The Kennel Club has announced a change in policy concerning the
admittance of cropped eared dogs at Kennel Club licenced breed club
shows for a trial period.
The Kennel Club recently considered a request from a breeder and
exhibitor asking that dogs with cropped ears be allowed to attend
breed club shows as 'spectators' dogs'. In support, it was stated
that a significant number of dogs are being imported into the UK
from countries where both ear cropping and tail docking remain
legal, and that these dogs are being used to create a larger and
more diverse gene pool. The Committee was of the view that club
shows present an opportunity to allow other breed enthusiasts to
see these dogs and to assess their suitability for future use in
breeding programmes.
Having considered the proposal, the Kennel Club General Committee
agreed the following:
Cropped eared dogs:
From 1st January 2016, the Kennel Club has agreed to introduce a
one year trial, to allow cropped eared dogs to be brought to the
appropriate breed club Championship and Open shows and entered as
spectators' dogs.
Whilst confirming the above position, the Kennel Club also wishes
to clarify that those dogs which have been legally docked may also
accompany spectators at any show which permits spectators' dogs,
regardless of whether the public pay an admittance fee. This policy
is not to be confused with the legally docked dog legislation which
prevents dogs being exhibited at Kennel Club licenced shows and
does not allow any docked dog to be entered for exhibition where
the public pay an admittance fee.
The spectators' dog policy allows a society, at its own
discretion, to allow spectators to bring any dogs they might have
with them into dog shows.
Owners of these dogs are asked to complete a short entry form at
the show, which asks for the owners' details and confirmation that
the dog is healthy and will be kept strictly under control.
The society retains the discretion to refuse entry if dogs appear
unhealthy or are badly controlled.
For further information about the spectators' dogs policy, or for
show societies to receive a free spectators' dogs entry booklet,
please contact breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.