, The deep emotional connection of Humans and Dogs.

The meeting was enhanced by many personal, intensive conversations between representatives of clubs which are mostly limited to phone calls or emails during the year. Throughout the meals, the dog walk and in the evening many topics around the wonderful Eurasier were discussed in depth. It was an all around successful meeting for the benefit of our beautiful breed.

gisela aach, IFEZ-Secretary

IFEZ Annual Meeting 2015

This year, the annual meeting of IFEZ, the International Federation for Eurasier Breeding, was hosted by the Finnish club in Helsinki. It was our 20th annual meeting and was well organized by the President of the Finnish Club, Mrs. Satu Rossow.

These gatherings are the highlight of the working year for IFEZ, as, wherever possible, the individual club representatives (Chair, Data Representative and Heads of Breeding) of member clubs meet up. Many kynological topics concerning the Eurasier are worked on extensively and finalized, as well as new topics raised and put on the Agenda.
Changes in the clubs’ personnel are shared, so that the cooperation between clubs can always be conducted with familiar individuals.

The main topics discussed in 2015:

• Summary of the changes to the FCI standard 291 as proposed by the three German VDH clubs. Confirmation by the FCI is still lacking.
• The NGEH (Nordic Group for Eurasier Health), an Associated member of IFEZ (membership status suspended) reports on their experience with the NEK and NKK. The inconsistencies are hard to follow (no club was founded to justify the allegation of ‘impermissible competition’ as raised by the NEK). The group, as well as IFEZ, is solely dedicated to breeding healthy Eurasiers. Therefore the (re)actions of the ‘Nordic clubs’, which are dedicated to the same goals, appear, at this point, incomprehensible.
• The procedure for dealing with requests for sires from single breeders, as well as puppy enquiries from people outside of IFEZ, was discussed again and adapted, as the feedback of health-data is often poor. All clubs should adhere to the same protocol. Each suggested mating outside of one’s own club has to be signed by both Breeding Representatives.
• IFEZ will increase its public relations over the next months; to this effect a small working group was established.
• It was decided that, from now on, English is the second official language in IFEZ alongside German.
• Health and Breeding Topics:
  • Individual health problems, occasionally occurring in the breed and already addressed in 2014, were discussed again.
  • The DNA testing which, by now, is partially firmly in place was introduced and first results were exchanged. New possibilities arise which allow to refine Eurasier breeding even more carefully when it comes to possible health problems.
  • Suggested changes or additions to the IFEZ database already discussed in 2014 were defined more closely and will be implemented for the 2016 data exchange thus improving the possibilities of capturing information on health and test results.
  • Status/results of thyroid testing in the individual clubs: A topic that is being addressed annually to assure that the problem is closely monitored.
  • The question arose if not all clubs should require full eye screenings. The discussion will continue. Some clubs already require full eye screening as part of their health testing.
  • Individual occurrences of health problems, unknown in the breed to date, were mentioned: Hemangiosarcoma, symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy.
• As decided in 2014, the conference included the Sunday morning for the first time to offer additional time to discuss the large amount of topics.
• The Eurasier Club Austria, ECA, fortunately stepped in to take over the presidency for the next two years since the Zuchtgemeinschaft fuer Eurasier e.V., ZG, expressed its inability to do so at this time. The ECA will organize the meeting in Stuttgart in 2016.

During the breaks and in the evenings the participants came together in different groups to discuss particularly interesting topics. Everyone is already looking forward to the next meeting in 2016, which will hopefully draw many participants.

Gisela Aach, IFEZ Secretary
Translation: Brigitte Mordan-Grimm; Ute Molush 

 IFEZ-Meeting 2011 in Arbon, Switzerland

This year the Swiss Eurasier Club IGES invited to the annual meeting of the IFEZ in Switzerland. The weather was beautiful when the representatives of the various IFEZ-Eurasier Clubs met in a small, and dog friendly hotel in Arbon at Lake Bodensee. The combination of sun shine, a colourful forest with autumn leaves, and, in close reach, a wonderful area directly at Lake Bodensee, where the dogs could run free, made it a very pleasant stay for all participants.

At the meeting, everybody met „old friends“ as well as „new faces“ (for the first time, the Norwegian Eurasier Club attended with a delegation consisting of three, their president, vice-president, and IFEZ-representative were present). Alongside with the meeting, many interesting conversations took place concerning our most favourite subject: Eurasiers.

