KENNEL CLUB registrations have increased by over 15.6% in the first three months of 2003 compared to those figures published for 2002.

The sporting groups of hounds, gundogs and terriers have turned in increases of 11%, 17%, and 13% respectively with gundogs up by over 4,000 to 27,222 registrations.

In the non-sporting groups the utility group is up by 12% to 5,922; working by 19% to 7,858; pastoral by 14% to 6,221 and the toy group by 14% to 6,047.

The overall total in up by 9,092 to 67,087. In the Kennel Club Chairman’s report published in this week’s issue we also note that transfers are also up by 17.9% compared to the first three-quarters of 2002.

Kennel Club members gathered in London this week for their Bi Annual General Meeting and ahead of this we publish in this week’s issue the Chairman’s report to the meeting.

We also understand that the Crufts 2004 schedule in now available and as usual the Crufts office will have a stand at the LKA show. For the second year running exhibitors will have the chance to enter on-line via the Kennel Club and Crufts websites.