Everything you wanted to know about The Kennel Club
but didn't know who to ask...
 For
the Kennel Club, founded 130 years ago, the year 2003 continued to be one of evolution and
growth. Its new Chairman Ronnie Irving believes in leading from the front. One of his goals is
to improve the Kennel Club's relationships with its members and customers. At the Agility World
Championships, he agreed to answer any questions from the agility community personally.
If you have any questions for The Chairman about The Kennel
Club in general and/or Agility specifically, send them to
Agilitynet.
Q. I
have heard that there are discussions happening between the government, animal charities and
Kennel Club to re evaluate the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. Could you please inform us of any
progress?
Angela Lucas
 The
Kennel Club, as Secretariat for the Dog Legislation Advisory Group (DLAG), has hosted a
number of meetings regarding the draconian Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and we continue to work
closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and other organisations with regard to releasing
dogs that have been seized under this Act, provided that they pose no risk to the public. We
are now liasing with politicians with a view to getting the Act amended as part of the
proposed Animal Welfare Bill, and we shall shortly be seeking to present to DEFRA on this
issue.
Q.
Also, in view of
the recent open letter from the agility representatives about the increase in dog
aggression-related incidents reported, how would this have an impact on the issue? If incidents
involving dog to humans have happened at shows (thankfully rare), are they also reported by the
dog club to the police, or is that the responsibility of the Kennel Club?
Angela Lucas
The
Dangerous Dogs Act does not generally apply to the circumstances quoted in this question.
However, please be assured that the Kennel Club takes its responsibility and duty of care very
seriously with regard to reported biting incidents at licensed events. It is essential
that everyone involved at any canine event also takes the control of dogs very seriously and is
constantly aware of how their dog is behaving and ensuring their dog (and themselves) are
properly trained for the circumstances in which they find themselves. This does not just
mean a well-trained agility dog but a dog (and owner) that are both aware of their
responsibilities to themselves and those around them. The Kennel Club is not shy of
taking remedial action against a dog which is found to have bitten at a licensed event and ban
it from attendance at all future licensed events. The Kennel Club will not condone dogs
of unsound temperament spoiling things for others and having the potential to bring agility in
particular or the world of dogs in general, under adverse public scrutiny.
Q.
I have been told that Working Trials have their version of Crufts
Championship Competition at a 'normal' venue, not on an artificial surface as the agility
Championship is held. Is there any reason why the Kennel Club Agility Championships can't be
held on grass, or even on an equestrian-style indoor surface, so that the dogs and handlers can
compete 'normally', and really 'go for it'?
Working Trials have their own special event, I believe. Could the Agility
be combined with that to make it still a very special occasion for handlers and spectators? At
present, in my opinion, the general public are being shown our top dogs competing at less than
their normal amazing ability because of the venue and surface; and the judges have to modify
the sorts of courses they might want to put up, for the same reasons. A number of agility CC
and RCC holders have told me that they do not feel they can put in a good performance under
present circumstances, and so believe that agility is being under represented at the KC
Championship level.
Brenda
Tenten
The
Crufts Committee last year altered the surface of the main ring at the express request of
agility competitors and received favourable comments after the show. The working trials
discipline does have its “Championship” away from Crufts as obviously the NEC would be
completely unsuitable for the competition. The Field Trial World falls into the same category
The KCs, as they are known, are hosted by a Championship Working Trial society, a different
club each year. If the general view of the agility fraternity is that the Agility
Championships should not be held at Crufts, then a proposal should be put for Agility Liaison
Council discussion. However, I would point out that Agility receives a very very high
media profile at Crufts and via the various Crufts TV programmes. We have recently been
criticised for not giving Agility enough KC coverage. Therefore the benefits of this media
attention for the sport should be taken into consideration. There is no guarantee that
agility would be so well covered in the media, if the Championship Classes were held
elsewhere and not at Crufts.
Q. I
have a friend who enters breed and obedience shows who has never put her KC registration number
on an entry form, and yet her entries have always been accepted. I currently spend many hours
(and phone calls!) chasing up KC numbers for competing and NFC dogs alike. Does this mean I can
now stop and rely on competitor's honesty that their dogs are registered as the other
disciplines apparently do?
June
Richardson
The
requirement for registration numbers to be added to entry forms was introduced following a
number of incidents at agility and obedience shows where the dogs involved couldn’t be
identified and may or may not have been Kennel Club registered. It is important that
where incidents at shows are reported, the Kennel Club can take appropriate action to protect
those who entered at our licensed events and register with the Kennel Club. Unless the
dog owner agrees to be subject to Kennel Club jurisdiction either by registering their dog
with the Kennel Club or signing the entry form declaration, we cannot take any action.
