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By The Kennel Club

Kennel Club Insight-September

Kennel Club Insight-September

Kennel Club Insight
Your monthly guide to what the KC is doing for you and your dogs
by The Press Team at the KC

The Kennel Club press office ensured that the important message of puppy buyers going to a responsible breeder was to the fore in early September during the Kennel Club’s annual Puppy Awareness Week (PAW). This year the campaign centred around recent research which has revealed that, on average, people are more likely to buy a puppy on impulse than a pair of shoes. A very sobering thought indeed.

This research is a wake-up call for anybody who cares about dog welfare as a rather terrifying picture is emerging of a nation of people who are careless when it comes to choosing where and how to buy a dog, and who feel clueless about where they would begin, if they were to attempt to do this responsibly.

The result is puppies with all manner of health and behavioural problems being sold via the internet, pet shops or social media to people who don’t know the true background of the pups and who pay the price in veterinary bills and heartache, as they watch their beloved pet suffer.

KC in the news

There is a massive gap in consumer knowledge and we need to help people understand what a good dog breeder looks like. The research shows that just under three quarters (73 per cent) of people would like a scheme where breeders are already checked and approved for them by a UKAS approved body, which is why the Kennel Club developed its Assured Breeder Scheme.

At the very least we urge people to make themselves aware of the scams and tricks of the trade, so that they can spot the people who are putting puppy welfare at risk. We are confident that the media coverage generated during PAW helped to drive home this message and were especially pleased to see the Daily Mirror of September 14 was very supportive of the Assured Breeder Scheme and the Kennel Club’s work in trying to get the third-party sale of puppies banned, ie sales from pet shops. The story, which appeared as a result of the KC press office ‘pitching’ it to the journalist, also referenced statistics included in the Kennel Club’s recently-published Collaboration Is Key report into dog breeding which was written by the Kennel Club public affairs team and can be accessed online at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/1159047/collaboration_is_key.pdf.

Global event

Huge congratulations to everyone who competed at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival, which took place on 10th-13th August at Rockingham Castle, Market Harborough. More than 3,000 fit and happy dogs from 20 different countries took part in the festival, which is the world’s largest agility event.

The festival, which is kindly supported by CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, welcomed all dogs at all levels of experience in agility, from Pomeranians to Great Danes, and competitors from all over the world.

Olympia stakes

Competitions included the Championship classes, where top graded dogs could compete to qualify for the Agility Championships held annually at Crufts. A Special International Class enabled handlers to qualify for the British Open Final, which is also held at Crufts. The quarter and semi-finals for the Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes saw handlers secure a place for the prestigious competition held at the Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes in December.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The International Agility Festival is a big highlight of the agility calendar and we are so pleased that it was again such a huge success. The festival is a great event that caters to all levels of experience.

Rising standard

“We would like to thank everyone who made it such a great event, especially those competitors and judges who travelled hundreds of miles to add to the international flavour of the competition.”

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Ceri Rundle, Managing Director of CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, said: “Huge congratulations to all winners at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival 2016, it was another incredible event and CSJ are very proud to be sponsors of the festival. The standard of competitors seems to rise year on year which is fantastic to see. We wanted to say a massive thank you to all organisers, helpers, handlers, dogs and visitors who helped to make it such a positive, friendly and successful event."

For the full list of results, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events/international-agility-festival/international-agility-festival-results/.

Top training instructor

Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Scheme (KCAI Scheme) Trainer of the Year Awards, the search has begun for the 2017 winner.

Last year 35 KCAI trainers were nominated for the award from almost 500 supporters who passionately believed that the nominee truly made a difference to dogs. After winning the public vote, celebrated canine behaviourist Martha Brindley was announced as the winner at a ceremony at Crufts 2017.

Above and beyond

Nominations are now being sought for the 2017 KCAI Trainer of the Year Award in order to continue to celebrate the hard work of KCAI members in improving dogs’ lives.

This is a fantastic competition that recognises KCAI members that go above and beyond to make a difference to dogs. Martha, along with all of last year’s finalists, provides inspiration to fellow KCAI members and those not yet involved with the scheme in their approach and commitment to their field of training. It is vital we recognise and support these efforts in order to jointly improve the standard of dog training as a whole.

Badge of quality

The KCAI scheme is a badge of quality ensuring that dog owners are getting a safe, knowledgeable and professional experience. With their specialist knowledge and skills, KCAI members make a tremendous difference for dogs and their owners and deserve the recognition these awards bring.

Dog owners working with KCAI members are asked to go to the KCAI Trainer of the Year webpage and nominate individuals that they believe actively make a difference to dog’s lives. A shortlist of five KCAI trainers will then be selected and put to a public vote where an overall winner will be decided.

Crufts ceremony

All five finalists will be invited to a ceremony held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts 2018, where their hard work will be highlighted and the overall winner announced. The overall winner of the KCAI award will receive a KCAI Trainer of the Year certificate and trophy, one year’s KCAI membership and an Amazon voucher.
Dog owners can nominate online until the 27th October 2017.

If you are a dog trainer and would like to join the KCAI scheme, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/kcai.

Photo: Puppy Awareness Week. Alan Woodward


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