Latest news with #TheKennelClub
South Wales Guardian
24-06-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Cross Hands man bred Dobermann puppies without a licence
Michael Watts, 74, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting two offences under the Animal Welfare Act. Watts was described as having run 'a successful and a good business' breeding Dobermann puppies. 'There is no suggestion any animals came to any harm,' Ms Griffiths said, representing Carmarthenshire County Council. 'This is an issue of excessive breeding and carrying on without a licence.' The court heard Watts was an experienced dog breeder, having done so since at least 2002, and he was registered with The Kennel Club. In May 2022, the council received information about alleged illegal breeding at Watts' property. Following an inspection, Watts was refused a licence and was given time to make changes to his business. He was subsequently granted a licence in July 2023. He was accused of breeding three or more litters within a 12-month period without a licence and selling dogs as pets in the course of a business without a licence. The charges were dated between 2019 and 2022 and from September 2021 to July 2023. Ms Griffiths said Watts had bred a minimum of 87 puppies within those periods, and he had posted adverts online for them. 'It was never Mr Watts' intention to break the law,' said Quentin Hunt, in mitigation. 'Mr Watts prides himself on being an expert in the breeding of Dobermanns.' Mr Hunt said Watts took exception to the licence scheme's 'cookie-cutter approach' which applied to all breeds of dogs. He said one example was the licence conditions required puppies to have access to toys at all times, however Watts said Dobermanns will destroy any toys they had – causing a choking hazard. 'There was a back and forth between him and the local authority,' Mr Hunt said. 'His failure to get the licence involved him nit-picking issues as far as he saw a failure of the licence scheme for looking after the dogs. 'That was born out of his consideration for the animals rather than trying to break the law. 'He should have swallowed his pride.' At a hearing on May 16, it was agreed that Watts, of Pontardulais Road, had profited from his offending by £196,827.63. He was determined to have an available amount in the same sum, and a confiscation order was made. Swansea Crown Court heard Watts now disputed this agreement, claiming he was not in the right frame of mind at the time having recently been discharged after 'major surgery'. Judge Huw Rees said this was the first time this had been raised, and determined it was simply 'a change of mind' by Watts. He rejected the application as there had been 'no material change in circumstances' and the confiscation order of £196,827.63 was upheld. Judge Rees sentenced Watts to a six-month conditional discharge, and he was ordered to pay £470 in costs.
Telegraph
12-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Rare Hungarian dog becomes latest British pedigree
It has ancient origins and a rich history that dates back several centuries. But now the Hungarian Mudi has been handed an official seal of approval in the UK after The Kennel Club announced plans to recognise the breed. From next month the Mudi will become the 225th pedigree to be recognised in Britain, following the Icelandic Sheepdog which was added to the list in April. Known traditionally as a herding dog, the breed is noted for its curly coat, erect ears and exceptional intelligence. Its loyal and affectionate nature also makes it a great companion for owners. The breed will join The Kennel Club's register on July 1 before eventually moving onto the main breed register - paving the way for it to compete for the best in show title at the world-renowned dog show Crufts. Charlotte McNamara, spokeswoman for The Kennel Club, said: 'We're pleased to officially recognise this versatile Hungarian herding dog as a pedigree breed in the UK. 'Becoming a recognised pedigree breed with The Kennel Club takes time and several generations of dogs, but once a breed is officially recognised, it means we can be confident in its lineage and that it offers predictable traits - like temperament, health, exercise and grooming needs - which helps match dogs with the right home and owner.' The Mudi's origins can be traced back to ancient times - though it was not formally identified until 1936. It tends to be medium in size and has a similar stature to the Border Collie. They usually have a wavy coat that is medium in length and ranges from black and white to merle patterns. It is also not unusual for Mudi puppies to be born without a tail as the length for the breed varies, leaving some with bobtails whilst others have full length ones. 'Still primitive' Dorit Powell, from the Hungarian Mudi Club in the UK, said: 'The Mudi is razor-sharp, thinks independently, and is an affectionate, fiercely loyal family member. 'They are suitable for most types of living, as long as they are provided with a job or similar mental and physical stimulation, and their human companions can accept their breed-characteristic vocal and herding behaviour. 'Prospective and new owners should be aware that this mid-size breed is still primitive. 'Mudis love to please and work best with variation, patience, positive reinforcement and a strong bond with their handler. They should research not only the breed but also existing lines and consult with breeders to ensure they obtain a dog suitable for their lifestyle and intentions.' DNA tests The breed is the fifth to be recognised in the UK in the last five years. It follows the Icelandic Sheepdog in April, the Polish Hunting Dog in 2024, the Pyrenean Sheepdog in 2021 and the Barbet in 2020. The term ' pedigree dog ' is used to refer to a dog within a breed that is recognised by The Kennel Club, the oldest recognised canine club in the world, and that has traceable ancestry going back several generations on both sides. Pedigree dogs are predictable in terms of their temperament and physical appearance and their exercise, grooming and general care needs. Because their ancestry is known, it is also possible to predict any health problems that might arise and to develop DNA tests for those conditions, which breeders can use before selecting their breeding dogs.
