CLUB POLICY
General Provisions
Any kennel club may apply for recognition with the World Kennel Group (also referred to herein as the «WKG») in accordance with these rules. The World Kennel Group does not directly represent or manage any club, but remains independent, granting recognition to clubs that meet established criteria and adhere to the ideals and procedures set forth in these rules.
The World Kennel Group may recognize any club applying for recognition, provided it is organized and operates for the purpose of promoting dog breeds recognized by the World Kennel Group.
The World Kennel Group (WKG) may also recognize any club applying for recognition whose activities focus exclusively on show competitions involving all dogs eligible for registration, provided the club is organized and operates in accordance with these rules.
Any club must be a legally registered organization in its country.
The World Kennel Group reserves the right to reject any application for recognition by a club. Club recognition by the World Kennel Group (WKG) is a privilege granted by the World Kennel Group. Therefore, the World Kennel Group may suspend or terminate any club within the World Kennel Group for failure to comply with or violation of WKG rules.
Once a club is recognized by the World Kennel Group (WKG), the club is obligated to abide by the World Kennel Group Rules until the club notifies the WKG of its dissolution or until the recognition is suspended or terminated by the World Kennel Group (WKG).
A club recognized by the World Kennel Group (WKG) that fails, without valid reason, to hold an approved official event within the time period specified in the official rules for that event is automatically designated as a non-hosting club.
An applicant for admission as a new member organization may not challenge the status of an existing member organization.
The World Kennel Group (WKG) encourages all member organizations to actively participate in promoting the breeds recognized by their club to the public at large. The World Kennel Group (WKG) requires that member organizations applying for recognition conduct educational and/or social activities. The World Kennel Group (WKG) may at any time request that officially recognized member organizations provide educational projects and/or information on social activities carried out by the club or its members in the previous year.
The management of the participating organization consists of officials in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the country and the Charter of the participating organization.
Member organizations conduct nominations, elections, and voting in accordance with their statutes and/or internal documents.
When using electronic signatures, responsibility for ensuring electronic tracking lies with the member organization.
Applications for recognition by a member organization that includes other clubs will also be accepted.
Types of Clubs
The following types of clubs are eligible to apply for recognition as a WKG member organization: all-breed clubs, specialty clubs (including multi-breed and multi-breed clubs), sporting clubs, and field trial clubs.
An all-breed club is a club representing the interests of all breeds recognized by the WKG.
A specialty club is a club representing the interests of a specific breed or breeds. This may be a national, regional, provincial, or local club, or a branch of a national club.
The activities for which a club receives approval from the World Kennel Group (WKG) will be limited to the breeds and/or activities defined in the statutes and the club’s activities. Applicants must provide the required documentation with their application for World Kennel Group (WKG) recognition and may be required to provide documentation supporting this requirement at any time.
National Breed Clubs
A club whose name includes the words «National Breed Club» may apply for recognition, and if recognized, the club will not enjoy any privileges greater than those of any other club.
A National Breed Club must wait three years from the date of recognition before proposing any amendments to the breed standard to the World Kennel Group (WKG).
Club membership must include individuals who are directly involved in and working with the breed.
A National Breed Club must always promote inclusivity and welcome new members. A National Breed Club may deny membership only to applicants who are not related to the breed in question or who have been convicted by a court of wrongdoing related to actions directly contrary to the Policy, Mission, and Code of Ethics of the WKG and/or the club.
A branch of a club wishing to conduct events under its own name must be officially registered. A branch club of a National Breed Club may exist only with the consent of the National Breed Club. If a branch simply provides assistance to the parent club or acts as a sponsor, official recognition is not required. However, all credit will be awarded to the National Breed Club.
A sporting club is a club whose members are interested in demonstrating the abilities of dogs in competitions, including, but not limited to, obedience, agility, tracking, drafting, hunting, coursing, and other sports.
A field trial club is a club whose members are interested in demonstrating the abilities of their dogs as hunting and working companions.
The World Kennel Group (WKG) also recognizes clubs whose primary interests are the development of purebred dogs and the education of the public at large. Such clubs are not authorized to conduct approved or sanctioned events and will be referred to as non-competition clubs or rescue clubs. A club seeking recognition as a non-competition club or rescue club must comply with the rules in effect from the date of application.
