THE ROTTWEILER CLUB
GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of The Rottweiler 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) BREEDING
(a) Will only breed from those dogs and bitches believed to be clear from known serious hereditary defects and which are mentally stable and not suffering from acute nervous problems; they shall have been x-rayed and scored under the BVA/KC HD Scheme with a combined score of not more than 20, the difference between the scores on each hip to be not greater than 10.
(b) If the owner of a bitch, will breed from healthy mature bitches, conscientiously planning each litter. Save in extenuating circumstances, bitches shall not be mated prior to two years of age nor whelp after their eight birthday and shall not be bred from more frequently than once in a period of twelve months.

(c) If the owner of a stud dog, will only breed from healthy, mature dogs, who have passed their twelfth month, and will refuse stud services to any bitch who has not reached her 24th month or is over eight years or which is consider in poor health. Will follow the custom of allowing one repeat service where a bitch has failed to conceive after being bred to one of my studs, provided that the stud dog and the bitch are still in good health and that the stud remains available. Will encourage the bitch owners to breed only if they have the facilities time and resources adequately to care for a litter, and will satisfy myself as to the suitability of the bitches breeding.
(d) Will keep accurate records of breeding, sales and registrations. At all times will be extremely cautious when advertising or selling as to a true and realistic description of stock – especially as to potential prospects of young stock, in case it should be inadvertently implying guaranteed show success

16) SALE OF ROTTWEILER
(a) Will attempt to help buyers and be available to answer questions and provide assistance
(b) Will sell only puppies that are to the best of my knowledge in good health and exhibit sound temperament and are at least seven weeks old and will provide with the pedigree at the time of sale, a satisfactory diet sheet, and details of worming and any inoculations. Any puppies sold over the age of twelve weeks shall have commenced an inoculation programme.
(c) Will use either the Club’s recommended Conditions of Sale or another written agreement upon any sale and shall exercise every possible care as to the suitability of my Rottweilers future home.
(d) Will provide Kennel Club registration or application for each puppy sold and at least a three generation pedigree. If registration is withheld, it must be by mutual agreement in writing between myself and the purchaser.

(e) Will remember the prime concern as a breeder is to produce healthy, sound dogs that will be a credit to the breed and will be honest in dealings with buyers and fellow-breeders and endeavour to co-operate towards an improvement of the breed.

17) When a puppy or puppies is taken in lieu of a stud fee or as part of breeding terms, understand that the vendor is fully responsible for the condition of the puppy or puppies at the time of sale and that their puppy or puppies should not be sold unseen. Will understand that breeding terms must not be used as a means of foisting stock on those persons unable to afford the price of a puppy, and that such arrangement should only be used to place bitches in homes where their welfare and furtherance of the breed have been fully investigated.
18 )Will conduct myself at all times in a manner which will reflect credit upon me and on the breed,
  regardless of the location or circumstances including attendance at dog shows, whether as an
  exhibitor or spectator.
19) Will agree to co-operate and participate with the Rottweiler Club and other show-going clubs to share aid and information with those interested in the breed.
20) Will agree to read and familiarise myself with and abide by the Kennel Club Standard for the Rottweiler.
21) Will agree to maintain good standards of physical and mental health of my dogs and shall properly care for them including obtaining good veterinary care.
22) Will ensure good mental health includes regular contact with people and exposure to the outside world and will urge puppy purchasers to provide obedience training at the appropriate age.
 
This is the conduct expected from members of the Rottweiler club and a condition of their membership
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 and RC January 2009