Category: General

THE KENNEL CLUB Introduces FASTER AND MORE INCLUSIVE Liaison Council Process

The Kennel Club is introducing an updated approach to how Liaison Councils operate across all Kennel Club licensed dog activities, including Agility, Obedience, Working Trials, Rally, and Heelwork to Music. The improvements are designed to make the process faster, more flexible, and more accessible to grassroots participants, encouraging greater engagement and representation from the wider community.

Where previously, proposals could only be submitted in advance of scheduled Liaison Council meetings, under the new system participants can now submit suggestions at any time through a simple online form. Once a submission is received, it will be discussed before being added to a Council agenda. Urgent or straightforward matters may be addressed directly, while more complex proposals will be considered by the Councils and the wider community. This early discussion ensures each idea is clearly understood and properly considered. Council representatives will remain actively involved throughout the year via events, surveys, and social media.  Representatives will be kept informed of submission dates and the items submitted, while participants will receive updates online to stay informed about progress and outcomes.

To support this new process, new Liaison Council representatives have been appointed across all five activity areas. These representatives bring a broader mix of experience, ensuring that the voices of both newcomers and seasoned participants are included in shaping the future of their disciplines. The appointments reflect a strong emphasis on practical, day-to-day involvement in activities as well as wider expertise, promoting a balanced and inclusive approach to decision-making.

Another key change is the removal of regional boundaries for Council representatives. This means participants are no longer limited to engaging with representatives from a specific club or geographical area. Anyone can now contact any Council representative directly, making it easier to offer feedback, raise concerns or suggest improvements, regardless of location. This increased flexibility is designed to strengthen connections between representatives and the wider community, and to foster broader collaboration across all activities.

Helen Kerfoot, Chief Canine Officer at The Kennel Club said: “These changes are a direct response following extensive feedback from participants, and will aim to speed up decision-making, improve transparency, encourage wider participation and ultimately reflect how people engage with their activities today.

“Liaison Councils are only as strong as the voices they represent, and, by making the process more agile and responsive, we want participants of all levels feel empowered to play an active role in shaping the future of our activities.”

Participants can now submit proposals or ideas via the online form: thekennelclub.org.uk/forms/liaison-council-agenda-item/. Proposals should clearly outline the suggested change and how it would benefit the activity. All submissions will be reviewed by The Kennel Club and relevant representatives and, if appropriate, shared with the wider community for discussion ahead of formal meetings.

The representatives for each Liaison Council, and links to further details, can be found below.

Agility Liaison Council
Aly Gilchrist, Connor Harley, Debra Tedds, Jackie Gardner, Jo Bale, Jonathan Hallam, Nic Jones, Rebecca Sargent, Ruhina Miller, Sarah McConnell, Toni Davis, Tracy White

Obedience Liaison Council
Annette Boulter, Clare Williams, Dawn Cox, John Higgins, Kathy Russell, Lesley Holmes, Lou Holmes, Michael McCartney, Sheilagh Hyde

Heelwork to Music Liaison Council
Caroline Knight, Dawn Heaton, Emma Higgins, Laura Reynolds, Lucy Heath, Richard Moss, Emma Stock

Rally Liaison Council
Adrian Dornford-Smith, Amy Jackson, Kathleen Daly, Rachel Bradley, Sally Sanford, Stuart Lindsey, Tanya Butler

Working Trials Liaison Council
Allyson Tohme, Charlie Taylor, Christine Davis, Diane Ling, Les Theobald, Penelope Bann, Jacquie Hall

All newly appointed representatives will officially begin their terms in January 2026.

Updates regarding changes to the Dog Showing and Field Trials Liaison Councils are currently in development and will be announced in due course.

CRUFTS 2026 TO BE BIGGER AND BOLDER: NEW HALL TO SPOTLIGHT DOG GROOMING TALENT AND THE YOUNG KENNEL CLUB

Crufts is set to grow even larger in 2026, with the exciting addition of a new hall which will bring new competitions and a dedicated space for the next generation of dog enthusiasts.

