HOT OFF THE PRESS

The Kennel Club
General Code of Ethics 
 
All breeders who register their puppies, and new owners who register ownership of their dogs with the Kennel Club, accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

Breeders/Owners:
Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
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.
Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
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.
Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
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.
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. 
 

tooolz is live on the KC site

>> Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.

hooray!  there was an ad in my local paper today in the pet section for rhodesian ridgbacks and the last line said ridgeless pups also available.  No mention of rare or cost which was great.

The breed standards are next. The KC are examining each one & any exaggerating features will be removed.

How exactly are they going to enforce this? Great idea's though.

> How exactly are they going to enforce this? Great idea's though.

They have told each breed club that if it isn't carried out they will de-register the club!

> The breed standards are next. The KC are examining each one & any exaggerating features will be removed.

But this was already done some years ago.

Ok great, so if I complained to the KC about a breeder will they action my complaint? I have complained twice now to the KC for a breeder in my breed doing back to back matings. They did nothing!!! This breeder does not show and is what I would call a backyard breeder who KC register there dogs, how are we going to stop this person??? By the way I had them taken off this website.

>> The breed standards are next. The KC are examining each one & any exaggerating features will be removed.
> But this was already done some years ago.

I can only say what I was told by a GC member. Most breed standards are OK but some do need changing & taking exaggerations out.

The KC are saying that this new code of ethics must replace all existing individual club codes with immediate effect. If a club wants to include their health testing schemes they have to apply to the KC in writing for their approval for them to be included.
There you go then, any people not wishing to adhere to recommended health checks, get a litter in now before the additions are approved and you can then say that you followed KC guidelines. How ridiculous !!

I think to be fair crinklecut,
it is a step in the right direction and all new endeavours to have to have a starting point.
The sort of people you refer to "There you go then, any people not wishing to adhere to recommended health checks, get a litter in now" will find a way around this obstacle in any case albeit turning to another dog registry.
Good ridance to them and it may save my pups seeming to be  'on a par' with theirs.

This may be a good point to suggest that unless the KC come up with a scheme (ACB - cleaned up and prestigous or a suitable replacement), a government agency may be given the job instead. I know that there are many breeders who 'want it all and want it now' but we may be forced to come under the wing of a department which governs farm animals and run by politicians.
Compared to that nightmare senario, the KC seems idylic -at least the people concerned like dogs.
There are things afoot which may spell changes which may affect many of us,not all to the good. High profile vets have been called to meet with MPs.
It may be 'better the devil you know'. 

> This may be a good point to suggest that unless the KC come up with a scheme (ACB - cleaned up and prestigous or a suitable replacement), a government agency may be given the job instead.

I think the KC are already aware that we all run the risk of this happening.  I would say this may be a good point to start supporting the KC in the scheme that they have already instigated to support responsible and healthy breeding.  I don't think prestigious is something the public particularly care about now and they certainly won't be interested in elitism, it is health and welfare top of the agenda just now.

>There are things afoot which may spell changes which may affect many of us,not all to the good. High profile vets have been called to meet with MPs.
>It may be 'better the devil you know'. 

I don't have any doubt about it and have mentioned this thought several times in recent discussions particularly in connection with the RSPCA plans to announce "something" in the New Year.

tooolz, do you really think it is a step in the right direction ? The way I see it they should be tightening up on health testing and giving support to breed clubs who recommend testing, not as they have done and opened things wide open for anyone to breed. I have a fit 12 year old bitch at home who under the 'new improved' KC code of ethics I could breed from if I wanted to, my breed clubs current code of ethics say I can't.

>There are things afoot which may spell changes which may affect many of us,not all to the good. High profile vets have been called to meet with MPs.
>It may be 'better the devil you know'. 

Would that be the proposed Dog Owners' Suitability Test?

>I have a fit 12 year old bitch at home who under the 'new improved' KC code of ethics I could breed from if I wanted to,

How? She's over the age of 8.

>Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.

This would cover the lack of health testing in the first instance as it would be classed as being harmful to the breed.

> Would that be the proposed Dog Owners' Suitability Test

I think rather a wholesale handing over of the entire dog breeding 'problem' to DEFRA where we will have politicians setting out policies.
Of course we would then come under the umbrella of 'livestock breeding' and come into line with say - the poultry industry for example

Whilst we are self-governing, or at least by dog people in the main, dogs would stay as a separate case - a companion animal.

crinklecut     "do you really think it is a step in the right direction ?"

I fear it may become an only option. Although we may not get the strict regulations we want, it may save us being subjected to rules made by others we dont want. I for one dont want politicians meddling in dog breeding...... heaven help us :-( Look what they've done to the economy !

>I for one dont want politicians meddling in dog breeding...... heaven help us

Exactly! Look at the pig's ear they made of the DDA - why would they be any better at a dog-breeding law?

> Although we may not get the strict regulations we want, it may save us being subjected to rules made by others we dont want.

Hallelujah!  I take it we will all being supporting and joining the ABS now :-)

Me?   .... Not as it stands Isabel but I feel the KC seems caught up in the ground swell of opinion - and I do know that they aware of many breeder's opinions.
The natural progression from their new and improved 'code' will be to put these rules to the test and actually refuse those flouting them a registration of any kind........surely?

