The general public and more specifically the potential puppy purchaser understandably believe that if a puppy is 'registered' and has a written pedigree that this is some kind of endorsement of the quality and healthcare associated with the breeding and raising of the puppy. Well that shouldn't be any surprise as registration appears to be an official term and leads one to assume that in order for the puppy (and breeder) to be registered, some kind of vetting and verification process has been carried out by the registrar of the relevant organisation. Don't be fooled. Registration is purely the recording of information for a fee and the issuing of the associated documentation. It has absolutely nothing to do with quality, healthcare or anything else. Does the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths only register information after some kind of vetting procedure? No, provided there is sufficient evidence that the event occurred, then it will be recorded in the register and hence be registered. So, how does this relate to the registration of puppies?

There is only one registration system that permits the puppy to be exhibited and used for breeding for future puppy registrations. That is the Kennel Club Registration Scheme. Registration is made by the breeder and the puppy must be the progeny of a dog and a bitch who are also Kennel Club registered. Similarly, if the puppy is eventually used to breed from, this registration permits the progeny also to be registered (provided the other dog/bitch is also KC registered). This scheme also allows the breeder to place restrictions on the puppy, however these restrictions only apply within the KC system. A breeding restriction for example, does not stop the puppy being used to breed from, but just stops the progeny from being allowed to be registered with the Kennel Club.

Obviously being the gold standard in terms of registration schemes (and the most expensive) the Kennel Club Registration of a puppy is presumed to mean the highest level of quality, healthcare and breeding conditions. If that is the case, how is it that known 'puppy farmers' use this scheme as if they were reputable breeders. We asked the Kennel Club a series of specific questions on this matter and they failed to answer one. However, their reply was rather enlightening. Firstly, they have a different and apparently more acceptable name for 'puppy farmers'. They refer to them as 'commercial breeders'. They also point out a number of reasons why it is better for them as an organisation to allow 'commercial breeders' to use their registration system. They say "It is extremely important that the Kennel Club avoids 'pushing breeders away'………... it is of the utmost importance for the Kennel Club to keep contact with as many new dog owners as is possible, as by so doing, the Kennel Club is better able to influence the welfare of dogs and promote responsible dog ownership."

In other words, they advocate that by allowing 'puppy farmers' to use their registration scheme, they are better able to influence the welfare of dogs. Yes, but in what way you have to ask yourself. Are they condoning or even supporting the practice and clearly not doing the welfare of the dogs in those establishments any favours whatsoever. Or is it something else altogether which is taking priority over the Kennel Club standing up against this practice. Well, there are a number of other registration schemes that have appeared in recent years which have no restrictions whatsoever. In fact, you can register your own dog at any time and any litter of puppies you may produce. In addition and unlike the Kennel Club, the registrations records are not made public and hence provide the ideal vehicle for registrations by 'puppy farmers'. It is common practice for 'puppy farmers' to register some litters with the Kennel Club and numerous others with the alternate schemes. As far as Joe Public is concerned, a registration is a registration, so does it matter?

None of the questions we put to the Kennel Club related to matters of finance, so we were surprised that in their response, they stated "We would like to emphasise most strongly that this is not a revenue issue for the KC." We have to assume this referred to the revenue received from registrations, perhaps we should have asked the question and like all the others we asked, it would have not received a direct reply. Although to be fair, the answer to one question could have been 'none' judging by the part of their reply referring to the subject matter of that question. The question was "What procedures exist for members of the public or other interested parties to report puppy farming activity and what action does the KC take in such eventualities?". In their response, the Kennel Club stated " When approached by local authorities, the RSPCA or Trading Standards Officers with regard to problems with breeders, the KC does everything in its power to assist and work with them."

The Kennel Club did point out that they have introduced a program for the Club Class breeder this year, the 'Accredited Breeder Scheme'. Clearly, we thought an opportunity to reward and differentiate the responsible breeder and to isolate the 'puppy farmers'. But sadly we were very disappointed when we reviewed the details of the Accredited Breeder Scheme. In order to join the scheme, the breeder must comply with a list of eleven specific requirements, all of which are already part of any responsible breeder's practice. In addition, there are 3 'recommendations', the first of which is "Make sure that whelping facilities accord with good practice". Sadly, this is only a recommendation, so you can be sure that it will frighten the 'puppy farmers' off then! Oh, and one more thing on this NEW scheme, it costs £15 to join and then £10 per year for subsequent years. So, we would like to emphasise most strongly that this is not a revenue issue for the KC either.

In summary, unless you want to eventually breed from your puppy and exhibit it or any of it's progeny, then a registration isn't worth the paper it's written on (which in the case of the KC's accredited breeder scheme will be a different colour to the commoner's ones). The really unfortunate fact is that registrations exist and whatever form they take, despite meaning absolutely nothing, give the potential puppy purchaser the clear impression that it is a stamp of quality and health. The true test is to visit the breeder's premises yourself (something NONE of the registration organisations ever do), see the conditions, the puppies parent or parents and make your own mind up. Despite those adorable puppy eyes, we would also suggest you read our puppy buyers guide before you leap into something that might have some unexpected and distressing consequences.

See the other articles in this series

1. Thinking of buying a puppy? - Educate Yourself