The Kennel Club Assured Breeder scheme (formerly known as the Accredited Breeder 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.

As with many things, nothing is perfect and this includes the Assured Breeder Scheme. However, the Scheme is a ‘step in the right direction’ & is being improved and strengthened as it matures.

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. Additionally, many reputable breeders are not happy that 'commercial' breeders are eligible for membership. Whilst the KC confirm that 'puppy farmers' (the type of breeder that raises their pups in squalor) are not eligible, many breeders also consider large scale 'commercial' breeders as the more ‘acceptable’ version of a puppy farmers and therefore they should also be denied membership.

The KC's 'two-tier' registration systems

Currently the KC operate a two-tiered registration system, one is the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme the other the ‘regular’ system. With the ABS, a 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. Given that large volume breeders & 'puppy farmers' are able to register puppies with the KC, it does mean that there are instances of less than reputable 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 Assured Breeder status.

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 & 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 Assured 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 24 in total) who are actively working their way through visiting & inspecting all their current members’ facilities in addition to inspecting breeders who have bred more than 2 litters in the previous 12 months at the point of application to join. By 2010, 500 breeders had been visited and 20% of those were 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 and/or two untested animals together. 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 Assured 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 Assured 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. Mandatory testing required: OptiGen PRA and OptiGen/Antagene FN testing and KC/BVA Eye Screening (for GPRA). KC/BVA Hip Scoring and Glaucoma testing are not mandatory. 
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 Assured 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.

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. Assured Breeders should participate in any breed health survey or other health initiatives in their breed.

Other Requirements - Not Published or Publicised by The Kennel Club:

The Kennel Club have a number of requirements they expect Assured Breeders to adhere too, they are not published as part of the scheme literature or indeed on the scheme application form.

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 Assured 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 2 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 Assured 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 Assured Breeders register a litter

Every time an Assured 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 Assured Breeders sell their puppies

Assured 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 Assured 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 Assured Breeders are monitored and compared with orders for additional puppy sales wallets. If Assured 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 Assured Breeders sign a declaration as follows:

“I have read and understood the requirements of being an Assured Breeder and I undertake to comply with them and hereby apply to be a Kennel Club Assured 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 Assured 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 Assured 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 Assured 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 Assured 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.