-
Will properly house,
feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for
appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
-
Will agree without
reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on
any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the
animal, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
-
Will agree that no
healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the
Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
-
Will abide by all
aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
-
Will not create demand
for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
-
Will agree not to breed
from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or
to the breed.
-
Will not allow any of
their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or
those carrying out official duties.
-
Will ensure that their
dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under
effective control when away from home.
-
Will clean up after
their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being
exhibited.
-
Will only sell dogs
where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life
and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial
circumstances change.
-
Will supply written
details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning
responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
-
Will ensure that all
relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when
selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to
forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not
immediately available.
-
Will not sell any dog
to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or
indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a
competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel
Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not
accompanying a dog).
-
Will not knowingly
misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise
dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a
dog.
-
Breeding: There should
be a demand for puppies before embarking on breeding a litter. When
considering breeding, equal weight should be given to type,
temperament, health and soundness. Breeders should not knowingly
breed from any stock which has hereditary diseases. It is advised
that all breeding stock be X-rayed for Hip Dysplasia by a qualified
veterinary surgeon and that all plates should be submitted to the
BVA for hip scoring under the KC/BVA Scheme, even if the hips are
poor so that a true picture of hip dysplasia in the breed can be
assessed.
-
No dog should be used
at stud unless it has been hip scored and is over 12 months of age.
Only entire dogs should be used at stud and owners of Stud Dogs
should refuse stud services to inferior specimens of the breed and
to owners who have neither the time nor facilities to rear litters.
-
Bitches should not be
mated before 15-18 months of age and not before the second season.
No bitch should be mated at every season. Bitches should not have
litters on consecutive seasons. No bitch should have more than 3 or
4 litters, and should not be bred from beyond her 8th
birthday.
-
No puppy should leave
the breeder before 7 weeks of age. Breeders should be prepared to
replace/refund the purchase price should the puppy develop a defect
to such a degree that it has to be put down. After two independent
vets have advised this and the breeder has been properly notified.
It is advisable for breeders to take out insurance cover on any
puppy they breed for the first six weeks in its new home and
encourage the new owners to continue this cover.
-
Advice should be given
to new owners on the need for exercise, family contact and grooming.
-
It
is advisable for new owners to read books on the breed and join a
breed club. All officers and committee members are always ready to
help with members’ problems wherever possible.