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Famous breed of dog is dying out with barely any puppies born
Famous breed of dog is dying out with barely any puppies born The breed is facing an uncertain future after recording its lowest annual puppy births since records began, whereas once they numbered in the thousands One type of dog breed is proving far less popular than was once the case (Image: Shared Content Unit ) The Smooth Fox Terrier, a quintessentially British breed and the recognisable face of the HMV mascot, is facing an uncertain future after recording its lowest annual puppy births since records began. Once among the top ten most popular breeds a century ago, with nearly 3,000 puppies registered annually at its height, this small terrier breed has recently been classified as a vulnerable native breed by The Kennel Club due to dwindling numbers. A mere 45 puppies were born in 2024, marking the lowest ever number recorded for the breed. Several other iconic British breeds have also had a concerning start to the year. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The Airedale Terrier has been added to the 'At Watch' list for the first time – a category for breeds with between 300 and 450 annual puppy births - while both the Yorkshire Terrier and Shetland Sheepdog have recorded their lowest numbers since 1944 and 1946 respectively. The Scottish Terrier, which was added to The Kennel Club's 'At Watch' list last year, has seen a further decline, with last year witnessing the breed's lowest-ever annual puppy births, amounting to just 387 puppies. Article continues below Toy fox terrier puppies Despite the worrying trend, other quintessential British dog breeds reported a significant rise in popularity last year. Notable beneficiaries of this surge include the Rough Collie and Cairn Terrier. Having previously featured on the 'At Watch' list, the Rough Collie and Cairn Terrier secured a spot for themselves by documenting over 450 puppies in 2024. And in a remarkable upswing, a couple of vulnerable breeds reportedly recorded twice the number of the preceding year. For instance, the instantly recognisable Skye Terrier from the Magic Roundabout nearly doubled from a meagre 36 to 71, while the rather elusive Otterhound similarly increased its tally, reaching a considerable 42 in 2024 from 18 in 2023. Expressing concern at the figures Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Crufts, said: "The Smooth Fox Terrier was once one of our most popular breeds, and recognisable the world over as Nipper, the HMV dog, so these latest figures are a real cause for concern. "With 223 different breeds of dog, each with unique characteristics and personalities, we have such a rich diversity of dogs in this country but some are in real danger of disappearing forever, simply because many people don't know about them, meaning many people might not be getting the perfect match for them. "Opportunities to meet less popular breeds of dogs are limited, which is why we have a unique Discover Dogs area at Crufts where visitors can talk to experts and meet more than 200 breeds." Article continues below
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Electric shock collars for dogs in Scotland could finally be banned as new consultation launched
EXCLUSIVE: A potential ban in Scotland was first considered almost 20 years ago but they currently remain legal. A ban on remote-controlled shock collars for dogs is being considered by the Scottish Government despite an official review stating the evidence against them is inconclusive. The devices - which can be bought online for as little as £50 - are used to train pets by delivering an electronic pulse which can be administered by their owners through a handset. The use of such collars has long been a subject of controversy with some organisations claiming they cause pain and distress to dogs and that their use could not be justified. A potential ban in Scotland was first considered almost 20 years ago but they currently remain legal. An official review of the Animals and Wildlife (Scotland) Act 2020 has now concluded a new consultation should take place. After considering evidence gathered over the past 20 years it found there is 'no consensus' within the dog training industry or among dog owners on whether a ban was needed. Opinion is also divided among dog breeding organisations, pet training and pet advisory organisations, vets, the police, farmers, and other groups. The review added: 'While there is a risk of misuse of these devices, as there is with many other training tools, the scientific evidence does