The Irish Kennel Club

What The Irish Kennel Club does

The Irish Kennel Club (IKC), founded in 1922 and headquartered at Fottrell House, Harold's Cross Bridge, Dublin 6W, is Ireland's National Canine Organisation and sole Irish member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). It operates as a private membership-based company (The Irish Kennel Club Limited, VAT 4807039L) with 11-50 employees, delivering dog registration, pedigree certification, competition licensing, and breed-related services to Irish dog breeders, owners, exhibitors, and affiliated breed clubs.

The IKC's technology infrastructure centres on the authorised Dog Identification Database under Section 5 of the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, holding 300,000+ dog records and integrated with the europetnet clearinghouse for cross-database microchip lookups. Supporting platforms include the myIKC member portal (registration transactions, pedigree applications, prefix/affix registration), the IKC Shop e-commerce storefront, the Puppy Zone marketplace connecting IKC members selling microchipped pedigree dogs with prospective buyers via privacy-protecting automated messaging, and the BreedFinder lifestyle questionnaire. The organisation owns the National Show Centre in Cloghran, Co. Dublin, hosting championship shows, agility, obedience, working trials, field trials, and rally-O events.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: annual membership subscriptions, transaction-based dog and litter registration fees, certified pedigree fees, event entry and judges licensing fees, and merchandise sales through the IKC Shop. The commercial model is community-led and event-driven, with over 180 affiliated breed clubs and canine societies serving as distribution and engagement nodes. Strategic partnerships with Agria (pet insurance, April 2025), Weatherbys Scientific (genetic testing), and University College Dublin's Pupscan Project (hip/elbow research) extend the organisation's scope into health, welfare, and genetic services, while exclusive ferry partnerships with Irish Ferries and Stena Line provide member travel benefits.

Name

The Irish Kennel Club

Legal name

The Irish Kennel Club Limited

Website

https://ikc.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Irish Kennel Club is Ireland's National Canine Organisation and sole FCI member, operating the authorised Dog Identification Database under Irish microchipping law and providing pedigree registration, competition licensing, and member services to Irish dog breeders, owners, exhibitors, and 180+ affiliated breed clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Canine Registry and Kennel Club Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Regulatory Authorities (Licensing, Compliance & Enforcement) (HLAMAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN), Companion/Specialty Animal Breeding & Genetics Services (non-livestock) (AFAEAJAO)

Keywords

• Dog registration services
• Kennel club management
• Purebred dog certification
• Canine competition events
• Pedigree database services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees providing access to member benefits, ferry discounts, and competition entry eligibility.
2. Registration Fees: Fees for dog registration, litter registration, prefix/affix registration, transfer of ownership, and certified pedigrees. Scales of fees effective October 2023.
3. Merchandise Sales: IKC Shop sells exclusive IKC merchandise including branded items and official publications.
4. Event Entry Fees: Fees for participation in dog shows, agility competitions, obedience trials, and field trials.
5. License Fees: Fees for event and judges licenses as part of competition organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Irish Kennel Club is Ireland's national canine organisation and sole FCI member, providing official pedigree dog and litter registration, certified pedigree issuance, prefix/affix registration, and ownership transfers. It maintains the authorised national Microchip Database under the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 and organises licensed canine competitions (Championship Shows, Agility, Obedience, Working Trials, Field Trials, RALLY-O). Additional services include the Puppy Zone breeder marketplace, IKC Journal magazine, branded merchandise shop, breed finder tool, and judge/breeder education seminars.

