The Kennel Club Timeline (2000s)

The Kennel Club continues to grow in the 2000s and has seen significant work carried out on the health and welfare of dogs, the development of the Assured Breeder scheme, the launch of an accredited training programme and the foundation of The Kennel Club Art Gallery.

2000

The first DNA test for Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) is introduced. The Kennel Club works closely with the Irish Setter Breed Clubs with the great results on the elimination of the disease within the breed. 

The Kennel Club Picture Library is founded. 

2001

The Kennel Club launches an accredited training programme.

Crufts is postponed from its usual date in March to May due to the Foot & Mouth outbreak.

2002

Mr Ronnie Irving B Com CA becomes Chairman.

Mrs Rosemary Smart becomes Chief Executive.

2003

The Kennel Club Art Gallery is founded.

2004

The Assured Breeder Scheme is created, originally named the Accredited Breeder Scheme.

2005

An invitational Heelwork to Music event is held at Crufts.

2006

A full Heelwork to Music competition event has been held at Crufts since 2006.

Kennel Club Arts Foundation founded 23 June. 

Affiliate membership introduced.

2007

Kennel Club Educational Trust founded 01 November.

2008

Launch of The Kennel Club Fit for Function campaign. Promoting the importance of responsible breeding and that all dogs should be healthy and happy.

The Kennel Club goes onto social media with its own Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.

2009

The Kennel Club sets up the Canine Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust.

A comprehensive review into all breed standards is undertaken. Conducted in conjunction with a large body of experts, including veterinary surgeons to help ensure the breeding of healthy dogs. In this review every breed standard was written to make it explicitly clear that the process of exaggerating features because they are seen to look good, when this at the expense of the dog’s health, in not in any way acceptable.

Appointment of breed health co-ordinators. This network enables The Kennel Club to continually monitor any problems within breeds that may arise. 

14 high profile breeds are identified. 

The Kennel Club acquires The Kennel Club Building at the NAEC, Stoneleigh on a 99 year lease.  

Discover Dogs moves to Earls Court One, London. 

2010

Professor Sir Patrick Bateson’s Independent Inquiry into dog breeding findings are announced. The Kennel Club agrees with the conclusions in which it was highlighted that dog shows are a potential positive lever for change. Whilst only two percent of dogs are shown in the UK, The Kennel Club is committed to ensuring that dog shows reward only healthy dogs and so plays its part in rewarding and encouraging good breeding practice. It is also determined that in those breeds, where improvements need to be made, are highlighted rather than abandoned.

2011

Professor Steve Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR becomes Chairman.

2012

The Kennel Club announced that from January 1, it will no longer register any puppies born from any bitch which has previously had two caesarean sections, except for scientifically proven welfare reasons and in such cases normally provided that the application is made prior to mating. This is in order to ensure that the welfare of breeding bitches is protected.

By joint agreement between The Kennel Club and the VDH, a set of British CCs and German CACs were offered for the British breeds competing at the VDH show in Dortmund and for the German breeds competing at Birmingham National. So, it was a special “show within a show” split across two countries, with the British breeds judged in Germany and the German breeds judged here in the UK.

2015

Mr Simon Luxmoore MBA FRAES becomes Chairman.

The Kennel Club moves to brand new freehold offices at 10 Clarges Street after a deal with British Land to sell 1-5 Clarges Street.

Discover Dogs moves to ExCeL, London.

2016

The Kennel Club acquires the 7550 acre Emblehope moorland estate in Northumberland.

2017

The Kennel Club moves to new offices in Aylesbury for its registration department.

2018

Mr Steve A Croxford becomes Chairman.

2019

Mr Tony Allcock OBE becomes Chairman.

2020

Mr Mark Beazley becomes Chief Executive.

New website and CRM system launched.

2021

With the closure of the Animal Health Trust in 2000, The Kennel Club Canine Genetics Centre moves to Cambridge University 

New Petlog website and CRM system launched.