The scheme aims to encourage "best practice" and is open to all breeders (including large scale commercial breeders & 'breeders' who haven't ever bred a litter!)

The Kennel Club should be applauded for attempting to improve the welfare of dogs and the puppies they register, however many reputable breeders do not feel they wish to be associated with the Scheme. Nothing is perfect and this includes the Accredited Breeder Scheme. However, the Scheme is a ‘step in the right direction’ & is being improved and strengthened as it matures. It is a shame that many established and reputable breeders do not feel able to support the Scheme, the Kennel Club needs the support of good breeders especially in the current climate of 'anti' pedigree dogs and their breeders!

One of the reasons why many good breeders do not join the scheme is based on the view that if the Kennel Club had the welfare of dogs & in particular, of puppies as a number one priority, litter registrations from unregulated breeders should not be accepted at all.

Currently the KC operate a two tiered registration system, one is the ABS the other the ‘regular’ system. With the ABS, breeder’s activities, the health testing of their dogs & the welfare of their dogs is prescribed. With the ‘regular’ system, only basic requirements are needed & sadly this doesn’t include mandatory health testing and given that large volume breeders are able to register puppies it does mean that there are instances of poor breeders registering their puppies with the Kennel Club.

The other drawback to this scheme is the fact that some members have joined for what they perceive to be the kudos associated with Accredited Breeder status. The definition of Accredited is "to give official recognition to" (Collins English Dictionary) and "given official approval" (Princeton University).

In the past, the puppy buying public seemed to think that buying a KC registered puppy was a sign that the breeder was reputable; many thought the Kennel Club had visited the breeder and were giving the breeder and their puppies a KC "seal of approval.” However, once the puppy buying public became aware that this wasn't the case; many breeders have rushed to join the KCACB Scheme.

Clearly if a breeder joins the scheme to demonstrate their commitment to the health, welfare and care of the puppies, they breed together with the care of the puppies’ mother and their dogs in general that is a plus point. However many have joined the scheme as a means to "validate" their business in the eyes of the public & not with any real intention of raising their standards. A breeder showing true commitment to the scheme will follow the requirements (because they are mandatory) AND the recommendations (because they are genuinely trying to do the best by their dogs and the puppies they breed.)

The Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme does not automatically guarantee a breeder is reputable. Unless a breeder has been personally visited by a KC Breed Advisor, there will be a significant number of poor breeders as members. Naturally, once visited & ‘inspected’ the number of poor breeders will decline. However, until ALL members have been visited (could take several years), it is wise for would-be owners to make their own assumptions & not just rely on a breeder’s membership of the Scheme as a foregone conclusion that they are a reputable & ethical breeder.

In 2010, The Kennel Club appointed 11 new breed advisors (making 14 in total) who are actively working their way through visiting & inspecting all their current members’ facilities in addition to inspecting some new members at the point of application to join. At the time of writing 500 breeders have been visited and 20% of those have been suspended due to infringements of the scheme requirements. A further 300 existing members have resigned to avoid an inspection.

In July 2010 it became MANDATORY for members (Cocker breeders) to DNA test for prcd-PRA & FN. Undoubtedly this will lead to further resignations from the Scheme, however it has never been right and proper for a breeder who does not demonstrate a commitment to the health of their puppies to be members of a Scheme promoting health & welfare.

No breeder should be breeding from dogs where their genetic status for hereditary disease is unknown. Sadly, there have been ABS members breeding untested bitches to proven ‘carrier’ stud dogs. This type of mating gives a high chance of producing ‘affected’ puppies & is totally unacceptable in any reputable ‘kennel’ and breeders acting so carelessly shouldn’t have the right to call themselves Accredited Breeders.

The integrity of the Scheme also relies to some extent, on feedback from puppy buyers via the form that accompanies each puppy sold by an Accredited Breeder. Every time a buyer purchases a puppy from an ACB the puppy owner should be supplied with a KC ‘feedback form’.

