KENNEL CLUB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OBEDIENCE STATUS

The Kennel Club wishes to advise obedience competitors that Surrey Dog Training Society have relinquished their championship obedience status with effect from 2020.

Any society which 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 that does not coincide with another championship obedience show. An application from a club which already holds a championship obedience show will also be considered.

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THE KENNEL CLUB WELCOMES NEW RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTRONIC COLLARS

The Kennel Club has welcomed the findings of a recent study carried out by the Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group at the University of Lincoln, which assessed the efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars compared to training with positive reinforcement.

The findings from the study, Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, refute the suggestion that training with an electronic shock collar is either more efficient or results in less disobedience, even in the hands of experienced trainers, than positive reinforcement.

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KENNEL CLUB BOARD STATEMENT: KENNEL CLUB EVENTS

Following the statement made by The Kennel Club at the beginning of July, the Kennel Club Board would like to continue to reassure competition organisers, exhibitors and competitors that our sports committees remain committed to working on solutions to help enable shows, competitions and other events to resume as and when they can and it is safe for them to do so.

The Kennel Club appreciates the frustrations felt and experienced in trying to get events to recommence, but we are limited in giving specific direction due to the lack of clarity over the types of event which can take place.  We are in regular contact with the Government, some of whose guidance is not always clear-cut, and will make a statement as and when we receive specific advice. We have been proactive within our remit to relax and suspend a range of competition regulations to assist clubs and societies with their risk assessments which are essential before a decision is made as to whether an event should go ahead.

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KENNEL CLUB URGES DOG OWNERS IN NORTH DEVON TO RESPOND TO CONTROVERSIAL CONSULTATION

The Kennel Club is calling on dog owners who live in North Devon, as well as frequent visitors to the area, to respond to a wide-ranging Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) consultation that could impact their access to popular locations with their dogs.

The proposed PSPO aims to restrict access to sites such as beaches, cemeteries and parks which are often frequented by dog walkers. Furthermore, it proposes to place a dogs on lead order for large areas of land such as Braunton Burrows and the Tarka Trail. This is likely to force dog owners to use alternative sites which may be impractical and remote, or even onto agricultural land which could lead to issues with livestock.

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New commentator for the Obedience Championships at Crufts

Our search for a new commentator for the Obedience Championships at Crufts is over. We received many excellent applications which made the selection process really interesting.

After much deliberation I am delighted to announce that the new commentator is Clare Williams. I would like to welcome Clare to the Crufts team in Hall 5 and we look forward to working with her at future events.

I would also like to thank all of the other applicants for their interest in the position.
I am sure that you will all join me in wishing Clare good luck in the role.

Richard Kebble

CANCELLATION OF DISCOVER DOGS 2020

With regret, the Kennel Club must announce the cancellation of this year’s Discover Dogs event, planned to take place in London in October. This is due to the continued restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and current Government advice against staging large public gatherings such as indoor exhibitions. At present, there is no prospect of these restrictions being lifted in the timescale required to organise the event.

The Kennel Club takes the health, safety and security of everyone who takes part in its events very seriously and this must remain the prime consideration at all times. We shall look forward to welcoming you all to Discover Dogs next year.

YOUNG DOG LOVERS ENCOURAGED TO GET CREATIVE WITH THEIR CANINE COMPANIONS TO WIN £100

Kennel Club Educational Trust initiates new competition with the Young Kennel Club to inspire members during lockdown

In July, the Kennel Club Educational Trust (KCET) and Young Kennel Club (YKC) are joining forces by encouraging YKC members to showcase their creative flair and share what they have been up to during lockdown, with three youngsters having the chance to win £100.

Open to all YKC members, aged 6 – 24, young dog lovers will be invited to submit a short piece that encapsulates lockdown life for them and their dog(s) during the coronavirus pandemic. This can be in the form of a 60-second video, a series of images and/or written prose, up to a maximum of four sentences.               

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WARNING AS SCAMMERS CASH IN ON IMPULSIVE PANDEMIC PUPPY BUYING

According to research from the Kennel Club, one in four puppy buyers spend less than two hours to decide on their puppy, with thousands then being duped by rogue breeders and online scams

Instances of scams and rip-off merchants illegally selling puppies have sky-rocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, the Kennel Club has warned, as thousands make a quick decision to get a new four-legged friend – and miss the key red flags.

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