The Downlands Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club General Code of Ethics
All members of the Downlands Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
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, 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. |
| 15. | Will endeavour to only breed to produce sound, healthy stock which will be a credit to the breed. Will be honest in their dealings with buyers and fellow breeders and endeavour to co-operate towards a programme of improvement for the breed. |
| 16. | Will only breed from mature, healthy dogs and bitches, conscientiously planning each litter. Bitches will not be used for breeding before they are eighteen months old, and thereafter not more than once in any twelve-month period. |
| 17. | Will be satisfied as to the suitability of the breeding of any bitch to which their stud dog is mated, and the conditions under which the resulting litter will be reared. |
| 18. | Will not allow any of their pure-bred, registered dogs to be mated to any dog of a different breed, to a cross-bred dog or to an unregistered dog of the same breed. |
| 19. | Will keep suitable records of breedings, sales and registrations, and endeavour to give a true and realistic description of stock, especially as to the potential of young stock, in case they should inadvertently imply guaranteed show success. |
| 20. |
Will read and familiarise themselves with the Kennel Club Breed Standard for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. |
| 21. | Will share aid and information with those interested in the breed, encourage sportsman-like conduct in all competitions, and will not deliberately libel or slander another person or make vicious comments on another's stock. |
| 22. | Will only sell puppies which to the best of their knowledge are of good health and temperament and are at least eight weeks old, weaned and fully independent of the mother. Any dog sold or transferred over the age of twenty weeks will be fully inoculated. |
| 23. | Will not allow their stud dog to be mated knowing that the resulting stock will be disposed of in any of the ways listed in point 13. |
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.
KC/GJ September 2008