If you purchase a puppy from a breeder who is a member and you are not happy (i.e. you have reason to believe they are not complying with the terms of the scheme) you MUST advise the Kennel Club. Without this valuable information, the Kennel Club are unlikely to be aware that a breeder is not complying fully with the scheme until a stage where they are able to visit the breeder in person.

What are the Requirements?

1. Ensure that all breeding stock is Kennel Club registered, and take all reasonable steps to ensure that it is healthy and able to function normally (i.e. fit for function: fit for life.)
2. Hand over the dog's registration certificate at time of sale if available, or forward it to the new owner as soon as possible. Explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation from the new owner, at or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsement(s), regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available.
3. Follow Kennel Club policy regarding maximum age and number/frequency of litters.
4. Permanently identify breeding stock by DNA profile, microchip, or tattoo.
5. Make use of Kennel Club health screening schemes, relevant to their breed, on all breeding stock. These schemes include DNA testing: OptiGen PRA and OptiGen/Antagene FN testing; KC/BVA Hip Scoring and KC/BVA Eye Screening.
6. Give written, breed-specific advice in the Puppy Sales Wallet on: a) tendencies or potential traits in the breed b) socialization, exercise and training c) feeding and worming programmes d) grooming.
7. Inform the buyer in writing of any vaccination which has been carried out.
8. Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice and endeavour to deal with any issues arising in good faith.
9. Inform buyers of the requirements and the recommendations that apply to Kennel Club Accredited Breeders as well as the existence of the complaints procedure.
10. Draw up a contract of sale for each puppy and provide a copy in the Puppy Sales Wallet.

Expectations of Good Management:

1. Dogs should be housed in clean and comfortable conditions with adequate heat and ventilation with particular regard for the animals' health, age and breed.
2. Dogs should be provided with suitable and adequate food, drink and clean bedding material on a regular basis.
3. Dogs should be exercised and visited at suitable intervals, and should be in the care and supervision of a fit and responsible person.
4. A secure and safe environment should be provided, with sufficient space proportionate to the number of dogs kept to ensure good physical and mental wellbeing.
5. Arrangements should be in place to provide adequate exercise to ensure the dogs' physical and mental wellbeing.
6. Facilities available should be in a suitable and fit condition for the keeping of dogs and maintained or kept in a good state of repair.
7. Breeders are expected to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the dogs are kept under control and do not cause a nuisance to neighbours and visitors to the property.
8. Reasonable precautions should be taken to ensure prevention of the spread of infectious or contagious diseases, and facilities should be available for the treatment of dogs in an emergency.
9. Dogs should receive adequate grooming and veterinary treatment and records of any veterinary treatment should be easily accessible.
10. Arrangements or plans should be available for the transport of animals to and from the accredited breeder's establishment.

In addition, there are a number of recommendations:

1. Make sure that whelping facilities accord with good practice.
2. Follow any relevant breed specific recommendations.
3. The contract of sale should clearly lay out to the buyer the nature and details of any guarantee given e.g. time limit and/or any provisions for refund or return and replacement of puppy. If endorsements are being used the contract should also explain why these have been placed and under what circumstances they would be removed (if any). The contract should be signed and dated by both breeder and purchaser, showing that both have agreed to these terms.
4. Encourage new owners to take their puppy to the vet as soon as possible after taking delivery of it.
5. Commit to help, if necessary, with the re-homing of a dog, for whatever reason, throughout the dog's lifetime.
6. Accredited Breeders should participate in any breed health survey or other health initiatives in their breed.

Health Testing Requirements and Recommendations for Cocker Spaniels
Requirements for Health Screening of Breeding Stock last updated January 2010:	Recommendations for Breeding Stock last updated July 2010:**
1) Eye testing - including gonioscopy, 2) DNA test - prcd-PRA, 3) DNA test - FN	Hip scoring

** No automated checks can be made to ensure that Accredited Breeders are following recommendations, but all Accredited Breeders are strongly encouraged to do so. Copies of relevant certificates may be held on file at the Kennel Club.

How are the Kennel Club going to ensure the breeders ARE up to their standard and complying with their requirements?

