A Guide to Genetic Health Issues for Dog Breeds
Kennel Club(KC) registration means that the breeder completes a KC registration form and receives from the KC an Owner Registration Certificate for a puppy. Each puppy registered costs a breeder £16.
Each puppy may also have a Pedigree Certificate which records the name of the breed, colour, date of birth, sex, unique pedigree name (this includes the breeding kennel name followed by the dog’s official name), KC registration number, name and address and signature of the breeder. Five generations of ancestors are recorded by pedigree name and whether a dog has achieved championship status, (for example, Ch.Bradwot Ronaldo Googy) The Kennel Club charges £10 for a 5 generation pedigree certificate or £23 for an ‘enhanced’ pedigree certificate. When a puppy is sold and transferred to a new owner, in order for it to be re-registered in the new owner’s name an additional fee of £16 is charged.
An Owner Registration Certificate will also record a DNA profile number (if any); microchip number; and the results of DNA tests, or Health screening tests of the parents.
Note that failure to carry out DNA tests or Health screening does not prevent a breeder from registering puppies with the Kennel Club.
The information provided to the Kennel Club by a breeder is taken on trust and although the majority of breeders will be honest, some are not.
Regarding genetic health, there is no guarantee that KC registered puppies will be any healthier than those not registered. In fact the KC have a disclaimer to this effect on its website.
The main advantage of KC registration is identity and traceability of a puppy’s ancestors and the breeder’s details.
The KC has a Code of Ethics for breeders, which includes item 6: Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
Click here to view the KC’s General Code of Ethics.
It should be noted, however, that the Code of Ethics in practice is not binding on breeders.
The Kennel Club maintains three dog registers.
In summary, if you are thinking about buying or breeding a dachshund of any variety, please take all this into consideration. In general terms, it might be more expensive to buy a pedigree KC registered dog, but the prices do vary, and some non-KC breeders selling ‘rare’ colours or patterns charge even more, despite all the associated health risks (see above)! It would be very unusual to find a Kennel Club registered dachshund for less than £1000 (though some standard varieties might be less), but given that the typical life expectancy of a dachshund is 12-14 years, that extra initial outlay could work out at less than £50 per year over the dog’s lifetime… far less than the additional veterinary costs you might be risking if you don’t know the true background of your pet.
If you compare 100 KC registered dachshund pets with 100 non-KC registered dogs, there will be super dogs in both groups – but there will be far more in the KC registered group (Note 1) with no health or behavioural problems. Why?
As an active member of a number of Dachshund related Facebook groups, I regularly see passionate discussions about whether or not puppy buyers should insist on buying a Kennel Club registered dog. Inevitably, there are always responses from owners and breeders of non-KC dachshunds who are understandably defensive about much-loved pets. In one respect, they are right: there are plenty of lovely non-KC dachshunds and, as a general rule, they are cheaper than registered dogs (though not always), However, although buying a Kennel Club registered puppy is not a guarantee of buying a healthy dog that will enjoy a long and happy life, doing so can dramatically reduce the risk of ending up with a poorly dog, big vet bills and disappointment.
Note 1: 98% of all Lafora tests for Mini Wires were KC registered dogs and 100% of all IVDD screening has been with KC registered dogs. See also research into behavioural issues with Puppy Farmed dogs.
Does a dog have to be Kennel Club registered?
Whilst your dog must be a registered pedigree to take part in breed showing, dogs of any shape, size or type can get involved in canine sport, obedience and other activities. The agility and heelwork to music events at Crufts and other large dog shows are usually even more popular than the breed classes.
Why choose a Kennel Club registered dog?
A pedigree dog is one that has parents which are both of the same breed. These parents must be registered with The Kennel Club or with another club or society recognised by us.
Purebred dogs make up around 75% of the 9-million-strong dog population in the UK, and within that there are 221 breeds to choose from.
Each breed sits within one of seven groups: Working (typically those bred to be search and rescue or guard dogs) Over the centuries these dogs were selectively bred to become guards and search and rescue dogs. Arguably the Working group consists of some of the most heroic canines in the world, aiding humans in many walks of life, including the Boxer, Great Dane and St Bernard. This groups consists of the real specialists in their field. Pastoral (herding dogs, usually associated with working cattle and sheep) The Pastoral group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven-footed animals. Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in sever conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds. Gundog (dogs that were originally trained to find and/or retrieve game) Dogs that were originally trained to find live game and/or retrieve game that had been shot and wounded. This group is divided into four categories – retrievers, spaniels, hunt/point/retrieve and pointers and setters – although many of the breeds are capable of doing the same work as the other sub-groups. They make good companions, their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs. Toy (small companion or lap dogs) The Toy breeds are small companion or lap dogs. Many of the Toy breeds were bred for this capacity although some have been placed into this category simply due to their size. They should have friendly personalities and love attention. They do not need a large amount of exercise and some can be finicky eaters. Hound (breeds historically used for hunting, either by scent or sight) Breeds originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight. The scent hounds include the Beagle and Bloodhound, and the sight hounds include breeds such as the Whippet and Greyhound. Many of them enjoy a significant amount of exercise and can be described as dignified, aloof but trustworthy companions. Terrier (dogs originally bred and used for hunting vermin) Dogs originally bred and used for hunting vermin, ‘Terrier’ comes from the Latin word terra, meaning earth. This hardy collection of dogs was selectively bred to be extremely brave and tough, and to pursue fox, badger, rat and otter above and below ground. Dogs of Terrier type have been known here since ancient times, and as early as the middle ages, these game breeds were portrayed by writers and painters. Utility (miscellaneous breeds, mainly of a non-sporting origin) This group consists of miscellaneous breeds of dog mainly of a non-sporting origin including the Bulldog, Dalmatian, Akita and Poodle. The name ‘Utility’ essentially means fitness for a purpose and this group consists of an extremely mixed and varied bunch, most breeds having been selectively bred to perform a specific function not included in the sporting and working categories. Some of the breeds listed in the group are the oldest documented breeds of dog in the world.
Before looking for puppies or rescue dogs, search our Breeds A to Z to learn more about each breed.
For every breed of pedigree dog, there is a breed standard. This is a picture in words that describes the breed in detail, including what a healthy dog of that breed should look like, how it should move and what their character, needs and behaviour are likely to be.
Almost all breeds of dogs were developed over time to help humans in their work and daily life. Although most dogs are now companions and do not need to work, you should learn about what job your intended breed was developed to do. This will help you understand the innate behaviour for that breed and whether you are able to give your dog a happy, healthy life that is appropriate for that breed.