A non-event club is a club established for the purpose of promoting purebred dogs through educational activities for the training of its members.
A club applying for recognition under this section is not permitted to hold approved or sanctioned events.
A non-event club wishing to hold approved or sanctioned events must undergo reclassification. To reclassify, a club must submit an application to the WKG and comply with all rules. The club must provide the World Kennel Group with supporting documentation supporting the reclassification and specify the types of events the club plans to hold.
A change of status may be granted provided that such change does not conflict with the club’s current event club status.
A club may change status only twice, and only upon renewal of its status. A rescue club is a club whose efforts are focused on finding and rehoming lost, stray, or abandoned dogs into new homes or useful places in the community. A rescue club must be approved by the national or regional/provincial club of the breeds it represents. A rescue club cannot change its status and must adhere to all rules described herein. A rescue club may participate in educational or charitable activities, but may not host sanctioned or approved events.
Recognition of New Member Organizations
Before applying for World Kennel Group (WKG) recognition, a new club must demonstrate its activities for at least six months prior to the application. This includes registration of meetings, elections, events, as well as involvement in community/educational activities and dog breeding. The relevant documentation must be provided with the application.
A club wishing to be recognized by the World Kennel Group (WKG) must submit a completed application with all required documentation.
When submitting an application, the following documents must be provided:
— A copy of the statutes and registration certificate, and information deemed mandatory for approval.
— A list of the governing body consisting of the club’s officers.
— A list of the breeds the club works with.
— Minutes of meetings, elections, and events held to date.
If applications are received from multiple clubs representing the same country, the WKG will decide on the application review procedure. The WKG decides that only one application will be reviewed.
After receiving the completed application and all supporting documents, and assuming all requirements are met, comments must be received within 10 days of the review date.
A copy of the club’s application will be provided to a representative of the World Kennel Group (WKG) Working Group.
If the World Kennel Group (WKG) receives objections, the club will be given the opportunity to respond. The club must respond within 10 days.
After all requirements are met to the satisfaction of the World Kennel Group, the WKG will notify the club in writing, and documents confirming recognition are provided for signature.
Disciplinary Sanctions
The Working Group may issue a warning, reprimand, suspend, or terminate the recognition of any WKG-recognized kennel club that violates the rules, regulations, procedures, and policies of the World Kennel Group.
Internal Club Affairs
As stated in these Rules, the World Kennel Group (WKG) does not directly represent or manage any club; it remains an independent group that continuously grants recognition to clubs that meet established criteria and adhere to the ideals and procedures set forth in the Rules.
The World Kennel Group (WKG) will not make decisions or interfere in the internal affairs of clubs. Complaints related to internal club affairs are expected to be handled by the club itself.
Charter and Regulations
All clubs recognized by the World Kennel Group (WKG) or seeking recognition must be governed by charters and regulations that ensure the orderly and democratic conduct of their activities.
Clubs are required to adhere to these guidelines regarding their charters and regulations and not to contradict them. Failure to comply with these requirements may jeopardize the club’s recognition by WKG and/or the approval of its events. Clubs may include additional provisions or clauses in their charters that do not conflict with the principles of the World Kennel Group (WKG).
BREEDING RULES
These Rules establish and regulate the procedure for issuing and obtaining breeding documents for litters of puppies whose births are registered with World Kennel Group (WKG) organizations. The list of documents is contained in the Appendix to these Rules and may be amended or supplemented by decision of the working group with prior notice to all participants. The breeding rules of participating organizations may be expanded, but must not conflict with these Breeding Regulations.
GENERAL PART
This document has been compiled in accordance with the objectives of the World Kennel Group (WKG) and the principle of animal welfare.
The WKG breeding rules are binding on all WKG members, breeders, and owners of breeding dogs.
Males and females whose pedigrees are registered in the WKG studbook or in the studbooks or registries of other internationally recognized canine organization systems may be used for breeding, provided the breed standards of these systems do not conflict with the WKG standards.
The WKG breeding rules serve to promote and develop targeted breeding. The goal of breeding is to produce functionally healthy dogs with the exterior and temperament typical of a given breed.
