Until 2007 the Breed Standard said: "Miniature ideal weight; 4.5kgs (10lbs). It is of the utmost importance that judges should not award prizes to animals over 5.0kgs (11lbs)". A Kennel Club Press Release in 2007 proposed ending the mandatory weighing of Miniature Dachshunds completely. This was opposed by all the Breed Clubs and eventually the Breed Standard was revised to say: Miniatures: Ideal weight 4.5 kg (10 lbs). Desired maximum weight 5 kg (11 lbs.) Exhibits which appear thin and undernourished should be severely penalised. A further change came in Feb 2009 by the Kennel club writing the letter below stating it DOES NOT APPROVE of weighing BECAUSE of potential welfare reasons.
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Kennel Club letter 2nd Feb 2009
The General Committee of the Kennel Club has considered the stance taken by the Dachshund Breed Council with regard to the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds at shows i.e. that ‘judges who refuse to weigh Miniature Dachshunds may have their names removed from the Breed Council (and UK Clubs’) Judging Lists and will not be offered appointments at any Breed Club shows.’
Having considered this matter, the Committee is of the opinion that those judges who refuse to weigh Miniature Dachshunds are being penalised by the Breed Council for so doing. The impact on new judges is thought to be particularly important in that, by placing a barrier to those who refuse to weigh being offered appointments to judge at breed club open shows, progression is effectively being blocked. It was the Committee’s view that any judges choosing not to weigh, as is their privilege under the new Regulations, should be supported by the Kennel Club.
Being mindful that the Kennel Club has, for potential welfare reasons, taken a line against weighing and has discontinued the practice at its own show Crufts, and in view of its focus on health and welfare issues, the Committee did not agree with the expressed attitude of the Dachshund Breed Council. It suggested that if the Breed Council persisted in taking such a stance certain consequences would follow:
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it would no longer consider any necessity for a prospective judge of Miniature Dachshunds to have undertaken an appointment at a breed club open show and
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it would not seek Breed Council opinion for any future nominations to judge the breed at Kennel Club Challenge Certificate level.
Though it has been agreed by the General Committee that no outright ban on weighing should be imposed meantime, its decision to allow the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds to continue at the discretion of the judge and the show concerned, will continue to be kept under strict review by the Kennel Club.
In the meantime it should be noted that, in line with previous Kennel Club announcements, both the judge and the show society concerned must be in agreement on whether or not weighing takes place and each is therefore responsible for arriving at this decision. The Kennel Club has made its position clear on this subject, in deciding that at its own show Crufts judges will not weigh Miniature Dachshunds,.
It has also been suggested that to avoid any potential allegations regarding the health and welfare of Miniature Dachshunds, water bowls should be placed in the Miniature Dachshund rings at shows. It is hoped that the Dachshund Breed Council and show societies will give their wholehearted support to this suggestion.
