The Kennel Club of India (KCI) is a registry of Purebred Dogs in India. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including Annual Dog Shows and Speciality Shows. The Kennel Club of India is a member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
The Kennel Club of India is also one of the few kennel clubs to be members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).[1]
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There were several established Kennel Clubs all over India during the British Colonialization of India (1857–1947). This included Kennel Clubs in Hyderabad, Ootacamund, Mysore, Calcutta to name a few. These Clubs followed procedures followed in the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom.
It was much after Independence that the idea for a centrallized structure for all these Kennel Clubs across the country was conceived. The Kennel Club of India was established in 1978.
The Kennel Club of India is the leading authority on registration on purebreds and maintains the only recognized registry. It issues Pedigrees for purebreds and litters. It hosts annual shows across the country and awards championships to various breeds of dogs.
The present chairman of the KCI is Shri S.Pathy who is a well known founder of Dobermann lines in India in the 1980s. Mr. C.V.Sudarsan- a recognized expert on Whippets is the Secretary of the Organization.[1]
The Kennel Club of India registers litters of puppies born in India whose Sire and Dam have both been registered with the Kennel Club of India (listed as Bred in India).[2] The KCI also registers puppies/dogs which have been imported from other countries.[2] Finally the KCI also registers puppies/dogs which are purebred but whose parents do not carry any papers. These dogs are registered as purebreds with Unknown Pedigree.
Pedigree Papers (Certificates) are issued by the KCI and is continuously appended as the dog keeps winning championships or keeps changing owners.[2]
The most common registered breeds with the KCI include: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Doberman Pinchers and Pugs.
Speciality and General Dog Shows are conducted by the Kennel Club of India all over the country. These shows are generally held from December to May of every year. The show follows procedures and guidelines complying with regulations of the FCI.
Dogs are issued Challenge Certificates and Championship Certificates. Dogs are awarded points (depending on their breed and temparment) in every dog show and at the end of the year- the dog receiving the most show points receives the Dog of the Year award.
The other awards include: Best in Class, Best of Breed, Best in Group, Best in Show
The KCI also has awards for breeders of the year and also a special award for Bred in India dogs (to encourage breeders to develop good bloodlines in India directly).
To develop excellent bloodlines and to prevent unscrupulous breeders who breed in Puppy Mills, the KCI has initiated an Accredited Breeders Scheme.[3] Over 700 Breeders are listed under this scheme and have proved to be extremely reliable.
In addition to General Dog Shows, the KCI also organizes Specialty Dog Shows (meant for particular breeds only). This include Dog Shows for separate breeds. Many Breeds in India have their own breed club which participate in these events.[4] These clubs include:
In addition to the shows, the KCI also publishes a monthly magazine - the Indian Kennel Gazette for all its members only (Not for sale commercially).[2]