French

Get In Touch

Entrer en contact

Membership Plus Toll Free

Adhésion Plus – sans frais

telephone 1-855-880-6237

Order Desk

Bureau des commandes

mail[email protected] telephone 1-800-250-8040

Your Club is Here to Help!

Besoin d’aide? Le Club est à votre disposition.

If you’ve lost registration paperwork or certificates due to circumstances out of your control (fires, floods, etc.), please reach out to us using one of the above methods and we can help replace your important documents.

Have Your Say: Protect Choice for Breeders and Dog Owners in Ontario


The Ontario government recently introduced the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, which includes potential amendments to animal welfare legislation. As part of this initiative, the Ministry is proposing a regulation under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS Act) that would prohibit select veterinary elective procedures such as canine ear cropping and debarking. The Ministry indicates that licensed veterinarians would be permitted to perform these procedures if deemed necessary for an animal’s health or safety. 
 
CKC Breed Standards allow for choice for breeds that may have ears that are cropped and eliminating choice could restrict breeders’ and owners’ ability to make informed decisions for their dogs’ well-being. We encourage members to ask the government to maintain choice for responsible breeders and dog owners and recognize procedures that serve legitimate health prevention or safety purposes. 
 
How to Participate:  
1. Review the proposal via the Ontario Regulatory Registry (ORR);  
2. Download and complete the feedback template Consultation Questionnaire (on the ORR page);  
3. Save the responses to the questionnaire;  
4. Click on “comment on this proposal” at the top of the screen and drop or upload your completed questionnaire to submit your response via email. 
 
Deadline: Submit your comments before February 5, 2026. 
 
CKC will meet with the Ministry in mid-January to provide input on the proposed changes. We will be speaking with members, subject matter experts and breed clubs over the weeks ahead, to strengthen our position and support members who may be directly impacted. If you have questions or comments, please share them via [email protected]. We will review all feedback once we return from the holiday break on Friday, January 2, 2026.  We would also welcome receipt of completed questionnaires to ORR to help inform the CKC's response and prepare for the upcoming consultations. 
 
Thank you for your continued support of purebred dogs and accountable breeding practices.   

Below are Key Messages to assist you with your responses: 
  • We appreciate the Ministry’s commitment to animal welfare and preventing unnecessary harm.  
  • Responsible breeders and dog owners should retain the ability to make informed decisions based on sound breeding practices (maintaining health and genetic diversity) and, where necessary, procedures should be undertaken in consultation with licensed veterinarians. 
  • A procedure such as ear cropping is not an elective choice to alter an animal's behavior or fix an issue which could readily be addressed through appropriate training.  It is a proactive measure for canine welfare. 
  • Health-related procedures serve functional and preventative purposes, such as reducing injury risk and preventing chronic conditions.  
  • We support regulations that prevent unnecessary harm while recognizing procedures that benefit the health, safety, and preservation of purebred dogs. 
  • A blanket ban ignores the nuanced reasons these practices exist and could negatively impact animal well-being.  
  • Please ensure that Ontario’s animal welfare legislation remains balanced, practical for responsible dog owners and supports the health and well-being of purebred dogs. 
AccueilHome > News > 2025 > December > Have Your Say: Protect Choice for Breeders and Dog Owners in Ontario