not indicate that static pulse collars are inherently harmful to all dogs, and there is no evidence to suggest that they are more harmful than other aversive training devices in common use." But it concluded that a consultation on a ban should still take place, given that 10 years has passed since the previous one. It also highlighted a 2023 report by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, which concluded that on balance, shock collars should be banned. Holly Conway, head of public affairs at The Kennel Club, said she was strongly in favour of a ban. "While government guidance condemns their usage, an outright ban has been recommended by the independent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and is supported by the welfare, veterinary and positive dog training sector,' she told the 1919 current affairs magazine. "Evidence has shown time and again that they are outdated and unnecessary devices and so we urge the Scottish Government to ban them as a priority.' A spokesperson for the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Scotland said any ban would make it more difficult to train working dogs. "NFU Scotland recognises the need to safeguard animal welfare and supports proportionate, evidence-based regulation,' they said. "However, we would urge the Scottish Government to engage with the farming and rural community before introducing any ban on static pulse collars. "For many hill and upland farms, working dogs are essential tools for managing livestock safely and efficiently across difficult terrain. "In these contexts, remote training collars – used responsibly by trained handlers – can offer a humane and effective way of reinforcing critical commands at distance, reducing the risk of livestock stress or injury." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'As part of our review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) Act 2020, we considered whether or not further legal provisions are required on the use of collars that use a static pulse on animals. "To date, the only type of device recommended for a ban by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission is remote-controlled static pulse training collars, which they describe as e-collars. On this basis, we have committed to consulting on a potential ban of these specific devices."
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
One-eyed shih-tzu rescued from Torquay competes at Scruffts
One of 96 shih-tzus rescued from a breeding home in appalling conditions has just competed in Scruffts - the equivalent of Crufts for or Rhu, was among dogs described as "terrified" and "flea-infested" when rescued by the RSPCA from a property in Torquay, Devon in was taken to a rescue centre in Cornwall where vets attempted to treat a condition in her right eye, but were unable to save several months of rehabilitation, Lauraine Maddox from Bodmin adopted Rhu. While her pet did not win at Scrufts, Ms Maddox said she was extremely proud of her performance. Ms Maddox said she did not know how her dog would react during the contest at the NEC in Birmingham. She said: "You can't prepare for going out into a 7,000 seat arena with all the noise."She is a one-eyed dog with an awful history but she trusts me, and trusts that I will keep her safe."She trotted out there on her own accord. She needed a bit of convincing behind the scenes but I had treats in my back pocket and she blew me away."She did more than I could ever ask - she gave it everything. I am so proud of her. With the journey she has been on to see her trot out with such confidence is a big achievement - I'm just so so proud." Rhu was rehabilitated by the RSPCA for several months before she was ready to be rehomed in January was described by the charity as "very nervous" and with a "long road to recovery ahead".Ms Maddox said she had previously been a "collie girl" and they still have the family pet Ty who competes in agility was while attending one of these events at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge last year they happened to see a heat for Scruffts was going on at the same time."We paid £2 and entered Rhu in the prettiest bitch, and she won," Ms Maddox was then another heat in September where she qualified for the final, held on has had a DNA test which found she was 83% shih-tzu, 12% chihuahua, 3% pekingese and 2% lhasa apso."She is my princess - she is absolutely spoiled rotten", Ms Maddox Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition is run by The Kennel Club and recognises dogs whose parents are of two different breeds or a mixture of several breeds.