Policing the Scheme

Recent consultation with breed clubs has highlighted a lack of awareness of policing measures used in connection with the Accredited Breeder Scheme. The Scheme is policed by the Kennel Club in the following ways:

Prior to acceptance

Acceptance of Membership - All applications will be fully considered.

• Further information and a Breeder Advisor visit may be required so that the Kennel Club is satisfied the breeder is fully capable of meeting the requirements of the scheme.
• An application may be subject to Committee approval by its Review Panel.
• An applicant must own a bitch of current breeding age of each of the breeds(s) listed.
• If an applicant has not previously registered a litter, their ABS membership will be held in a pending status until such time as they submit an application to register a litter.
• If an applicant has bred 5 or more litters during the previous 12 months, then a Breeder Advisor visit must be satisfactorily completed before membership is permitted.
• Any breeder subject to KC disciplinary penalties under Rule A42/43 will not be eligible for Accredited Breeder Scheme membership.
• The Kennel Club reserves the right to refuse an application.
• If the applicant is under 18 years of age then the parent/guardian must countersign the application by way of guarantee for the young person’s obligations and to agree to be bound by the Rules and Regulations and requirements of the Scheme on behalf of the young person.

When Accredited Breeders register a litter

Every time an Accredited Breeder registers a litter, the sire and dam of that litter are checked for compulsory permanent identification (microchip, tattoo or DNA profile are currently acceptable). In addition, both sire and dam are checked for compulsory health screening scheme results that are relevant to their breed. All the usual Kennel Club rules and regulations must be complied with.

When Accredited Breeders sell their puppies

Accredited Breeders are required to use ABS puppy sales (purple) wallets for every puppy that they sell. Included in these wallets is a 'feedback form' that the new owner is requested to return directly to the Kennel Club. There are questions on this form that inform the Kennel Club about the Accredited Breeder's compliance with aspects of the Scheme that they are not able to police in any other way, for example whether the breeder provided advice on training, feeding, socialisation etc.

Feedback forms come back to the Kennel Club every day, and almost without exception are complimentary about the breeder concerned. Where any problems are mentioned, these are taken up with the breeder.

Litters and numbers of puppies registered by Accredited Breeders are monitored and compared with orders for additional puppy sales wallets. If Accredited Breeders do not seem to be purchasing adequate supplies of wallets, they are contacted regarding this matter. The Kennel Club has the facility for further investigation, as upon joining the Scheme all Accredited Breeders sign a declaration as follows:

“I have read and understood the requirements of being an Accredited Breeder and I undertake to comply with them and hereby apply to be a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder. I will provide the Kennel Club upon request with the opportunity to review my compliance procedures and to investigate any anomalies or complaints. I accept that in the event of non-compliance, my name may be removed from the list of Accredited Breeders and I will no longer be entitled to use the Scheme literature or accreditation.” This ensures that the Kennel Club can investigate any complaints thoroughly.”

Breeder Adviser Visits

The breeder agrees that the Kennel Club may visit facilities upon giving reasonable notice.

If there are issues of concern arising from a visit and it is considered that the facilities fall short of the standards expected for an Accredited Breeder then this may result in the breeder being removed from the scheme or in some cases suspended pending improvements being made.

What happens if they breach any of the Scheme requirements?

• Temporary Suspension - at any time during the investigation of a complaint, a breeder may be suspended from using or operating under the scheme pending the conclusion of such an investigation. During such suspension, puppies must not be sold under the scheme & breeder's must not advertise themselves as Accredited Breeders.
• Grievance Procedure - there is a grievance procedure which will be followed in the case of a complaint by a purchaser of a puppy under the scheme. A copy of the Grievance Procedure is available from the Kennel Club on request.

For full information about the scheme visit the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme webpage.

In addition to the Scheme Requirements, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 stipulates that the owners of animals (in this instance dogs) have a 'Duty of Care' to the animals in their possession. To see more about this visit our Animal Welfare Act 2006 page.

Please see our "Questions To Ask" link for further information on what you should ask; what you should expect to see when you visit a breeder and for details on what a reputable breeder offers as part of their commitment to you and your new puppy.