The Kennel Club has initiated the first phase of a project aimed at gathering feedback from puppy buyers regarding their experiences with Kennel Club-registered breeders.
This move is part of a broader effort to enhance support and education for both breeders and buyers.
The newly launched feedback form is designed to collect detailed insights directly from those who have purchased puppies. The Kennel Club intends to use this information to build a comprehensive understanding of breeder behaviour and the level of support provided to puppy buyers. By gathering data on various aspects of the purchasing experience, the Kennel Club aims to tailor future educational resources and support initiatives for breeders.
The feedback form covers a range of important factors, including whether the buyer received a puppy pack and puppy contract, the provision of health and registration certificates, and the pedigree of the puppy. Buyers are also asked to confirm whether the puppy was vaccinated, vet-checked, seen in its home environment, and microchipped prior to sale.
Part of a Wider Registrations Review
This feedback initiative is part of the Kennel Club’s broader registrations review project, which seeks to improve best practices among breeders who register with the organisation. Recently, the Kennel Club has also taken several steps to support this goal, including the introduction of a free puppy pack and engaging with the breeding community on a new Health Standard. This standard aims to offer clear, evidence-based guidance on health testing priorities for different breeds.
Bill Lambert, the Kennel Club’s Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive, emphasised the importance of this project, stating: “We want to give the best possible support to breeders who register with us and ensure buyers have a positive puppy buying experience. To achieve this, it is important that we gain insight into the level of service being delivered by our breeder community.”
The Kennel Club plans to gather feedback over a three-month period, after which the collected data will be reviewed. Based on the findings, the Kennel Club will consider shaping future educational and support initiatives for breeders to improve the overall experience for both breeders and buyers.
Future Steps in Supporting Breeders and Buyers
This feedback project is just one component of the Kennel Club’s ongoing efforts to refine and enhance the registration process. The organisation aims to provide clearer guidance and support to breeders while also offering puppy buyers more transparent information on best practices.
Lambert concluded by saying, “This is just one part of the wider registrations project, which aims to provide guidance and support to breeders and clearer signposting to puppy buyers about good practice. We want to support both breeders and puppy buyers now and in the future, based on knowledge and insights, and this is just one step in this direction.”
As the project progresses, the Kennel Club also hopes to build a stronger foundation of knowledge that will benefit the entire dog breeding community, ensuring a positive and informed experience for everyone involved.
