Wellington dog breeder Jhanzi Afghan Hound operated by Will Hansen and Mary Phillips claimed their business suffered one million dollars damage after NZ Kennel Club reversed pedigree registration of three puppies on learning they were born from breeding a son with mother, in breach of Kennel Club pedigree rules.
Justice Radich ruled Kennel Club acted correctly when it cancelled registration within a week.
Jhanzi Afghan Hound failed to mitigate its supposed losses by instead selling the puppies on the open market, without pedigree registration, he said.
The High Court was told three Kennel Club members laid complaints with Club staff within days of the puppies’ registration being processed.
After confirming dam and sire were mother and son, the Club director/secretary cancelled registration.
Jhanzi Afghan Hound sued, alleging a loss of potential awards and prizes from showing the dogs together with loss of breeding potential.
It claimed NZ Kennel was in breach of contract. Kennel Club rules required the Club’s executive committee first hold a hearing before de-registration and that Jhanzi Afghan Hound was entitled to give evidence, it said.
There was no breach of contract, Justice Radich ruled.
Registration was simply an administrative error. The error was corrected.
Jhanzi Afghan Hound Kennels v. NZ Kennel Club Inc – High Court (24.06.26)
26.192