The Royal Kennel Club has confirmed the suspension of the wording within Regulation I(C)1 – Bloodhound Working Trial Certificates, which requires handlers who choose to work or hunt their hounds leashed to drop their leash within a minimum of 200 yards (183 metres) of the line up.
The suspension will take effect immediately and will remain in place until 1 May 2028, covering the Autumn and Spring Bloodhound Working Trials over a two-year period.
This suspension timeframe will enable the Bloodhound Clubs to gather sufficient evidence and provide feedback to support consideration of the long-term removal of this regulation.
The following regulation wording will therefore not apply during the suspension period.
Handlers who choose to work/hunt their hounds leashed must drop their leash within a minimum of 200yds/183m of the line up, so that a natural identification takes place that is free from any handler interference.