Before competing at a Kennel Club licensed dog show in the UK, exhibitors from overseas must obtain an authority to compete (ATC) registration number for each dog. Once the ATC number has been issued it will be valid for the life of the dog.
You may not enter any competitions in the UK until you have received your ATC number, and this number must be quoted on all entry forms. Failure to do so may result in your entry form being returned.
What is an authority to compete number?
Exhibitors from overseas who want to compete in any discipline in the UK must apply for an authority to compete registration number for each dog which will be valid for the life of the dog.
The ATC number must be used on all entry forms, and will include a reference to the dog's country of origin.
What do I need to do?
Your dog must be registered with a kennel club with which we have a reciprocal agreement, or which has full membership, associate membership or contract partnership of the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale).
You will be required to complete the application online and send a copy of your dog's ownership document and a three generation pedigree, issued by The Kennel Club with which the dog is registered. The ownership on the pedigree must be identical to the applicant as stated on the form.
Please ensure any copies sent are clear. Please ensure the files are jpg or pdf format to avoid delays. You must only submit the application once to prevent duplicate payments from being taken.
The Kennel Club will issue the applicant with a unique ATC number for that dog. This number will be required on all entry forms submitted by overseas competitors.
What do I need to submit?
- Three generation pedigree (a photocopy is acceptable), issued by the overseas kennel club with which the dog is registered
- The pedigree must show the name of the owner of the dog (the same as the person applying for the ATC)
- Alternatively, a copy of the registration/transfer document to show that the dog is owned by the person applying for the ATC must be sent to The Kennel Club
On acceptance, the owner of a dog will receive an ATC number which, as well as being quoted on all entry forms, must also be quoted on all correspondence.
Exceptions
Dogs registered overseas which were originally registered with The Kennel Club do not require an ATC number, since we already have the information needed. Owners of these dogs should enter the dog's original registration number from The Kennel Club in place of the ATC number on all entry forms.
Eligibility
It is the exhibitor's responsibility to ensure that their dog is eligible for the class that they have entered, especially when calculating wins which count towards the title of champion.
Prior to exhibition, permission must be sought from The Kennel Club board to exhibit any dog which has undergone any operation to alter its natural conformation. Dogs which have been spayed or castrated are only permitted to be exhibited at Kennel Club licensed events if the owner has informed The Kennel Club, prior to exhibition, of:
- the date of the operation
- the name of the veterinary surgeon
- the practice where the operation was carried out
Dogs with cropped ears are not eligible to compete at any event licensed by The Kennel Club.
Overseas exhibitors are reminded that The Kennel Club has the jurisdiction to investigate, and if necessary to penalise, any breaches of The Kennel Club regulations or complaints made under rule A42.
Rules and regulations
Kennel Club licensed dog shows in the UK must adhere to The Kennel Club rules and regulations, these can be found in The Kennel Club Year Book, which is available to buy from our online shop.
Entering the UK
Before you may enter the UK with your dog, you will need to comply with strict regulations laid down by Defra. We recommend you check their website for up-to-date information.
For more information, contact Defra:
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Telephone number: 020 7238 6000
Helpline phone number: 0870 241 1710
Helpline fax number: 020 7270 8419
Visit the Defra website or email their pets helpline.
Importing from Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands
If your dog is registered with either the Irish Kennel Club, Guernsey Kennel Club or Kennel Club of Jersey, and is residing in the United Kingdom, you can apply for an import online using form 4 - application for the registration of an imported dog or if you prefer, you can download and complete a PDF version of form 4.
If you are continuing to reside in the dog’s registered country, but are applying to import to the UK for competition or exhibition purposes, there are two methods by which you can do this:
- Form 4 (online) - application for the registration of an imported dog: This application must be submitted with copies of the owner’s registration certificate and either the dog’s three or five generation pedigree*. The costs for the application are £33 and £43 respectively and the dog’s import will be marked for competition only. The benefit of using this method is that if you immigrate to the UK at a later date, and the dog is fully imported, you will not have to pay the import fee a second time. If you prefer, you can download and complete a PDF version of form 4
- Form 14 - application for an authority to compete (ATC) number: An application for an ATC number costs £33. However, if you later immigrate to the UK, and the dog is fully imported, you will be required to complete a form 4 and pay the importation fee
Dogs can only be fully imported if they reside in the UK. Conversely, dogs residing in the UK cannot receive an ATC number or be recorded for exhibition-only.
