So You Want To Comepte With Your Dog In The UK?

(an overseas competitors guide to attending Kennel Club licensed events in the UK)

Please note that Rules regarding obtaining an ATC (Authority to Compete) number do not apply to exhibitors or competitors from Southern Ireland or the Channel Islands.

Guidelines, Rules and Regulations relating to competing with a dog at KC licensed events in the UK can be found in the schedules relating to the events in question, which are generally available from the secretary of the Club or Society. More detailed information can be found in The Kennel Club's Year Book, which is available from our Publications Department. Competitors especially need to make themselves aware of The Kennel Club rules regarding double handling, grooming and fouling. Special consideration also needs to be taken into account of certain welfare issues such as dogs left in cars on hot days.

However, before you can show your dog in the UK, you will need to apply for an ATC number from The Kennel Club. Forms can be obtained direct from The Kennel Club by mail or from our web-site. You may not enter any competitions in the UK until you have received your ATC number, and this number must be quoted on all entry forms. Failure to do so may result in your entry form being returned.

All applications must be submitted with a three generation pedigree for the dog (a photocopy is acceptable), issued by the Kennel Club with which the dog is registered, and with which The Kennel Club has a reciprocal agreement, or which has full membership of the FCI.

Dogs registered overseas which were originally registered with The Kennel Club do not require an ATC number since we already have the information needed. Owners of these dogs should declare the original KC number where the ATC number should be placed on all entry forms.

Owners of dogs which have subsequently gained the title of FCI International Champion or a National Champion title should inform The Kennel Club supplying a copy of the appropriate documentation from the issuing Kennel Club if they wish to use the title. Owners should note that Champions are only eligible to compete in Open Breed Classes at shows, apart from age restricted classes and Any Variety Champion classes.

On acceptance, the owner of a dog will receive an ATC (Authority to Compete) number which must be quoted on all entry forms and on all correspondence.

Prior to exhibition, permission must be sought from the General Committee of The Kennel Club to exhibit any dog which has undergone an operation to alter its natural conformation.

Dogs which have been spayed or castrated are permitted to be exhibited at KC licensed events. However, the owner of the dog must inform The Kennel Club prior to exhibition, of the date of the operation, the name of the veterinary surgeon, and the practice where the operation was carried out. No dogs with cropped ears are eligible to compete at any Kennel Club licensed event.

Overseas exhibitors are reminded that The Kennel Club has the jurisdiction to investigate, and if necessary to penalise, any breaches to KC regulations or complaints made under Rule A42.

What you need to do before entering the UK

Before you may enter the UK with your dog, you will need to comply with strict regulations laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF). An outline of these regulations are given below, although we would advise that you check the MAFF web-site for further information.

1. Your dog must be micro-chipped with an ISO approved microchip.

2. After it has been micro-chipped, it must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine. Details of both the vaccine and micro-chip should be recorded on your dog's veterinary record.

3. Approximately 30 days after the vaccination, your vet should take a blood sample which must be sent to one of the Ministry of Agriculture approved laboratories to check that the vaccine has taken effect. This check can be done later, although 30 days is the optimum for an accurate result. At the present time there are only 10 approved laboratories in various EU countries.

4. The result of the blood test will be returned to your vet, and in order to pass, the titre (antibody) level must be 0.5 or more. If the titre level is less than required, then the vaccination and test must be repeated.

5. Your vet will issue a certificate confirming all the above on completion.

6. Six months after a successful blood test you will be free to travel to the UK from the approved countries listed below.

7. Dogs must be treated for ticks and parasites by a qualified vet who will record this information on a certificate not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before entry into the UK.

The Way In

Initially a pilot scheme will be implemented which will only allow dogs to be brought in from the countries listed above and via certain routes. All travel arrangements must be booked in advance, and only certain carriers are licensed under the pilot scheme. The routes allowing entry into the UK are:

a) The Shuttle from Calais to Folkestone.

b) Ferry routes from Calais to Dover, Cherbourg to Portsmouth, Caen to Portsmouth, Le Havre to Portsmouth, St. Malo to Portsmouth.

c) Flights from Western Europe to Heathrow Airport (only British Midlands, Finnair and Lufthansa at the moment although other airlines have expressed an interest and may participate in the future).

All the necessary checks will be made before the dog enters the UK, except for those dogs flying to Heathrow Airport, which will be checked on arrival.

For a complete list of routes in to the UK and tour operators, click here

CLICK HERE to download an application form (PDF format).

Further details can be obtained from DEFRA in the UK at:
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW10 3JR. Tel: 020 7238 6000
Helpline No: 0870 241 1710      Helpline Fax No: 020 7270 8419
Internet: www.defra.gov.uk
Email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

The Kennel Club, 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1Y 8AB.
Tel: 0870 606 6750      Fax: 020 7518 1058
Email: info@the-kennel-club.org.uk
Internet: www.the-kennel-club.org.uk