THE NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER CLUB OF UK

GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever of UK 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 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. 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.
  16. Members should submit breeding stock for KC/BVA Eye and Hip Scheme and to the Optigen screening test for genetic identification of pcrd–PRA & CEA/CH prior to mating. Eye tests should be annual and up to date for breeding stock at the time of each breeding.
  17. No bitch should be required to have more than four litters and no bitch should be bred from at successive seasons unless a period of more than twelve months has lapsed. No bitch should be mated before the age of two years, nor after the age of eight years, except under special circumstances. Before a bitch is mated due regard should be given to her general condition and fitness and, in the case of second or subsequent litters, her previous breeding history (including ease of whelping) etc.
  18. All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. No Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who is Unregistered should be used for breeding, as a Brood Bitch or Stud Dog at any time. Members should do everything in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens and those members who own stud dogs are advised to refuse stud services to such specimens.
  19. Officers and Committee members of the Club are always ready and willing to do their best to help members with any query or problems.

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.

Approved by The Kennel Club – 2nd September 2011