*Please note that if you can only supply a pedigree with four generations, you have the following options:
- Select a three generation pedigree, with all four generations recorded on The Kennel Club’s system, but only three printed on the certificate
- Select a five generation pedigree, with four generations recorded and printed, but the fifth column on the certificate being left incomplete
Frequently asked questions
1. How long does it take for an ATC application to be processed?
We aim to deliver an ATC application within 28 days.
2. I need the ATC number for a show entry. How can I obtain this?
The applicant for an ATC application will receive their ATC number by email as soon as it is completed. Please ensure the application is completed in full and the correct documents are supplied to prevent any delay with processing.
3. How can I make payment for the application?
Payment needs to be completed in pounds sterling (£) or you can quote your credit card number on the form.
4. What documents do I need to submit with my application?
The Kennel Club requires an owner's document and a three generation pedigree (showing the registered owner's name) for your dog issued by the appropriate overseas kennel club. The ownership on the pedigree must be identical to the applicant as stated on the form. The dog must be registered with a kennel club with which we have a reciprocal agreement, or which has full membership, associate membership or contract partnership of the FCI.
5. Does The Kennel Club require original paperwork for my dog's ownership document or pedigree?
The Kennel Club requires an owner's document and a three generation pedigree for your dog issued by the appropriate overseas kennel club. Electronic copies of these can be uploaded with your online application.
6. My dog has won international titles can these be recorded?
The Kennel Club will only record a title won at a national show from the country of origin. Please submit a copy of the award with the application.
7. How can I submit the application?
Pay the fee and complete a form 14 online, during which time you can upload the ownership document and three generation pedigree.
8. I live in the Republic of Ireland or Channel Islands. Do I need to complete an ATC application?
If you reside in the Republic of Ireland, Guernsey or Jersey, and your dog is registered with the respective Kennel Club, you can either:
- complete a form 14 - application for an authority to compete (ATC) number
- complete a form 4 (online) - application for the registration of an imported dog, and record the dog for exhibition only. If you prefer, you can download and complete a PDF version of form 4
9. My dog was registered by The Kennel Club, but now lives overseas. Do I need to apply for an ATC number?
No, if your dog was registered in the UK you would not require an ATC number. Please use the dog's UK registration name and number on the entries. The ownership of the dog would need to match the ownership with The Kennel Club. If this has changed, we would require copies of the overseas registration documents supplied with a covering letter so we can update the details.
10. My dog has an ATC number but the ownership has changed. Do I need to reapply?
No, the ATC number for the dog would stay the same, but we would need to update the owner's details. Please email your request through to us along with a scan/clear photo of the ownership certificate/pedigree confirming the ownership change.
French version / Version française
Afin de présenter votre chien au Royaume-Uni (et au concours Crufts), celui-ci doit être enregistré auprès du Kennel Club ou avoir un numéro d’autorisation de compétition (ATC) provenant du Kennel Club.
Qu'est-ce qu'un numéro d'autorisation de compétition (ATC)?
Tout exposant provenant de l’étranger et souhaitant concourir dans n'importe quelle discipline au Royaume-Uni doit faire la demande d’un numéro d’autorisation ATC pour chaque chien. Celui-ci sera valable à vie. Le numéro ATC doit être indiqué sur tous les formulaires d'inscription et inclure le pays d'origine du chien.
Comment dois-je procéder?
Votre chien doit être inscrit dans un Kennel Club avec lequel nous avons établi un accord de réciprocité, ou qui est membre à part entière, membre associé ou en contrat de partenariat avec la FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale).
Vous devrez remplir le formulaire en ligne et envoyer une copie du titre de propriété de votre chien, ainsi qu’un pedigree trois générations, émis par le Kennel Club auprès duquel le chien est enregistré. Le nom du propriétaire sur le certificat de pedigree doit être identique au nom du demandeur tel qu'indiqué sur le formulaire.
Les copies envoyées doivent être lisibles. Veuillez-vous assurer que les fichiers soient au format jpg ou PDF afin d’éviter tout retard. Vous ne devez soumettre la demande qu'une seule fois afin d’éviter les doublons de paiement.
Le Kennel Club attribuera au demandeur un numéro ATC unique pour le chien. Ce numéro sera requis sur tous les formulaires d'inscription soumis par les concurrents étrangers.
Que dois-je envoyer?
