KENNEL CLUB - "OPEN FOR DOGS" STICKERS
The Kennel Club sticker campaign to break down barriers for dogs and their owners

Ever tried to take your dog for a walk to pick up some essentials from the shops, only to be faced by the problem of not being allowed to take your dog in?

Restrictions for dog owners on where they can take their dog seem to be an ever increasing daily dilemma, which is why the Kennel Club has launched its 'OPEN FOR DOGS' sticker campaign, to encourage more businesses to accept dogs. For more information and to request an 'Open for Dogs' sticker please visit
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1664/2d80E41/79

This summer help the UK to be more 'Open for Dogs' with the Kennel Club.

The Kennel Club
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email: info@the-kennel-club.org.uk

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The Kennel Gazette
Subscriptions - 020 7518 1016
email: publications@the-kennel-club.org.uk

The following has been seen in the local Shropshire Star newspaper.
Article headed..KENNEL CLUB TO REVIEW BREEDS..

"Britain's main governing body for dogs is to review every pedigree breed in the UK amid concerns about genetic diseases.
The KC review follows a television documantary [see below] which claimed the breeding processed used to produce pedigree dogs had resulted in a high incidence of inherited genetic disease.
The Club. which organises Crufts decided to act after the programme showed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suffering from Syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dogs skull is too small for its brain.
It also showed boxers suffering from epilepsy, Pugs with breathing problems and Bulldogs who were unable to mate or give birth unassisted.

Caroline Kisko KC Secretary said: "The groundswell of public attention on the important matters surrounding dog breeding is a welcomed momentum which will emable us to drive through, with added urgency, new and extended initiatives that will help to safeguard the health of our pedigree dogs".

The KC is also calling on the government to give it statutory powers to make its Accredited Breeder Scheme compulsory throughout the country - a system which would make it illegal for non-members to produce or sell puppies.

A RSPCA spokesman said " We welcome the [KC] review of Breed Standards and hope it will make a difference for pedigree dog health and welfare in the future". "

From the KC ABS Leaflet...
The requirements are,
ensure all breeding stock is KC registered;
Hand over the dogs registration certificate at the time of sale, if available, or forward it to the new owners as soon as possible;

explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation from the new owner at or before the date of which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsements regardless of whether or not the endorsed regitration certificate is available;

Follow KC policy regarding maximun age and number/frequency of litters;

Permanently identify breeding stock by DNA profile, microchip or tattoo
[NB at some stage all breeding stock will be required to be DNA profiled]

Make use of KC health screening schemes relevant to their breed on all breeding stock.
[These schemes include, DNA testing, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions]

Socialise the puppies and provide written advice, in the puppy sales wallet, on continuation of socialisation, exercise and future training;

Provide written advice, in the puppy sales wallet, on feeding and worming programmes.

Inform the buyer in writing of any vaccination which has been carried out

Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice

Inform buyers of the requirements and the reccommendations that apply to KC Accredited Breeders as well as the existence of the complaints procedure.

Draw up a contract of sale for each puppy and provide a copy in the puppy sales wallet.

Interesting Reading CLICK HERE

Re-Kennel Club hits back at BBC dog documentary.
The Kennel Club feels that the programme, Pedigree Dogs Exposed [BBC 1 19 August] missed a real opportunity to progress the cause of dog health. It appeared to have a very specific agenda repeating prejudices, providing no context for the debate, and failing to put forward constructive proposals. It left viewers with the mistaken impression that all pedigree dogs are riddled with a wide range of health problems and that the dog community is doing little or nothing to improve the situation. This is patently not true.

Whilst the Kennel Club was shocked and saddened by the dramatic imagery used in the programme, and accepts some of the important issues raised, what it does not accept is that these problems apply widely across the 200 plus breeds in the UK. Pedigree Dogs Exposed also failed to show the real progress being made by both the Kennel Club and responsible breeders in improving dog health or to recognise that 90 per cent of dogs will not suffer from health problems that have a detrimental impact on the quality of life.

More than that, the programme drew upon a new study on dog genetics by Imperial College to underline its criticism of dog breeding, without acknowledging the fact this study was entirely enabled by the Kennel Club as part of its commitment to health research. This research will now provide the KC with a valuable scientific platform to enlist the support of breeders in tackling key health problems where they occur.

Commenting, Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokes person, said “In reality the gap between some of the views expressed on the programme and those held by both the Kennel Club and most responsible breeders is very small. Over the last twenty years we have been working to develop tests and health screening schemes to identify and eradicate problems, many of which are historic. One example of this is the elimination of canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency [CLAD] in Irish Setters, that caused early death in puppies which was eradicated through the concerted efforts of both the Kennel Club and Irish Setter Breeders”.
“However, it is important to put this into context. The Kennel Club has no legal standing, unlike some similar bodies in other countries. We have to work on these issues through partnership and persuasion—not coercion. The danger of introducing draconian measures is that some breeders could choose to operate outside the Kennel Club’s jurisdiction; with absolutely no controls. That cannot be the best way forward”.