We were under the impression that obedience shows were vigilant to ensure that registration
numbers are included on entry forms. Indeed I believe that the subject has been clarified at
an Obedience Council meeting stating that entry forms may be returned to the competitor if
the KC registration number is not given.
Q.
Tail docking has
been illegal, except in certain circumstances, for some time. Why does the Kennel Club permit
dogs with docked tails to enter competitions? If dogs with docked tails were banned from
competitions, illegal docking by breeders would stop. I believe the Kennel Club are
actively encouraging illegal docking by failing to ban dogs with docked tails.
Jane
Moody
Tail
docking is not illegal, provided the operation is performed by a veterinary surgeon and in
view of this fact, the decision concerning this procedure is one that rests with the breeders
and their veterinary advisers. The Kennel Club of course adheres to the law of the land and
therefore allows exhibitors to enter either docked or undocked dogs at dog shows. The Kennel
Club is NOT, as you contend, “actively encouraging illegal docking” and quite frankly I take
exception to that accusation. Dogs are judged to their relevant Breed Standards, and the
Kennel Club has issued a statement to judges that should they feel unable to judge a
customarily docked breed with a tail fairly, then they should refuse further judging
appointments. For the past couple of years, The Kennel Club Breed Standards and Stud Book
Committee has liaised closely with individual Breed Clubs and Councils in order to amend the
Breed Standards by adding a full tail clause for those breeds which are customarily docked.
More and more dogs are appearing in the show ring (including Crufts) with tails, and indeed,
a number of Champions have now been made up in different breeds that are customarily docked,
which shows that judges are adhering to the Kennel Club’s request. The Kennel Club’s view on
docking is that this should be a matter of choice and we are lobbying for this point of view
at every opportunity. This is particularly important for some working breeds such as
spaniels.
Q.
I have been running my dog for around four years. I am eligible to enter
the YKC competitions. The problem is the dogs I'm running against are the top dogs in the
country, not even trained by the person running them, so I end up competing against these dogs
whom I don't stand a chance against. The people running them have never trained the dog in
their life. Is it the KC's intention to encourage this?
Ashley
Peach (16)
The
issue you highlight in your question, was recognised by the YKC Management Team, which has
therefore introduced a class specifically for those who actually train their own dogs.
Although I would point out that in some instances it would be quite impossible and
unreasonable for some of the younger members of the YKC to have trained their own dogs.
Therefore, we think that it would be unfair to preclude these members from enjoying agility
competitions by requiring that all handlers must have trained the dog with which they are
competing.
Q.
Why
do all the dogs we wish to take with us to an Agility show have to be registered with the KC?
It seems unfair that if, for instance, I'm looking after my Mum's dog for her and, therefore
have to take it to a show with me, I have to put it on the working register and, of
course, pay for the privilege of doing so.
Lu
Carter
I
am sorry that you do not feel it is worth registering your Mum’s dog with the Kennel Club.
The Kennel Club is pleased to be able to offer a number of high quality services to those who
register their dogs and who enter KC licensed shows and trials. In backing a Kennel
Club licensed event, the Kennel Club will guarantee amongst other things, that the event is
organised to a high standard, that the health and safety of the competitors is paramount,
that the awards gained have a value, that the judges set their courses with the safety of the
dogs in mind and that the obstacles are not dangerous to competitors. There are many
other benefits which the Kennel Club can offer its supporters which would make a once for a
lifetime payment of Ł12 to register your dog on the Obedience and Working Trial Register
excellent value
for money. Please see the Kennel Club website for more information
www.the-kennel-club.org.uk.
Q. What
is the Kennel Club planning to do to celebrate the victory of the Large Dog Team and the
Agility World Championships in Lievin,
France. Debbie & Lee Broadhurst
I‘m
pleased to be able to confirm that a parade of the World Championship Team will be included
in the Crufts main ring programme on Friday evening, after the Agility Championship
presentations. That should help to get it the maximum TV and Press publicity and is an apt
way to celebrate the great performance. Bill Hardaway, the KC Vice Chairman, and I were very
pleased to be present to see the UK Team receiving its Trophy, and we will be just as proud
to see the Team in the big ring at Crufts!
(02/04/2008)
Q. Why
is it that non-KC pedigree agility dogs cannot compete in international events?
