The Kennel Club is the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs. The Kennel Club was founded in 1873 and is able to offer dog owners an unparalleled source of information, experience and advice on dog welfare, dog health, dog training and dog breeding. The Kennel Club, 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB Health Registrations Department email: health@royalkennelclub.com Admin contact email: web.admin@royalkennelclub.org.uk Show enquiries email: breedshows@royalkennelclub.org.uk Below are some key email addresses you may find helpful: |
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20th September 2025 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL RKC JUDGES All judges must be registered on the Royal Kennel Club’s Find A Judge / JEP platform otherwise you CANNOT judge. To be eligible to judge/accept a judging appointment at all from 1st January 2025 you MUST have completed a minimum of all elements of Level 1 on the JEP system. From 1st January 2026 you MUST be registered and showing on the RKC ‘Find a Judge’ site at a minimum of JEP Level 1. Level 1: • Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs • Conformation and Movement seminar • Two days stewarding • Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam (previously confirmation and movement hands on exam) • Pass the Points of a Dog assessment Before accepting any appointment, please ensure you meet the appropriate criteria AND are correctly registered on the RKC Find A Judge / JEP platform. This is no-one’s responsibility except YOURS ALONE Even if you are already on a Breed Club judging List, this will not count after 31st December 2025 and you MUST be registered on the JEP platform. This will also go for anyone wishing to progress with Judging. You will not be able to take a Multiple Choice Exam if you have not completed at least all the elements of Level 1 on the Judges Education Programme and showing on the RKC Find a Judge /JEP Platform
1st September 2025 EASED TRAVEL RULES INTRODUCED FOR NORTHERN IRISH DOG OWNERS HEADING TO SHOWS The Kennel Club has welcomed new changes to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) policy regarding the movements of animals travelling to shows, competitions, and events, which will simplify the process for Northern Irish dog owners. Previously, anyone travelling to dog shows from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, were subject to the full requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 as implemented by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006, because it had been deemed that the transport was ‘in connection with an economic activity’. As part of this, Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 places a number of requirements on the ‘animal transporter’, including obtaining a valid transporter authorisation, and, potentially, certificates of competence and vehicle approval. DAERA has now revised its policy position and, from 1 October 2025, the following will be exempt from the Regulation that has previously classed these as an economic activity:
Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club, said: “We know that the current travel regulations have placed a significant burden on dog show exhibitors, and we have called on DAERA for a number of years to reconsider their policy. We are therefore delighted that DAERA has listened to these concerns and ensured that those travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain can enjoy their hobby without unnecessary, additional hurdles.” Further information can be found by visiting https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
1st May 2025 THE KENNEL CLUB INTRODUCES NEW JUNIOR AWARD AND RALLY VETERAN WARRANT As part of our commitment to recognising and encouraging participation in canine activities, The Kennel Club is pleased to announce the introduction of two new awards for the dog showing and rally communities: the Junior Award (JA) and the Rally Veteran Warrant (RVW). For the showing community, the Junior Award (JA) will be available to all breeds not allocated championship status (non CC breeds and those breeds on the Imported Breed Register). A dog can achieve a JA through winning awards at open and championship dog shows, when the dog is aged between 6 and 18 months of age. Once achieved, the dog can be entered with the title ‘JA’ after its name on show entries. To achieve a Junior Award the dog must gain 20 points - A minimum of 3 points must be won at championship dog shows and a minimum of 3 points from open shows, the rest of the points can be gained from either open or championship dog shows. Points are achieved by winning classes with at least one other dog competing. Any award points gained from 1st July 2025, whilst the dog is between 6 and 18 months will count towards the Junior Award. Points for this award will begin in July to provide advance notice for exhibitors to plan their show calendars if this award is of interest to them. For the rally community, the Rally Veteran Warrant (RVW) is for veteran dogs aged seven years and over. Points can be accumulated from any veteran rally class only, where qualifying scores are achieved. Upon receipt of the award, exhibitors may enter their dogs with the title ‘RVW (B/S/G)’ depending on the level they have achieved, Bronze (B), Silver (S), or Gold (G) this can be added after the dog’s name in competition entries. The requirements for the three levels of warrant, Bronze, Silver, and Gold are:
Any awards gained in rally veteran classes can be backdated to 1 January 2024 when the veteran classes were first introduced. Helen Kerfoot, Chief Operations Executive, Events and Activities said; “As part of our focus on our grassroots communities, these new awards are designed to celebrate achievements within dog showing and rally and provide additional goals for competitors to strive forwards in their chosen disciplines. In line with our other awards, competitors will be able to apply for these new accolades through the awards application forms. Once an application is approved and processed, the dogs record will be automatically updated with the appropriate letters, and a digital certificate will be issued by email. For those who also desire a hard copy alongside the digital certificate they will be available to purchase through The Kennel Club shop.” For more information on how to win points and to apply, please visit The Kennel Club website Certificate types | Events | The Kennel Club or use the award application forms. If you have any questions, please email: awards@thekennelclub.org.uk ****************************** 5th April 2025 MINOR REVISIONS TO BREED STANDARDS AS PART OF STANDARDISATION OF TERMINOLOGY PROJECT As part of the ongoing project to introduce standardised terminology across all Kennel Club breed standards, minor revisions have been made to the breed standards of over 150 breeds which came into effect on 1 April 2025. The revisions form the latest part of a major project to ensure that the breed standards are used and interpreted consistently by judges, exhibitors and breeders. The review came about, initially, as a result of feedback from those breed clubs which were consulted by the former Non-Breed Standard Colours Working Party. As a result, the majority of the latest revisions see new wording added to the colour clauses of breed standards to ensure that non-breed standard colour dogs are not rewarded in the show ring. There continues to be a wider review of all breed standards, with a particular emphasis on ensuring consistency in the terminology used to describe features that can be detrimental to health or temperament. The standardisation of terminology in breed standards is based on a table of definitions which has been produced to describe and align how words such as desirable, acceptable, permissible, tolerated, undesirable and unacceptable are used in Kennel Club breed standards. The new table of definitions, which should be a useful guide for judges, is as follows:
The revisions which became effective from 1 April 2025 have been agreed in consultation with the registered breed clubs across those breeds. The list of breeds whose standards have been revised can be found in the April issue of the Kennel Club Journal which is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/publications. The Kennel Club remains in consultation with further breeds over potential revisions to be announced in due course. Judges with appointments in these breeds after 1 April 2025 should consult the Kennel Club website to familiarise themselves with the minor revisions to breed standards.
