Breed Watch (health and welfare of show dogs)

• Basset Hound (as of 1st January 2025) 
• Bulldog 
• Dogue de Bordeaux 
• French Bulldog (as of 1st January 2025) 
• German Shepherd Dog 
• Mastiff 
• Neapolitan Mastiff 
• Pekingese 
• Pug 
• St. Bernard 

• Bedlington Terrier
• Bloodhound (as of 1st January 2025) 
• Borzoi
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier (Miniature)
• Bullmastiff
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Cesky Terrier
• Chihuahua (Long Coat)
• Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)
• Chinese Crested
• Chow Chow
• Collie (Rough)
• Dachshund (Long Haired)
• Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired)
• Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired)
• Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired)
• Dachshund (Smooth Haired)
• Dachshund (Wire Haired)
• German Spitz (Klein)
• German Spitz (Mittel)
• Gordon Setter
• Great Dane
• Griffon Bruxellois
• Irish Terrier
• Irish Wolfhound
• Keeshond
• King Charles Spaniel
• Leonberger
• Maremma Sheepdog
• Newfoundland
• Norwich Terrier
• Old English Sheepdog
• Pomeranian
• Pyrenean Mountain Dog
• Retriever (Golden)
• Retriever (Labrador)
• Rottweiler
• Shar Pei
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Siberian Husky
• Spaniel (American Cocker)
• Spaniel (Clumber)
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier

Best of Breed winners of category 3 breeds at general and group championship shows must pass a veterinary health check with the show society veterinary surgeon before they can enter the group competition.

This regulation applies to the following breeds: 

• Basset Hound (as of 1st January 2025) 
• Bulldog
• French Bulldog (as of 1st January 2025) 
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• German Shepherd Dog
• Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pekingese
• Pug
• St. Bernard

Category 3 breeds must also undergo a veterinary health check before their Champion title is confirmed. Exhibitors must contact the show society secretary of the general or group championship show they wish to attend in advance, to ensure the secretary is aware that you intend to have a Champion title check. 

View our veterinary check guidance document for more information.

Why were veterinary checks introduced?

The Kennel Club Board, on the recommendation of The Kennel Club’s Dog Health Group, decided to implement veterinary checks to ensure that dogs competing in group competitions are visibly free from signs of discomfort, such as lameness or ataxia. Dogs must also show no signs of timidity, aggression, or anxiety that could cause distress.  
This initiative, along with other health measures, aims to ensure that the show ring continues to positively impact canine health and welfare. The aim is to recognise and reward health improvements within the show ring and maintain the integrity of the sport. 

The veterinary check involves a visual examination to assess whether a dog's health and welfare are compromised, which could disqualify it from competing in the group competition on that day. It is not meant to serve as a judgment on conformation or breed-specific characteristics. While the vet is not expected to make a formal diagnosis, such diagnoses may sometimes result from the examination. 

When do I need a veterinary health check?  

All Best of Breed winners of Category 3 breeds must pass a veterinary health check before entering the group competition. Further, all Category 3 breeds must pass a veterinary health check before a Champion title can be confirmed by The Kennel Club. 

If you have a Category 3 breed and you win Best of Breed at a general and group championship show then once you have been awarded Best of Breed by the judge, the steward will retain the Best of Breed card and you will be asked to go to the vet to have a veterinary health check completed in a timely manner following judging. Often a show official from the society will be present to support you and guide you through the process. 

Do I have to go to the vet straight away?  

To support the smooth running of the show we ask that you go to the vet soon after receiving Best of Breed. It is perfectly reasonable to first get a drink or give your dog a drink before attending the vet, if you need a short rest break, or feel your dog does then please speak to the official who depending on timing should be able to support you with this. If a show official is present their role is to support you and guide you to the vet, they should not pressure you or make the experience uncomfortable, if you feel this is the case please speak to the show secretary directly.  

We need the co-operation of Category 3 Best of Breed winners to ensure the smooth running of show. Ideally you would have plenty of time to rest after the veterinary health check before the group competition.  

If I have not won Best of Breed, do I need a veterinary health check?  

