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KC Obedience Liaison Council Agenda 23rd June 2022

Attached a copy of the agenda (including annex’s) for the next KCOLC meeting due to be held on 23.06.22

Agenda-23.06.22-Annex-C DOWNLOAD ANNEX C

Agenda 23.06.22 Annex D DOWNLOAD ANNEX D

Agenda 23.06.22 Annex E DOWNLOAD ANNEX E

Championship Obedience Status Allocations

Following Waldridge Fell Dog Training Society and East Grinstead & District Dog Training Club relinquishing their Championship Obedience status, The Kennel Club invited applications for clubs to take over the vacancies.

A number of applications were received, all of which showed merit. After careful consideration the relinquished spots were allocated to Wakefield Dog Training Club and Cheltenham & District Dog Training Club.

THE KENNEL CLUB RESPONDS TO THE QUEEN’S SPEECH AND CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON PET THEFT AND PUPPY SMUGGLING FOLLOWING DELAYS

The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to dogs, is urging swift parliamentary action on the Government’s animal welfare commitments following the Queen’s Speech today (10 May).

Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club, commented: “Action on animal welfare must sit high on the agenda during the next parliamentary session, following much delay. The Kept Animals Bill, for example, is a long-awaited piece of legislation that could help to address some crucial welfare issues, like pet theft and puppy smuggling, which cause much devastation and are on the rise due to increased pet ownership during the pandemic. Reform in this area has cross-party backing, as well as much support from the animal-loving British public, so we urge action without further delay.”

The delayed Kept Animals Bill, first outlined last summer, has been carried over to this parliamentary session and aims to deal with the low welfare movement of dogs and cats into the Great Britain, alongside livestock worrying, pet theft, and other animal welfare issues.

Dr Hayes added: “The Kennel Club has long campaigned on these issues, including for stronger measures to prevent pet theft and puppy smuggling, and they must be a priority for this parliament. We look forward to working closely with MPs to refine details, move proposals forward swiftly and deliver this Bill, for the sake of the nation’s dogs.

“We also welcome the opportunity to work with Government to ensure animal welfare legislation has the most benefit for dogs, and we hope that Defra listens more carefully to concerns around dog health when it comes to proposed restrictions on the age of puppy imports.”

More information about The Kennel Club’s campaigns and lobbying activity is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/campaigns.

CRUFTS RAISES SIX FIGURE FUND TO HELP UKRAINE PETS AND OWNERS, WITH BEST IN SHOW DONATING PRIZE TO APPEAL

As one Ukrainian volunteer tells of the devastation they are facing

Crufts has today (24 March) thanked supporters of its Ukraine appeal, launched at the event running from March 10-13, which has raised more than £151,000 to help pets and owners impacted by the conflict and desperately in need.

Dog lovers, owners, and Crufts competitors and visitors are among thousands who have given to the appeal, which saw hundreds of donation points set up across the four-days of the show at Birmingham’s NEC, as well as an online fundraising drive. Patrick Oware, owner of Baxer, the Flat Coated Retriever who was crowned Best in Show 2022, has generously donated the £100 prize winnings to the appeal.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER FROM NOTTINGHAM CROWNED WINNER AT CRUFTS

Bramble, a three-year-old Golden Retriever, and his owner Briar Dunn, from Nottingham, has triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme Special Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes competition, held on Saturday 12 March.

Bramble (Rubus Parvifolius) beat 28 other talented dogs to be crowned the 2022 winner of the competition at the world’s greatest dog show.

The Good Citizen Dog Training scheme competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their Good Citizen Bronze Award to take part in obedience competitions as a potential gateway into dog exhibition. The exercises included in the test are a combination of those used as part of the scheme as well as the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, the stakes competition helps to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their Bronze Award prior to the closing date for entries to the show.

Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 14 heats held across the country last year with each heat qualifying the top two dogs. The final at Crufts was judged by highly experienced judge Mrs Kit Clow.

Speaking after his win Briar said: “I was so pleased to be able to bring Bramble to Crufts as I know he loves to work and always tries his best, but to then win this was amazing. I am so proud of Bramble. The day finished on a high with Bramble and I being presented with our award in the main arena with the winners of the Obedience Championships.”

Sue Garner, Good Citizen Dog Training scheme Working Party Chairman, added: “Briar and Bramble performed a super round today. The standard of competitors was very high, and the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and I wish them luck in the future.”

Crufts also hosted the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Final competition for Young Kennel Club members on Sunday 13 March, which was won by Pepper (Jeplong Fire Cracker), a two-year-old Border Collie from Staffordshire and her owner, 24-year-old Paige Jepson.

To find out more about the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme visit the website gcds.org.uk.

WELSH OWNER AND DOG BECOME CRUFTS OBEDIENCE CHAMPIONS

Luca, a working sheepdog, and his owner Carolyn Heath from Wenvoe, Wales, took home one of the top obedience prizes at Crufts on Saturday 12 March after winning the Obedience Championship (dog) final. The judge was Mrs Pat Watson.

Eight-year-old Luca (Jezzady It’s Time To Play), came first in the final held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, after competing against some of Britain’s best dogs for the coveted title.

All competitors at the championships had made it through to the final after qualifying at one of the championship shows that were held last year.

NEXT OBEDIENCE LIAISON COUNCIL MEETING 23 JUNE 2022

The next meeting of The Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council will be held on Thursday 23 June 2022. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by 25 March 2022.

Each eligible society or an individual may submit items for the agenda, through a council representative. Proposals must be concise and, if an amendment or an additional regulation is proposed, the regulation number must be given.

As a reminder, all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent by email to obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk.

A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/obedienceliaisoncouncil

MORE CRUFTS ON TV THAN EVER BEFORE

A record-breaking 16 hours of coverage this year

More than nine hours at the weekend on Channel 4 alone!

Dog lovers can look forward to a record-breaking 16 hours and 15 minutes of television coverage when Crufts returns to Channel 4 and More4 this March to celebrate the world’s largest dog show. This is 75 minutes more than the 2020 show which was then a record in itself and means that, at the weekend, viewers will be treated to a total of nine and a half hours of Crufts on Channel 4 alone!

With Clare Balding at the helm once again, Channel 4 and More4 will broadcast all the action from the show, leading up to the grand finale on Sunday when Best in Show will be crowned.

ADDITIONAL 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.

Additional accredited trainers for rally needed for judges’ training programme

The Kennel Club is calling for anyone interested in becoming a rally 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.