General – Page 2

THE KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCES MEMBERSHIP FREEZE AS PART OF ASSURED BREEDERS SCHEME AND REGISTRATIONS REVIEW

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.

KENNEL CLUB DOG TRAINING UPDATE

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.

CHANGES TO RALLY REGULATIONS – Effective 1st January 2024

The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for Rally.

CHANGES TO OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS – Effective 1st Jan 2024

The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for Obedience. (Effective 1 January 2024)

KENNEL CLUB URGES CAUTION AS FESTIVE PERIOD SEES RISE IN DOGS EATING TOXIC FOOD

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.

THE KENNEL CLUB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OBEDIENCE STATUS

The Kennel Club wishes to advise obedience competitors that Govan & District Dog Training Club has relinquished their championship obedience status with immediate effect.

Any society that would be interested in applying for future championship obedience status should submit a presentation for consideration. Please note that it will be necessary to select a date which does not coincide with another championship obedience show. An application from a club which already holds a championship obedience show will also be considered.

Applications should include details of the society’s committee structure and show management team, as well as information on the proposed show venue and its facilities available for judges, competitors, dogs and spectators.

Presentations should be submitted to the Working Dog Activities team at The Kennel Club at obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk by 17 November 2023.

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.

Minutes of the KC Obedience Liaison Council meeting on 20th July 2023

Attached are the minutes of the meeting.

Minutes-20.07.23 Download

ACCREDITED TRAINERS FOR OBEDIENCE NEEDED FOR JUDGES’ TRAINING PROGRAMME

The Kennel Club is calling for anyone interested in becoming an Obedience Accredited Trainer for the judges’ training programme to get in touch.

This judges’ training programme has been developed over a period of time and follows the requirements already in place for those involved in judging other canine activities. It underlines The Kennel Club’s commitment to maintaining and improving the standard of judges and judging at official Kennel Club licensed events and, in so doing, ensures the quality of dogs and the value of awards they receive at these events.

‘CRUEL’ ELECTRIC SHOCK COLLARS BANNED IN ENGLAND

In a ‘historic moment for animal welfare’ The Kennel Club has welcomed news that the Government has laid legislation which will completely ban the use of remote controlled electric shock collars in England, as of 1 February 2024, following a ten year campaign to #BanShockCollars.