Yes, for Category 3 breeds you will need a veterinary health check before the Champion title is confirmed. If you have not won the Challenge Certificate (CC) and Best of Breed at a general and group championship show you must arrange for a veterinary health check to be undertaken at a general and group championship show of your choosing, as all Category 3 breeds are required to have had one veterinary health check before Champion title can be confirmed. The Champion title will not be confirmed until the dog passes at least one veterinary health check.  

The dog can have a veterinary check at any time after the first CC, it is essential that owners speak to the show secretary to arrange a veterinary check at their preferred show in advance to ensure the smooth running of the show and to support the vet and show management team. We ask that exhibitors do not turn up to the show for Champion title veterinary health checks unless they have first spoken to the show secretary in advance and made arrangements.  

What will my dog be checked for?  

Please view our veterinary check guidance document for more information.

What if my dog does not pass the veterinary health check?  

The vet, like the judge, will assess your dog according to the criteria outlined in the veterinary check guidelines on the day of the show. If your dog does not pass, the vet will document the reasons for this on the form. This information is confidential between you, the vet, and The Kennel Club, and will not be shared with others unless you choose to disclose it yourself. 

It is possible that a dog may fail a veterinary health check at one show but pass at another, particularly in incidents where the dog has recovered from the issues that led to the initial failure. 

The vet's role is to safeguard the health and welfare of show dogs. We ask all exhibitors to respect the expertise and commitment of the vets, and to approach this process with mutual respect. 

What if I am unhappy about the result of my veterinary health check?  

The process by its nature does not lend itself to appeal and we are not able to offer an appeal process or retrospectively re-instate Best of Breed awards.  

What if I am unhappy with the veterinary health check process at the show? 

If you have concerns about the veterinary health check process or how you were treated at the show, your first step should be to speak directly with the show secretary. If you prefer, you can also submit your concerns in writing after the event, providing constructive feedback on how improvements might be made. 

Veterinary checks are managed by the individual show societies and their teams. The Kennel Club does not oversee these checks directly and delegates this responsibility to the show management team. Therefore, any issues should be addressed with the show management team. 

1. What role do judges play regarding Breed Watch? 

Underpinning Breed Watch is the role of the judge who plays an important part in reporting back on the prevalence of existing points of concern, but also contributes to the formation of new points of concern. 

From 2014 all judges at championship shows have had the opportunity to report on any visible conditions or exaggerations that they consider to be detrimental to the health and welfare of dogs. Consultation with breed health coordinators and breed clubs and councils is an important part of the health monitoring process. 

2. What are ‘points of concern’?

Points of concern are the specific visible conditions or exaggerations which a judge must take into account when deciding awards and should be penalised accordingly. Judges are not expected to assess dogs as a veterinary surgeon would. However, judges should use their extensive experience and knowledge of the breed to make a considered decision where the published points of concern are present. The points of concern for your breed can be found in our Breeds A to Z.

3. Is Breed Watch just for judges or can it be used by exhibitors too?

Breed Watch is predominantly aimed at dog show judges to highlight any points of concern that should be taken into consideration when judging the breed. 

However, exhibitors should also take the time to become familiar with the points of concern that can affect their breed, as they too have an important role to play in the future health and welfare of their breed. 

4. Does every breed have points of concern?

No, not every breed, but all breeds fall into one of the following three categories:

• Category 1: breeds with no current Breed Watch points of concern – no visible health concerns linked to conformation.
• Category 2: breeds with one or more Breed Watch points of concern – visible health concerns linked to exaggerated conformation that need closer attention and monitoring.
• Category 3: breeds with one or more Breed Watch points of concern – visible health concerns linked to exaggerated conformation, requiring increased support and proactive measures. Best of Breed veterinary health checks at general and group shows are required.

5. Does my breed require a BoB veterinary health check?

Only Category 3 breeds require a veterinary health check upon winning BoB prior to competing in the group. After judging your breed, the judge is also required to complete a mandatory health monitoring form.  

6. How were the points of concern developed for my breed?

Any points of concern are derived from a combination of health surveys, veterinary advice, feedback from judges’ health reports, evidence from the breed health and conservation plans and consultation with individual breed clubs and councils via the breed health coordinators.