The new Hall 8, which is positioned off hall 4, will become the new home of the Young Kennel Club (YKC) – a vibrant and inspiring space dedicated to nurturing the next generation of dog lovers, handlers, and followers. The move reflects Crufts’ ongoing commitment to the younger generation within the dog world.

Hall 8 will also play host to brand-new dog grooming competitions, showcasing the artistry and precision of top grooming talent from across the UK and around the world. These contests promise to be a visual spectacle and a celebration of the skill and flair that define the dog grooming profession. Further details of the dog grooming competitions will be announced in the coming weeks.

Crufts 2026 will take place from the 5 – 8 March at the NEC, Birmingham. Groups are scheduled as follows:

5 March – Working and Pastoral

6 March – Terrier and Hound

7 March – Toy and Utility

8 March – Gundog

Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager said: “This exciting expansion marks a new chapter in the world’s greatest dog show, offering even more space to celebrate canine excellence, creativity, and community.

“This extension is a testament to the continued growth and popularity of Crufts, and we can’t wait to welcome exhibitors and visitors to explore everything Hall 8 has to offer.”

Online entries for Crufts 2026 will open on Monday 17 November. Meanwhile, The Kennel Club has announced that the following competitions will take place on these dates:

Thursday 5 March 2026  

Crufts Novice Cup Agility

Crufts Agility Championship (small and medium height dogs)

Junior Warrant competition final

Breeders competition

Heelwork to Music competition

Young Kennel Club (YKC) Agility Jumping Cup

Flyball team competition – Last 16

Inter-Regional Rally competition

Obreedience competition

Friday 6 March 2026 

Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling final

Crufts Medium ABC/Crufts Intermediate ABC/Crufts Large ABC Agility

Crufts Singles Agility

Vulnerable Breeds competition

Flyball team competition – Last 16

Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition

Inter-Regional Obedience competition

Saturday 7 March 2026

Crufts International Agility competition

Scruffts semi-finals and final

Freestyle Heelwork to Music International competition

YKC Agility Dog of the Year finals

Flyball – quarter finals (including YKC Finals)

Obedience Championships (dogs)

Good Citizen Dog Training scheme Special Pre- Beginner Obedience Stakes Grand Final

Sunday 8 March 2026

Crufts Agility Championship (large and intermediate height dogs)

Flyball – semi-finals and finals

Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Special Pre- Beginner Obedience Stakes final for YKC members

Obedience Championship (bitches)

Gamekeepers competition final

The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award

Best in Show and presentation

Further competition times and events are still to be announced. Up-to-date information can be found at crufts.org.uk.

THE KENNEL CLUB ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN

The Kennel Club Board has on Tuesday 1 July elected Ian Seath as The Kennel Club Chairman and Paul Eardley has been re-elected as The Kennel Club Vice-Chairman. 

Ian has served on the Board since 2019. He has owned Dachshunds since 1980 and first judged the breed in 1991 and awards Challenge Certificates in all six varieties. He said: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been elected as Chairman of The Kennel Club. I thank my fellow Directors for entrusting me with this role. Forty-five years ago, my wife Sue and I bought two Miniature Long Haired Dachshund puppies. I never imagined that would lead me on a path to where I am today, following in the footsteps of so many illustrious previous Chairmen.” 

Former Chairman Tony Allcock OBE retired last week at the Annual General Meeting. Ian thanked Tony for his service as a Director, and Chairman since 2019, adding: “Tony has been ably supported by two Vice Chairmen in that time, Dr Ian Gabriel and Paul Eardley, and I am pleased to have Paul continuing in that role. I thank them both for their contributions. 