- Pedigree trois générations (une photocopie suffit), délivré par le kennel club étranger chez lequel le chien est enregistré
- Le pedigree doit indiquer le nom du propriétaire du chien (il doit être identique au nom de la personne effectuant la demande d'ATC)
- Alternativement, une copie du document d'enregistrement / transfert prouvant que le chien appartient à la personne effectuant la demande d'ATC, peut être envoyée au Kennel Club
Lors de l'acceptation de la demande, le propriétaire du chien recevra un numéro ATC qui, en plus d'être indiqué sur tous les formulaires d'inscription, doit également être indiqué sur toute correspondance.
Exceptions
Les chiens enregistrés à l'étranger, qui étaient à l'origine enregistrés auprès du Kennel Club, n'ont pas besoin d'un numéro ATC, car nous possédons déjà toutes les informations. Les propriétaires de ces chiens doivent renseigner le numéro d'enregistrement original du Kennel Club à la place du numéro ATC sur tous les formulaires d'inscription.
Admissibilité
Il est de la responsabilité de l'exposant de s'assurer que son chien est éligible pour la classe dans laquelle il est inscrit, en particulier lors du calcul des prix qui comptent pour le titre de champion.
Avant le concours, la demande de permission doit être faite auprès du conseil du Kennel Club, pour déclarer tout chien ayant subi une opération visant à modifier sa conformation naturelle. Les chiens ayant été castrés ou stérilisés ne sont autorisés à concourir aux événements officiels du Kennel Club que si le propriétaire a informé le Kennel Club, avant le concours, de:
- la date de l'opération
- le nom du vétérinaire
- le cabinet vétérinaire dans lequel l'opération a été effectuée
Les chiens aux oreilles coupées ne sont pas éligibles à participer aux événements officiels du Kennel Club.
German version / Deutsche Version
Um Ihren Hund im Vereinigten Königreich (und in Crufts) vorzuführen, muss Ihr Hund entweder beim The Kennel Club registriert sein oder über eine sogenannte “Authority to Compete”-Nummer (ATC) vom The Kennel Club verfügen.
Was ist eine ATC-Nummer?
Aussteller aus dem Ausland, die in einer Disziplin in Großbritannien antreten möchten, müssen für jeden Hund eine ATC-Registrierungsnummer beantragen, die dann für den Hund ein Leben lang gültig sein wird. Die ATC-Nummer muss auf allen Anmeldeformularen verwendet werden und enthält einen Verweis auf das Herkunftsland des Hundes.
Was muss ich tun?
Ihr Hund muss bei einem Hundeclub registriert sein, mit dem wir einen gegenseitigen Vertrag haben, oder bei einem Hundeclub, der Vollmitglied, assoziiertes Mitglied oder Vertragspartner des FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) ist.
Sie müssen den Antrag online ausfüllen und eine Kopie der Besitzurkunde Ihres Hundes sowie einen Stammbaum über drei Generationen weiterleiten, der vom Hundeclub ausgestellt wurde, bei dem der Hund angemeldet ist. Das Eigentum am Stammbaum muss mit dem auf dem Formular angegebenen Antragsteller identisch sein.
Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass alle weitergeleiteten Kopien deutlich erkennbar sind. Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass die Dateien im JPG- oder PDF-Format vorliegen, um zeitliche Verzögerungen zu vermeiden. Sie dürfen den Antrag nur einmal einreichen, um doppelte Zahlungen zu umgehen.
The Kennel Club wird dem Antragsteller eine individuelle ATC-Nummer für den jeweiligen Hund ausstellen. Diese Nummer muss auf allen Anmeldeformularen angegeben sein, die von ausländischen Wettbewerbern eingereicht werden.
Was muss ich einreichen?
- Stammbaum über drei Generationen (eine Fotokopie ist ausreichend), ausgestellt vom ausländischen Hundeclub, bei dem der Hund angemeldet ist
- Der Stammbaum muss den Namen des Hundebesitzers enthalten (derselbe Name wie die Person, die den ATC-Antrag stellt)
- Alternativ kann eine Kopie des Anmelde-/ Transferdokuments beim The Kennel Club eingereicht werden, um zu bestätigen, dass der Hund der Person gehört, die den ATC-Antrag stellt
Sobald Sie eine ATC-Nummer erhalten haben, muss diese auf allen Antragsformularen und Schriftverkehr angegeben werden.
Ausnahmen
Ausländisch registrierte Hunde, die ursprünglich beim The Kennel Club registriert waren, benötigen keine ATC-Nummer. Besitzer dieser Hunde sollten die ursprüngliche Registrierungsnummer vom The Kennel Club anstatt der ATC-Nummer auf allen Antragsformularen angeben.
