The Royal Kennel Club launches ‘The Dog People’s Manifesto’ - Scotland

Thursday 22nd January: Ahead of the forthcoming Scottish election in May, the Royal Kennel Club (RKC) has today launched The Dog People’s Manifesto, a comprehensive set of policy priorities calling on an incoming Government to help dog owners across Scotland acquire healthy dogs and care for their pets better.

With more than a quarter of Scottish adults owning a dog, the Manifesto urges policymakers to recognise Scotland’s long-standing status as a dog‑loving nation and to back responsible ownership so it can thrive.

Speaking on the Manifesto, Jannine Edgar, chief executive of the Royal Kennel Club, said: “This Manifesto highlights the importance of responsible dog ownership and high-welfare breeding across Scotland. Dogs make a real difference to people’s physical and mental wellbeing, especially for those who may feel isolated or lonely. This is a call for practical, evidence-led policies that support better education for those looking to own a dog in the future. It is our intention to make this vision a reality for dogs and the people who love them.” 

The Dog People’s Manifesto sets out a vision for practical, evidence-led policy that supports high-welfare dog breeding, tackles irresponsible practices and prioritises education over unintended regulatory consequences.

●      Responsible dog breeding: Recognise hobby breeders - careful, home‑based breeders - as the backbone of Scottish breeding for over 150 years and keep a balanced licensing framework that supports, not squeezes, the good. Prioritise practical, non‑regulatory steps to grow healthy, home‑bred puppies (buyer education, mentoring for new breeders, clear puppy contracts) and co‑design any changes with the community. Learn from England: excessive complexity shrinks well‑bred supply and fuels illegal farming and low‑welfare imports.

●      Addressing puppy imports and genetic health: While enforcement against illegal, low‑welfare imports has strengthened, the Manifesto warns that UK‑wide import rules risk harming genetic health in smaller breeds if they block non‑commercial, single‑puppy imports used to widen gene pools. It asks the incoming Government to work with Defra on permit schemes that allow carefully controlled, non‑commercial imports where there is a clear genetic health benefit.

●      Improving the health of flat-faced breeds: To tackle ongoing health challenges in brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, the Manifesto argues for moving beyond awareness messaging to health‑first breeding actions. It supports wider promotion and use of the internationally recognised Respiratory Function Grading scheme, developed with the University of Cambridge, to ensure breeding decisions put welfare first. It also encourages education for breeders and puppy buyers on the advantages of the Respiratory Function Grading scheme and its importance for the health and welfare of their chosen dog breeds.

●      Rethinking dangerous dogs legislation: The addition of the XL Bully type to the Dangerous Dogs Act has heightened anxiety among responsible owners and underlines the failure of breed‑specific legislation to prevent serious incidents.

The Manifesto calls for an evidence‑led review based on behaviour rather than appearance, a greater focus on responsible ownership, early intervention and education, and better resourcing for police, local authorities and third‑sector partners-while noting dog‑owner licensing alone would not solve the issue.

●      Renewed call for a ban on electric shock collars: Finally, the Manifesto reiterates its call for a swift, outright ban on electric shock collars used in dog training, aligning with strong public and professional opposition and the existing ban in Wales.

Jannine Edgar further commented: “As an organisation that reinvests entirely in improving dog health and welfare and supporting responsible breeds, we look forward to working constructively with the incoming Government to deliver lasting, positive change for dogs and their owners.”

Read the full manifesto on the Royal Kennel Club site and find out more about the Royal Kennel Club’s canine health initiatives by visiting www.royalkennelclub.com or www.crufts.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors 

If you’d like any further information, please email RKC@boldspace.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 Royal 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.