WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUBS' CODE OF ETHICS
It is a Kennel Club requirement that all Breed Clubs produce a “Code of Ethics” for each breed. Delegates from all four Welsh Springer Spaniel Clubs met and agreed the following new “merged” Code. This Code was subsequently put before the AGM for approval.
Club Members -
1) Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2) Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
3) Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
4) Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5) Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
6) Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7) Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8) Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9) Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10) 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.
11) Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12) 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.
13) 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).
14) 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.
Welsh Springer Spaniel Breeders’ Code of Ethics
15) Before breeding a litter serious and equal consideration should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. In the choice of breeding stock it should always be borne in mind that aggression and nervousness form no part of the Welsh Springer Spaniel’s temperament and character.
16) No bitch should be required to have more than four litters and no bitch should be bred from at successive seasons, unless a period of time of more than twelve months has elapsed between each season or a period of 12 months has elapsed between each litter. No bitch should be mated before the age of two years (preferably three), nor if the bitch will have reached the age of eight years at the date of whelping, unless permission has been given by the Kennel Club. Before a bitch is mated due regard should be given to her general condition and fitness and, in the case of second or subsequent litters, her previous breeding history (including ease of whelping).
17) All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. Members should do everything in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens and those members who own stud dogs should refuse stud services to such specimens. It is recommended that all animals, particularly those to be bred from, should be tested for all current health issues.
18) The Club and the Joint Health Group maintain that a breeder/stud dog owner, having bred a litter that has produced a fitting animal, where the condition, after tests, is deemed to be idiopathic (primary) epilepsy, should not breed from the sire/dam again. The failure of the breeder/stud dog owner to adhere to this rule shall be considered a breech of the Clubs’ Code of Ethics and will be dealt with accordingly and may result in membership being withdrawn. This rule may be rescinded should a test for carrier animals become available.
19) No member should breed a litter unless they have the time and facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and to the well being of the dam, and no member should provide stud services unless they are fully satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.
20) No member should breed a litter unless they are reasonably sure of finding good homes for the puppies. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of seven weeks (preferably eight).
21) No puppies should be exported before they are fully inoculated or before the age of three months unless they are travelling in the personal care of the purchaser or his known representatives. Puppies should never be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws. (If in doubt consult DEFRA or the Kennel Club).
22) Prospective buyers of puppies should be carefully screened for suitability and should be fully advised of the characteristics of the Welsh Springer Spaniel as a breed, stressing the necessity for care, grooming and ample exercise. Puppies should not be sold to homes where they will be left on their own all day.
23) No puppy which has any known physical defect should be sold without the buyer being made fully aware of such defect and its possible consequences. Members should only sell puppies which, to the best of their knowledge and belief, are in good health at the time of sale.
24) Each purchaser of a Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy should be provided at the time of sale with a pedigree, information about training, worming, inoculations and details of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Clubs. No puppy that is of unregistered or partly unregistered parentage should be sold without the buyer being made aware that they will be unable to register it on the Kennel Club register.
25) Breeders should also be prepared, if the home proves unsuitable and the buyer wishes to return the dog, that they must share the responsibility for this occurrence, albeit an infrequent one, and allow such an animal to be returned or provide assistance with rehoming if necessary.
26) Offices and Committee Members of the Club are always ready and willing to do their best to help members with any queries or problems
27) From time to time it may become necessary for the Club Committees or the Joint Health Group, supported by professional advice, to seek the assistance and co-operation of breeders in eradicating hereditary complaints/illnesses. It is expected that in such an event breeders will co-operate fully with the Committees/Joint Health Group by providing such support and/or information as may be requested.
Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
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