7. How do points of concern get removed from Breed Watch?

The Kennel Club Health Advisory Group reviews the information reported by all parties (including judges). If over a consistent period of time a specific concern is no longer prevalent in the breed, there will be consultation with clubs and councils, after which the relevant point of concern will be removed from Breed Watch and judges’ monitoring of that point will cease. 

8. My breed has points of concern. Could it become a category 3 breed?

The current Category 3 breeds can be found on this page above. The transition between a breed having points of concern to becoming a Category 3 breed is a very gradual process, which only occurs when there is no discernible improvement in these points of concern. Our aim is that the Breed Watch process will enhance each breed’s ability to manage health improvement and to address emerging health issues. 

9. How do I inform The Kennel Club if I believe there is a health concern in my breed?

Breed enthusiasts should raise their concerns with the breed health coordinator, whose role involves collecting health information and data. If appropriate, the breed health coordinator will then inform The Kennel Club's health team.

10. If Breed Watch is about visible conditions, is there anywhere I can find information on hereditary conditions affecting my breed?

For more information on conditions which may affect your breed, we recommend that you:

• visit our Breeds A to Z
• contact your local breed club or breed health coordinator for further information
• request the breed health and conservation plan for your breed

11. Criteria for classification of Category 2 breeds

Category 2 breeds are identified based on having at least one notable point of concern. 

Each quarter, The Kennel Club’s Breed Standards and Conformation Group review data from judges’ health monitoring forms and breed health and conservation plans to track and assess concerns. If The Kennel Club determines that a breed should be added to Category 2 on Breed Watch, the breed's representatives will be notified. 

Breeds may also request the addition of a point of concern that impacts the health and welfare of their breed by contacting the Breed Standards and Conformation Group at health@thekennelclub.org.uk

12. Criteria for classification of Category 3 breeds 

The following guidance outlines the criteria for classifying breeds as Category 3 on Breed Watch: 

Breeds are reviewed every three years by the Breed Standards and Conformation Group, with breed engagement occurring as part of breed health and conservation plan meetings. A breed may be classified as Category 3 if it exhibits one or more of the following concerns: 

• Conformational features with health and welfare issues associated with exaggeration.  
• Low uptake of conformation related health screening.   
• Judges’ health monitoring forms – concerns raised.   
• High public profile with the need to demonstrate good health within the show population.   
• Multiple points of concern on Breed Watch.   
• Temperament concerns associated with extreme anxiety, timidity and/or aggression.  
• High registration figures including high numbers of dogs involved in showing.   

A Category 3 breed may present with some or all of these concerns. Additional factors will also be considered when classifying a breed as Category 3, with the breed health and conservation plan serving as the primary evidence used to evaluate data and information during the review process.

13. What is The Kennel Club doing for Category 3 breeds?

We actively support Category 3 breeds through dedicated resources and initiatives. This includes our breed health and conservation plans that enhance support for breed communities. We also provide additional assistance to judges and exhibitors of Category 3 breeds, as detailed in the links above. Proactive measures, such as mandatory veterinary checks, are central to our comprehensive approach to improving the health and welfare of these breeds. 

1. Judges' Health Monitoring Form

All championship show judges, regardless of breed, must complete a health monitoring form to ensure the ongoing health and welfare of the dogs they judge. Judges will receive a reminder email to complete their health monitoring form two weeks before their appointment. They should endeavour to complete the form as soon as possible after their judging appointment. The reminder email will also include additional resources to guide judges, offering helpful information on how to identify specific concerns.

Judges’ Health Monitoring Form

2. Breed-Specific Tally Sheets 

Tailored tally sheets have been developed for each breed to assist judges in their role. These sheets are designed to guide judges on breed-specific points of concern, helping them monitor and note any issues while they are judging.

1. We run a breed club championship/general/group show. How does Breed Watch affect our show?

All Judges’ will be sent a health monitoring form approximately two weeks before their appointment. Ideally, all championship show judges’ books should include the breed specific tally sheet. This enables judges to monitor points of concern whilst judging. Please email our health team to request copies of our breed-specific tally sheets at health@thekennelclub.org.uk

2. Where can I get the BoB veterinary health check triplicate booklet?

Category 3 veterinary health check forms can be ordered on our shop