Product overview

The Irish Kennel Club operates a platform-based offering centered on purebred dog registration, competition management, and member services. The core myIKC portal serves as the central hub for member transactions including dog/litter registration, pedigree certification, and prefix registration. Supporting the registration core are the IKC Microchip Database (authorised under Irish regulations and integrated with europetnet) and Puppy Zone marketplace. Competition products include Dog Shows, Agility, Obedience, Working Trials, Field Trials, and RALLY-O events. Additional revenue streams come from the IKC Journal Magazine subscription/publication and IKC Shop merchandise sales. The National Show Centre in Dublin serves as the primary venue for events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• myIKC Member Portal Online portal for IKC members to apply for membership, register individual dogs and litters, view registered dogs, apply for certified pedigrees, and register prefixes/affixes. Members also access exclusive offers such as ferry partner discounts.
• IKC Dog Shows
• IKC Agility Competitions
• IKC Obedience Competitions
• IKC Working Trials
• IKC Field Trials
• IKC RALLY-O
• IKC Microchip Database Authorised Dog Identification Database under Section 5 of the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, storing microchip numbers linked to owner details for over 300,000 dogs. Integrated with europetnet clearinghouse for cross-database lost-pet searches.
• Puppy Zone Free online marketplace connecting IKC members selling pedigree puppies and dogs with prospective buyers. Features automated messaging that protects member personal contact details; dogs must be IKC registered, microchipped, and at least 8 weeks old.
• IKC Journal Magazine Official publication of the Irish Kennel Club featuring dog show reports, IKC news, breed features, and expert coverage of canine sports.
• IKC Shop Online store selling exclusive IKC branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, and official publications.
• BreedFinder Interactive online questionnaire that helps prospective dog owners identify the ideal dog breed based on their lifestyle, living situation, and personal preferences.
• National Show Centre IKC-owned venue located in Cloghran, Co. Dublin, used as the primary location for hosting IKC dog shows, competitions, and related events.
• IKC Accredited Seminars Educational seminars accredited by the IKC covering breed standards, health initiatives, and competition rules, aimed at judges and breeders.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AgriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2025Cooperation agreement announced April 2025 to promote dog health. Agria is a pet insurance provider offering exclusive rates for IKC members. Partnership includes promotional activities and the Agria Ireland Dog Walk event.
• Weatherbys ScientificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred provider of genetic disease testing and parental verification for Irish dog owners and breeders. Samples submitted to laboratory in Naas, Co. Kildare. Offers CombiBreed packages for common breeds and FCI breed groups.
• The Pupscan Project / University College DublincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative partnership to research hip/elbow development in dogs. UCD provides academic oversight for genetic and data analysis. Project uses non-invasive ultrasound technology for early diagnosis in puppies.
• Irish FerriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive ferry partner offering discounted rates for IKC dog show competitors traveling to events in Ireland.
• Stena LineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive ferry partner on Irish Sea routes. IKC members access special fares through myIKC account to facilitate canine interests across the water.
• FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale)coreOthersInternational canine organization. IKC is Ireland's sole member. Participation in FCI European Section Committee and World Dog Show events.
• The Kennel Club (UK)minorOthersUK Kennel Club listed as partner organization. Cross-border collaboration for dog shows and field trials.
• DSPCA (Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint submission on Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines. Collaboration on animal welfare advocacy and breeding regulation reform.
• Irish Guide DogsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport for Gallop for the Guide Dogs 5km run event at Curragh Racecourse to raise funds.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• American Kennel Club (AKC): The largest national kennel club by registered dogs; runs pedigree registration, events (shows, agility, obedience), and a marketplace comparable to IKC's portfolio. Closest US analog in scope and revenue model.
• The Kennel Club (UK): The UK's equivalent national kennel club and listed IKC partner; runs the same pedigree registration, microchipping, and championship show model in a closely adjacent jurisdiction, making it the cleanest structural comparable.

Regional players

• Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Australia's peak kennel body across state member bodies. Comparable pedigree registration and national show governance structure to IKC's all-island model.
• Royal New Zealand Kennel Club (Dogs New Zealand): New Zealand's national kennel club and FCI member. Similar scope (registrations, events, breed health) in a smaller jurisdiction, useful as a like-for-like peer in scale.
• Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Canada's national kennel club, offering registration, events, and member services modeled on the same FCI pedigree framework. Useful for North American benchmarking.
• Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI): Italy's national kennel club and FCI member. Comparable registration, microchipping, and event mix in another European market.
• Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH): Germany's umbrella kennel organisation and FCI member. Comparable pedigree certification, breed warden system, and event portfolio, useful for German-market benchmarking.
• Société Centrale Canine (France): France's FCI member club. Runs the same registration, microchipping (I-CAD), and event mix; comparable for benchmark on a larger European pedigree base.

Broad incumbents

• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): World governing body for kennel clubs in which IKC holds membership. Sets breed standards and sanctions World Dog Shows; useful for benchmarking international scope and governance.

Others

• Agria (pet insurance): Strategic partner of IKC since April 2025 offering member-exclusive pet insurance. Not a direct competitor but an adjacent, monetising ecosystem partner that signals IKC's expansion into insurance distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IrishKennelClub
• Facebookfacebook.com/ikc.ie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Irish Kennel Club