The Finnish Kennel Club suspends all activities related to protection sport training and trials

The Board of the Finnish Kennel Club decided on 28 February 2021 to suspend all activities related to Mondioring and IGP protection training (phase C) and trials.

The reason for suspension of activities are the cases of using cruel and inhumane methods in protection training in subsections of the German Shepherd Club of Finland. There is zero tolerance for this kind of dog training, and it must be strictly interfered with.  

- It is devastating that there are still people in the 21st century who think that the best way to train dogs is to kick, hit and strangle them and to use prong collars or electricity, says Harri Lehkonen, the Chair of the Finnish Kennel Club’s Board.

The activities can continue once the shortcomings have been sorted out and rectified, and once all operation models have been improved to support the welfare of animals and to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. The Ethical Committee of the Finnish Kennel Club will deal with the cases within the framework of the Finnish Kennel Club's statutes.

The Finnish Kennel Club requires the Finnish Working Dog Association and the German Shepherd Club of Finland to reform protection training and improve the supervision of training as regards Mondioring and IGP protection training. The Finnish Kennel Club, the Finnish Working Dog Association, and the German Shepherd Club of Finland have agreed on measures to be taken, of which the first ones to be implemented is ethical training and an ethical commitment for judges and officials.

The German Shepherd Club of Finland has interrupted its protection training and has suspended two of its member clubs. Also, the Finnish Working Dog Association, which administers protection sport trials, has informed that it will not allow the two member clubs of the German Shepherd Club of Finland to organize trials and competitions for the time being.

For more information

Chair of the Finnish Kennel Club’s Board
Harri Lehkonen
harri.lehkonen@kennelliitto.fi
tel. +358 50 329 2188