news archive

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

14/10/2008 - Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club call for dog breeding review
This week the two leading dog organisations in the UK, the welfare charity Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club announced that they will be calling for Government support for an independent review into the registration, breeding and showing of dogs to ensure their long term health and welfare.

07/10/2008 - Kennel Club announces new changes to safeguard health of pedigree dogs
The Kennel Club is launching a complete review of every pedigree dog breed in the UK in a move that will have far-reaching benefits for the health of many breeds. It has also called on the government to give it the statutory powers to clamp down on breeders who fail to make a dog’s health their top priority.