The dog-related good deeds of the past 12 months were celebrated in London, as the Kennel Club hosted a prize-giving ceremony to honour the winners of the annual Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDS) Awards and the KC Dog Awards.

Now in their 16th year, the GCDS awards recognise the efforts of organisations nationwide which have invested their time and energy into helping to train dogs and educating their owners on the importance of responsible dog ownership.

The KC Dog Awards acknowledge the actions taken by politicians, local authorities, public bodies and individuals to develop positive alternatives to restrictions on dog walking and ensure that the nation’s dogs continue to enjoy maximum access to the UK’s open spaces.

The Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme was set up in 1992 to promote socially acceptable dogs by way of creating responsible dog owners. It provides a quality standard of training for dog and owner and incorporates many domestic obedience exercises.

Now the largest dog training scheme in the UK, since its inception over 430,000 certificates of achievement have been awarded to owners and their dogs who have successfully passed the scheme’s tests. There are currently around 1,800 dog training clubs and other organisations around the country actively using the scheme.

In honour of the scheme’s 20th birthday last year, a special award for outstanding service was presented to Mr Bill Hardaway, who was the Chairman of the GCDS from 1991-2010. Bill was responsible for launching the scheme and over the years helped to implement many scheme initiatives, including the annual awards.

The award winners were:

Kennel Club Registered Training Club
Winner – Langstone and District Canine Society
Second – Haslemere and District Dog Training Club
Third – The Isle of Wight Dog Training Society  

Kennel Club Listed Status Club
Winner – The K9 Academy
Second – Bordercombe Dog Training
Third – Braunton Dog Training Club  

Kennel Club General Canine Association/Breed Club
Winner – Lochaber and District Canine Society
Second – Southern Finnish Lapphund Society
Third – Hovawart Club of Great Britain  

Local Council Category – Most Effective Campaign
Winner – East Lothian Council

Lochaber and District Canine Society was chosen as the overall winner of the GCDS Awards for their dedication, commitment and outstanding support in promoting the scheme in 2012.

The Kennel Club’s KC Dog campaign was established in 2006, after the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act gave local authorities the power to restrict dog access in their area.
KC Dog award recipients were selected on account of their positive approach to dog walking around their local area. This year’s winners are:

KC Dog Campaigner Award
Good Glossop Dogs, High Peak, Derbyshire  

KC Dog Local Authority Award
North Hertfordshire District Council  

KC Dog Parliamentary Award
Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen  

KC Dog Special Recognition Award
Dorset Dogs, Dorset

Speaking at the ceremony, Kennel Club Chairman, Steve Dean, said: “These awards are an opportunity for us to credit the actions taken by training groups, politicians, local authorities, groups and individuals to ensure that the UK’s dogs continue to enjoy maximum access to the our open spaces.

“We really do feel that you, and many others, have all done fantastic work in promoting responsible dog ownership in local communities and all deserve a huge vote of thanks.  

"Your enthusiasm and dedication help organisations like the Kennel Club to promote responsible dog ownership and canine welfare, and we extend our appreciation for helping us make a positive difference for dogs and their owners.”