3rd April 2025 Due to the popularity of champion classes at breed club shows, The Kennel Club is expanding the option to include them at all open and championship shows. This change, which will apply to single breed, group or general shows comes into effect immediately, though it remains optional. The Show Executive Committee approved this expansion at a meeting recently. The introduction of champion classes at breed club championship shows dates back to 2018, following a recommendation from the Dog Show Promotion Working Party. These classes have been a popular addition to many breed club shows and it is hoped that it may help increase entries. Including a champions class at any open or championship show is entirely at the society’s discretion and is not compulsory. The new option applies to single breed, group or general shows. The champion class is the same as any other class and the winning dog or bitch, provided it is unbeaten, can challenge for best of sex, relevant Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed. There is no requirement that a champion has to be entered in a champions class. Any queries regarding the addition of champions classes should be emailed to dogshows@thekennelclub.org.uk. If a club or society has already issued and published a schedule – it cannot be amended to include this class. ************************ Changes to Dog Show F Regulations from 1 January 2025The Royal Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for dog shows held under F Regulations with effect from 1 January 2025. Scheduling Best in Show Following a recommendation from the Royal Kennel Club Shows Liaison Council that Best in Show should be the last competition of the show the Board has approved an amendment to regulations to state that Best in Show may be the last event if the society wishes to schedule the events in that order. F(1)26 “Where a Best Puppy in Show competition is scheduled the Best Puppy in Show is a puppy which has been declared Best Puppy in Breed or Best Puppy in Group. A puppy is a dog of 6 and not exceeding 12 calendar months of age on the first day of the show. The selection of Best in Show may follow the selection of Best Puppy in Show and Best Veteran in Show (if scheduled) respectively”. (Additions in bold) (Effective 1 January 2025) F(1)26.c “Consequently, selection of Best Puppy in Breed, Best Puppy in Group and Best Puppy in Show must follow the selection of Best of Breed, Best of Group and Best in Show respectively.” (Deletions struck through) (Effective 1 January 2025) Time frame between Best Puppy in Show appointments The Royal Kennel Club Shows Liaison Council recommended that the same time frame be introduced between Best Puppy in Show appointments as is in place for Best in Show appointments. These appointments do not need approval by the Royal Kennel Club and will not appear on The Royal Kennel Club’s Find A Judge service. F(1)22.d. “(4) Judges for Best Puppy in Show (excluding single breed championship shows) (a) There must be an interval of not less than 9 calendar months between appointments to judge Best Puppy in Show at a championship show.” (Additions in bold) (Effective 1 January 2025) Definition of Undergraduate class The Royal Kennel Club Breed Liaison Council recommended an amendment to the definition of the Undergraduate class to help clarify which dogs are eligible for the class. Regulation F(A) Definitions of Classes at Championship, Open and Limited Shows: * applies to championship and open shows only ** applies to limited shows only UNDERGRADUATE * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or 3 or more first prizes at championship shows in Undergraduate, Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit or Open Classes whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted, whether restricted or not). ** For dogs which have not won 3 or more first prizes at open or championship shows in Undergraduate, Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit or Open Classes whether restricted or not (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted, whether restricted or not). (Additions in bold, deletions struck through) (Effective 1 January 2025) Penalties and Appeal Regulation The Board has approved an amendment to regulations to state when an appeal may be lodged F(1)34 Penalties The Board shall have power to impose any of the following penalties upon any person for any breach of Royal Kennel Club Regulations subject to a right of appeal, notice of intention of which must be lodged within 14 days from the date on which the decision is given and subject to the prescribed appeals process as shall be determined by the Board from time to time.
In addition, the Board may make the following directives;
event held under Royal Kennel Club Rules and Regulations, nor any unlicensed event recognised by the Royal Kennel Club.’