I dont want to take issue with you Isabel but it was impossible to accept that it was the best the KC could do... now it seems that there is more. Can we hope?

> it was impossible to accept that it was the best the KC could do... now it seems that there is more. Can we hope?

As Jemima failed to point out the KC have been working away at various initiatives for several years so I doubt they, or anyone, would have claimed all was finished or nothing else would be done.  What they they need is support in their efforts.  Who were you refering to as saving us from regulators other than the KC if not ourselves?

Sorry Isabel but I am going out this evening and I know a short answer will not suffice :-)
I will get back to the discussion.

Great news but you just know what's coming
a)how/who is going to police this?
b) breeders will CARRY ON culling puppies,>? Folk are firmly of the belief that such things are set in stone because of that RRB individual on 'that' programe, who knows what context she actually said it other than her, but now its in the public pschy as the truth end of.

For me I'd want to see ALL breeding dogs DNA profiled and ALL  their progeny registration applications ONLY allowed once the pedigree has been proven ie DNA profiling of all puppies too.  This business of a breeder with an unusually large litter having to prove all pups have come from the same bitch is a farce - even a vet can't go and check a litter and see the difference between pups as much as 10 days apart in some breeds.

I have been an AB from the start as I truely believe in what they are attempting to achieve ie give some sort of credability to the breeders who do try their best to do the best for their dogs.  If we don't keep on at the KC with our complaints about the unsuitable members I can see us being set new regulations by the Government a total disaster.

The KC are examining each one & any exaggerating features will be removed.

I can't see how that can help.  Given that the exaggerations have occured over a period of time because they have been favoured/fashionable traits (and still come under the breed standard), how exactly are they going to draw a line between what is exaggerated and what isn't.

By removing certain points in the standard it will influence favoured looks and fashion( for want of a better description) and in the same way that these exagerations developed they will be worked away from.

> how exactly are they going to draw a line between what is exaggerated and what isn't.

I don't think it will be easy but they also intend introducing veterinary inspections at shows directed at certain breeds so overall the trend should be away from exaggerations that result in health issues.

This news is not unexpected. After the Pedigree dogs Exposed programme was broadcast both canine papers published the information that this was about to happen. The KC is also meeting with secretaries of the breed clubs and councils to look at those who are not responsible breeders.

There is a lot more to come yet!

I certainly reported what information I could in Our Dogs, and did say that the Kennel Club was going to be releasing their Health booklets in time for Discover Dogs and the changes to the code of ethics, which would have to be adopted by the breed clubs with alterations applied for by breed clubs. This is just the start.

>Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.

Will it cover excessive tight line breeding too or it that going to be a separate issue?

I suppose it would depend on the individual dogs concerned. If you were trying to 'fix' a positive health benefit then would that be wrong?

As far as this new test goes, the link compares it to the driving test theory exam. Just look at how many Unlicenced and Uninsured drivers there are on the road, ie the number you see getting fined etc, and then multiply them by x to factor in the ones not being caught. How on earth do the powers that be think they can monitor and enforce the proposed test.
ps I think its a great idea BUT................
Chris

>If you were trying to 'fix' a positive health benefit then would that be wrong?

Of course not JG, but unfortunately it's gone beyond fixing positive traits in our breed and it's not for health sadly, it's for the ring.  Maybe it should be looked at on a breed to breed basis.  I study the lines and pedigrees in our breed and I know a breeder friend who does the same and we are in a genetic bottleneck in showlines in a numerically large breed.  Unfortunately there are quite a lot of short sighted folk. :-(

> High profile vets have been called to meet with MPs.

I sincerely hope the RSPCA's chief vet isn't among them - but what chance he of celebrity tv fame missing out on this (methinks the odds are against us :(  )

> I sincerely hope the RSPCA's chief vet isn't among them

I think it is a dead cert he will be! :-(

Might be as well neutering them all now then   We're doomed :(

Tsk tsk tsk.... what a defeatist attitude Teri.

I have a good feeling about this ......................................................................................Trust me :-)

Hopefully there will also be vets there from the BVA who have been working with the KC.

> Tsk tsk tsk.... what a defeatist attitude Teri

Did I just lose the twin status  
och, I canny coap

> och, I canny coap

A white chocolate Magnum has beneficial effects I find. Take one twice a day until symptoms receed.
Ya wee tube :-) 

> Ya wee tube

A POSH bird, eh, and there was me thinking it was "choob" :-D
No Magnums (freezer full of RMBs - excuse me while I explain to OH it has nowt to do with country & western :-D ), but a couple of bags of choccie raisins have surfaced so I'm on the up and up Doc ;)

psst. I think the KC needs us ...... :-D

Would that be the proposed Dog Owners' Suitability Test?

..arghhh...NO!!!

Yvonne

> Might be as well neutering them all now then

Which - politicians or vets? :-D

:-D

>Would that be the proposed Dog Owners' Suitability Test?
>..arghhh...NO!!!

My sentiments exactly!