The Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar for 2020 is now available and features 12 stories of dogs that have overcome the odds and settled into new homes.
The calendar will raise funds for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, one of the largest charities dedicated to dog health and welfare in the UK and is the perfect present for any dog lover at Christmas. 
Showcasing many touching stories, the calendar features dogs that have come from troubled backgrounds or from families that could no longer care for them, like Kiwi, the mistreated Akita, who was terrified of everyone when she arrived for rehoming, or Rafika the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer, who was cherished by his former family but needed a new home because his owners couldn’t give the amount of training and care he required.
The calendar will feature professional ‘pawtraits’, with each month’s dog having their unique story told alongside their winning pose.
The calendar’s cover star, Tyler the Rough Collie was rehomed from Collie Rescue (Rough and Smooth) at just four months old by Pauline and Steve Bradbury, from Derbyshire.
Pauline said: “Tyler’s mum was smuggled into the UK from a puppy far, and when she was born, it was clear she had many health issues, including ear problems, blindness and hip dysplasia. We nursed her back to health, and she is such a wonderful, friendly and sociable dog. We are so happy that not only did she make it into the calendar but that she will also feature as the cover star, she really deserves it.”
As the cover star, Tyler wins £100 for her rehoming centre, Collie Rescue (Rough and Smooth), while the other dogs that feature in the calendar each win £50 for their respective welfare organisations. Donations are made by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
Collie Rescue (Rough and Smooth) has been operating since 1986 and currently rehomes up to 100 Collies each year. The funds they receive help pay towards vet’s bills and their sponsorship scheme, where they ensure older dogs get the treatment they need.
It is hoped that the dogs included in the 2020 calendar will help to raise awareness about the many issues rescue organisations face and the reasons why dogs can end up in rescue.
Tallulah the Pug, who was born on a puppy farm and was desperately ill when taken on, had to have surgery to treat Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition that threatened her life, while other dogs, like Crumpet the Boxer and Truffle the Old English Sheepdog, needed to be rehomed because their previous owners were not fully aware of all their needs being brought into the family.
Professor Steve Dean, Charman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: “Through these beautiful photographs we can showcase all these special dogs and their wonderful personalities, while highlighting the importance of the work that rescue welfare organisations do for hundreds of dogs across the country.
“By matching these dogs with their new owners, the welfare organisations are placing them in forever homes and giving them a second chance at life. It is so important that, when buying a dog, owners do their research thoroughly in order to ensure they are buying the right dog for their family, to help prevent high numbers of dogs ending up in rescue.”
The money raised through the sale of the calendars will enable the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to continue to make a difference for dogs in 2020, but funding a wide variety of work ranging from research into canine diseases, supporting dog welfare, organisations and training support dogs – all of which give dogs and their owners a healthier, happier life.
The Kennel Club Breed Rescue calendar will be on sale for £5 at Discover Dogs, which takes place on the 12th and 13th October at ExCeL London, and through the Kennel Club online shop via www.thekennelclub.org.uk.
