origins of the Kennel Club Stud Book

The Origins of the KENNEL CLUB STUD BOOK.
[Why is the Kennel Club Stud Book Published ?]

written by Mr Vince Bradbury- Dyersbridge Rough Collies

.....Originally one of the earliest undertakings of the Kennel Club when it was formed in April 1873 was the compilation of a Stud Book, the editor being Mr Frank C.S.Pearce, the son of the Rev. Thomas Pearce, the well known "Idstone" of "The Field".

.....The first volume of the Stud Book contained the record of shows from 1859 and to quote The History of the Kennel Club, it was obvious that some system of distinctive nomenclature would have to be introduced to overcome the confusion arising out of "quantities of Spots, Bobs, Bangs, Jets, Nettles, Vics," most of them insufficiently described and none of them being well known dogs of the same name.

.....In 1880 the committee introduced a system of "Universal Registration" which was strongly opposed at first, but the advantage of reserving the use of a name for a dog was quickly seen and accepted. Registration in 1880 was nothing more than the registration of a name to avoid duplication in the Stud Book. The pedigree was of little importance and only came as an aid to identification at a later date.

.....The Committee formulated a code of 10 rules relating to dog shows, all of a simple character. It was announced that societies which adopted this code of rules for their shows would be "recognised" and the winners at their shows would be eligible for the Stud Book. In 1875 the Committee decided to disqualify dogs which were exhibited at unrecognised shows but this rule was not enforced for some years.

.....The Kennel Gazette was first published in 1880 and has continued as a monthly publication from that date. The Stud Book and Calendar has been published annually for well over 90 years.

.....So the first Stud Book contained the records of the shows. Then in tandem with the registration system which was adopted to avoid name duplication in the Stud Book it was used to record winners at only "recognised" shows.

.....Today the Stud Book is published as a means of recording only winners of certain classes and awards at shows which naturally nowadays are held under K.C. rules and regulations.

.....This record [The Stud Book] is published annually to provide details of elite animals.