Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland: The Netherlands’ National Kennel Club

Admin_Vet_Guide 9 hours agoLast Updated: August 8, 2026

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Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland: The Netherlands’ National Kennel Club

Established on 1 January 1902 from the merger of three earlier organizations, the Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland (known in English as the Dutch Kennel Club) is the umbrella body that consolidated dog registration and pedigree record-keeping across the Netherlands. It traces its lineage to the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Jacht Vereeniging Nimrod, founded in 1874, and the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Kennelclub Cynophilia, founded in 1890, groups that had organized dog shows in the country since as early as 1892, when Rotterdam hosted an entry of 217 dogs. Full history is documented on Wikipedia.

Headquartered on Emmalaan in Amsterdam, the Raad van Beheer maintains the Nederlands Honden Stamboek (N.H.S.B., the Dutch Dog Studbook) and joined the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) at its inaugural meeting in Paris in 1911, going on to host the FCI’s first conference in Amsterdam the following year. FCI statistics show the scale of its work today: 3,353,000 purebred dogs registered cumulatively since the studbook’s creation, with 25,000 more added and 23,531 puppies registered in 2024 alone, spread across 4,400 litters.

The Role of the Raad van Beheer in the Netherlands’ Dog World

After restructuring in 2000 from an elected board into a union of breed clubs and local groups, the Raad van Beheer today represents around 291 member clubs and roughly 103,000 individual members, recognizing 330 breeds in total and actively promoting 9 native Dutch breeds. The organization sets breeding standards (Foknormen), issues UBN identification numbers to breeders, requires DNA testing for registration, and coordinates dog shows such as the Rotterdam Dogshow. Its 210 FCI-qualified judges officiated at 12 CACIB all-breed shows and 6 CAC all-breed shows in 2024.

What Raad van Beheer Does

Function	With the Raad van Beheer	Without the Raad van Beheer
Pedigree registration	Litters recorded in the N.H.S.B. studbook, which has logged 3,353,000 purebred dogs cumulatively	No official lineage record; papers hold no international validity
Breeder identification	UBN numbers and mandatory DNA testing reduce hereditary disease and confirm parentage	No standardized way to verify breeder identity or genetic health
Show sanctioning	CACIB and CAC shows, such as the Rotterdam Dogshow, produce internationally valid results	Events would carry no bearing on FCI championship titles
Club affiliation	291 member clubs and roughly 103,000 individual members under one national body	Fragmented, unrecognized local groups

3 Real-World Scenarios

A breeder in Amsterdam applying for a UBN identification number and registering a litter in the N.H.S.B. studbook so puppies carry pedigree papers valid across the FCI network.
An exhibitor entering the Rotterdam Dogshow, where a win only counts toward a CACIB or CAC title because the event is sanctioned by the Raad van Beheer and judged by one of its 210 FCI-qualified judges.
A club representing one of the 9 native Dutch breeds coordinating with the Raad van Beheer to maintain breed standards and promote responsible breeding within the union of breed clubs.

2 Netherlands Kennel Facts

The Raad van Beheer was established on 1 January 1902 by merging older Dutch cynology organizations, including the Nimrod hunting society founded in 1874 and the Cynophilia kennel club founded in 1890, and it joined the FCI at its founding meeting in Paris in 1911.
According to FCI statistics, the organization has registered a cumulative 3,353,000 purebred dogs and today represents around 291 member clubs and 103,000 individual members recognizing 330 breeds.

10 FAQs

What is the Raad van Beheer?

The Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland is the Dutch Kennel Club, the national body overseeing purebred dog registration, breeding standards, and dog shows in the Netherlands.

When was the Raad van Beheer founded?

It was established on 1 January 1902, consolidating earlier organizations including Nimrod (founded 1874) and Cynophilia (founded 1890).

Where is the Raad van Beheer headquartered?

Its offices are located on Emmalaan in Amsterdam.

Is the Raad van Beheer affiliated with the FCI?

Yes, it joined the Fédération Cynologique Internationale at its inaugural meeting in Paris in 1911 and hosted the FCI’s first conference in Amsterdam in 1912.

What is the N.H.S.B.?

The Nederlands Honden Stamboek (N.H.S.B.) is the official Dutch Dog Studbook maintained by the Raad van Beheer, recording purebred dog pedigrees.

How many purebred dogs are registered with the Raad van Beheer?

FCI statistics show a cumulative 3,353,000 purebred dogs registered since the studbook’s creation, with 25,000 added in 2024.

How many breed clubs belong to the Raad van Beheer?

Around 291 member clubs and roughly 103,000 individual members are affiliated, recognizing 330 breeds in total.

Does the Raad van Beheer require DNA testing?

Yes, DNA testing is required for registration, part of an effort to confirm parentage and reduce hereditary disease.

What is a UBN number?

A UBN is an identification number the Raad van Beheer issues to breeders as part of its regulatory system.

How can I contact the Raad van Beheer?

The organization can be reached through its official website, raadvanbeheer.nl, from its offices on Emmalaan in Amsterdam.

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