Category: General

Following the General Election, The Kennel Club has congratulated the incoming Labour government, and Sir Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister, and calls for collaboration with the new Government to reshape laws surrounding dog welfare, encourage responsible breeding and support owners with caring for their pets.
Last month, the dog welfare organisation launched a wide-ranging eight-point plan which highlighted the key issues facing owners and their pets, and detailed the legislative changes and alternative measures which need to be taken to better dog welfare, advocating education and behaviour change to bring about improvements.

Mark Beazley, Chief Executive at The Kennel Club, said: “The Kennel Club congratulates Sir Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister, and the Labour Party, who have pledged to improve animal welfare and end puppy farming and smuggling. We therefore look forward to working with the incoming Labour government to protect dog welfare, help owners provide the best care for their pets, and ensure previous obligations, such as banning cruel electric shock collars, are prioritised.”

The Kennel Club manifesto can be found by visiting our website and more information about how The Kennel Club campaigns to make a difference for dogs and their owners is available here.

Young dog lovers and their four-legged-friends are preparing for another fun-filled start to the summer holidays in Rutland, as the annual Young Kennel Club (YKC) Summer Camp returns to Rutland Showground, for a fourth consecutive year.

With an action-packed week of activities, training and entertainment for both youngsters and their dogs, the YKC Summer Camp will kick off on Sunday 28 July until Friday 2 August and will welcome over 80 young dog enthusiasts, alongside their canine companions.

The Young Kennel Club has been running since 1985, with the first Summer Camp taking place in 1992, and 2021 saw the Camp take up residence at the showground for the first time. This summer, the YKC will welcome back children and teenagers between the ages of seven and sixteen, offering a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy a holiday with their dogs, whilst also keeping active, joining in with social events and taking part in plenty of training activities with their four-legged friends.

The week will include the opportunity to brush up on skills across a range of dog-focused disciplines, including a competition day which is new for this year, as well as agility, hoopers, obedience and heelwork to music. There will also be an educational programme that will provide information about all things canine – from dog grooming and care, to The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, as well as a packed evening schedule for the humans, with a sports night, talent night, quiz night and many more. YKC volunteers will be on hand as team leaders, which not only provides them with the invaluable developmental opportunity to put their leadership skills into practice, the younger members also benefit from being mentored by older members, who have been involved with the YKC for many years. 

YKC members must have a parent or guardian on-site at all times, but all the family are welcome to enjoy the fun, with onsite activities including daily bingo, camp fun run and many more.

Helen Kerfoot, spokesperson for the Young Kennel Club said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our members to YKC Summer Camp, both new and those returning once again. It is a real highlight of the summer, and helps to equip young dog lovers with the knowledge and awareness of what it means to be a responsible dog owner.

“Of course, there will also be plenty of fun and games, and opportunities to socialise, train and compete, as well as gain lifelong friendships.”

Parents of young dog lovers who may be interested in becoming a member of the Young Kennel Club should visit thekennelclub.org.uk/ykc for more information.

The Kennel Club is privileged to announce that His Majesty the King will be its new Patron, continuing in the footsteps of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who was Patron from 1952 until 2022.

The Kennel Club has been honoured with royal patronage since its inception in 1873, when the then Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, became its Patron. When Edward became King Edward VII in 1901, he began the tradition of the head of the monarchy taking on the role of Patron for The Kennel Club ever since.

Tony Allcock OBE, Kennel Club Chairman, commented: “We are delighted and most honoured that His Majesty the King will continue the tradition of royal support for The Kennel Club and help us in our mission in making a positive difference for dogs and their owners. As his mother before him, The King’s passion and affection for dogs is clear for all to see and his support for our organisation’s work is greatly appreciated.”

The Kennel Club is freezing new applications to the Assured Breeders scheme, whilst the next step in reviewing the registrations model, including the Assured Breeders scheme, is underway.  

The review process, which is underpinned by research and insights from breeders, aims to ensure The Kennel Club’s registrations offering gives relevant and valued benefits to breeders and celebrates and rewards good breeding practice.  

Whilst the process is underway, including a review of best practice embedded within the Assured Breeders scheme and how elements of that can be applied to the registrations model for the wider benefit of dogs, new applications to the Assured Breeders scheme will be frozen. 

The Kennel Club has announced today, 19 March, that it is reviewing its dog training model, looking specifically at dog training clubs, dog training instructors and its research and insights about what dog owners want and need. The review aims to ensure that the organisation provides a strong offering for dog owners requiring training and behavioral advice, as well as that those behaviourists and clubs registered maintain high standards of quality.

The dog training and behaviour industry is currently self-regulating, however The Kennel Club has been in discussions with Defra, and other UK administrations, regarding the need to regulate dog training to help safeguard and maintain high standards which meet the needs of those that need the provision.

As part of this review, as of 25 March, there will be a freeze of new applications to become a member of The Kennel Club Accredited Instructors scheme. It is critical that The Kennel Club ensures that it future-proofs its local dog training network and develops a clear scheme for both instructors and dog owners alike.

TOXIC FOOD

New statistics released today (5 December) by The Kennel Club shows that dogs are more likely to be treated for eating toxic grapes and raisins during the festive period compared to the rest of the year. Both fruits can be found in a number of festive food, including Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies and, as such, the organisation is urging pet owners to be vigilant about canine Christmas dangers over the coming weeks.

The data, collected by the dog welfare organisation’s insurance partner, Agria Pet Insurance, revealed that more than a third (34%) of all claims for grape and raisin poisoning were made during the Christmas period (November 2022-January 2023). In fact, at almost double the monthly average, January was the highest month overall, highlighting that owners need to be vigilant both in the lead-up to the big day, as well as in the weeks following when pets may still be looking to get their paws on Christmas leftovers.