The right of appeal against directives f) and g) listed above extends to an appeal on the finding of fact of a deliberate dog bite only, but does not extend to an appeal against those directives f) and g) in terms of cancellation or modification of such directives if there is a finding of fact of an intentional dog bite. In the event of any fine not being paid, or non compliance with any apology directive issued within the time stipulated by the Board, then that person may, at the discretion of the Board, be dealt with as if a complaint under Royal Kennel Club Rule A11 had been lodged and proved to the satisfaction of the Board. (Additions in bold) (Effective 1 January 2025) Handler Details A regulation has been introduced which requires an exhibitor to provide contact details of a handler on request. F1.h An exhibitor or competitor should ensure that contact details for any handler are available and must be provided upon request in any investigation of a breach of this regulation by such handler. (Additions in bold) (Effective 1 January 2025) Licence Application timeframes Societies are reminded of the following regulation amendments which became effective on 1 July 2024 requiring licences to be applied for and paid for at least 12 months in advance of the show. Regulation F8: The application for a licence to hold a show must be made to the Secretary of the Royal Kennel Club at least 12 months before the proposed date of the show together with the appropriate licence fee. and must be accompanied by the appropriate licence fee. (Additions in bold, Deletions struck through) (Effective 1 July 2024) Regulation F(1)1.a Application Application for show licences must be submitted at least 12 months six weeks before the proposed date of the show, properly completed in accordance with Royal Kennel Club General Show Regulation F4. (Additions in bold, Deletions struck through) **************************************************** KENNEL CLUB BREED STANDARDS REVIEWED TO ENSURE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY Engagement begins over new terminology that improves clarity of expectation around health, colour and temperament The Kennel Club has produced standardised definitions for common terminology in breed standards, to ensure that they are used and interpreted consistently, and is now engaging with breed clubs about a number of amendments to individual standards that are proposed as a result. These include amendments to consistently describe any features that could be detrimental to a dog’s health as ‘unacceptable’. The Breed Standards and Stud Book Committee [BSSB] has reviewed the usage of commonly occurring terminology in standards, used to describe the desirability or otherwise of a specific trait, in order to provide greater clarity of meaning and consistency across all breeds. A table of definitions has been produced to standardise how words such as desirable, acceptable, permissible, tolerated, undesirable and unacceptable are used in Kennel Club breed standards, which should be a useful guide to judges. As a result of this work, amendments are proposed to many breed standards. This includes reviewing the terminology used to describe features that are detrimental to health or temperament, with ‘unacceptable’ being the consistent word now being used to describe such features. Similarly, upon the recommendation of the Non-Breed Standard Colours Working Party, and following feedback from breed clubs, amendments have been proposed to the colour clauses of a number of breed standards, in line with the new table of definitions, to make it clear which colours are desirable and which are a departure. The Kennel Club is now engaging with the relevant registered breed clubs about the proposed amendments. Breed clubs are being contacted directly and invited to give their initial feedback and raise any significant concerns with The Kennel Club, via their breed club secretary, by 31 January 2025. The earliest date at which any of the proposed amendments to the breed standards would become effective, would be 1 April 2025. Additionally, the opening paragraph in all Kennel Club breed standards – which clearly underlines the importance of soundness and health when breeding and judging dogs – has been revised to align with the table of definitions as follows: ‘If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as highly undesirable unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.’ (Deletion struck through, Addition in bold) (Effective from 1 January 2025) Tim Hutchings, Chairman of the Breed Standards and Stud Book Committee, said: “We will be engaging with breed clubs over the coming months about the proposed amendments to the breed standards, which The Kennel Club has carefully reviewed to ensure the terminology used is clear and consistent across the board. “This will also help those showing and judging dogs, so that there is absolute clarity and consistency in the terms used to describe features that are unacceptable, which include those that can be linked to poor health or temperament. “We have proposed new wording to colour clauses to emphasise the importance of breed standard colours and to make a clear distinction between those colours which are desirable and those which are a severe departure from the breed standard. “We look forward to engaging with breed clubs over the coming months and introducing amendments that will help to ensure that the terminology in breed standards is clear and consistent for judges and breeders alike.” The new table of definitions, which has resulted in proposed amendments to a number of breed standards, is as follows:
KENNEL CLUB DIRECT DEBIT SYSTEM The Kennel Club has been making some upgrades to its internal IT systems and website to improve its direct debit process, ensuring that it can better serve customers who choose to use this method of payment for Kennel Club services and publications. This improved process will ensure that customers will be better able to manage their own subscriptions within their Kennel Club online account - this includes adding, editing and removing a direct debit. Some direct debit customers will be sent correspondence regarding a new customer reference number, however, they do not need to take any action, there will be no change to direct debits and all data remains safe. This correspondence is a compliance that The Kennel Club needs to undertake due to the upgrade. In the event of any questions or concerns, please contact direct.debits@thekennelclub.org.uk. ************************** Kennel Club announces registrations model update and the future closure of the Assured Breeders scheme Following an extensive review of its registrations model – which was underpinned by breeder research and the collation of data and feedback – The Kennel Club will close the Assured Breeders scheme by the end of the year and will be engaging with breeders about a series of forthcoming changes that will have a greater impact, across a larger number of dogs. The two-year review showed that better support and education was needed for all breeders – regardless of their level of experience – and that changes are needed which will place an emphasis on supporting and highlighting good breeding practice across a much wider number of registrations. Despite the value that the Assured Breeders scheme provided in terms of education to breeders and signposting for puppy buyers, just five percent of puppies registered with The Kennel Club are bred by members of the scheme. It was clear that all dogs, breeders and puppy buyers would benefit from a pragmatic new approach that would have greater impact, rooted in research about what hasn’t worked to date and what breeders would value more of in the future. The Assured Breeders scheme will close on 31 December 2024 and there will be engagement that will help to shape the registrations initiatives that will be coming, both this year and into 2025. Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at The Kennel Club, said: “We thank Assured Breeders for being part of a scheme, whose principles will be central to how we move forwards in the future, and we thank those breeders whose insights during the research process have helped to shape the registrations review project. “The decision to close the Assured Breeders scheme is not one we have taken lightly but it is clear that although we have excellent breeders within the scheme’s membership – and we will continue to incentivise good breeding practice and signpost towards our best breeders in the new registrations model – there were also many barriers to good breeders joining the scheme. Not least that breeders had to pay a membership fee to be recognised for their good practice, and to enable us to fund the inspection regime. “The resulting impact has been that puppy buyers – who are seeking Assured Breeder puppies as the most esteemed and priority listings but are often unable to source one – and breeders who remain outside of the scheme yet are following good practice, aren’t able to reap the full benefits that the scheme was designed to create. Furthermore, the educational role that the scheme provided was limited to the small number of paying members, when it was clear to us that we needed to make education around good practice much more accessible to all. “As a result, over the coming months, we will be engaging about a series of initiatives that will take the best elements of the Assured Breeders scheme and ensure that these are what we build on and focus on in the registrations model. Foundations for the future “Whilst there will be more engagement and detail about the changes in the months to come, an area we will focus on is improving how we incentivise good practice amongst breeders and how our Find a Puppy prioritises and signposts towards those who are health testing, making it easier for puppy buyers to find a well-bred puppy. “Alongside this, it is fundamental that we increase awareness and understanding about the importance of health testing, to increase uptake across the board, and we have recently asked Breed Health Coordinators to preview the forthcoming Health Standard to this end – which is the first time there has been a set of guidelines about health testing for all breeders and buyers. “In addition to ensuring that education and signposting around health testing is improved, it is also crucial that puppy buyers continue to recognise and understand what buying a puppy responsibly means and what good welfare looks like, when selecting a breeder. “We will be introducing initiatives to improve our education in this area at every stage of a breeder and puppy buyer’s journey. The recently launched online puppy pack is just one free tool that will help to put puppy buyers on the right path. We will also be engaging about a risk assessment and puppy buyer feedback system, which will give us a greater understanding and help us to tackle welfare issues, so that we can better support breeders and puppy buyers. Thank you and next steps “Embedding the best elements of the Assured Breeders scheme and raising the quality of puppies registered with The Kennel Club will be central to our evolution and will form part of an ongoing journey – but is driven by the need to incentivise and signpost to good practice without the barrier of a membership scheme fee. “Those who have been part of the Assured Breeders scheme are thanked sincerely for their commitment and we look forward to continuing to support them and all other responsible breeders, so that we can connect good breeders with good puppy buyers, in the future. Our priority is to ensure that the principles that the scheme was founded upon – to celebrate, reward and educate about good breeding practice – are embedded into the broader registrations model, to the benefit of all.” Assured Breeders are being communicated with directly about the forthcoming closure and are reassured that all membership services will remain in place until the scheme’s closure, including discounts, benefits and Find a Puppy listings. Further engagement with breeders and details about the changes being made to the registrations model will be announced in due course.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Changes to Show Regulations 2024 (PDF Document) CHANGES TO PARTNERSHIP SHOW REGULATIONS IN AN EFFORT TO BOOST ENTRIES The Kennel Club Board has agreed a recommendation that for a two year trial period starting from 1 January 2024, the regulations that prevent judges both officiating at one show and exhibiting at a partnership show will be removed, in a continued effort to boost entries and encourage the rising number of partnership shows. This decision, together with the announcement in July 2021 that some breed clubs may be able to gain additional CCs when held as a partnership show, aims to provide exhibitors with more opportunities to show their dogs, whilst reducing the amount of travel needed. It also hopes to support societies with the selection and appointment of Judges. The new changes, which will come into effect on 1 January 2024, are as follows: Relaxation of Regulations F(1)20.h and F(1)30.a(10) for a two year-trial period:
“At partnership shows judges must not officiate at one show and enter or handle a dog for exhibition at the other show including exhibiting a different breed on another day to that which they are to judge. Partnership shows are defined as shows where the host club and other clubs share a venue and other facilities to allow exhibitors the opportunity to exhibit at each show.”
“A dog may be disqualified by the Board from any award, whether an objection has been lodged or not, if proven amongst other things to have been: (10) Entered for competition and/or handled in the ring by the judge at a partnership show even if the class or classes are on another day of the show or the entry is for a different breed to that which the person is to judge.” Helen Kerfoot, Chief Operating Officer (Activities and Events) at The Kennel Club, commented: “Many breed clubs are running their club shows alongside larger shows which helps with costs for both organisers and exhibitors. “The two-year relaxation of the partnership regulation gives individuals the opportunity to show their dogs, even if they are officiating at a partnership show, which will hopefully help to increase entries at partnership shows and encourage even more breed clubs to work together and ‘partner up’ with larger shows. The changes will be reviewed when the two-year trial period has ended.” The Kennel Club would also like to highlight the ‘Code of Best Practice for Judges’ which states that judges are expected to judge on the merits of the dog in competition and consider no other factors. It is important that judges and exhibitors are mindful of the perception of their actions to allow for a fair, yet competitive hobby. The full Code of Best Practice for Judges can be found online: thekennelclub.org.uk/media/3257/code-of-best-practice-for-judges.pdf
AMENDMENTS TO JUDGES EDUCATION PROGRAMME CRITERIA EXEMPTION FROM BENCHING TRIAL FOR GENERAL AND GROUP CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS The Kennel Club is reminding exhibitors that the requirement for benching for General and Group Championship dog shows has been relaxed for a two-year trial period, which came into effect on 1 January 2023, following the December Board meeting. Show societies may apply for exemption from benching with each application being considered on a case-by-case basis, and The Kennel Club, via the Show Executive Committee will be monitoring the impact on shows with Field Officers assigned to report on those shows for which exemption from benching is granted. The Kennel Club wishes to reiterate that exhibitors must comply with all reasonable requests from the show management especially regarding any potential safety issues, and must be aware of their surroundings at all times. A number of factors have been identified and highlighted to societies as requiring additional consideration should a show take place without benching. While it is the responsibility of the society to ensure relevant factors have been taken into consideration it is paramount that exhibitors are aware of the following points:
“Gangways. (1)The width of unobstructed gangway shall not be less than 6 ft (1.85 m) when there are rings and/or benches on either side. (2) The width of unobstructed gangway shall not be less than 3 ft (0.92 m) when there is a ring or benches on one side only.”