“It is worth remembering that my Board colleagues, and many others across the dog world, are all volunteers who willingly and enthusiastically give up their time to support The Kennel Club and numerous canine societies. Without these volunteers we would not have a Kennel Club or Crufts or the hundreds of canine activities that run throughout the year. We all have a role to play in ensuring that when dog owners participate in our events, they have an enjoyable experience and a fun day out. 

“I look forward to meeting the members in my new role as Chairman, and closely working with Chief Executive, Jannine Edgar, her executive team and all the dedicated staff at The Kennel Club. 

“The Kennel Club has always been about dogs and always will be about dogs.” 

Mr Eardley has been a member of The Kennel Club since 2003, was elected to the Board in 2017 and elected as Vice Chairman in July 2022. Paul has an interest in all Terrier breeds. His principal breeds are Australian Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. He awards CCs to 15 Terrier breeds, one Toy breed and is approved to judge the Terrier group at championship level. 

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.

KENNEL CLUB WELCOMES RETURN OF PET PASSPORTS

The Kennel Club has welcomed the announcement that pet passports will return, as part of the UK-EU trade deal.

Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club said: “We thoroughly support the reintroduction of the pet passport system, meaning that dogs travelling from the UK will no longer need animal health certificates for every trip – which have proved to be both costly and burdensome for pet owners, and something we have continued to raise concerns about with Government officials in the UK.

“This is a very positive step and we thank all those MPs who have kept pet travel high on the agenda with the EU, and helped to deliver a solution for dog owners.”

Further information about The Kennel Club’s campaign to ensure smooth pet travel post-Brexit is available on the organisation’s website: thekennelclub.org.uk/brexit. 

THE KENNEL CLUB INTRODUCES NEW JUNIOR AWARD AND RALLY VETERAN WARRANT

As part of our commitment to recognising and encouraging participation in canine activities, The Kennel Club is pleased to announce the introduction of two new awards for the dog showing and rally communities: the Junior Award (JA) and the Rally Veteran Warrant (RVW).  

For the showing community, the Junior Award (JA) will be available to all breeds not allocated championship status (non CC breeds and those breeds on the Imported Breed Register). A dog can achieve a JA through winning awards at open and championship dog shows, when the dog is aged between 6 and 18 months of age. Once achieved, the dog can be entered with the title ‘JA’ after its name on show entries. 

To achieve a Junior Award the dog must gain 20 points – A minimum of 3 points must be won at championship dog shows and a minimum of 3 points from open shows, the rest of the points can be gained from either open or championship dog shows. Points are achieved by winning classes with at least one other dog competing. Any award points gained from 1st July 2025, whilst the dog is between 6 and 18 months will count towards the Junior Award.  Points for this award will begin in July to provide advance notice for exhibitors to plan their show calendars if this award is of interest to them.  

For the rally community, the Rally Veteran Warrant (RVW) is for veteran dogs aged seven years and over. Points can be accumulated from any veteran rally class only, where qualifying scores are achieved. Upon receipt of the award, exhibitors may enter their dogs with the title ‘RVW (B/S/G)’ depending on the level they have achieved, Bronze (B), Silver (S), or Gold (G) this can be added after the dog’s name in competition entries.  

The requirements for the three levels of warrant, Bronze, Silver, and Gold are:    

  • Bronze 9 qualifying scores in Veteran classes    
  • Silver 12 qualifying scores in Veteran classes,    
  • Gold 18 qualifying scores in Veteran classes, of which at least 3 must be Excellent 

Any awards gained in rally veteran classes can be backdated to 1 January 2024 when the veteran classes were first introduced.

Helen Kerfoot, Chief Operations Executive, Events and Activities said; “As part of our focus on our grassroots communities, these new awards are designed to celebrate achievements within dog showing and rally and provide additional goals for competitors to strive forwards in their chosen disciplines.  

In line with our other awards, competitors will be able to apply for these new accolades through the awards application forms. Once an application is approved and processed, the dogs record will be automatically updated with the appropriate letters, and a digital certificate will be issued by email. For those who also desire a hard copy alongside the digital certificate they will be available to purchase through The Kennel Club shop.” 

