Royal Kennel Club announces expert breeder panel to represent the community at upcoming APGAW meeting on IHA
Pre-meeting to discuss points for consideration to take place on April 22nd
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- The carefully selected panel will represent the collective views of the breeder community at the meeting with APGAW on 29th April
- Panel members represent a cross-section of breeder types and breed specialists
- The RKC-led meeting with APGAW will be an opportunity to voice concerns surrounding IHA criteria
London, 14 April 2026: The Royal Kennel Club, the UK’s oldest and most respected dog organisation, has today announced the panel of RKC members who will represent the breeding community at the upcoming meeting between the Royal Kennel Club and the APGAW representatives behind the IHA tool which was launched earlier this year.
The panel members are listed as following along with their breed specialism:
|
Name |
Breed association |
|
Barry Brackner |
Norfolk Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Labrador Retrievers |
|
Debbie Ellrich |
Basset Hounds, Basset Fauve de Bretagne |
|
Dr Chris Millard |
Swedish Vallhund, Schipperke |
|
Dr Nicolas Mark Warren Small |
Pekingese |
|
Lieza Handley |
Bulldogs |
|
Michael Gadsby |
Poodles, Spaniel (American Cocker), Affenpinscher, Shetland Sheepdog, Dachshund, Shih Tzu |
|
Olivia Timms |
French Bulldog |
|
Ronnie Irving |
Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Border Terrier (Previous CC judge of all Terriers) |
|
Liz Dunhill |
Rottweiler, Japanese Shiba Inu, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Akita, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pharaoh Hounds, Tibetan Spaniel |
|
Emily Hellewell |
Australian Shepherd |
Panel members were selected based on a range of criteria, including breed specialism, the ability to contribute distinct or underrepresented perspectives, current or previous experience as a licensed breeder, relevant professional and hobbyist expertise, and geographic location to ensure a balanced representation across England.
The pre-meeting will take place on April 22nd for panel members and additional attendees who have expressed interest to discuss points for consideration. If you would like to raise a point, the RKC is encouraging members of the community to contact the relevant panel member relating to your chosen breed in advance of April 22nd for potential inclusion in the discussion.
Charlotte McNamara, Chief Canine Wellbeing and Engagement Officer at the Royal Kennel Club, said: “Our priority is to ensure the breeder community is meaningfully and accurately represented in this important discussion. We have carefully and deliberately selected a panel that reflects a breadth of experience, perspectives and breed specialisms, so that a wide range of voices can be heard.
“We take the IHA and the concerns surrounding it extremely seriously and see this as a constructive opportunity to work collaboratively with APGAW. By bringing together expert insight from across the community, we aim to contribute to a balanced, informed and forward-looking conversation.”
Extreme conformation remains a key focus for the RKC, as demonstrated by the History of Conformation webinar held on 13 April, led by Dr Alison Skipper and attended by over 500 participants, demonstrating the significant level of engagement and interest in this area.
To find out more about the Royal Kennel Club’s canine health initiatives visit www.royalkennelclub.com or www.crufts.org.uk.
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Notes to editors
If you’d like any further information, please email pressoffice@royalkennelclub.com.
The Royal Kennel Club
The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) is the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to the health, wellbeing, and happiness of all dogs. Granted the Royal prefix by His Majesty King Charles III in 2025, the RKC builds on over 150 years of heritage to champion responsible ownership and ensure every dog leads a healthy, fulfilling life.
As a profit-for-purpose organisation, the Royal Kennel Club reinvests in dog health, research, and education, extending its expertise beyond pedigree breeds to benefit every dog in the UK. It maintains the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs, alongside Petlog, one of the UK’s biggest microchip reunification services, and runs the Royal Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, the nation’s most extensive dog training programme.
The RKC licenses and supports a wide range of dog activities and shows, including the world-famous Crufts, now evolving into a year-round community celebrating dogs and their owners. Through the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the organisation funds vital research into canine health and wellbeing, supports breed rescue organisations across the UK, and works with partners such as the British Veterinary Association to run national health screening schemes.
With a mission to promote responsible ownership and celebrate every dog, the Royal Kennel Club continues to evolve, combining heritage with innovation to create a healthier, happier future for dogs and the people who love them.