Societies must make schedules clear in terms of what arrangements have been made should a show be exempt from benching, including notice of wet weather arrangements. Societies can apply for exemption after their schedule has been published, exemption may then be considered as an amendment to the schedule, although it is recommended that requests are submitted as early as possible. In addition, exhibitors are reminded to be mindful of their surroundings at all shows whether benching is utilised or not. For further enquiries, please contact breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.
RESERVE CHALLENGE CERTIFICATES TO COUNT TOWARDS THE TITLE OF A CHAMPION/SHOW CHAMPION The Kennel Club is pleased to announce that, following the May Board meeting, it has been decided that dogs which win two Challenge Certificates (CCs) in addition to five Reserve Challenge Certificates (RCCs) will gain the title of Champion/Show Champion, effective from 1 July 2023. This decision has been taken following extensive consultation by The Kennel Club Shows Liaison Council formed of representatives from within the show scene and further supported by the Show Executive Committee and The Kennel Club Board. This will mean that from 1 July 2023, in order to gain the title of Champion, dogs will either need to be;
Helen Kerfoot, Chief Operations Officer (Canine Activities) said “I am delighted to be able to announce this change which takes effect from 1 July, which recognises RCCs contributing to the title of Champion/Show Champion. I would like to thank the committee for the hard work that has been carried out for this decision to be taken and hope this will be a positive change to the show scene. “We acknowledge that there is still a backlog of awards which are being worked through as a priority. If, come July, an exhibitor is certain that a dog has the required awards to be granted the title of a Champion or Show Champion they will be permitted to enter as such using the title.” For further queries please contact sass@thekennelclub.org.uk.
FIRST JUDGES APPROVED THROUGH JUDGES EDUCATION PROGRAMME The first judges have been approved to award Challenge Certificates via the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows), following assessments which took place on 21 April at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. This milestone in the new judges training scheme involved two breed-specific assessments for Border Terriers and Welsh Springer Spaniels. The assessors for Border Terriers were breed specialists Ronnie Irving and Hilary Gilpin with Stuart Plane as the non-breed specialist assessor. In the afternoon Tom Graham and David Howarth were the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed assessors with Jeff Horswell as the non-breed specialist assessor. Nine candidates attended the assessments and each judged a mock class of five dogs and were asked to place the dogs in order and justify their placings via a written critique. Two thirds of the candidates, most of whom were breed specialist judges, successfully passed the assessments to be listed at Judges Education Programme (JEP) Level 4 to award CCs to their respective breeds. In order to qualify to sit the Breed Specific Assessment, candidates need to have met the JEP Level 3 requirements, which include:
Successful judges will be listed on The Kennel Club’s Find a Judge website as approved to award CCs to the breed and are not required to complete any further paperwork or assessments prior to The Kennel Club approving any subsequent nominations for the respective breed. Mark Beazley, Chief Executive at The Kennel Club said: “We are delighted that we have our first judges approved to award CCs through the Judges Education Programme. With Covid and other restrictions causing delays, this has been particularly frustrating for all concerned, however this milestone is a testament to the efforts of breed clubs, breed education co-ordinators, mentors, observers and assessors and we thank all these people for giving up their time to support the JEP.” Further assessments are planned, and more will be arranged as sufficient people progress to JEP Level 3 within the breed they wish to judge. The Kennel Club is liaising closely with Breed Education Co-ordinators to plan these events.
THE FUTURE OF DISCOVER DOGS The Kennel Club has announced that the London Discover Dogs event will not be taking place in 2023. It will take a break for a year, with the aim of bringing it back with a refreshed and reinvigorated new look in 2024. Discover Dogs has been a feature at Crufts since 1991 and will continue to be so. In 1996 it was brought to London as an additional event in its own right. The event grew in numbers and popularity over the years and moved location from Earls Court to London ExCel in 2015. In more recent times however, numbers attending the London event have declined and regrettably it sustained a significant financial shortfall in 2022. Both at Crufts and in its stand-alone format Discover Dogs is very much seen as an important information tool for The Kennel Club – helping to educate prospective dog owners to find the right breed for them and also promoting responsible dog ownership and dog health, as well as showcasing pedigree dogs. Mark Beazley, Chief Executive at The Kennel Club, commented: “It has been a tough decision to rest Discover Dogs in London for 2023, however, the pandemic and cost of living crisis has meant the event has suffered significant financial loss in recent years and it is therefore important for The Kennel Club to take the opportunity to look at the event and its objectives to see if there is a better way to meet these in the current financial climate. “As always, we are indebted to the breed clubs that have supported the event with their enthusiasm and very much look forward to ensuring that Discover Dogs at Crufts continues as a showcase for the many benefits owning a pedigree dog brings. Visitor feedback consistently demonstrates that meeting the many different breeds of dogs and talking to experts is the main reason to visit the show. It goes without saying that we will be talking to the breed clubs and volunteers, who are central to the event, very soon regarding plans for the event going forward to gauge their views.” The Kennel Club is delighted that all agility competitions – including the Crufts Medium ABC semi final, Crufts Large Novice ABC semi final, Crufts Intermediate Novice ABC semi final, as well as The Kennel Club Starters Cup and Discover Dogs Small/Mixi Pairs final – which have been previously held at Discover Dogs, will be held at The London International Horse Show in December 2023. This event already hosts The Kennel Club Agility Stakes finals. Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director of The London International Horse Show said: “The Kennel Club Dog Agility has been a part of London International Horse Show for many years and we are delighted to be able to welcome the additional agility classes to our programme. In 2023 the London International Horse Show is expanding its activity and the agility classes will be taking place in the new London Arena. Dog Agility is a firm favourite for our 70,000 plus audience and I know that this will only add to their enjoyment of visiting the pre-Christmas show.” Further announcements on The Kennel Club Junior Warrant semi final, National Junior Handler final and Scruffts heat that normally take place at Discover Dogs will be made in due course and news about Discover Dogs 2024 will be released later this year.
