Hearing Dogs And The Kennel Club Celebrate The Accredited Breeder Scheme

June 18, 2010 - PRLog -- In 2007, Hearing Dogs celebrated its twenty fifth birthday at Crufts, and in the same year a Hearing Dog called Molly, won the annual ‘Friends for Life’ competition at the show.

Hearing Dogs is also a member of the Kennel Club’s Accredited Breeder Scheme. Their breeding scheme aims to provide dogs particularly well suited to the work of being an assistance dog, alerting a deaf person to sounds.

The Accredited Breeder Scheme is open to all breeders both large and small, who are willing to follow the basic requirements of responsible breeding. Most Scheme members breed infrequently, having just one litter a year, but those who breed more frequently can still become members providing that they adopt similar principles and good practice.

After a recent visit to Hearing Dogs’ national breeding centre in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, Bill Lambert, Health and Breeder Services Manager of the Kennel Club, said: “Hearing Dogs are a fantastic example of where dog breeding can be carried out on a slightly larger scale without any compromise to the health and welfare of their animals, and where the dogs they breed are healthy and truly fit for function.

”Many of their breeding dogs are looked after in family homes, and are supported by state of the art breeding facilities and the back up of a team of staff dedicated to the care and welfare of their animals. It is fantastic to see the wonderful work these dogs carry out for the charity.”

Bill’s visit was intended to check Hearing Dogs’ breeding procedures, and adherence to the guidelines of the scheme to maintain healthy, happy dogs. Bill is pleased to confirm that Hearing Dogs remain a great ambassador for the Accredited Breeder Scheme and declared that the Association passed his inspection “with flying colours”.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has been a member of the Accredited Breeder Scheme since 2008. Commenting on their breeding programme, Jane Tommey, Supply Manager for Hearing Dogs, said: “Every breeder, whether an organisation like us, or a family breeding just a single litter, should breed in a responsible way. It is important for us at Hearing Dogs to be part of the Accredited Breeder Scheme, as it demonstrates our commitment to responsible breeding and ensures that standards are maintained.”

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People breed dogs to be trained to help deaf people and alert them to everyday household sounds. It is the largest organisation in the world training hearing dogs.

The Accredited Breeder Scheme is in place to ensure the healthy breeding of puppies. This means that breeders have to comply with the high standards of welfare set by the scheme including the frequency and number of litters bred from a breeding bitch, and the maximum age for breeding.

Responsible dog ownership is a top priority for the Kennel Club, and through the Accredited Breeder Scheme it helps both breeders and prospective puppy buyers to maintain their responsibilities in terms of dogs’ health and vitality.
To look for a puppy bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder, please visit the Kennel Club’s Find a Puppy service at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/puppiesforsale.

ENDS
18 June 2010
[182.10]

For further press information, images or interview requests please contact:
The Kennel Club Press Office
020 7518 1008
press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk
www.thekennelclub.org.uk

Notes to editors
The Accredited Breeder Scheme currently has the following requirements:

Accredited Breeders must:
•   Ensure that all breeding stock is Kennel Club registered
•   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.
•   Follow Kennel Club policy regarding maximum age and number/frequency of litters
•   Permanently identify breeding stock by DNA profile, microchip, or tattoo
•   Make use of health screening schemes, relevant to their breed, on all breeding stock. These schemes include DNA testing, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
•   Give written, breed specific advice on:
a.   tendencies or potential traits in the breed
b.   socialisation, exercise or training
c.   feeding and worming programmes
d.   grooming
•   Inform the buyer in writing of any vaccination which has been carried out
•   Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice and endeavour to deal with any issues arising in good faith
•   Inform buyers of the requirements and the recommendations that apply to Kennel Club Accredited Breeders as well as the existence of the complaints procedure
•   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:
Accredited Breeders are strongly encouraged to:
•   Make sure that all facilities including whelping facilities accord with good practice
•   Follow any breed specific recommendations
•   Clearly lay out to the buyer in the contract of sale 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
•   Recommend that new owners take their puppy to a vet as soon as possible after taking delivery of it
•   Commit to help, if necessary, with the re-homing of a dog, for whatever reason, throughout the dog's lifetime
•   Participate in any breed health survey or other initiatives in the breed.