Code of Ethics

THE SCHIPPERKE CLUB  & GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS as directed by the Kennel Club.

This code of ethics has been prepared to comply with a Kennel Club request to all Breed Clubs, and in accordance with Schipperke Club Rule 1 which states that ‘The Club…..shall promote the general interests of the breed….by publishing a Code of Ethics for the guidance of breeders and exhibitors’

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club/Schipperke Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.

All members of  THE SCHIPPERKE CLUB undertake to abide by it’s general & breed specific 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, 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 demands 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 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 not falsely advertise dogs or mislead any person regarding the health or quality of  a dog.
15. All breeders should avail themselves of the K.C. facility to endorse the pedigrees of tailless puppies as ‘bobtails’. Note: The breeder should get a letter from their vet on headed practice paper and send with their litter registration requesting that the word ‘bobtail’ be inserted.
16. Members will, when breeding dogs, adopt as a minimum standard the principles, requirements and recommendations as embodied in the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme. It is strongly recommended that members who breed should apply to join the Scheme.
17. The Club expects that all breeders, prior to undertaking any mating will test both sire and dam for the MPSIIIB condition. No affected animal should be used in a breeding programme but if an animal which is a carrier is used, all resulting progeny should also be tested for MPSIIIB. If both sire and dam are tested normal then resulting puppies do not need to be tested for MSPIIIB and therefore are deemed to be clear by descent.
18. The Club shall maintain an open register of MSPIIIB test results for those dogs whose owners submit a copy test certificate to the Club Health Co-ordinator. The register shall be available on the Health Section of the Club website.