March 2023 - News Release NON-BREED STANDARD COLOURS WORKING PARTY - ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Kennel Club has announced a series of measures which have been approved by the Board as a result of recommendations made by the Non-Breed Standard Colours Working Party in its final report, following an in-depth review of the issues surrounding the registration of dogs of colours not recognised. The measures include the separation of breed standard and non-breed standard (NBS) colours in the Breed Record Supplement; the implementation of a Colour Watch system, similar to Breed Watch, to provide clear guidance on breed standard and NBS colours in every breed; and the introduction of a process whereby the UK owners of imported dogs are asked to record their dog’s true colour from The Kennel Club’s current full list of both breed standard and NBS colours. A further recommendation from the working party – the recognition of a DNA test for the dilute D locus for Labrador Retrievers – was introduced in January 2023, and was made mandatory for all imported Labrador Retrievers, the sires of puppies from bitches in whelp when imported and dogs born from imported semen in March 2023. As a result of the Board’s approval of the working party’s recommendations, The Kennel Club is now scoping out the technological requirements to split the Breed Record Supplement, so that those dogs of a breed standard colour are listed first under an appropriate heading, and that dogs from mixed litters and litters solely of NBS colours are listed separately below these under appropriate headings. The Colour Watch system will act as an early warning system to trigger actions where any trends in NBS registrations become a concern, and will provide a mechanism to support education of breeders and buyers. The details of the system will be announced ahead of its planned launch in due course. The introduction of a process whereby the UK owners of imported dogs are asked to record their dog’s true colour is underway. Previously, The Kennel Club has only been able to record the colour of the dog which has been recorded by the original overseas registry. Anomalies arise where a registry does not recognise/record certain colours which The Kennel Club does record, particularly those which are NBS colours. For example, a Labrador may not be recorded as ‘charcoal’ (which is dilute black) by the American Kennel Club as this colour is not recognised by the AKC and would be recorded as black. Under the new system, the importer of a charcoal Labrador, recorded as black, would therefore be expected to record the dog as charcoal by The Kennel Club, helping assist the breed, breeders and puppy buyers identify imported dogs which may be of NBS colour. The Non-Breed Standard Colours Working Party, which was established to address concerns raised by a number of breeds about the registration of and rise in colours typically not recognised in breed standards, also made a recommendation of the adoption of a clearer approach to differentiate between breed standard and NBS colours within the registration system, and the promotion of breed standard colours, along with health test results. The Kennel Club Board has directed that this is to be put to the strategy design group which is looking to ‘Protect and enhance the pedigree ‘quality mark’’ and ‘Explore options to evolve the registration model’ as part of the wider strategic review which is underway. The working party was chaired by Frank Kane and comprised Nicky Ackerley-Kemp, Jenny Campbell, Ian Seath and Dr Mike Tempest, supported by numerous members of Kennel Club staff. The working party met on 25 occasions across the course of a year, either in person or via Teams online, including 16 meetings with breed representatives across six breeds. The Working Party would like to acknowledge the input of the six breeds with which it met – Bulldogs, Chow Chows, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers and Pugs – whose commitment to the future wellbeing of their breeds and the amount of effort they put into preparing for meetings is commended. In addition to the recommendations which were recently approved by The Kennel Club Board, the working party has already initiated a series of further actions:
Frank Kane, Chairman of the Non-Breed Standard Colours Working Party said: “The working party is very pleased that The Kennel Club Board approved its various recommendations and that these are now being progressed by The Kennel Club. The working party has spent many hours reviewing the concerns and requests of the breeds with which it has met over the past year. “On behalf of the working party, I would like to thank the representatives of the six breeds, whose passion for their breeds was clear throughout, for their engagement with this process and the detailed submissions which they provided as part of this review. We hope that the recommendations which have been approved, and the wider-reaching one which is being assessed as part of The Kennel Club’s strategic review, will help protect the heritage of these wonderful breeds.” Following the working party’s review, The Kennel Club will offer guidance to other breeds which have concerns regarding NBS colours, using the framework of the recommendations and actions referenced above. Correspondence should be sent to james.skinner@thekennelclub.org.uk.
