CHANGES ARE COMING TO LIAISON COUNCILS

The Kennel Club has announced a change to its liaison council structure and application process as part of its ongoing commitment to improve representation across canine activities, and it has been agreed that there will be seven dedicated liaison councils moving forward. Each council will represent one of the following activities: Dog Showing, Agility, Obedience, Field Trials, Working Trials, Heelwork to Music, and Rally. Each council will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their respective area.

In a significant development, The Kennel Club will be transitioning from a nomination-based process to an application-based process for the selection of Liaison Council representatives (with the exception of Field Trials that will remain on a club nomination system). This shift is designed to improve transparency, promote inclusivity, and allow for the appointment of individuals based on relevant skills, experience, and expertise. We believe this approach will result in stronger, more effective representation across our activities.

The Kennel Club will be dissolving the Breed Liaison Council.  Additionally, the current Show Liaison Council will be dissolved, with a new Dog Show Liaison Council established later this year.

Breed-related issues that were previously managed through the Council will be handled through more direct and efficient channels.  Where appropriate, Kennel Club teams can now respond to queries and resolve issues more quickly by phone or email, providing faster outcomes and a better service for the community.

The Kennel Club is also continuing to look at ways to understand the experiences of dog breeders across our community and we hope to be able to share further updates on this shortly. Breeders are welcome to contact us via hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk or Breeder.Development@thekennelclub.org.uk. To find out where to direct breed-related queries, please visit the release on the website thekennelclub.org.uk/liaisoncouncilchange.

Helen Kerfoot, Chief Canine Officer at The Kennel Club said, “The decision to evolve our structure is to reduce overlap and ensure the right voices can represent each activity. 

“The restructure and new application process are just the first steps. While we pilot the new approach, we will keep working on improving how we do things and supporting our representatives so they can connect and communicate well with their communities.

“We believe this new structure will result in more responsive, informed, and effective governance, helping us support the continued growth and success of dog activities.”

The Kennel Club will begin the process with a pilot program for heelwork to music which will help test and refine the application processes. Those involved in the HTM activity will be approached directly and it is hoped that this pilot will provide valuable insights before a full-scale rollout to other areas later in the year.

For further information please contact activities@thekennelclub.org.uk.

Conduct at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media

The Kennel Club Board and the Disciplinary Committee have endorsed the introduction of further regulatory support to help ensure all those taking part in or attending licensed events behave in a responsible and a respectful manner.

It is the responsibility of all participants to uphold the core values of courtesy and respect surrounding canine activities. Alongside this, those same values ought to be in play on social media in the context of comments and opinions being expressed about participants at Kennel Club licensed events. This new measure introduces a system for issuing yellow and red cards in response to unacceptable behaviour at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media (in the context of licensed events).

The issue of a yellow card in response to unacceptable conduct will indicate that should there be a further incident and / or repetition of a complaint on a similar issue, then the yellow card will escalate to a red card status.

A red card status will result in an automatic fixed period of 60/90 days for refusal of entry and attending Kennel Club licensed events – and such period will be aligned with any relevant competition or event season.

Continue reading Conduct at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media

OBEDIENCE LIAISON COUNCIL MEETING 17 JANUARY 2023

The next meeting of the Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council is scheduled to be held on Tuesday 17 January 2023. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by 26 October 2022.

Each eligible society or an individual may submit items for the agenda, through a council representative. Proposals must be concise and, if an amendment or an additional regulation is proposed, the regulation number must be given. All submissions must be signed by the society/individual and the representative.

Please note, all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent by email to obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk.

A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at bit.ly/2Tx8YVk.