THE TIBETAN SPANIEL ASSOCIATION GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
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All members of the Tibetan Spaniel Association 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 who performs 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 operations 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.
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.
15) Will accept a life commitment for any Tibetan Spaniel you own. Should circumstances occur where rehoming is absolutely essential to consult the breeder of the dog first and then to ensure that proper arrangements are made for the future care of the Tibetan Spaniel(s).
16) Will worm dogs regularly following the advice of your veterinary surgeon.
17) Will only use pure bred Tibetan Spaniel stock, believed to be free from genetic disorders, in any breeding programme.
18) Members conduct should at all times reflect credit on dog ownership. Officers and Committee members are always ready to help with members’ problems wherever possible.
19) Breeding – Veterinary advice does NOT suggest that a bitch is any better or healthier if she has a litter. Anyone who breeds a litter should accept an on-going commitment for each puppy for life. Breeding Tibetan Spaniels is not an easy option, it is time consuming and often is not financially rewarding.
20) Members should only breed a litter if they have the time and facilities available to devote proper care and attention to the well being of the dam and the puppies.
21) If a members wishes to breed a litter he/she should be reasonably sure of finding homes for the puppies. Tibetan Spaniels are not a well known breed and suitable homes can be difficult to find.
22) All breeding stock should be Kennel Club registered and hold clear KC/BVA Progressive Retinal Atrophy certificates. Only pure bred Tibetan Spaniel stock, believed to be free from genetic disorders should be used in any breeding programme. They should be healthy and follow closely the official Kennel Club standard and should only be bred from with the objective of improving the overall standard of the breed.
23) Equal thought should be given to temperament, health, type and soundness. Nervous or aggressive dogs are not satisfactory as pets or breeding stock. Members should refrain from and discourage breeding of inferior Tibetan Spaniels.
24) No bitch should have an excessive number of litters (it is recommended not more than 4 or 5) and no bitch should be mated at every season. No bitch should have a litter before they are sufficiently mature and preferably not before their second season.
25) Only entire dogs should be used at stud. Members who own stud dogs should be aware of the need to improve the breed and enhance the reputation of the sires. They should refuse stud services to inferior specimens of the breed and to people who do not have the time, facilities or responsible attitudes for caring for dam and puppies.
26) Only Kennel Club registered bitches with a clear KC/BVA Progressive Retinal Atrophy certificates should be accepted.
27) Owners of Stud Dogs should not provide stud services to laboratories, pet shops, dealers or to persons known to sell puppies to any of them.
28) Members should conduct themselves at all times to reflect credit on dog ownership. Officers and Committee members are always ready to help with members’ problems wherever possible.
29) Puppy Sales – Puppy sellers should be aware of legislation e.g. the Trades Descriptions Act.
30) No Tibetan Spaniel should knowingly be sold to laboratories, pet shops, dealers or to anyone known to sell them or to allow them to be offered as a prize in a raffle or competition.
31) Prospective buyers of puppies should be checked thoroughly for suitability and ability to provide long term homes with a happy and healthy life. They should be advised of the characteristics of the breed, grooming and exercise requirements and the need for a social environment.
32) Breeders 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.
33) It is not expected that Tibetan Spaniel puppies should be advertised or sold via internet sites, other than the Kennel Club or those recognised by the Kennel Club registered Tibetan Spaniel clubs.
34) No puppy should leave the dam before 7/8 weeks of age.
35) The breeder should provide for each puppy:
- a) a written diet sheet and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
- b) Written confirmation of worming
- c) A receipt
- d) A signed pedigree on completion of sale
- e) A Kennel Club registration and transfer form on completion of sale. The breeder will also agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
36) It is expected that breeders will ask a purchaser for first refusal should the dog need rehousing at any stage in its life and to help with re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
37) No Tibetan Spaniel should be sold to any country without legislation for the protection of animals from cruelty similar in intent to such laws in Great Britain and who do not have a reciprocal agreement with the Kennel Club.
38) Members should be aware of the free Kennel Club Endorsement Scheme and use as appropriate when registering puppies:
- a) Progeny not eligible for registration
- b) Not eligible for issue of an export pedigree
39) Such endorsements can only be lifted at the written request of the individual imposing it, subject to approval by the Kennel Club General Committee.
40) It should be impressed on buyers that they should contact the breeder in the event of problems with the puppies.
41) Breeders should make every effort to assist with rehoming if it becomes necessary at any stage in the dogs life.
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.