All about Kennel Club Rules

There is some misunderstanding between what constitutes a pedigree dog and one which is Kennel Club registered. In effect, provided that ancestry can be proven, any dog can hold a pedigree. Usually it is taken as read that all dogs in that pedigree are of the same breed but in fact there are times when, often for good reason, another breed has been introduced with the aim of improving another. This can indeed cause controversy at the time, especially if it is not sanctioned by the guardians of the breed in question, but with time, and if very carefully monitored, the result can sometimes be beneficial.

However, when another breed has been introduced to a pedigree no full Kennel Club registration can be obtained until the fourth filial generation, as this is intended for pure breeds only.

Under certain circumstances, dogs of breeds which are fully recognized and yet whose breeding is impure (as above) or unverified can obtain registration, but they either has to have been bred under authority granted in advance or, in the case of importation, granted prior to import.

Another condition of Kennel Club registration is that both sire and dam are registered also. In the case of an imported dog registration abroad is acceptable, provided that the English Kennel Club has a reciprocal agreement with that country.

Pure bred imported dogs of breeds not previously recognized by this Kennel Club can apply to be included on the Imported Breed Register. This is also applicable in cases when a breed has previously been recognized but for which there has been no active registration for ten years. When at least ten specimens of the breed have been accepted an interim breed standard is formulated. Those breeds with Imported Breed Register status may subsequently apply to be transferred to the Breed Register, subject to published guidelines. Dogs on the Imported Register and those still classified as Rare Breeds are not eligible for Championship status. A third register is The Obedience and Working Trials Register, for dogs ineligible for registration on any other register.

Apart from the Scottish and Welsh Kennel Clubs, there are other regional general canine societies in Britain, and numerous individual breed clubs, each of which has been set up for the benefit of the breeding and showing of pedigree dogs.