Royal Kennel Club Hosts Largest Breeder Insights Forum To Date

The Royal Kennel Club hosted its latest and largest Breeder Insights Forum on Monday 20^th March, bringing together around 100 breeders from across the UK for a collaborative day focused on sharing experiences, discussing challenges and helping shape the future of breeder support. This forum marks the first event of its kind at this scale, following a smaller pilot session held in January with a group of around 15 breeders to gather early feedback.

The forum also marked the launch of the RKC Breeder Insights and Experience Survey, designed to better understand the experiences, challenges and needs of all dog breeders across purebred and crossbreed communities, and whether or not they are RKC‑registered. The findings will help the Royal Kennel Club strengthen its support for responsible breeding through practical, evidence‑based action.

Highlights from the day included engaging discussions on breeder experiences and challenges, as well as updates on the development of the new Nose to Tail veterinary assessment.

Breeders took part in small discussion groups facilitated to explore their day‑to‑day experiences, the pressures faced within the current breeding landscape, and the opportunities they see for improvement. These conversations generated valuable feedback, ideas and lived perspectives, all of which will be reviewed and used to guide future planning and developments.

Participants also received an update on the development of the new Nose to Tail veterinary assessment, including progress made so far and details of what breeders can expect as the project continues.

To close the forum, the Royal Kennel Club confirmed it will follow up with further information on upcoming tools and support for breeders, and that this marks the continuation of an ongoing conversation. The Royal Kennel Club would like to thank all those who attended for their valuable contributions.

Following the event, Charlotte McNamara, Head of Health & Breeding at the Royal Kennel Club said: “The purpose of the forum was to bring breeders together to openly share their experiences, challenges and ideas, and the day emphasised the Royal Kennel Club’s commitment to ensuring breeder feedback directly informs ongoing development. All our attendees shared incredibly useful insight and expertise which remain essential to strengthening the RKC’s work and future priorities.”

The Royal Kennel Club will now review all insights gathered and share further updates with breeders in April.

ENDS

Notes to editors

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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.