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CODE OF ETHICS

 

This code has been agreed by the four Breed Clubs as acceptable guidelines to all who wish to own or breed Samoyeds.

 

BREED STANDARD  All breeding stock should follow closely the official Kennel Club Standard in all aspects with particular attention being paid to temperament of the dogs to meet the first characteristic of ‘ displaying affection to all mankind’. Dogs which manifestly depart from the Breed Standard are not suitable for breeding.

 

BREEDING PURPOSES  All breeding should include the objective of improving the overall standard of Samoyeds. Equal weight should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Nervous or aggressive dogs are not satisfactory as pets or breeding stock.

 

REGISTRATION  All dogs used for breeding should be registered with the Kennel Club and full details of their pedigrees should be known.

 

PLANNING OF LITTERS  No one should breed a litter unless he or she has the right facilities for the dam and litter and the time to devote proper care and attention to rearing the puppies and the well being of the dam. There should be some demand for puppies before bitches are mated.

 

BREEDING AGE  Bitches should not be mated before 15-18 months of age and not before the second season, and no later than the fifth year for the first time.

 

WELFARE OF THE BITCH  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 a bitch should not be bred from beyond her 8th birthday.

 

STUD DOGS  Only entire dogs should be used at stud and not before 12 months of age. Members who own stud dogs should be aware of the need to improve the breed and enhance the reputation of the sires. They should refuse stud services to inferior specimens of the breed and to owners who have neither the time nor the facilities to rear litters.

 

PUPPY SALES  Prospective buyers of puppies should be screened for suitability and ability to provide long term homes. They should be advised of the characteristics and problems of the breed. These include the need for grooming, exercise and family contact.

 

PUPPY INFORMATION  No puppy should leave the breeder before 7 weeks of age. Each purchaser of a Samoyed puppy should be provided at the time of the sale with an accurate pedigree, a Kennel Club transfer form and registration certificate. He/she should also receive a diet sheet and information about training, worming and inoculation. Advice should be given about suitable books and membership of a Breed Club.

 

PUPPY VARIATIONS  No puppy which has any physical defect or shows a clear departure from the Standard should be sold without the buyer being made fully aware of the defect or the departure from the Standard. Breeders should replace any puppy which develops a defect to such a degree that on the advice of two independent veterinary surgeons the puppy has to be put down, or they should refund the purchase price. The breeder is to be properly notified before any such action is taken. It is advisable for breeders to take out insurance cover on any puppy they breed for the first six weeks in its new home.

 

UNWELCOME SALES  No Samoyeds should knowingly be sold to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs, or to persons known to sell puppies to any of the above. Owners of stud dogs should not provide stud services for such persons. No puppy should be sold or offered as a prize in any raffle or competition. No puppies should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws and where there are known social and ownership problems with dogs.

 

AFTER SALES  It should be impressed on buyers that they should contact the breeder in the event of any problem with the puppies. Breeders should make every effort to assist in these circumstances. Breeders should be prepared to make adequate arrangements for re-housing if it becomes necessary. They should co-operate with the Breed Rescue organisations to the best of their ability.

 

HEREDITARY DEFECTS  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. It is advised that all plates should be submitted to the British Veterinary Association for hip scoring under the KC/BVA Scheme, even if the hips are poor so that a true picture of H.D. in the breed can be assessed.

 

ADVERTISING  Advertisements for stock should always be honest, factual and without exaggeration or distortion.

 

CONDUCT  Officers and committees of the four breed clubs are always ready to help with members’ problems wherever possible. Members should conduct themselves at all times to reflect credit on the ownership of dogs. Members should not allow their dogs to roam and cause a nuisance to other people. They should accept responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs in public places.