WKG standards are based on the standards of the country of origin of each dog breed.
ORGANIZING BREEDING WORK.
Breeding work within the WKG is carried out by cynological organizations.
WKG members:
Issue pedigrees in the established format (application form);
Issue mating orders/certificates;
Litter registration;
Examination of dogs at shows, examinations, breeding shows, trials, and competitions;
Issue documents confirming the examination results;
Litter inspection, issuance of breeding documents for puppies (puppy registration certificate — puppy card);
Litter registration, general litter inspection report (application form);
Execution of breeding documentation
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF BREEDING ANIMALS.
Only healthy, standardized males and females with a strong nervous system, whose pedigree is registered in the WKG member registry, are permitted for breeding. If a dog has a pedigree from another organization recognized by the WKG, it must be registered with the WKG and assigned a number. Breeding males and females must be tattooed and registered in accordance with the current legislation of the WKG member country regarding pet registration procedures. Animals with congenital defects, such as behavioral anomalies, congenital blindness or deafness, cleft lip, cleft palate, dental defects, jaw abnormalities, cryptorchidism and monorchism, coloration not specified in the breed standard, skeletal deformities (such as a broken tail), etc., are not permitted for breeding. (for breeds not specified in the standard), as well as those with joint dysplasia, congenital eye diseases, epilepsy, etc., or functional defects affecting quality of life.
A breeding animal is a male or female that, at the time of breeding, meets the requirements of these Rules for conformation, behavior, working ability, and health. They have a pedigree and a certificate granting the right to breed.
The use of a breeding animal in breeding work must be carried out without compromising the animal’s health and in accordance with its ethology.
The breeder is obliged to ensure proper housing and feeding conditions for the bitch and her offspring. A mating certificate is issued only if the WKG expert evaluates the bitch’s conformation at least as «very good,» and the male’s conformation at least as «excellent.» The evaluation of the male and female is re-evaluated in accordance with the laws of the country and the rules of the participating organization. In exceptional cases, an individual examination of the male, organized by a WKG expert, is permitted.
Only physiologically mature males and females are allowed to breed:
Females: Large breeds — from 18 (eighteen) months;
Small and medium breeds — from 15 (fifteen) months;
Males: Large breeds — from 18 (eighteen) months;
Medium breeds — from 15 (fifteen) months;
Small breeds — from 15 (fifteen) months;
Breeding bitches are permitted to produce no more than one litter per year, in accordance with the laws of their country and the rules of the participating organization.
Bitches must be no older than 8 years of age at the time of mating. However, in exceptional cases, a breeding bitch may be used for breeding after this age with the written permission of a veterinarian and under their constant supervision during pregnancy and parturition. There is no upper age limit for males.
Breeding animals must undergo a veterinary examination in accordance with the requirements established by the laws of the WKG member country. If a male or female dog receives a disqualification at any of the WKG shows, the owner may submit a notice, and the WKG Breeding Committee will decide on the dog’s continued use for breeding.
BREEDER
The breeder is the owner or lessee of the bitch from the time of mating until the litter is registered. If a pregnant bitch is purchased, registration of ownership at the time of purchase, provision of all necessary documents, and transfer of breeder rights are only possible after all settlements between the previous owner and the stud dog owner have been completed.
When a bitch is leased, the lease agreement comes into effect upon its registration with a WKG member organization by the dog’s owner listed in the pedigree.
The lease agreement for the bitch is an integral part of the documents required for litter registration. WKG member organizations are required to exercise special control over the breeding of leased and jointly owned bitches.
The breeder is obliged to provide the necessary conditions for the maintenance, sale, and showing of dogs at shows, as well as training the dog in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the WKG member organization is located. KENNEL — KENNEL REGISTRATION.
Kennel registration is carried out in accordance with the laws of the country and the regulations of the WKG member organization. SETTLEMENTS BETWEEN DOG OWNERS
Mating terms and mutual settlements between owners of breeding dogs must be agreed upon prior to mating and formalized in writing. The breeder makes payments to the owner of the breeding dog in accordance with the agreement.
