The Kennel Club is set to enhance its Breed Watch system from January 2025, implementing several changes aimed at improving the health monitoring of dogs at shows.

The updates include a revised health monitoring form for judges, strengthened veterinary health check guidelines, and the reclassification of three dog breeds.

This follows a review by the Kennel Club’s Breed Standards and Conformation Group, comprising veterinary experts, breeders, exhibitors, and judges. Breed Watch, first introduced in 2013, serves as an “early warning system” to identify and monitor breed-specific health and welfare issues.

The system forms part of every breed standard and enables anyone in the dog show community to observe, report, and monitor potential conformational problems that could impact dog health. Judges are required to complete mandatory health monitoring forms, which have now been updated for all breeds.

Mandatory Health Monitoring Form for All Breeds

From October 2024, the updated health monitoring form will become mandatory for judges at championship shows across all breeds, regardless of their category. This revised form aims to provide a more accessible and streamlined way for judges to report health concerns, enhancing its role as an early warning system. The changes are intended to ensure consistency in monitoring and help the Kennel Club track health issues more effectively.

Additionally, the veterinary health check guidelines have been updated to be non-breed specific. The Kennel Club will also establish a communication channel for show veterinarians to provide them with better support, ongoing training, and guidance.

Reclassification of French Bulldog, Basset Hound, and Bloodhound

As part of the 2025 updates, three breeds will be reclassified within the Breed Watch system. The French Bulldog and Basset Hound will be moved to Category 3, while the Bloodhound will be reclassified to Category 2. These changes will come into effect from 1 January 2025.

The three Breed Watch categories are as follows:

  • Category 1: Breeds with no current Breed Watch points of concern.
  • Category 2: Breeds with points of concern, typically related to visible conditions that could cause health or welfare issues.
  • Category 3: Breeds with more severe points of concern, requiring additional monitoring and proactive measures. Best of breed winners in this category must undergo veterinary health checks at general and group championship shows.

With the French Bulldog and Basset Hound moving to Category 3, best of breed winners at championship shows, including Crufts, as well as potential champions, will be required to pass veterinary health checks before their awards are confirmed. For Bloodhounds, which will move to Category 2, the requirement for veterinary checks will be removed.

Strengthening Health and Welfare Measures

The Kennel Club will continue working closely with these breeds to provide support through health and welfare initiatives. Although the Bloodhound is being reclassified to Category 2, collaboration with the Bloodhound Breed Health Co-ordinator will remain in place. This ongoing work includes the breed’s Health and Conservation Plan, which monitors conditions that may not be visible in the show ring. The Kennel Club will also continue to track mandatory judges’ health reports to ensure progress is maintained in addressing visible conformational concerns.

Ian Seath, Chairman of The Kennel Club’s Breed Standards and Conformation Health Group, spoke about the importance of Breed Watch in ensuring the health and welfare of dogs exhibited at shows. “Breed Watch enables us to work with our communities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs at dog shows and supports this aim through health monitoring, reporting, and educational materials,” he said.

Breed Watch is a fluid system, with breeds moving between categories as their health status changes. According to Seath, factors like the growth in a breed’s popularity, breeding practices, and conformational issues can all influence reclassification decisions. The Kennel Club urges breeders, judges, and exhibitors to familiarise themselves with the guidance available on recommended health tests and the health and conservation plans accessible via the organisation’s website.

Seath also encouraged those involved with dog shows to review the updated Breed Watch points of concern and guidelines ahead of the changes in January 2025. The information can be found on The Kennel Club’s website and includes advice on completing health monitoring forms.

Expanded Monitoring and Health Initiatives

In addition to the updates announced in January, The Kennel Club will continue expanding the Breed Watch system. This includes a new digital health monitoring form for judges, updated points of concern wording for all breeds, and the introduction of a requirement for Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs to have a Respiratory Function Grading scheme assessment before entering Crufts from 2025.

The Kennel Club’s commitment to championing the welfare of dogs remains a priority. These changes aim to help ensure that dogs exhibited at shows are healthy and free from conformational issues that could impact their wellbeing. Seath expressed gratitude to the Breed Health Co-ordinators and the wider breed communities for their efforts in improving the health of dogs across the UK.