Policy Statements

Responsible Dog Ownership

The Canadian Kennel Club believes that dog ownership, while rewarding, is a privilege with may responsibilities and requires a long-term emotional and financial commitment. CKC encourages all potential owners to be diligent in their research in order to choose a breed that best suits their needs and lifestyle. The Canadian Kennel Club also urges puppy buyers to seek accountable purebred dog breeders using resources found on the CKC website at ckc.ca. CKC further encourages owners to provide proper care, training and socialization to ensure that dogs are viewed as respected members of society.

The Canadian Kennel Club believes that dog owners should be responsible for the actions of their dogs and supports laws that promote responsible dog ownership, including strong penalties for those who are irresponsible in the ownership of dangerous dogs; mandatory licensing and the enforcement of leash laws. The CKC also supports well-crafted legislation that aligns with scientific evidence of the health benefits in allowing the proper development of the animal to maturity before spaying and neutering. CKC further supports public education focused on dog awareness and responsible dog ownership. The Canadian Kennel Club also advocates for the increased regulation of the selling and transfer of dogs and the universal identification of dogs either by tattoo or microchip.

Importation of Dogs into Canada

The CKC recognizes the need to import purebred dogs into Canada for the purposes of breeding, events and competition, as well as the need for people to travel with their service dogs, pets for vacations and to relocate pets with their owners immigrating to Canada – subject to the necessary safeguards. The CKC supports a fair and straightforward scheme for monitoring and regulating the importation of dogs into Canada that will minimize the risks of disease to humans, domestic animals, the food chain and wildlife. CKC is particularly concerned with the mass importation of dogs into Canada – which has resulted in documented reports of dogs that have entered Canada with both infectious diseases known in Canada and exotic diseases not common in this country. CKC also acknowledges the human and animal health risks associated with the interregional movement of dogs of questionable health status within Canada and encourages the placement of local pets within local boundaries.

CKC supports improved efforts to ensure animals imported into Canada are fully immunized, free of infectious diseases and parasites, and have been individually examined and certified by a licensed veterinarian before travel—including full contact information for the shipper and the party in Canada responsible for that animal upon its arrival into the country. CKC maintains that pets imported into Canada should also have unique and trackable identification, such as a microchip or a tattoo, which should be connected to the contact information for the party in Canada responsible for the animal upon its arrival. CKC supports and encourages national education initiatives that drive awareness of the risks associated with the mass importation of dogs into Canada and transboundary movement of unhealthy dogs within Canada. We encourage like-minded organizations to work together to build on shared values and common goals, in support of the health and welfare of pets and the public.

Brachycephalic Breeds

The Canadian Kennel Club supports the development of well-crafted legislation that will effectively educate the activities of responsible dog owners and breeders without unduly restricting responsible owners and breeders. Dedicated and qualified breeders strive to breed healthier dogs through selective breeding while respecting tradition and have demonstrated progress through their willingness to make health improvements a priority.

The CKC supports the study of the complex issues surrounding Brachycephalic breed health, educate breeders, judges and the public, and recommends to the CKC Board new policies that support breed health improvement. CKC member breeders are urged to engage in emerging functional testing to proactively identify and track potential breathing issues in their dogs to make informed decisions in their breeding programs.

CKC judges, when evaluating breeding stock, place emphasis on dogs that exhibit breed type without observable or physical exaggerations or health issues.

CKC will continue its important work in collaboration with CKC committees, breed clubs and members, as well as worldwide kennel clubs and like-minded organizations across the globe, in support of ongoing education and advocacy for the preservation of these breeds.

Dangerous Dogs

The Canadian Kennel Club supports well-crafted legislation governing dogs that is reasonable, enforceable, and non-discriminatory. As such, CKC supports laws that establish a fair process for identifying dogs as dangerous based on specific, measurable actions and a well-defined process for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous.

The Canadian Kennel Club believes that public awareness and education, stronger enforcement of existing bylaws and strong penalties for irresponsible owners, are more effective at protecting the public than laws that define a dog as dangerous based on visual appearance or breed. The Canadian Kennel Club continues to work with all levels of government in their efforts to strengthen legislation and protect citizens, in support of responsible dog ownership.

Spaying and Neutering

The CKC supports well-crafted legislation that aligns with scientific evidence of the health benefits in allowing the proper development of the animal to maturity before spaying and neutering. The Canadian Kennel Club supports a breeder’s choice to decide the appropriate timing to spay or neuter their puppies and dogs, in consultation with a veterinary medical professional.

Cropping, Docking & Dewclaw Removal

The Canadian Kennel Club supports freedom of choice for breeders who may have breeds that are cropped, docked and/ or have dewclaws removed based on the function of the dog and with respect for the welfare of the animal and in accordance with local laws and regulations, to promote safety in performance activities and support hygienic animal husbandry.

Traditional Colours

The Canadian Kennel Club has protected the integrity of purebred dogs since its founding in 1888. It is the steward of Standards and Registration for the purebred dog in Canada. The Canadian Kennel Club is attentive to changing societal values with respect to purebred dogs and with dogs in general. The Canadian Kennel Club encourages and supports those breeders who strive to produce specimens of their breeds within the traditional, accepted colours and colour patterns. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes that the breed clubs are best qualified to manage the standards of their respective breeds. Colour is a significant part of the history of many breeds, having evolved from the landscape in which the breed was originally developed, together with the dog’s intended purpose. Breeders of purebred dogs continue this choice of colour and colour patterns for not only historical reasons but also to promote safety in breed related performance activities and to protect and promote genetic strength in health issues by not introducing, nor fostering, colour related weaknesses.