Financial claims between dog owners are subject to settlement in court in accordance with the laws of the participating country. Participating organizations are not liable for obligations between owners of breeding dogs.
MATING
Mating Procedure.
A mating permit must be obtained by the breeder from their club prior to the mating. The mating permit must be signed by the person responsible for breeding and entered into the registration book. The issued mating permit is valid only for the declared mating. When issuing the mating permit to the breeder, the club representative must include the details of the selected stud dog.
The mating permit, signed by the owners of the stud dog and the bitch, must be submitted by the bitch’s owner to their club within the time limit established by the rules of the participating organization.
Mating.
The owner of the bitch is obliged to use a stud dog that meets all the requirements of the WKG Breeding Rules for the mating. The owner of the stud dog has the right to mate the bitch with a stud dog of their choice, who is eligible to participate in WKG breeding. A list of breeding dogs available for use can be obtained from the person responsible for breeding work at the member organization.
For mating a bitch abroad, only a stud dog with a pedigree recognized by the WKG is permitted.
During a single mating, a bitch may be mated with only one stud dog. When mating a bitch with multiple stud dogs, puppies are registered and pedigrees are issued only after DNA testing of each puppy. In the case of an unplanned mating of a bitch with a breeder or kennel owner with more than one stud dog, the puppies must undergo DNA testing to determine the puppies’ sire. Pedigrees are issued based on the test results.
Prior to the mating, a written agreement regarding the mating conditions must be reached between the owners of the bitch and the stud dog. If artificial insemination of a female dog is performed using chilled or frozen semen, the insemination procedure must be performed by a licensed veterinarian, who must certify the procedure with their signature. The veterinarian is responsible for ensuring that the semen complies with the accompanying documentation.
MATING REGISTRATION
A mating is registered by completing a mating report signed by the owners of the male and female.
The mating report must contain the following information:
• Name of the male and female
• Pedigree number of the male and female
• Surname of the owner of the male and female
• Signatures of the owner of the male and female
• additional information required by the laws of the country or the rules of the participating organization
Owners of stud dogs are advised to keep records of their matings.
WKG member organizations are required to maintain a litter and mating register.
LITTER REGISTRATION
To register a litter in the stud book within the timeframe established by national legislation and the member organization’s rules, the following documents must be submitted:
a general protocol/report of the litter inspection (application form);
copies of the original pedigrees of the male and female dog;
copies of documents confirming the conformation assessment;
mating order (request form);
a copy of the contract if the female dog is leased;
a copy of the joint ownership agreement (if any);
and other information required by national legislation and the rules of the member organization.
LITTER INSPECTION.
The breeder is obligated to notify their club of the birth of a litter within three days.
Litter inspection is an integral part of controlled breeding at the WKG.
Puppy inspections must be performed by a professional with canine training.
For all breeds, litter inspections must be conducted no earlier than thirty (30) days of age (provided the puppies have all their milk teeth) in the presence of the breeder.
The breeder is obligated to ensure that the bitch and her offspring are kept and fed in appropriate conditions.
The breeder is obligated to ensure that the puppies are identified by microchip/tattoo and vaccinated against infectious diseases in accordance with the laws of their country of residence. Puppies must be regularly and promptly dewormed. If any puppies with congenital physical defects are discovered during the litter inspection, a re-examination of these puppies is scheduled, after which a decision will be made on their future use in breeding.
PUPPY REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE — PUPPY CARD.
A puppy card is the primary document confirming a dog’s parentage and is issued based on the general inspection report of the litter.
The puppy card must contain the following information: document number (puppy card), breed, name, sex, color, date of birth, identification (chip/tattoo), names of both parents, pedigree numbers, color, last names of the owners of the male and female, and other information in accordance with the laws of the country and the rules of the participating organization.
The names of all puppies in a litter must begin with the same letter.
A puppy card does not grant the right to use the dog for breeding. It is subject to exchange for breeding certificates within the timeframe established by the rules of the participating organization.
The WKG puppy card must contain the WKG and member organization logos in a uniform format. Pedigrees serve as proof of a dog’s origin.
Purebred puppies whose examination reveals any abnormalities that can be corrected over time must be marked «Special Control» on their registries.