For more information on how to win points and to apply, please visit The Kennel Club website Certificate types | Events | The Kennel Club or use the award application forms.  

If you have any questions, please email: awards@thekennelclub.org.uk

CRUFTS INTERNATIONAL ENTRY AT ALL TIME HIGH

Crufts 2025 is set to welcome over 24,000 dogs at the NEC Birmingham from 6-9 March showcasing a wide variety of competitions and displays. The entry this year is over 18,500 dogs participating in breed, agility and obedience championship competitions over the four days of the event. 

Over 200 pedigree breeds will compete for the prestigious Best in Show title, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the evening of Sunday 9 March in the BP Pulse LIVE arena. This year there will be more TV coverage than ever before, with 19 hours of Crufts action broadcast across Channel 4 and More4.

Crufts continues to maintain its international flavour and this year has attracted more overseas entries than ever before – 3,952 dogs – with France leading the way with 475 dogs, just ahead of Germany (407), Netherlands (376) and Italy (360). Other countries to attract entries of 150 dogs or more are: Ireland (327), Poland (259), Belgium (213), Spain (174), Czech Republic (218) and Sweden (168).

For the first time, the Polish Hunting Dog will feature in the Discover Dogs area of the show as a newly recognised Kennel Club breed. The Golden Retriever has the largest entry for an individual breed with 509 dogs making 619 entries. The Labrador Retriever follows closely with 485 dogs making 586 entries.

The highest number of dogs in a single breed set to compete in each group are:

  • Terrier: Staffordshire Bull Terrier – 338
  • Hound: Whippet – 376
  • Utility: Dalmatian – 260
  • Toy: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – 290
  • Gundog: Golden Retriever – 509
  • Working: Bernese Mountain Dog – 159
  • Pastoral: Border Collie – 300
     

Additionally, the following breeds have dogs exceeding 250; Cocker Spaniel (418), Flat Coated Retriever (309), Irish Setter (266) and Shetland Sheepdog (257).

Celebrating 75 years of being televised, Channel 4 and More 4 will broadcast over 19 hours* of the event across the show’s four days; the details of times and channels are as follows:

THURSDAY 6 MARCH:

1500-1600 – Channel 4

1830-1930 – More4

1930-2100 – Channel 4

FRIDAY 7 MARCH:

1500-1600 – Channel 4

1830-1930 – More4

1930-2100 – Channel 4

SATURDAY 8 MARCH:

1400-1800 – Channel 4

1900-2100 – Channel 4

SUNDAY 9 MARCH:

1400-1800 – Channel 4

1900-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts 2025: Best in Show live.

(*Please note, times subject to change)
 

In addition to breed class judging, visitors can enjoy watching some of the world’s finest dogs and handlers in action across a range of disciplines including agility, obedience, heelwork to music, flyball and the popular hoopers display, returning for its second year.

The Obedience Championships for bitches will be held on Saturday, with dogs competing on Sunday. In Agility, the Intermediate and Large Championships take place on Thursday while the Small and Medium Championships are on the Sunday.

Other highlights in the BP Pulse LIVE arena include The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, celebrating dogs that provide lifetime service, support, love and devotion, and the final of the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts.

Tom Mather, Crufts Chairman, said: “We are delighted that the show continues to draw a large overseas entry, proving its worldwide appeal.

“Crufts would not be Crufts without our exhibitors. We thank everybody who has entered the show and look forward to welcoming all dogs and their owners who make Crufts such a wonderful event, whether it is those who have been loyally returning year after year, or those who are experiencing the show for the first time.

“Crufts offers something for everyone and the show is set to be a wonderful showcase of our much loved dogs, exciting canine activities and our fantastic and committed community.”

Click here to view a full list of entries in each breed.

