New figures show scale of dog theft and ‘jaw dropping’ failure to tackle the crime

  • New statistics show that a staggering 98 per cent of dog theft criminals are never charged, and in more than half of cases a suspect is never identified
  • Freedom of Information statistics reveal 196 cases of dog theft every month, up 7 per cent on 2019
  • Over 500 dogs estimated stolen across the UK since the Government’s Taskforce set up to tackle the issue in May, as the pandemic puppy surge led to growing dog theft fears
  • The Kennel Club’s new ‘paw and order: dog theft reform’ campaign urges the Government’s Pet Theft Taskforce to improve the reporting and recording of the crime, and to treat dog theft with more proportionate sentences

As concerns about dog theft soar following the surge in pandemic puppy buying, new research shows a shocking failure to tackle a crime that is devastating 196 families every month, with only two per cent of cases in 2020 resulting in a criminal charge.

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PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER MAKES OBEDIENCE HISTORY

First small breed to win Obedience Certificate for 32 years

He wins another Obedience Certificate a week later

The Parson Russell Terrier, Glencymreig Degu OW, owned by Louise Healey of Grantham, Lincolnshire, recently made history in more ways than one when he was awarded the Dog Obedience Certificate at two championship obedience shows held a week apart.

When ‘Stanley’ won the Certificate at Winchester City Dog Training Club championship obedience show, competing in the Championship C Dog class by Peter Lubbi, he became the first of his breed to win such an award in the UK, as well as the first small breed to do so for 32 years.

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Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council – Feedback for the Reliability & Control exercise – on the agenda for 22nd July 2021

Your questionnaire must be completed by 9pm on 21st July 2021. It is completely anonymous but we do ask that you complete the section indicating which Obedience Liaison area you are located within to make sure that your feedback reaches your allocated representative. I have prepared this survey on Google Forms as Chairman of the Obedience Liaison Council. I would be grateful if you could complete this survey only once to give me an overall view of the Obedience community’s views on the proposal for a Reliability and Control Exercise on the Obedience Council agenda. The full agenda can be viewed on the Kennel Club website – https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/obedience/already-competing-in-obedience/ then navigate to the agenda for 22nd July 2021.

June Le Fevre (12th July) – Re : the national survey on the new Control & Reliability exercise proposal – I have been alerted that some folk wish to now change their vote. To assist with this I have enabled that setting, so if you have already voted and would like to change your vote just simply visit the poll again.If you have not already voted and would like the opportunity to do so, which would be very valued, then please go to :

Further details and questionnaire click here

Robert Harlow steps down from Chair of Obedience Liaison Council

At The Kennel Club AGM on 23 June 2021 Mr Robert Harlow, current chair of the Obedience Liaison Council, was elected on to the Board for a term of three years.Under the regulations of The Kennel Club a member may not sit on the Board and any Council at the same time and as such Mr Harlow will be stepping down from his role as chair, and as a member of the Obedience Liaison Council, with immediate effect.A new item has been added to the Council agenda for the council members to elect a new chair for the remaining term of office and the vote for this will take place electronically before the meeting. The council will be informed of the result before the current Item 1 on the agenda.

A REMINDER: ENTERING DOGS FOR COMPETITION USING THE ‘NAF’, ‘TAF’ AND ‘CNAF’ FACILITIES

As competitive events begin to open up as a result of the phased easing of some Covid-19 restrictions, The Kennel Club wishes to remind competitors that they can use the ‘Name Applied For’ (NAF), ‘Transfer Applied For’ (TAF) and ‘Change of Name Applied For’ (CNAF) facilities, if necessary, when entering dogs for competition in any of The Kennel Club disciplines.

Kennel Club regulations dictate that dogs entered for any form of Kennel Club competition must be registered in the name of the person(s) making the entry. If, at the closing date of entries, the owner(s) have applied for but not received confirmation of The Kennel Club registration, the dog shall be entered in the name shown as the first choice on the application form for registration and the name should be followed by the letters ‘NAF’. An example of this would be ‘Clarges Oliver Twist NAF’.

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CHANGES TO THE KENNEL CLUB GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME SPECIAL PRE-BEGINNER OBEDIENCE STAKES IN 2021

FURTHER CHANGES AND CLARIFICATION – THE KENNEL CLUB GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME SPECIAL PRE-BEGINNER OBEDIENCE STAKES IN 2021 – UPDATED 11.06.21


In view of the continuing restrictions affecting dog shows further changes have been made to the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Special Pre- Beginner Obedience Stakes heats in 2021.

The qualifying criteria for this year has been amended so that there are no semi- final stages to the competition. All heats will now offer two qualifying places for the highest placed dogs in each heat that have not already qualified. The qualifying dog & handler teams from each heat will now qualify for Crufts 2022.

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REGISTERED CLUBS AND SOCIETIES URGED TO HAVE THEIR SAY VIA THE LIAISON COUNCILS ACROSS EVERY CANINE ACTIVITY

Does your club want to have a say in how your hobby is run? Does it want to contribute more to promoting the general improvement of dogs and see its ideas acted upon? If so, your club should consider nominating a representative to one of The Kennel Club Liaison Councils.

The Kennel Club Liaison Councils play an important role in formulating Kennel Club policy and enhancing The Kennel Club’s strategic objectives across every canine activity. Your club’s elected representative to a council will be responsible for representing the views of your region, breed or activity and for putting forward proposals on your club’s behalf to enhance the future of your hobby.

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THE KENNEL CLUB URGES SWIFT ACTION FOLLOWING COURT OF APPEAL JUDGMENT ON USE OF ELECTRIC SHOCK COLLARS

The UK’s biggest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs has written to Zac Goldsmith, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Minister, to urge swift action to implement a ban on the use of electric shock collars in England, following a Court of Appeal judgment last week which dismissed the appeal of the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association and Petsafe Ltd.

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‘PAWING THE WAY’: THE KENNEL CLUB ISSUES ADVICE TO PROTECT THE NATION’S DOGS AS RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO LIFT ACROSS ENGLAND

The organisation’s post-lockdown ‘Paw-by-Paw Guide’ offers advice and guidance for new and seasoned dog owners to navigate newly found freedoms

With Covid-19 restrictions easing further from Monday (17 May) and the relaxation of rules around overnight stays, indoor dining and socialisation, The Kennel Club has issued advice to help dog owners enjoy their newly found freedoms responsibly, alongside their four-legged friends.

Continue reading ‘PAWING THE WAY’: THE KENNEL CLUB ISSUES ADVICE TO PROTECT THE NATION’S DOGS AS RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO LIFT ACROSS ENGLAND