September 2022 announcement JUNIOR WARRANT POINTS CRITERIA EXPANDED November 2022 THE KENNEL CLUB LAUNCHES NEW DNA TESTING SERVICES TO IMPROVE DOG HEALTH With introductory webinar and £20 off throughout November The Kennel Club has today (1 November) launched its new DNA Testing Services, developed to improve and protect dog health, and to promote responsible dog breeding. Priced from £60, with a £20 off introductory offer on selected Breed-Specific Packages running throughout November, The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services provide owners with cost-effective access to the most impactful genetic health tests – without the need to carry out each one individually – with results that are easy to interpret and accompanied by breeding and care advice. The service has been uniquely developed by The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog health organisation, in partnership with Weatherbys Scientific, to advance understanding of dog genetics and disease, with those who use the service contributing to canine genetic research – both through data collection and with all funds reinvested into ongoing research and health initiatives. Available for 80 breeds and aimed at anyone considering breeding, and any owner who wants to better understand their dog’s genetics, The Kennel Club DNA Testing Service collects a dog’s DNA sample via a simple cheek swab. From the swab, the service checks the DNA for markers associated with a number of different inherited breed-relevant disorders and provides advice to help reduce the risk of producing puppies affected by these conditions, so they can ultimately be eradicated through responsible breeding. Test results will automatically be registered on a dog’s record and available on The Kennel Club website, allowing breeders to find health-tested mates, and puppy buyers to check if the dog they are thinking of buying has come from health-tested parents. For owners, understanding a dog’s genetics and knowing which testable hereditary conditions they may be affected by allows preparation for the future. Some dogs affected by hereditary conditions can go undiagnosed during the early stages of disease, due to clinical symptoms being missed or mistaken for ageing, and missing the early signs of disease can leave a dog in unnecessary pain or discomfort. Early intervention can frequently improve quality of life. To discuss the importance of DNA testing, the impact it can have on dog health and how it can help to eradicate some of the most concerning genetic disorders facing certain breeds, The Kennel Club’s geneticist, Dr Joanna Ilska, is hosting a free interactive webinar on 3 November at 19:00pm - sign up is available here. Alongside the health packages, the new DNA Testing Services also offer DNA profiling for all breeds, which is included as standard for multiple-test Breed-Specific Packages at no further cost. This DNA profile provides a unique genetic code for an individual dog, which can be used as a ‘genetic fingerprint’, and unlike other identification means, a DNA profile remains the same throughout the dog’s entire life and cannot be lost, manipulated or destroyed. As DNA profiles can also be used to confirm parentage, a new parental verification service will be available for all breeds – both of these services are new offerings from The Kennel Club and have been developed in partnership with Weatherbys Scientific. Dr Joanna Ilska, Genetics & Research Manager at The Kennel Club said: “Research has shown that the number of pedigree dogs at risk of inherited diseases can be dramatically reduced by responsible breeding, thanks to the use of DNA tests. We have seen that around ten years after a DNA test becomes available, the frequency of gene mutations that caused the disease in some breeds decreases by a staggering 90 per cent, or more. “With that in mind, we are delighted to launch The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services, which allow caring breeders and responsible owners to have a genuine and positive impact on the health of future generations of dogs, in an easy, accessible and cost-effective way. At the same time, those who use the service will be contributing to driving further understanding of canine genetics and disease, and the development of dog health initiatives, with all data and profits reinvested into research as part of The Kennel Club’s mission of making a difference for dogs.” Paul Flynn, Head of Research and Development at Weatherbys Scientific, added: “Weatherbys Scientific are proud to hold some 25 years’ experience as a global multi-species genetic testing service provider, to ensure professional delivery of the genetic testing aspect of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. “The partnership between The Kennel Club and Weatherbys brings together a combined heritage of nearly 400 years dedicated to animal registration and welfare and we very much look forward to being part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. The service leverages Weatherbys Scientific’s proven laboratory track record and availability of latest in-house molecular technologies to help realise admirable genetic breeding objectives that aim to continuously better the future health and welfare of the canine species. “Looking into the future; this partnership is scientifically exciting, with both The Kennel Club and Weatherbys Scientific being proven technology adopters - positioning our partnership to harness the benefits of current and future genetic testing capabilities, within an ever-enhancing era of genomic advancements and discovery.” Assured Breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount on the services, and any owner can make use of the introductory £20 off throughout November for all Breed-Specific Packages with DNA profiling included, with the discount code: DNAtest20. To access the service and for more information, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/TheKennelClubDNAtesting
August 2022 THE KENNEL CLUB URGES AWARENESS OF CURRENT IMPORT REGULATIONS The Kennel Club is urging dog breeders and owners to ensure they are aware of the current ban in place for the commercial imports of dogs, cats and ferrets from Belarus, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. The temporary suspension in Great Britain was implemented in April 2022 and is due to be lifted on 9 July 2022. However, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has recently announced that this measure has been extended by a further eight weeks, until 3 September, owing to a reported health risk to humans and animals from commercial cats, dogs and ferrets from these countries that do not comply with UK health and documentation requirements. The importation of dogs for rescue and rehoming purposes is also covered under this prohibition. Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club comments: “The movement of dogs under the Pet Travel Scheme from Belarus, Poland and Romania remains permitted, with special measures in place for bringing pets from Ukraine. We would urge anyone seeking to bring dogs into the UK from these four countries to carefully check the rules, to ensure that any movement complies. “We would also implore anyone considering importing dogs from these countries in the short to medium term to carry out due diligence in the event that the ban is extended beyond September. Any dogs which have been imported in breach of Government regulations will not be registered by The Kennel Club.” For more information, please visit http://www.gov.uk/guidance/imports-and-exports-of-animals-and-animal-products-topical-issues
6th May 2022 The first batch of certificates are now being issued for shows/trials that were held in early 2021, as the process for issuing outstanding awards for all previously held shows and trials begins. The certificates for shows/trials will be issued in chronological order, beginning with single breed shows and trials that took place between March and June 2021, followed by the first general championship show, Southern Counties Canine Association. Thereafter, certificates and titles will continue to be issued in show/trial date order, until all delayed certificates and titles have been issued and service resumes as normal. The process for issuing awards will be as follows:
In order to minimise the potential for delays in receiving certificates, please ensure that:
Kathryn Mansfield, Kennel Club Secretary said: “We are pleased to finally announce that award certificates are now being issued and apologise to everyone for the long delay. “Issuing the backlog of certificates and titles will take quite a few months to achieve as awards are issued in chronological order of show/trial dates. We have extra staff working on processing awards so that we can get through these as effectively as possible, whilst not impacting our other services. “The website will include details of which shows/trials have been processed so that everyone is aware of when certificates are likely to be received. As before it is fine to enter events or classes where eligibility is dependent upon awards and/or titles which are pending confirmation, for example moving from Limit to the Open class at dog shows. Also, in the case of Champion Stakes, exhibitors do not need to wait for their dog’s champion status to be confirmed before entering. “If customers do not receive their certificates within 14 days of the processing date for that show or trial, as listed on our website, they can contact us using the dedicated form (thekennelclub.org.uk/awardsover14days). We have completed as much testing of the new system as is possible ahead of issuing certificates, but if exhibitors and competitors do have any issues, please let us know and we will do our utmost to sort out the problem as soon as possible.” For further information about the issuing of awards, including FAQs, and to keep track of those awards that have been processed, please visit thekennelclub.org.uk/awardsupdate2022.