Eignung
Es liegt in der Verantwortung des Ausstellers sicherzustellen, dass der Hund für die gewählte Klasse geeignet ist, vor allem bei der Berechnung von Gewinnen, die für den Titel des Champions zählen.
Vor der Ausstellung muss eine Genehmigung vom The Kennel Club Board eingeholt werden, um Hunde vorzuführen, die Operationen hatten, um ihre natürliche Gestalt zu ändern. Sterilisierte oder kastrierte Hunde können nur bei lizensierten Kennel Club Veranstaltungen vorgeführt werden, solange der Besitzer The Kennel Club vor der jeweiligen Ausstellung über folgendes in Kenntnis setzt:
- Operationsdatum
- Name des Tierarztes
- Praxis, in der die Operation stattfand
Hunde mit kupierten Ohren können nicht an lizenzierten Kennel Club-Veranstaltungen teilnehmen.
Italian version / Versione italiana
Affinché il tuo cane possa partecipare ad un evento in Regno Unito (e al Crufts) deve essere registrato con il Kennel Club oppure deve disporre di un numero ATC (Authority To Compete) rilasciato dal Kennel Club.
Cos’è un numero ATC (Authority To Compete)?
Gli espositori provenienti dall’estero interessati a partecipare a qualsiasi disciplina in Regno Unito devono fare domanda per un numero di registrazione ATC per ogni cane; tale numero sarà valido per tutta la vita dell’animale. Il numero ATC deve essere utilizzato su tutti i moduli di ammissione e includerà un riferimento al Paese di origine del cane.
Cosa devo fare per ottenerlo?
Il tuo cane deve essere registrato con un club cinofilo con cui abbiamo stipulato un accordo reciproco o che ha una membership completa, una membership associata o un contratto di partenariato con l’FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale).
È necessario compilare una domanda online e inviare una copia del documento di proprietà del cane e del pedigree di tre generazioni, rilasciato dal Kennel Club in cui è registrato il tuo cane. Il proprietario indicato sul pedigree deve essere lo stesso riportato sul modulo della domanda.
Ti preghiamo di assicurarti che tutte le copie dei documenti siano complete. È richiesto l’invio di file in formato jpg o pdf per evitare ritardi con l’elaborazione della pratica. La domanda deve essere inviata una sola volta per evitare che siano effettuati pagamenti multipli.
Il Kennel Club rilascerà al candidato un numero ATC unico per il proprio cane. Tale numero sarà richiesto su tutti i moduli di ammissione inviati dai concorrenti provenienti dall’estero.
Quali informazioni devo fornire?
- Il pedigree di tre generazioni (fotocopia), rilasciato dal club cinofilo estero in cui è registrato il cane
- Il pedigree deve mostrare il nome del proprietario del cane (lo stesso della persona che fa domanda per l’ATC)
- Oppure, è necessario inviare al Kennel Club una copia del documento di registrazione/trasferimento che mostri che il proprietario del cane è la stessa persona che fa domanda per l’ATC
Al momento dell’accettazione, il proprietario del cane riceverà un numero ATC che, oltre ad essere riportato su tutti i moduli di ammissioni, dovrà essere riportato anche in tutte le corrispondenze.
Eccezioni
I cani registrati all’estero che sono stati precedentemente registrati con il Kennel Club non necessitano di un numero ATC dal momento che abbiamo già le informazioni richieste. I proprietari di questi cani devono inserire su tutti i moduli di ammissione il numero di registrazione del Kennel Club di origine del proprio cane al posto del numero ATC.
Criteri di ammissione
L’espositore ha la responsabilità di assicurare che il proprio cane sia idoneo per partecipare alla classe a cui è iscritto, soprattutto quando si calcolano vincite valide per il titolo di campione.
Prima dell’evento, deve essere richiesto il permesso dal comitato del Kennel Club per poter far partecipare un cane che ha subito qualsiasi tipo di operazione volta ad alterarne la conformazione naturale. I cani che sono stati sterilizzati o castrati sono ammessi agli eventi autorizzati dal Kennel Club solo se il proprietario ha informato il Kennel Club prima dell’evento, fornendo le seguenti informazioni:
- la data dell’operazione
- il nome del chirurgo veterinario
- la clinica in cui è stata effettuata l’operazione
I cani con orecchie tagliate non sono idonei per partecipare a nessun evento autorizzato da The Kennel Club.