Lynne McEwan
Events outside the UK are not governed by the Kennel Club. National events in other countries
are governed by the individual kennel clubs of these countries and it depends on their rules.
Some do allow non-pedigree dogs to compete.
The International competitions and championships held in countries which
are members of the FCI are governed by its regulations and so far, it has refused, as has the
American Kennel Club, to bring in any dogs other than pedigree dogs. We have been lobbying
them very strongly for some time now to allow non pedigree dogs to compete in agility and
obedience competitions, but their regulations have not yet been altered.
At our last meeting with the FCI, they said they couldn’t extend to
non-pedigree dogs because their constitution didn’t allow it. I suggested that constitutions
could be changed!! We must have made some progress for in the latest issue of the FCI
Magazine, it's President Hans Muller addresses the issue publicly for the first time as far
as I am aware.
He says, while talking about the recent World Show in Germany where non
purebred dogs were present 'We can rightly have divided opinion about the subject. On the one
hand, this kind of competition does not fit with the title ‘Purebred Dog Show’ on the other
hand we cannot deny that the problems concerning non-purebred dogs are also ours today, in
simple words we are all in the same boat. Today dog owners are going through difficult times
and a too elitist breed thinking is no longer appropriate.'
I can assure you that this kind of comment from the President of the FCI is
progress indeed! I can also assure you that we will keep plugging away at this – it may take
some time, but we’ll get there in the end!
(02/04/2008)
Q. How
is the sport of agility represented on the General Committee?
Enid Buckland-Evers
The Chairman of the Working Trials, Obedience and Agility Sub-Committee
(WTOA) is a member of the General Committee and, therefore, represents the interests of his
Committee there. In case you were unaware, the WTOA Committee itself has a high proportion of
Agility enthusiasts having been elected through the Agility Council, through the Kennel Club
Agility Associates route and others nominated by the General Committee. Items come from the
Council first to the WTOA and are then normally simply agreed by the General Committee.
Sometimes things are sent back to the Sub Committee for re-consideration, but most requests
are approved. In addition of course, all of the KC Sub Committees and the General Committee
itself, have the ability to invite specialist people along to make presentations etc.
(02/04/2008)
Q. Speaking
as someone relatively new to agility
and very keen to start judging, when is this training and approval of
judges likely to start? Is it soon or within a couple of years? Moreover where are the courses
likely to be held because if it is all down South does that mean there will be no new judges
eligible in Scotland unless they make a significant trip at their own expense.
Simon Green
The Training Programme will be rolled out at the beginning of next
year. The Kennel Club is currently working towards appointing Accredited Trainers for Agility
Judges. Hopefully they will not all live in the South! They will be able to deliver the
Regulations and Judging Procedure Seminars and to conduct the examination. The scheme will
run on a voluntary basis for a couple of years before it becomes mandatory for prospective
judges to attend these seminars and pass the examination. We are also in the process of
preparing a Guide to Agility Judges which will be available for purchase and a number of
other documents for use by the Accredited Trainers.
(02/04/2008)
Q. You
are trying very hard to increase the KC membership. This is welcome news for Agility. A larger
membership will, with hope, mean more members with knowledge of and experience in
Agility/Flyball, Obedience, Working Trials and Heelwork to Music. Some of these new members
from disciplines other than Show might be elected to the General Committee so that they may
take part in making executive decisions. I am pretty sure that many KC agility customers know
very little about your efforts. Would it not be a good idea to let your customers know what
your plans are? There would, I am certain, be much support. Could a greater understanding
encourage those, who wish to serve their sport at the top, to apply for membership?
Martin Pollard
Yes. In fact you have done a good job in your question, of explaining what we are trying to
do – and that is to widen the base of the Kennel Club membership as much as we can. It used
to be that you could only join the Kennel Club if you were invited by two existing KC members
to do so. That’s no longer the case and now people who have been KC Associates for 5 years
can apply to be admitted as a full KC Member and indeed many have done so successfully this
year. My big disappointment is that not more people come along wanting to be KC Associates.
In fact since we announced our plans to allow applications – even fewer people have become KC
Associates than before! Maybe it’s the cost of Associateship and Membership which discourages
people from joining- but there is certainly no bar of any kind on Agility people taking part
as Associates or Members. Nothing would please me more than to have more Agility people
involved at the highest level at the KC as long as they have the interests of the dog at
heart and are able to look at all of the wide aspects which the KC covers. Agility is
currently the fastest growing part of all KC activities and ought to be better represented.
