KC takes action on ‘very large’ litters
18 Sep 2008 08:09
BREEDERS registering ‘very large’ litters will be asked to produce proof of the number of puppies whelped.
The Kennel Club said this week that it was taking action to ‘protect the integrity’ of its registration system.
The KC’s problem when allegations are made regarding incorrect submissions has been in obtaining proof that a registration is or is not correct. So, with immediate effect, it has introduced a policy whereby breeders of ‘overly large’ litters may be asked to provide evidence such as a letter from a vet or photographs.
The KC is recommending that breeders with unusually large litters pre-empt any subsequent queries by DNA parentage testing the puppies concerned.
Further details of parentage testing can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/463.
“For some time we have shared the concern of many people within the dog world regarding the increasing number of very large litters which appear to occur in some breeds,” said a KC spokesman.
Integrity
“We are now taking action to protect the integrity of our registration system which is initially based entirely on trust and we are keen to ensure that this trust is not abused in any way.
“While there is no doubt that larger-than-average litters sometimes do occur in this modern age of enhanced breeding facilities and veterinary assistance – and these are then subsequently registered by us in good faith – measures are now in place to confirm the veracity of such
registrations.”