The Malta Kennel Club is the largest canine organisation in Malta. It was founded way back in 1948 - unlike the Maltese National canine federation, which was only set up recently.
The MKC has three clubs under its jurisdiction - these are the MKC itself, the German Shepherd Dog Breed Club, and the recently formed Malta Kennel Club - Gozo Branch. Unlike the Federation, where the members of one club are the same in the other, the members of the three clubs are not similar within. These Clubs all have their own members, who are not necessarily members of the MKC.
The Malta Kennel Club had long been contemplating about the idea of setting up a Club in Gozo. It was therefore on the initiative of the Committee of the Malta Kennel Club that a meeting was organised. With the concerted efforts of the Ministry for Gozo and the Non Governmental Organisation, a meeting was arranged. The intention was to set up a Club in Gozo to attend to the needs and requirements of our fellow Gozitan dog enthusiasts. The dog fancier in Gozo had long been ignored. Canine activities on the island, although well attended, were few and far between. The Malta Kennel Club felt that there was a void to fill and thought that it was time that Gozitans should have their own club to attend to their own special needs and requirements. During the meeting a Committee for Gozo was unanimously elected. Obviously the Malta Kennel Club would continue to offer its support and expertise on any matter regarding canine matters. The Malta Kennel Club is proud to be the first to organise and set up a Club for dog lovers in Gozo.
In 1951, the (British) Kennel Club recognised the Malta Kennel Club and a reciprocal agreement was reached. Moreover, in 1999, the largest World Organisation for Dogs, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) also recognised the Malta Kennel Club as being the only Club which had full jurisdiction over Canine matters in Malta. The FCI subsequently recognised the MKC as an associate member. Malta now has full powers just like any other member of the FCI, which among others include all European Countries (except Britain) and many other clubs the world over. The FCI presently has 79 member countries.
The fact that The Malta Kennel Club managed to become an associate member of the FCI, proves without doubt that the MKC is conducting matters in the most professional manner. It shows that over these past 50 and more years the MKC had always carried out business according to Internationally recognised standards. It also proves that the Committee of the Malta Kennel Club has the most competent persons administering canine matters in Malta.
Since its inception the Malta Kennel Club has been fully responsible for dog registrations and issuing pedigrees. These Registrations and Pedigrees are the ONLY official documents that are recognised Internationally. The Malta Kennel Club at present registers over 1000 dogs per year. No other Club in Malta can issue Internationally recognised dog registrations and pedigrees.
The Malta Kennel Club gives a great deal of importance to its junior members. In fact it was the Malta Kennel Club which had Initially made the agreement with The Kennel Club to take part in the Junior Handler Competition at Crufts, when the (then) official of the MKC Mr. Harry Vella presented a letter of request to Ms. Liz Cartledge. In those days, it was only the MKC shows which were awarding points for selection of the Junior Handler. It was only AFTER the Canine Society requested affiliation with the MKC that we agreed to accept points of the shows of the MCS towards the Junior Handler. It was the MKC which had full control over these matters, whilst the MCS were to abide by our rules. For these past 16 years, the Malta Kennel Club has been the Official connection with the Kennel Club Junior Organisation. In fact, throughout these past years it was ONLY the MKC who was able to send the Maltese representative to participate in the Junior Handler competition at Crufts. These Junior representatives also benefitted from the various sponsors, which had been agreed to, with the MKC. We are proud to announce that the MKC's Junior representatives have always made a considerable impact and abtained very satisfactory results. Only last year, the MKC's representative won first prize at the Crufts Junior Handler Competition. Truly a prestigious feat for Malta.
The Malta Kennel Club has worked hard over these past years and we are now proud to present the first issue of the Club's magazine "Dogs & friends". This publication is a 36 page, full colour magazine. It is full of information about dogs and dog showing. In the next publication, the MKC wishes to increase both in volume as well as in number of articles.
The Malta Kennel Club is also proud to present its home - page, which can be reached at www.maltakennelclub.org This page is incidentally also linked to SearchMalta.com
The page is still under construction however we would appreciate feedback and constructive criticism. The MKC can also be contacted via e-mail on info@maltakennelclub.org .
The MKC organises the only recognised CAC Championship Dog Shows and CACIB International Championship Dog Shows in Malta. These shows are recognised internationally. CAC means Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat, whilst CACIB means Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté. Dogs which are awarded these certificates will be Internationally recognised as being Maltese National Champions (CAC) and International Champions (CACIB). The Malta Kennel Club organises 5 CAC Championship Dog Shows and a further CACIB International Championship Dog Show per year. This is the schedule for the coming months;
4th - 5th November 2000 CACIB International Championship Dog Show (all breeds)
13th - 14th January 2001 CAC Championship Dog Show (all breeds)
17th - 18th February 2001 CAC Championship Dog Show (all breeds)
24th - 25th March 2001 CAC Championship Dog Show (all breeds)
19th - 20th May 2001 CAC Championship Dog Show (all breeds)
29th - 30th September 2001 CAC Championship Dog show (all breeds)
10th - 11th November 2001 CACIB International Championship Dog Show (all breeds)
All the judges for these shows are invited subject to being fully qualified as ALL BREED judges. Unlike the canine federation who are only inviting judges who do not necessarily specialise in ALL the breeds shown, the MKC ensures that the invited judge is an all rounder in order to give the Maltese dog lovers an equal sporting chance. This is a pre-requisite by the FCI regulations for a judge to be able to award CAC and CACIB Certificates. Another novelty introduced in the MKC Shows is the issue of a critique by the judge for each and every dog entered in the show. This enables all dog owners to view first hand the evaluation of their dogs on the day. This system has been favourably met by the exhibitors.
The Malta Kennel Club has its own premises which is situated at 54, Rue D'Argens street, Msida. The Club's opening hours are from 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The club can be contacted by telephone or fax on Tel No. (+00356) 343524 or by e-mail at info@maltakennelclub.org .
The Malta Kennel Club - Gozo Branch is situated at N.G.O. Centre, Xewkija, Gozo. The Club is open every Wednesday from 5.30 p.m. till 7.30 p.m.
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