Items of the meeting:

• The Data Exchange Programme.
• Adjustments to the Contracts to include extended functions of the IFEZ.
• A Secretary, to ensure continuity and up-to-date, sound information.
• Information concerning the Swedish and Canadian Eurasier Clubs.
• Reports from every delegation, and detailed discussions about various health subjects, such as the status quo of the thyroid project, bio data base, etc.
• Report of the FCI-Representative.

Until late in the evening, those interested in the wide field of breeding were still sitting at their computers and exchanging information. Sunday started with „Eurasier talks“ during breakfast, which were partly continued into the afternoon.

All in all, like in every year, the meeting was filled with a lot of intensive work, with many, very good conversations and discussions all focusing on Eurasiers. Possibly, all participants would have wished for at least 25 to 26 hours a day. In the coming year, the meeting will take place in October, in Stuttgart, Germany.

 IFEZ-Meeting 2010, during the last weekend in October

Mr Peter Moellenbruck, President of the Swiss Eurasier Club „IGES“, invited to the 2010 IFEZ meeting in Stuttgart, Germany.

Already on Friday evening, before the actual meeting started, many representatives of the IFEZ-Clubs met to discuss work with the IFEZ data base, the actual heart of the cooperation. The question they dealt with was whether it were necessary to „modernize“ the IFEZ data base, whether new technical possibilities could be inevitable. In future, the Clubs will need to keep this in view, too! Placing data online, a subject that should be first discussed within the board of each Club.

Saturday was the main day of work for the IFEZ club representatives.

Following organizational discussions and agreements, the next item on the agenda was exciting: The Eurasier Society UK, ESUK, and the Norwegian Eurasier Club NEK both introduced their Clubs, their breeding strategy, their Ethics, and then applied for membership as associated members within IFEZ.

For prior examination long before the meeting, they had sent all necessary information, so that after a short discussion among all full members of the IFEZ, Peter Moellenbruck could welcome both clubs as new members. Their applications as associated members of the IFEZ was approved unisono.

Naturally, the main fields of discussion focused on questions about Eurasier health and breeding. In that context, an interim report was given on the status quo of thyroid panel evaluations, which seem to suggest that the normal thyroid values for Eurasiers might rather be in the lower part of the reference range – here, more evaluations are necessary.

Also, once again, very detailed information was exchanged concerning the differing breeding regulations in the various Eurasier clubs, and their National Kennel Clubs. In future, when matings are planned between Eurasiers of two different clubs, the rules of the club of the female should always apply. Of course, the breeder is to be included accordingly.

With great engagement, a lot more questions regarding breeding were discussed, partly until way after dinner, late into the evening.

It was a meeting filled with a lot of work, but, of course, it also helped to get to know each other better, and to exchange experiences.

All Clubs are looking forward to the next meeting in 2011 in Switzerland, in Arbon, at Lake Bodensee, where the Swiss Eurasier Club IGES found a small, dog friendly hotel for the conference.

 IFEZ meeting 2009 in Apeldoorn, Netherlands

Mr. John Stegman, the IFEZ president for this office term, and 1. Chairman of the EVN (the Eurasier club in the Netherlands), had invited the representatives of all IFEZ clubs and associations to the Netherlands. A long journey for many, but well worth it!

The atmosphere was warm and very friendly, many conversations and discussions aimed for results, old acquaintances were deepened and new eurasier enthusiasts introduced – as usual, a full program within a very limited time. A week-end can be so short.

Full of hope to promote the IFEZ from a cynological point of view, plans were made, and first steps were taken – until the next conference, study groups are going to look into some especially important subjects, and will develop and process them, for example concerning the health of our Eurasiers, news all around the IFEZ data bank, input and production of essential documents, including public relations.

The Swedish Eurasier club could not yet realize their membership this year because of smaller "problems", however, they plan to join the IFEZ in 2010, probably as a cooperating member. The attendance of the following, interesting guests was a real pleasure: The KZG, Germany, and the Norwegian club NEK had both sent small delegations, as they are interested in the work of the IFEZ.

On Saturday evening, with the handing over of the presidency to Mr. Moellenbruck, the president of the IGES, Switzerland, the official part of the meeting ended. The next conference will probably take place in Germany again.

 IFEZ Meeting on September 27, 2007 in Stuttgart

31 delegates and guests from 9 countries attended the meeting in Stuttgart. One delegate from another country asked to be excused.

Decisions:

• Approval of the new arrangements for associated and cooperating members.
• Admission of the Eurasier club of Belgium (ECB) as an associate member.
• New appearance (logo and web page).

Conversational topics:

• The first results from a series of thyroid tests.
• First ideas for the 50 year anniversary of Eurasiers.
• Various other canine topics.