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Real-life nightmare: Crufts plunges into crisis as botched IT update forces Royal Kennel Club to lay off staff

Posted on by darion

By Ed Holt

Published: | Updated:

Crufts has been plunged into crisis after a botched IT upgrade forced the Royal Kennel Club to lay off staff.

The faulty computer software has caused the club millions of pounds in losses, which will be covered by cutting a fifth of its staff, cutting research into canine genetics and increasing puppy registration fees.

As well as organising the annual Crufts dog show, which attracts 155,000 visitors and is the largest dog show in the world, the Kennel Club also has a huge database of information on more than 14 million pedigree dogs in the UK.

Last year, 227,000 puppies were registered with the club for a £25 entry fee, which allows owners to brag about how clean their furry friend is.

However, the organization found itself in a difficult situation as attempts to update the database resulted in the discovery of errors and software failures.

Last year's Crufts winner: Melanie Raymond and her Australian Shepherd Viking. As well as organising the annual Crufts dog show, the Kennel Club also has a huge database of information on over 14 million pedigree dogs in the UK

Last year’s Crufts winner: Melanie Raymond and her Australian Shepherd Viking. As well as organising the annual Crufts dog show, the Kennel Club also has a huge database of information on over 14 million pedigree dogs in the UK

Kennel Club chief executive Mark Beazley. And Mr Beazley’s recruitment was a controversial choice due to his previous career at cat welfare charity Cat Protection

Kennel Club chief executive Mark Beazley. And Mr Beazley’s recruitment was a controversial choice due to his previous career at cat welfare charity Cat Protection

This led to a loss of £1.2m in 2022 and a further loss of £1.6m last year, the Daily Telegraph reports.

What’s more, the changes have sparked numerous complaints from owners and breeders, who were further angered by the decision to increase the puppy registration fee from £17 to £25 in 2022.

Schemes such as Assured Breeders and the University of Cambridge’s canine genetics funding centre will also be closed to try and recoup funds.

What’s more, the changes have sparked numerous complaints from owners and breeders, who were further angered by the decision to increase the puppy registration fee from £17 to £25 in 2022.

Meanwhile, the club has been embroiled in other controversies in recent years. Last year, the Kennel Club was criticized for holding its 150th anniversary celebration in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, where dogs are banned.

The selection of Mark Beazley as chief executive was controversial due to his previous career at cat welfare charity Cat Protection.

Cocker spaniel at Crufts The Kennel Club is left with its tail between its legs after attempts to update its database caused errors and software failures that led to a loss of £1.2m in 2022 and a further loss of £1.6m last year

Cocker spaniel at Crufts The Kennel Club is left with its tail between its legs after attempts to update its database caused errors and software failures that led to a loss of £1.2m in 2022 and a further loss of £1.6m last year

A poodle groomed at Crufts. King Charles III recently became the club's patron, leading to the organisation changing its name to the Royal Kennel Club in June

A poodle groomed at Crufts. King Charles III recently became the club’s patron, leading to the organisation changing its name to the Royal Kennel Club in June

Mr Beazley, who previously worked at The Dogs Trust, is currently on long-term sick leave.

In a statement to the Telegraph, the Kennel Club said: “Having been registering dogs since 1873 and given the ever-changing technical landscape, we have updated our customer relationship management system and website to protect the legacy of our data.

“Our database contained 40 million records, which meant a complex transformation. This, combined with the increase in demand during an unforeseen pandemic, caused technical issues and software errors. This was a huge disappointment for our customers.”

The Kennel Club began in 1873 as an organisation dedicated to organising dog shows and supervising stud books, but later transformed into a for-profit organisation.

King Charles III recently became the patron of the organisation, prompting it to change its name to the Royal Kennel Club in June.

MailOnline has contacted the Kennel Club for comment.