news archive

16/03/2009 - Healthy Dogs and Responsible Breeders shine at Crufts
The Kennel Club today reveals that one in four of the top winning dogs at Crufts 2009 were bred or owned by Kennel Club Accredited Breeders, who agree to put the health and welfare of their dogs first and foremost. This news has been welcomed by leading vets, who believe that the Accredited Breeder Scheme, in conjunction with responsible dog showing, will ensure healthier, happier dogs in the long run.

12/03/2009 - The Working Gundog - Fit for Function: Fit for Life - An Example to All
On Saturday 7th March at Crufts, handlers who have provided credible proof that they have a competent partnership with their dog by exhibiting the qualities to fulfil the requirements of work on a shoot were presented with the Working Gundog Certificate.

20/02/2009 - Canine health and welfare - Regulation amendments
Since the end of 2007 the Kennel Club has been actively monitoring the judging of breeds considered to be affected by potentially significant health issues. This monitoring has taken the form of observing judging and by receiving written reports from judges on their findings. All these reports are considered by the Judges Sub-Committee and in some instances judges have been asked to comment further on the views they have formed of the breed’s virtues and weaknesses.

09/02/2009 - Kennel Club Response to RSPCA Survey
The Kennel Club has today responded to the RSPCA’s report ‘Pedigree Dog Breeding in the UK: A Major Welfare Concern?’

09/02/2009 - Two dates announced for new show Border Collie herding test
Following the successful staging of the first Show Border Collie Herding Test last October, the Kennel Club has announced the dates of two further tests during 2009.

09/02/2009 - Top show dog Judges discuss the importance of rewarding health first
The top show judges in the country, some of whom have appointments at Crufts 2009, attended a Kennel Club seminar on Wednesday 4th February, which set out the central role that the show world will play in safeguarding the future of pedigree dogs.

26/01/2009 - Kennel Club Announces Healthy New Year Regulations for Pedigree Dogs
The Kennel Club, in the next stage of its ‘Fit for Function: Fit For Life’ campaign, today released the results of its review of all breed standards to ensure that all dogs are healthy, of good temperament and fit for their original function, and announced that it will introduce strict new rules to ban the breeding of close relatives, in a move that will ensure that pedigree dogs go into 2009 with the best chance of living happy, healthy lives.

12/01/2009 - Review of Breed Standards
In recent months the Kennel Club has, with veterinary assistance, undertaken a detailed review of its Breed Standards to ensure that the descriptions given always promote the breeding and exhibition of dogs where health welfare and temperament are of paramount importance and where the dogs have the best chance of being fit, healthy and happy. Breed Clubs and Breed Councils have been consulted throughout this initiative, and have been given the opportunity to submit feedback on proposed amendments. The Kennel Club wishes to have the revised wording in place prior to Crufts and so the changes have now been agreed by the General Committee and are effective immediately.

12/01/2009 - Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club announce Chair of Independent Review
Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club are pleased to announce that their joint independent review into the registration, breeding and showing of dogs will be Chaired by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson FRS.

28/11/2008 - Health and Breeding Campaign
Kennel Club initiatives to improve breed health