CODE OF ETHICS

KENNEL CLUB - GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

CKCS Club Members:

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, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, 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.

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.

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB CODE OF BEST PRACTICE

PART A: - GENERAL

No member should take on more dogs than he or she can care for and keep in a healthy environment.
Members should conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is a credit to the Club and ownership of Cavaliers. Members should not use any method of communication whatsoever in a way that could be considered defamatory, insulting or detrimental to another member, or the Club, or to the breed in general nor furnish information including pedigrees and photographs of dogs not owned by them without prior written consent of the owner.
Members should adopt properly prepared legal contracts in the sale of puppies or their use of stud dogs, and should be aware of the consequences of any default on their part, whether intentional or not.

PART B: - BREEDING AND EXHIBITING

Members who breed or exhibit should:

Familiarise themselves with the Kennel Club Breed Standard (see Appendix A) and aim to breed or exhibit dogs that conform to that standard and which have not been changed in appearance by artificial or surgical means except as the breed standard or Kennel Club may allow.
Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed. (Refer to KC Code, item 6)
Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes. (Refer to KC Code, item 3)
Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally. (Refer to KC Code, item 5)
Maintain accurate breeding records, registration documents and pedigrees.
Breed only from or with dogs registered with the Kennel Club or Clubs affiliated to the Kennel Club.
Register with the Kennel Club all surviving puppies by the time they reach the age of twelve months.
Endeavour to obtain a Restricted Registration certificate to prevent breeding from any puppy exhibiting such faults that are or may be of a hereditary nature, so that to breed from such a dog may be detrimental to the dog itself or to the breed in general.
Not part with a puppy under the age of eight weeks to a new owner.
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 unless a written agreement is made at time of sale that papers are to be withheld and/or conditions imposed. (Refer to KC Code, item 12)
Will supply written details of all dietary requirements, a record of all inoculations and worming carried out and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home. (Refer to KC Code, item 11)
Should not, under any circumstances, make false or exaggerated claims that cannot be substantiated, for example, about future prospects of puppies, quality of breeding stock, or record of show wins.
Use best endeavours to ensure that all stock is healthy at time of sale, unless agreed otherwise and put in writing and acknowledged by the purchaser, such stock having been checked for known hereditary and other health problems and the purchaser being given full access to the results.
Use best endeavours to ascertain that every prospective owner is suitable, and to resume responsibility for their stock, where practicable, if it proves unsuitable for its new home for whatever reason.
This provision also applies when stock is to be exported, with the additional responsibility of the Exporter to use best endeavours to ensure the dog's welfare in transit. Members are reminded that not all countries have protective animal welfare laws, nor Breed Clubs that cater for the welfare of the breed. It is the sole responsibility of the exporter to ensure that adequate welfare provisions exist.
Not sell stock to a third party or a pet shop or puppy dealer nor operate as such. (Refer to KC Code, item 13)
Enter into breeding terms with care. All parties should understand fully the terms, these being agreed in writing. Kennel Club 'Loan of Bitch Agreement' or other form of written contract should be used, preferably witnessed and properly signed with all parties retaining a signed copy.

PART C: - DOGS TO BE USED AT STUD.

No dog which has a known physical defect that could be detrimental to the health and well being of the offspring or the breed in general should be used at stud. By way of guidance, dogs under five years of age should hold a current clear heart certificate. A current clear eye certificate is strongly recommended. More specific guideline's apply to MVD (see Appendix B). More specific recommendations apply to SM (see Appendix C).
Stud dog owners are advised to see the bitch's pedigree and registration certificate to establish ownership, age and endorsements. The number of litters, number of puppies and when she last had a litter, should also be ascertained. It is advisable that the bitch should have a full health check before mating and stud dog owners should assure themselves that this has taken place and was satisfactory.
Any dog that is to be used at stud should be annually checked for good health, and be free from infection, and be in good condition at the time of mating.
Stud dog owners should be aware of the risk of cross infection and allow sufficient time between mating different bitches, to minimise risk. The owner of the bitch should be informed of the previous mating if less than 48 hours has elapsed.

PART D: - BITCHES TO BE USED FOR BREEDING.

No bitch with a known physical defect that could be detrimental to the health and well being of the bitch, her offspring or the breed in general should be used for breeding. By way of guidance, any bitch used for breeding should hold a current clear heart certificate. A current clear eye certificate is strongly recommended. These certificates should be available to the owner of the dog at the time of mating. More specific guidelines apply to MVD. (See Appendix B). More specific recommendations apply to SM (see Appendix C).
No bitch to be mated so as to whelp before she is 16 months old, and then only if she is considered mature enough to raise a litter of puppies.
No bitch to be mated so as to rear a litter after her eighth birthday.
No bitch should normally rear a litter on consecutive seasons, and in any case, must have no more than one litter in any 12 month period.
No bitch to be allowed more than the number of KC recommended litters in her lifetime. (From 2012 this will be 4).
No bitch to be mated who has had two caesarean sections, as this would indicate possible whelping difficulties.
Any bitch used for breeding should be protected from known diseases when available, be annually checked for good health, be free from any infection, and be in good condition at the time of mating.
Bitches received from overseas for mating should be returned as soon as possible. This should be within 4 weeks from the date of mating.
No bitch more than 4 weeks in whelp should be exported or imported.

Notes:
Appendix (A) Breed Standard reproduced by kind permission of the Kennel Club
Appendix (B) Breeding Guidelines regarding MVD
Appendix (C) Recommendations applying to SM.