THE KENNEL CLUB AND FCI REVIEW AND AGREE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF JUDGES
The Kennel Club and the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has signed a new agreement for the mutual recognition of judges, applicable from 1 May 2022. The previous agreement which expired on this date had been in place for five years and has been a success in recognising the experience of judges approved under each governing body. Both The Kennel Club and FCI representatives proposed amendments to the agreement based on their experience of the approval route for championship judges, taking account of lessons learnt. The new contract will enjoy an open-ended duration, with the ability for either side to end the agreement or request amendments with a six-month notice period. Judges listed on either The Kennel Club Find a Judge website or the FCI Judges Directory are eligible to be invited to judge in the UK or FCI countries. UK judges will be eligible to award CACIBs once they are approved to award Challenge Certificates. This is particularly relevant to those judges approved to judge those breeds which do not yet have championship status in the UK, in addition to judges approved via the A3 pre-approved grandfathering route and via the Judges Education Programme Level 4 progress. Best in Show judges approved under both The Kennel Club and FCI will receive mutual recognition and are eligible to be invited to undertake these appointments, subject to approval by the national kennel club. Group judges under both The Kennel Club and FCI will receive mutual recognition for the complementary groups (as set out in the agreement) and are eligible to be invited to undertake these appointments, subject to approval by the national kennel club. Show societies inviting judges from FCI member counties to officiate in the UK must make use of the mutual agreement route if the judge is not previously approved to award Challenge Certificates in the UK and meets the criteria. This is of benefit to both inviting society and judge in reducing unnecessary paperwork. FCI judges are required to have awarded CACIBs in at least three different countries over a period of at least five years to be considered for approval to award Challenge Certificates. For those judges not fulfilling this criterion, an Overseas Judges Questionnaire will need to be completed for consideration by the Judges Committee. The amended contract for show societies to request FCI judges to complete can be found here: thekennelclub.org.uk/media/3627/fci-contract.pdf and the document listing the Terms of the Agreement here: thekennelclub.org.uk/media/3408/kennel-club-and-fci-agreement-2017.pdf Any queries should be directed to breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.
LIMITATION ON ‘HEREDITARY CLEAR’ STATUS POSTPONED TO 2023 Following the announcement that The Kennel Club will limit the assignment of ‘hereditary clear’ status of registered dogs to two generations, the organisation has announced that this change is now set to be implemented as of January 2023. The decision to restrict hereditary status was made by The Kennel Club Board in 2018 on the recommendation of the Dog Health Group, and followed a Kennel Club study, published in the journal of Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. This change was put forward to safeguard against the impact that dogs with an incorrect ‘hereditary clear’ status could have on health issues within a breed. Hereditary clear status is given to dogs that are determined to be free of specific genetic material linked to a particular inherited disease. The Kennel Club’s registration system assigns a dog this status if their parents are known to be clear, either because they have both been DNA tested as clear, or because they are hereditary clear themselves. Dogs could be mistakenly given a false hereditary clear status for a number of reasons; for example if there has been a failure of laboratory protocols, pedigree errors or incorrectly recorded parentage. In these instances it is unlikely that the inaccuracies would be noticed immediately, but rather that several generations later many dogs throughout the breed descended from the individual with the original incorrect status will also have erroneous hereditary status, and the well-intended mating of two such apparently hereditary clear dogs risks producing affected puppies. The Kennel Club research analysed the risks faced by a population following the incorrect assignment of hereditary status and determined that the rate of dogs with false hereditary clear status could rise considerably over a fairly small number of generations, particularly for genetic conditions that are more common. To reduce the knock-on effect of these errors, and the risk of unintentionally breeding affected puppies, The Kennel Club will be ensuring that from January 2023, the ‘hereditary clear status’ will be limited to two generations, unless lineage is verified by DNA parentage profiling recorded by The Kennel Club. DNA parentage profiling is a separate procedure to screening DNA for disease causing mutations, but can often be carried out at the same time by the same laboratory. Originally scheduled to come into effect in January 2022, this has now been postponed to 2023 to allow for necessary development work to be completed and in order for ‘hereditary clear’ status to be as effective and reliable as possible.
TRIAL PERIOD EXTENDED FOR CHAMPION CLASSES AT BREED CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS The Kennel Club has extended the trial period for champion classes at breed club championship shows to 31 December 2022, in view of the enforced lockdown caused by Covid-19 and the subsequent lack of data obtained. Champion classes at breed club championship shows were introduced at the beginning of 2018 and were due to be reviewed by the Show Executive Committee (SEC) after a three-year trial period which expired at the beginning of 2021. These classes, which are not compulsory, were brought in by the SEC following a recommendation from the Dog Show Promotion Working Party. The winner of the champion class, provided it is unbeaten, joins all other unbeaten dogs or bitches to compete for the relevant Challenge Certificate. Breed clubs when submitting results to The Kennel Club are required to indicate whether champion classes were scheduled at their championship show. They should also indicate the number of champions entered in the champion classes as well as the number of champions entered in other classes. Any queries regarding providing The Kennel Club with data in relation to champion classes should be directed to email awards@thekennelclub.org.uk.
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