The Kennel Club Breed Initiatives

As part of its fight against hereditary defects in dogs and the suffering they cause the Kennel Club has introduced the Accredited Breeder Scheme with the aim of promoting good breeding practice and the production of healthy puppies. While it is not compulsory, any reputable breeder would be keen to be part of the scheme and to have their breeding stock accredited.
Essential Requirements for the Accredited Breeder Scheme
- All dogs that you use in breeding must be registered with the Kennel Club.
- You must follow the Kennel Club’s policies regarding maximum breeding age and the number and/or frequency of litters.
- You must permanently identify your breeding stock by tattoo, microchip or DNA profile.
- You must perform the health screening tests that are relevant to your breed on all your breeding stock. These health screening schemes include hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited eye conditions and DNA testing. (Note: there is no single hear-testing scheme as there is for other conditions such as hip dysplasia but breeds with heart problems will usually have their own club-organised schemes).
- You must draw up a contract of sale for each puppy.
- You must hand over a sold puppy’s or dog’s registration certificate at the time of sale if available or forward it to the new owner as soon as possible.
- You must socialise the puppies while they are still with you.
- You must provide written advice for the new owners on:
- the continuation of socialisation, exercises and future training
- feeding and worming requirements
- You must provide the new owners with a written record of the immunisation measures taken so far.
- You should provide a reasonable after-sales telephone service.
- You must inform your buyers of the requirements and recommendations within the Kennel Club Accredited Breeders Scheme and inform them of the existence of the complaints procedure.
Recommendations for the Accredited Breeder Scheme
In addition to the requirements above, breeders are also encouraged to :- Make sure that their whelping facilities are in accordance with good practice.
- Make sure their contract of sale clearly lays out the nature and details of any guarantees given (for example, if there is a time limit) as well as any provisions regarding the return of a puppy and a refurn or replacement given. Both breeder and buyer should sign and date the contract, after having discussed and agreed on these terms.
- Commit to the puppies for the entire of their lifetimes, including helping with re-homing if necessary.
Hereditary Defects
Breeders are advised to learn about any inherited genetic conditions which may affect their breed. This can be done through research in literature (books, journals, etc) as well as discussing the issues with the breeder of their own dogs, with relevant breed clubs, with the the Kennel Club Health & Information Department and with your veterinarian.Several health schemes are already in operation to try and prevent or control some of these genetic diseases and these tests should be taken by both the sire and the dam before any breeding is undertaken. The DNA Screening Schemes, in particular, can provide precise information about the genetic status of your breeding stock, with regards to certain diseases. The list of DNA tests available in the UK include:
Condition | Breed | Organisation |
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis | Border Collie | Animal Health Trust |
CLAD | Irish Setter | Animal Health Trust |
Congenital Stationary Night Blindness | Briard | Animal Health Trust |
Copper Toxicosis | Bedlington Terrier | Animal Health Trust |
Fucosidosis | English Springer Spaniel | Animal Health Trust |
Hereditary Cataract | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Animal Health Trust |
L-2-Hydroxy Glutaric Aciduria | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Animal Health Trust |
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency | English Springer Spaniel | Animal Health Trust |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD 1) | Irish Setter | Animal Health Trust |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD 1a) | Sloughi | Animal Health Trust |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (cord 1) | Miniature Long-haired Dachshund | Animal Health Trust |
Pyruvate kinase deficiency | West Highland White Terrier | Animal Health Trust |
Von Willebrand's disease | Irish Red and White Setter | Animal Health Trust |
Yellow Coat in Labrador Retrievers | Labrador Retriever | Animal Health Trust |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (rcd 3) | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Cambridge Vet School |
Von Willebrand's disease | Dobermann | Kennel Club |
Note: Do not confuse these DNA Screening Schemes with the “DNA Profiling Service” that the Kennel Club also offers, which is for individual dog identification and parentage analysis of litters.
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Hi looking for ringcraft classes in South Manchester area. Any help would be appreciated thank you. Ann
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Hi I'm looking for ringcraft classes near Wigan skelmersdale and ormskerk thank you
Re: When to Start Training to Show?
Does anybody know of ring craft lesson in Ringwood or Wimborne area. Many thanks.
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Hi, I am looking for any ringcraft training classes in. We are based in West Bromwich. Thank you
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
We are looking for any ringcraft classes in the Argyll or Lochaber or Renfrewshire area We have a four and a half month old Golden…
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Hi I have recently moved to Cornwall, I used to run Top Dogs Ringcraft in Bedford and Bletchley. At long last I have found a fabulous venue…
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Looking for ring craft in the North East for to show my new puppy can anyone help much appreciate
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Does anyone know of any Ringcraft classes for a beginner in Beds/Bucks borders area? I have been told about Top Dogs Ringcraft in Wooton on…
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Hi, any ringcraft classes in herefordshire please, I am totally new to the showing side of owning dogs but would love to learn more , thank…
Re: Find a Ringcraft Club
Hi I’m in west Oxfordshire and looking for ring craft clubs. I know there one in kingham but I have young children and I’d get back too…