Purebred puppies with defects incompatible with a dog’s quality of life (malocclusion, broken tail, poor coloring, etc.) must be marked «Not for breeding.»
STUDBOOK.
The stud book is an integral part of breeding activities and its purpose is to collect accurate and complete information about the dogs registered in it.
The stud book is kept by each participating organization and is its property.
The basis for an entry in the stud book is the general inspection report of the litter.
The minimum required list of breeding information:
• Breed name,
• Kennel name or litter letter,
• Date of birth of puppies,
• Parents’ names and pedigree numbers,
• Sex, identification number, and color of the puppies,
The entire litter must be entered into the stud book at the same time.
The names of all puppies in the litter must begin with the same letter.
PEDIGREE.
Pedigrees are the only proof of a dog’s ancestry and are issued based on entries in the studbook. The pedigree is prepared on a single form bearing the logos of the WKG, the participating organization, and partners, if any. The pedigree must bear the organization’s clearly visible seal and the director’s signature.
The pedigree must include at least three generations of ancestors.
If lost or damaged, the pedigree is considered invalid. The participating organization, after reviewing the application, is obligated to initiate the issuance of a duplicate pedigree. The pedigree form is stamped «DUPLICATE.»
False or counterfeit pedigrees are subject to seizure and invalidation.
In the event of a change of ownership, a corresponding entry is made in the pedigree, and the pedigree is replaced. A change of ownership is permitted only by a transfer agreement. Each pedigree must have its own number, which is registered in the stud book.
All titles and achievements of the dog’s ancestors must be recorded in the pedigree. The pedigree must include the results of the dog’s medical examinations, if any.
Mandatory information about the dog listed in the pedigree: breed name, pedigree number, date of birth, name, sex, chip/tattoo identification number, color, breeder, owner, and place of residence.
Mandatory information about the dog’s ancestors listed in the pedigree:
• Name
• Pedigree number
• Championship titles (if any)
• Medical examinations and genetic tests (if any)
Required information: date of birth, color, owner.
The statutes, subject to approval by the WKG, must not contain language that contradicts the WKG rules. Each club must adapt its statutes and bylaws to reflect its goals and values, consistent with the World Kennel Group’s regulations.
Guidelines for Resolving Club Internal Affairs
The World Kennel Group does not directly represent any club and does not govern any club. It remains independent and recognizes clubs that meet established criteria and adhere to the ideals and procedures outlined in the World Kennel Group’s regulations. Clubs are governed by their statutes and bylaws. Their members work together to best serve the interests of purebred dogs and their owners.
As a general rule, the officers and directors of these clubs enforce the club’s Constitution and Bylaws and conduct the club’s operations fairly and openly. Given the passion and competitive spirit of sport, problems and disputes are inevitable.
Club members should remember that clubs are composed of volunteers who may lack the administrative experience to properly manage a club or may have personal issues that prevent them from doing so. Understanding these limitations is essential to resolving any conflict.
Every club has the right to enforce its Constitution and Bylaws, and every member of that club has the right to be treated fairly and lawfully.
These rules are intended to assist clubs and their members in resolving such disputes and to protect clubs and their members from angry, personal, emotional disputes that are not based on facts.
Stick to the facts and avoid personal attacks. Personal attacks are never a good thing; stick to the facts and avoid personal opinions or attacks. Mutual respect for each other’s perspectives facilitates reaching a mutually acceptable solution.
Write to the club’s leadership
Put your concerns in writing; this will avoid the «she said, he said» phrases that can arise during face-to-face conversations or phone calls.
Writing ensures the clarity of your communications and allows you to record what you’ve said.
Substantiate your facts; avoid outside rumors.
In the event of an impasse, consider mediation with a third party.
If issues remain unresolved or the Bylaws and Regulations are unclear, consider amending the Bylaws. This will help prevent the same problem from recurring in the future.
Discipline at the WKG
The WKG will not become involved in internal club disputes. If WKG rules or policies are violated, you can file a complaint with the WKG. Remember, you must provide the facts and specify which rule was violated.
Conclusion
Most clubs do an excellent job of self-governing and resolving their own problems. We hope these guidelines help you avoid unnecessary conflicts. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us.