On the KC Accredited Breeders Scheme application form see link page 3/4 http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/393/absappform.pdf

It states 'Accredited breeders must not use their ABS membership to sell,or promote, the breeding of crossbreeds or mixed breeds.'

If a dog breeder applies for KC accredited breeder status who at the prestent time breeds pedigree dogs but also breeds cross breeds of these pedigree breeds.  What is to stop this breeder selling the pedigree KC registered puppies under the KC accredited breeder scheme with the KC accreditation membership used in the advertisements and the crossbreeds in advertisements without the KC accreditatation being mentioned maybe under a mobile telephone number? How would the KC view this?

Then it goes onto say 'Accredited breeders should only normally only sell dogs bred by themselves.'

What is the situation if a dog breeder already licensed with their local Council both as a dog breeder and also in possession of a Pet Shop Licence under the Pet Animals Act 1951/91 (to enable them to buy in puppies to resell) when they apply for membership of KC accredited breeder scheme, is the KC likely or unlikely to accept their membership in view of the above and how strict is the KC with the above ruling?

The reason I am asking is that I am aware of a person who is a licensed breeder who is also in possession of a pet shop licence (buying in puppies but they say not being used at the moment) who has in the last month bred from 8 breeding bitches all with puppies of various ages some litters KC reg pedigree puppies others fashionable x breeds. They say they are going to apply to become an accredited breeder with the KC - the question I have asked the KC is would this be an acceptable membership for an accredited breeder, they have to date not replied therefore I thought maybe someone on here maybe able to advise me please?    

Are you going to Crufts? If so ask them there at the KC stand, they can't not reply in person

The KC has nothing on the ABS application that requires said person to give this information in the first place.  The KC do not check up on applicants to the ABS anyway.   The clue is in the wording "should only normally" - how open is that, it is meaningless. 

Harkback - This is my concern that if a person is in possession of both licences Dog Breeders and Pet shop licence issued by their local Council and then acquires KC accredited breeders status for their pedigree breeds then it rather makes a mockery of the scheme because that said person would be wearing both hats and advertising and selling puppies according to the hat they are wearing at the time. KC accredited breeder selling KC reg pedigree puppies according to the book, then breeding fashionable x breeds with pedigree only and not saying they are an accredited breeder (they could be selling these litters to a dealer) who would either sell the puppies themselves or sell onto a pet shop, or they could 'buy in' puppies under their pet shop licence to resell to the public. All this whilst being an accredited breeder, it does not make sense.

Why have the KC not noticed this I have made them aware on more than one occassion but I am still waiting for them to reply to my questions.   

> Why have the KC not noticed this I have made them aware on more than one occassion but I am still waiting for them to reply to my questions.

You will be waiting till the next millenium!  There are breeders on the scheme listed for 4 or 5 breeds as Accredited Breeders.  Breeds they have never even owned - yet, all you have to do is list whatever breed/s take your fancy at the time of application. 

Really think that the KC is letting down the good ethical breeders who have joined the ABS scheme - if they can't police it properly they must set up a department to follow up and check every complaint received even if most do turn out to be malicious or spiteful. It is no good having this system based on self assessment without the checks it is far to like the DLR system for comfort.

The KC have kicked a couple of breeders off the ABS for doing this, as I know the breeders in question and know they did this. Once they were alerted they did go and inspect the places and decided that these breeders were not suitable to be ABS breeders. While they don't always (rarely reply) they do work behind the scenes a lot and do check out any complaints sent to them. ( certain labrador breeder mentioned on another thread was kicked off after the KC rep had visited, the rep said in their opinion the breeder concerned was nothing more than a puppy farmer.

One thing which is annoying is that the KC cannot copy write the name nor as a trade name so anybody can use it. One puppy farmer near me used the KC logo then they were banned from using it the simply put on their web site that the were ABS breeders, when challenged on this they told people they were 'better than the KC ABS members as" they "were accredited by the RSPCA". Complete nonsense I suspect...

Today I recieved a reply to my query from the KC, you can read it below:-

Thank you for your message. A KC Accredited Breeder can be listed for a number of breeds and will need to meet the specific requirements under the scheme for each breed. The scheme  was primarily set up for breeders of purebred dogs but does have rules for breeders who breed crossbreeds - the KC cannot in law say that a breeder may not breed crossbreeds.

The rules are that members must not use the AB Status to promote the breeding of crosss breeds, all puppies must be KC Registered ( either companion dog club or activity register) and all relevant health tests must be carried out on the parent dogs. Evidenced breaches of these rules could result in suspension from the scheme.


The Scheme is open to all breeders who fulfil the requirements of the scheme and therefore the fact that a breeder happened to also own a Pet Shop licence would not, in itself,  prevent someone from being a member. However it is a fundamental expectation of the scheme that breeders will only normally breed dogs bred by themselves therefore in the scenario that you suggest  there could be a breach of scheme rules. If you able to provide evidence that a member of the Accredited Breeder Scheme is trading in animals in the way you suggest I can assure you that we will take appropriate action.



I trust this is helpful

Kind regards

Sue Swainson
Breeder Services Officer
The Kennel Club

 

So, if I understand that right, a labradoodle breeder could be a KC Accredited breeder of labradoodles?  If they health test their poodle and labs according to the breed requirements and register the puppies with the KC Companion dog club?!!?!!

No, it says:

"The rules are that members must not use the AB Status to promote the breeding of crosss breeds, "

but they must Health testing dogs they breed from according to the requirements for that breed.