The Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme is changing its name to the Assured Breeder Scheme as it takes another step along the path to ensuring that it fulfils the necessary requirements for UKAS accreditation.

UKAS accreditation
The scheme, which has been running since 2004, will change its name to the Assured Breeder Scheme in order to avoid confusion with the terminology used by UKAS, which is the national accreditation body.

Bill Lambert, Health and Breeder Services Manager, said: “UKAS is the only Accreditation body recognised by government, and accreditation is only awarded to organisations which can demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that the standards set are maintained. We first began talks with UKAS in 2008 and Sir Patrick Bateson, in his report into the breeding of dogs that was released in January 2009 acknowledged that UKAS accreditation was the correct approach.

“We are committed to ensuring that the standards set by Accredited Breeders are maintained and our robust systems are already set up to attain this goal. Our first pre-assessment visit by UKAS was extremely positive and the robustness of the scheme recognised.

“The new title will help to avoid any confusion that may arise in the future whilst remaining a true reflection of what the scheme delivers. This is just one of a number of changes that we have made, and will continue to make, to ensure that the scheme is of the very highest quality. There is no other scheme that promotes, monitors and sets standards for breeders while playing such a vital role in helping to put puppy buyers in touch with breeders that they can trust.”

Changes to the Scheme
Many other adjustments have been introduced to ensure that the scheme is setting the bar at a high level for the breeding of puppies. The most recent changes include:

•Identification – A recommendation that puppies are permanently identified by microchip or tattoo prior to sale, or that the puppy buyer be advised of the necessity of microchipping their puppy at an appropriate time.
•Health testing – More than 50 changes have been made to the breed specific recommendations and requirements during the last year alone. These are continually revised in collaboration with breed clubs, vets and breed experts. The scheme now requires that all relevant health tests should be carried out before mating takes place and that no mating should take place where the tests indicate that it would be inadvisable to do so, in relation to the likely health or welfare problems that it would cause for the offspring or in the context of the wider breeding strategy. It is now also required that certain health tests should be carried out on puppies of some breeds prior to sale.
•Breeder Advisor Visits – there is now a national network of 24 Regional Breeder Advisors which ensures that regular visits are carried out. Currently breeders who have bred more than 2 litters in the previous 12 months must have undergone a successful visit before their membership is accepted and it is the aim that every breeder will receive at least one visit during their period of membership.

Further changes will be announced to the Assured Breeder Scheme in the coming months to ensure that it maintains the standards required to give the dogs that its members breed the best possible start in life, and puppy buyers confidence in their buying decisions.