I am delighted to be a member of the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme. My most recent inspection by an Assessor has been carried out, in January 2021.  I joined the scheme soon after I began breeding, because I wanted to ensure that I was doing all I could to breed the best puppies possible.  I have decided to include a summary of the very rigorous requirements here.

Requirements for Membership

As a minimum Assured Breeder must:

• Ensure that all breeding stock is KC registered and take all reasonable steps to ensure that it is healthy and able to function normal ie fit for function: fit for life)
• Follow the KC policy regarding maximum age and number/frequency of litters.
• Permanently identify breeding stock by DNA profile, microchip or tattoo.
• Make use of KC health screening schemes, relevant to their breed, on all breeding stock owned or offered at stud. These schemes include DNA testing, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions. No mating should take place if the relevant health test results indicate that it would be inadvisable in the sense that it is likely to produce health and welfare problems.
• Inform buyers of the requirements and recommendations that apply to KC Assured Breeders as well as the existence of the complaints procedure.
• Hand over the dog’s registration certificate at time of sale if available, or forward to the new owner as soon as possible. Explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation from the new owner, on or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsements, regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available.
• Draw up a contract of sale for each puppy and provide a copy in the Puppy Sales Wallet.
• Give written, breed-specific advice in the Puppy Sales Wallet (see below)
• Inform the buyer in writing of any vaccination which has been carried out.
• Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice and endeavour to deal with any issues arising in good faith.
•  Draw up a Contract of Stud Dog service for each service which must include details and results of all relevant matings.

NB: a list of all current health checks relevant to each breed can be found on the Kennel Club website.

The Puppy Pack

Sales Wallet contents should include advice on:

• Breed specific traits
• Socialisation and future training
• Grooming
• Feeding
• Exercise
• Nutrition guide

A record of:

• Worming programme
• Immunisation (if applicable)

Some of the following may also be included:

• Copies of health certificates
• Copies of chip or DNA profiling certificates
• Contact details of breed clubs, training classes
• Pedigree certificate

I do have some criticisms of the scheme and the support (or lack of) that the Kennel Club provide to breeders, but it is good to be able to demonstrate the ability to meet this accredited standard.  Now we need to develop a culture of expectation that all breeders will breed responsibly and that all buyers will expect this standard of care… You can read an update of my views on the Kennel Club

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