(02/04/2008)
Q. We've
heard that the YKC budget has been cut this year. What provision has been made to promote
agiity to the Under 18s at national level? At club level?
Anon
I was not aware of the YKC budget being reduced this year. Perhaps ‘Anon’ would like to let
me know who told them that was the case!
(02/04/2008)
Q. All
YKC competitors, including myself, are under the age of 18. Although it is unfair not to be
able to include the younger age groups photos due to this KC 'policy' surely a photo or two,
even if only representing the MINORITY (18-25 yr olds) of the YKC competitors would be
acceptable by the KC, and would show that the YKC handlers are as important as any other! It
seems yet again the KC need to review their "policies" as their so called 'protection of
children' means that they are the cause of many children missing out on the glory they deserve,
this glory being the encouragement many of them need!
Amy Hill
It is very understandable that some YKC members are 'missing out on the glory they deserve.'
However, the YKC Management Team take their responsibilities very seriously and the best
advice they have received is that for the protection of members it is not advisable to
publish names with photographs.
(02/04/2008)
Q. Just
over a year ago I ran with my first dog in an agility competition. I was told I would have to
register him with the K.C. because they were the 'Governing body' for this sport. Whilst
reassured by the thought that the sport was governed by such a reputable body, I have been
disturbed to see equipment which could be dangerous to my dog. Could we see the K.C's
specifications for equipment, safety policy and details of risk assessments for each piece of
equipment used?
John Statton
The Kennel Club has very specific requirement for the various obstacles used in
Agility Competitions these requirements are printed in the Club’s H Regulations and are
available for everyone. These Regulations also contain very specific instructions that the
safety of the dog is of paramount importance. All involved in Kennel Club events are required
to abide by these Regulations, therefore the show organisers and the judges have a very
specific responsibility to ensure that the equipment provided is safe and that the courses
are designed with safety in mind. Ultimately the competitor should assure themselves that the
course is safe to use, and if not speak with the show organisers and in the last resort
withdraw their dog from competition. (02/04/2008)
Q. We
are often told that agility is the fastest growing dog sport in the UK. What is your best
estimate of the number of people in the UK doing agility now? How many agility dogs are on the
Working Register? Ellen Rocco
Unfortunately
there is no official record of just how many dogs compete in Agility, however, as a ball park
figure there were two thousand competitors at the Longleat event this year. Agility is one
event which does not need to produce a show catalogue so therefore it is difficult to monitor
the numbers of dogs taking part. Perhaps this information is available from any of the show
service companies who organise entries for some of the shows? (02/04/2008)
Q. Why
are collars banned from the agility ring? I understand there are safety reasons for a collar
ban, but frankly the chance of an agility accident involving a collar pales into insignificance
when you consider the possibility of a dog being spooked at an outdoor show, probably miles
from home and taking off without a collar. The owner then has seven days to attempt to trace
the dog before it is rehomed or destroyed at whichever pound it ends up without its ID. Not all
small rescues scan for microchips. Also in the event of an agility accident such as falling off
the dog walk etc, it would be handy to be able to gently restrain a panicky dog by its collar
to check it over rather than grabbing its scruff and scaring it even more. Finally, though they
are private events, agility shows seem to take place in public areas-sport grounds/agricultural
showgrounds etc. Collars and ID are compulsory by law in such places.
Jayne Edwards
This
matter has been raised and discussed by the Agility Council sometime ago, though after some
discussion no conclusion could be reached on whether the Regulations required alteration.
However, if you believe there is a ground swell of opinion in favour of requiring all dogs to
wear collars whilst competing, then please do put a proposal forward to the Agility Council,
so that discussion can take place in clubs across the country. (02/04/2008)
Q. What
is the Kennel Club policy regarding independent agility shows which are being announced for
2004? Is there any way that an independent club or organisation could obtain a KC licence?
Ellen Rocco
This is
a question which has just recently been raised and which the Kennel Club is investigating.
There are a large range of points which would have to be ironed out if such a proposal was
given the go ahead,
but as I have said the proposal is being studied. We really would like all Agility events to
be covered in some way by the KC as we feel that all of our efforts, if we all combined
together, would add up to greater than the individual parts. Hopefully we will find some
solution to this which would enable everyone to have some links to the KC- but only if they
wanted to, of course.
(02/04/2008)
Q.