For daily and Best in Show tickets, visit the Crufts website.

For details of TV coverage and live streaming from the show visit the how to watch Crufts page.

THE FUTURE OF THE PROVISION OF TRAINING FOR DOG TRAINING INSTRUCTORS

Following a comprehensive review of The Kennel Club Accredited Instructor scheme (KCAI), The Kennel Club has gained valuable feedback from its members through questionnaires and focus groups. While the KCAI scheme has proven valuable, the review identified opportunities to enhance instructing standards to better serve the wider dog training community. Consequently, the current KCAI scheme will close in its current format by September 2025 for members who have not achieved accreditation.

The closure of the scheme for new accreditations is part of The Kennel Club’s ongoing work to overhaul its dog training programme, aiming to improve standards across a broader range and ensure consistency and compliance. Accredited KCAI members who are currently active will remain part of the network and retain their qualifications, provided they stay up to date with their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).  Members working towards accreditation who have completed any of the online modules before 15 January 2025 will be given the opportunity to complete their accreditation within a set timeframe, subject to meeting the required accreditation criteria. Those members who have not completed any online modules by this date will retain their annual membership until their subscription expires.

Helen Kerfoot, Chief Canine Health, Activities and Events Officer, commented: “The Kennel Club is deeply committed to providing the best training through our network of Kennel Club Accredited Instructors and dog training clubs.

“Our objective is to support these instructors and enhance their skills and knowledge, ensuring they maintain high standards and provide good quality training for dog owners. Dog training and its provision by instructors is something that The Kennel Clubremains strongly committed to.

“We greatly value the commitment and dedication of our current KCAI scheme members. We know that within the scheme our members are strongly committed to their work, and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

The Kennel Club continues to hold valuable discussions with Defra and other UK administrations to help safeguard and maintain high standards in the dog training industry. 

The decision, although difficult, has been made to ensure its services provide a clear standard for both instructors and dog training clubs to support dog owners.

The Kennel Club will be contacting all KCAI members in due course with further details.  For any enquiries, please contact kcaiteam@thekennelclub.org.uk.

THE KENNEL CLUB HOSTS FREE BLOAT WEBINAR FOR DOG OWNERS

As part of its health webinar series, The Kennel Club is hosting a free webinar for owners, breeders and veterinary professionals who would like to find out more about gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome (GDV), otherwise known as bloat, in dogs.

The webinar is taking place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 12 November, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and will explore what research has told found to date including causes, breed susceptibilities, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, possible treatment options, and what future research could teach us. Those interested in attending the webinar can register here.

The webinar will include a one-hour presentation from Professor Mark Dunning, an expert from the University of Nottingham, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session, giving attendees a chance to put forward their queries and experiences for discussion (questions can also be pre-submitted at the time of registration).

Bloat is an acute, life-threatening condition where air accumulates rapidly in the stomach, causing a sharp rise in pressure that can lead to shock. There are many risk factors associated with the development of bloat, including breed or type, with large and giant breeds more commonly affected. More information about bloat in dogs can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/bloat.

The Kennel Club’s health-focused webinar series has so far explored other canine conditions such as epilepsy, colour dilution alopecia, osteosarcoma and haemangiosarcoma, as well as the science of DNA testing for health, with experts, researchers, owners and breeders. The webinars aim to raise awareness of various canine health concerns, explore research and future studies, improve diagnosis and outlook, and support dogs affected with the condition, and their owners. Past webinars can be watched on The Kennel Club’s YouTube channel.

The Kennel Club takes insights from its health data and feeds them into its Breed Health and Conservation plans, so that it can work with breeders to give information and guidance about how to ensure the future health of pedigree breeds. These plans, which enable The Kennel Club to track progress and make meaningful changes to breed health, have been developed as a result of reviewing more than 4,000 research papers, making the project the most comprehensive review of pedigree health data anywhere in the world. More information about what the organisation does for dog health is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/health.