Post date: Jan 01, 2012 9:37:25 AM
From 1st January 2012 the Kennel Club will normally register no more than four litters from any one bitch because of concerns that the current legal limit of six litters, which is enshrined in the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, can potentially be detrimental to a bitch's welfare.
Anyone wishing to breed a fifth litter from a bitch will need to present a good and justifiable reason for this which will then be considered by the Kennel Club on a case by case basis.
Our Code of Ethics has been updated accordingly.
Also, from 1st January, the KC will no longer register any puppies born by caesarean section from any bitch which has previously had two such operations, except for scientifically proven welfare reasons and in such cases normally provided that the application has been made prior to mating. This is already one of the clauses in our Code of Ethics.