“The programme also made some sweeping, and far from accurate assertions. The Kennel Club refutes that it would put “looks” above the health of pedigree dogs, in fact we actively discourage the exaggeration of features in any breed. The Standards have been, and will continue to be amended when necessary to ensure the breeding of healthy, well conformed dogs. Dog show judges are also educated to judge to those standards ensuring that dogs with obvious problems that could affect their quality of life do not win, and that the rewards go to fit, healthy dogs. All of this of course is dependant on the responsibility of breeders and owners - and this is where our efforts must be concentrated”.

“We can state categorically that the majority of Pedigree dogs in the UK are healthy. We increasingly have in place checks to monitor health issues going forward. In those few breeds where there are problems, including those highlighted in the programme, we have been and will continue to work with breeders to improve long term health through the development of tests and screening programmes”.

“Kennel Club health initiatives include; funding research to identify problems and develop efficient screening for health, such as eye testing and hip scoring; the introduction of the Accredited Breeder Scheme, to act as a “kite mark” for responsible breeders; and most recently the launch of a major campaign which seeks further to promote health improvements across breeds - “Fit for function - Fit for Life”. This, in conjunction with Breed Clubs focuses on tackling unnecessary exaggeration in some breeds, whether that is of coat, weight, skin, angulation, eye formation or shortness of muzzle. All dogs should be fit for function, even if that function is to be a pet - all dogs should be able to see, breath and walk freely”.
“By their lack of context, programmes such as Pedigree Dogs Exposed, far from helping the situation run the risk of damaging the work already being done. This work will not be carried out by TV production companies - but by the hard work of the Kennel Club and the country’s responsible breeders, “ said Caroline Kisko.

In summary, health issues are a primary concern to the Kennel Club but changes cannot be made over night. We are working pro-actively with breeders to make these changes— but we are dealing with the legacy of 100 years. What we need is the support of experts such as those featured in the programme, not their condemnation - support which we have indeed received from a number of respected bodies such as the Animal Health Trust, The Blue Cross and The British Veterinary Association.
If you would like anymore information on any of the above information please visit our web site www.doggenetichealth.org or call 0870 6066750

CRUFTS QUALIFYING CLASSES
a. ENTRY IN BREED CLASSES AT CRUFTS 2009, WHERE CHALLENGE CERTIFICATES ARE OFFERED.

A dog is eligible for entry in breed classes where Challenge Certificates are offered if it has qualified in any of the following ways under the Rules and Regulations of the Kennel Club.

(1) If it is a Champion, Show Champion, Field Trial Champion, Working Trial Champion, Obedience Champion or Agility Champion under the Rules of the Kennel Club.

(2) If it is entered in the Kennel Club Stud Book, or qualifies for entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book by 5 January 2009.

(3) If it is entered in the Kennel Club Stud Book, or qualifies for entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book by 5 January 2009 through Field Trials or Working Trials.

(4) If it has won any of the following prizes in a breed class (as defined in Kennel Club Regulations for the Definitions of Classes at Championship Shows) at a Championship Show, including Crufts, where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed between 7 January 2008 and 5 January 2009.

i. First, Second or Third in Minor Puppy Class

ii. First, Second or Third in Puppy Class

iii. First, Second or Third in Junior Class

iv. First, Second or Third in Yearling Class
(For Breeds in Stud Book Band E only – see list below)

v. First, Second or Third in Post Graduate Class

vi. First, Second or Third in Limit Class

vii. First, Second or Third in Open Class

viii. First, Second or Third in Veteran Class

STUD BOOK BAND E

Hound Group – Afghan Hound, Whippet

Gundog Group – Irish Setter, Retriever (Flat Coated), Retriever (Golden), Retriever (Labrador), Spaniel (Cocker)

Terrier Group – Border Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Utility Group –

Pastoral Group – Bearded Collie, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog

Working Group – Boxer, Dobermann, Great Dane, Rottweiler

Toy Group – Cavalier King Charles SpanieL

STUD BOOK NUMBER

BAND A [Smooth Collies]
Qualifications for entry into Stud Book: Challenge Certificate or Reserve Challenge Certificate or 1st in Open Class.

BAND B
Qualifications for entry into Stud Book: Challenge Certificate or Reserve Challenge Certificate or 1st or 2nd in Open Class.

BAND C
Qualifications for entry into Stud Book: Challenge Certificate or Reserve Challenge Certificate or 1st or 2nd in Open Class and 1st in Limit class.

BAND D [ie Rough Collies]
Qualifications for entry into Stud Book: Challenge Certificate or Reserve Challenge Certificate or 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Class or 1st Limit Class.

BAND E [Bearded Collies. Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs]
Qualifications for entry into Stud Book: Challenge Certificate or Reserve Challenge Certificate or 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Class, or 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Limit Class.

Entry to the Stud Book can also be gained by various wins at Field Trials, Working Trials, Championship Class "C" Obedience Classes, Bloodhound Working Trials, and winners of the Junior Warrant.

FORM 1