The Kennel Club (KC) is the oldest and most well-known kennel club in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1873, the organization is dedicated to the breeding, showing, and promotion of purebred dogs in the UK. The Kennel Club has a wide range of responsibilities, including maintaining a stud book for each recognized breed, registering litters and individual dogs, and organizing dog shows and events.

One of the most important roles of the Kennel Club is to maintain a stud book for each recognized breed of dog. This stud book contains information about all of the registered purebred dogs of that breed, including their pedigrees, breeding history, and any relevant health information. The Kennel Club also registers litters of puppies and individual dogs, ensuring that they are purebred and eligible for breeding.

Another important role of the Kennel Club is to organize and promote dog shows and events. The Kennel Club is responsible for organizing the world-famous Crufts Dog Show, as well as a number of other major dog shows and events throughout the year. These shows provide an opportunity for breeders, owners, and enthusiasts to showcase their dogs and compete against others in their breed.

In addition to its roles as a registry and event organizer, the Kennel Club also plays a vital role in promoting and protecting the welfare of dogs in the UK. The organization has a number of programs and initiatives in place to promote responsible breeding and ownership, as well as to educate the public about the importance of animal welfare. The Kennel Club also works closely with other organizations and government agencies to help improve the welfare of dogs in the UK.

Another important role of the Kennel Club is to provide education and training for dog owners and breeders. The organization offers a wide range of courses, seminars, and workshops on topics such as breeding, training, and showing dogs. The Kennel Club also publishes a variety of educational materials and resources for dog owners and breeders.

The Kennel Club also works to promote the responsible breeding of dogs, and is involved in research, health and welfare of dogs. This includes genetic research to help identify and reduce the risk of inherited diseases in dogs. The Kennel Club also operates a number of charitable foundations and programs to support the welfare of dogs in need.

Overall, the Kennel Club plays a vital role in the world of purebred dogs in the United Kingdom. The organization’s efforts to promote responsible breeding and ownership, as well as its commitment to the welfare of dogs, have helped to ensure that the UK’s purebred dog population is healthy, happy, and well-cared-for.

Recognised breeds
The Kennel Club divides dogs into 7 groups:

Hound
Working
Terrier
Gundog
Pastoral
Utility
Toy

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/