Regarding the
'up' contacts', why do we have them for the A-frame? Long striding dogs such as Lurchers/GSDs -
in fact, anything leggier than a BC - are at risk of injury when the A-frame 'up' is enforced.
My Lurcher always gets the contact (just!) with his back paws, but we have been faulted because
unless the contact is hit with the front feet, the judge can often assume it has been missed. I
began to slow my dog down to ensure he adjusted his stride and hit the contact with his front
feet, but the resulting loss of balance and momentum put a lot of strain on his hind quarters.
Several injuries later, I now let the A-frame 'up' look after itself. This may sound like sour
grapes, but I have seen other dogs injured in this way. A young GSD at our club has never
worked again after injuring herself scrabbling too slowly up the A-frame.
Jayne Edwards
This matter has been at the centre of much discussion at the Agility Council meetings
this year as well as at meeting of the Working Trials, Obedience and Agility Sub-Committee.
After long discussion the consensus was that the Regulations did not require alteration to
instruct judges to mark the A-frame differently. (02/04/2008)
Q.
What are the Kennel
Club proposals for relieving the blockage in some of the classes due to the number of
competitors in some levels? At present due to the size, the people in Novice classes are not
able to move up and many people do not want to move up.
Anon
As
with the above question this subject has also been extensively discussed over the past few
years, however despite a number of proposals having been considered, there was insufficient
support to change the present system. (02/04/2008)
Q.
Would it be possible to have
better coverage of the sport of agility in The Kennel Club Gazette? Field Trials have a double
page spread every month and a separate listing of trials while agility is barely mentioned and
our shows are 'lost' amongst the obedience shows.
John Leslie
The Kennel Gazette relies very much on contributors to fill its pages,
therefore if you want coverage of any particular agility competition, please submit an
article. The agility content of the Kennel Gazette is co-ordinated by the WTOA Agility
representatives, so please speak to them and get them to send material in to us. There’s no
reluctance on the KC’s part to include agility news there. (02/04/2008)
Q.
What is your personal
definition of 'harsh handling?' I see more than I would like of my definition of harsh handling
- outside the ring obviously! Jayne Edwards
It would be quite impossible to give a complete definition of “harsh handling”. In my
experience the quality of the evidence in the cases, which come forward for consideration by
the various Kennel Club Sub-Committees, can differ enormously. I have to say that each case
is considered on its merits based on the evidence supplied. The circumstances surrounding
cases differ substantially as well and it’s very difficult to lay down one hard and fast
definition. The over-riding principle must be to ensure the welfare of the dogs concerned but
we also have to consider the public’s position as well. In the case of a dog fight sometimes
drastic measures need to be used to break things up – but in the case of a dog just not doing
exactly what it is told, even much less drastic treatment would not be justified. This is not
an easy question to answer and we have to let the committees examine the evidence and make
their decisions accordingly. (02/04/2008)
Q.
Are there any plans to
a permanent memorial to Peter Meanwell, one of the founding fathers of agility, who died a few
years ago? Ellen Rocco
The
Kennel Club is extremely proud of the fact that Peter Meanwell was the founding father of
Agility and that’s why the trophy now on offer for the Agility Championship has been named
after Peter. I worked with him on the General Committee for a number of years and found him
to be a very clear thinking and measured person. He was also very modest about his
achievements. If there are any other ideas about how to commemorate his great contribution to
dogs in general and to Agility in particular I’d be pleased to hear them. The Rugby World Cup
Trophy is called after the boy who first picked up the ball and ran with it in a football
match at Rugby School – no reason why we shouldn’t do something similar to commemorate Peter
Meanwell. That would certainly have my support. (02/04/2008)
Q. What
is the Kennel Club doing to promote agility to all breeds, not just collies?
The answer to this question is really the same as that of question 2 above. The Kennel
Club will continue to lobby overseas for the inclusion of non-pedigree dogs in overseas
competitions. As far as the home scene is concerned, the General Committee will continue to
listen to proposals from the clubs via the Agility Council and to be open to discuss any
issues relating to the future of Agility. (02/04/2008)
From Martin Pollard...
Congratulations on your Ronnie Irving Q and A page. I hope it will generate a lot
of discussion. I think he will have an enormous impact on the KC if he can get enough support.
(07/01/04)
From John Statton...
Brilliant, fantastic. You pulled it off! I wish I could speak with such enthusiasm about some
of his answers. The object of the exercise is not to 'hammer' Ronnie Irvine but to get positive
results. I have gained respect for him taking on this task but feel that some of the answers
were rather vague. (07/01/04)
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