GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
Reproduced by kind permission of the Kennel Club |
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Registered owners of all Kennel Club Registered dogs accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake to abide by this general code of ethics.
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| 1. | Owners will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required. |
| 2. | Owners will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties. |
| 3. | Owners will ensure that their dogs will wear properly tagged collars and shall be kept fully leashed or under effective control when away from home. |
| 4. | Owners will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited. |
| 5. | Owners will agree without any 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. |
| 6. | Owners agree not to breed from a bitch an any way which is deleterious to the bitch or the breed. |
| 7. | Owners only to sell dogs where there is reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change. |
| 8. | Owners will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home. |
| 9. | Owners will not sell any dog to commercial wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. |
| 10. | Owners will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the quality of the dog. |
| 11. | Owners will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, including a copy of this code. |
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WFTA RECOMMENDED CODE OF PRACTICE FOR BREEDERS
1. All stock offered for sale must be clean, in good health and free from communicable disease.
2. All puppies should have been regularly wormed before being sold.
3. Puppies should not be sold until they are at least 8 weeks of age. They should be sold with a written pedigree, Kennel Club documentation, diet sheet and full information regarding the breed, worming, inoculation, grooming, exercise requirements . If endorsements are put on the puppy’s papers then this should be fully explained to the new owner and their signature obtained signifying that they are in agreement with, and understand such endorsements.
4. We strongly recommend that puppies of the same sex should not be sold to one person nor should a puppy be sold to anyone who already has any terrier or terrier-type of the same sex.
5. Breeders should satisfy themselves, as far as is possible, that the home and lifestyle of potential purchasers is conducive to responsible and permanent ownership. They should be prepared to take any wire of their breeding back into their kennels and assist with rehoming should this prove necessary. In this context, no member shall knowingly sell puppies or stock to pet dealers or other commercial sources, nor shall dogs be given as prizes or used in any other form of exploitation.
6. Anyone entering into breeding arrangements with another breeder does so entirely at their own risk and they should satisfy themselves that the agreement can be amicably terminated should the occasion arise. Such agreements should always be in writing, signed by all parties and a copy of the agreement kept by each party. The Association is unable to intervene in any way to reconcile any disagreements which may ensue as a result.
7. The Association strongly recommends that bitches under the age of 18 months should not be used for breeding.
8. All advertising, whether for stock or for show wins, shall be completely honest and in no way be misrepresentative or fraudulent.
9. All dogs offered at stud shall be in excellent health, free from communicable disease.
10. If owners of stud dogs are approached by owners of a bitch without registration papers or whose papers are endorsed “not for breeding” the Association recommends that stud services be refused on the grounds that the bitch’s papers were endorsed for good reason. It is also advisable that stud owners should ask to see the bitch’s papers and pedigree before agreeing to any mating.
11. Legislation was brought into effect on 6th April 2007 prohibiting the docking of puppies. It is still legal for a veterinarian to remove dew claws.
12. The welfare of the dogs must be considered at all times.
13. The Association completely abhors the practice of handing over any pup or adult dog to someone who has not previously visited the breeder's/owner's home. Such meetings should only be arranged by mutual consent when the person buying the dog meets with the approval of the breeder/owner.
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