GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of the Northern Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Society 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 confirmation 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 health 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.

CODE OF ETHCIS (Guidelines for Members)

15.     Abide by the Rules of the Northern CKCS Society and the Kennel Club.

16.     Be familiar with the Breed Standard and not exhibit at shows Cavaliers which have been changed in appearance by artificial means e.g.  No artificial colouring of coat or pigment.

17.     Keep accurate breeding records, registration papers and pedigrees.

18.     Only use Cavaliers which are registered at the Kennel Club for breeding.

19.     Maintain the best possible standards of canine health.

20.     Furnish a record in respect of each puppy sold giving details of all inoculations and wormings, a pedigree and Kennel Club registration or transfer documents, unless a written agreement is made at the time of sale that papers are withheld, and/or conditions imposed.

21.     Conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the ownership of Cavaliers in particular.

22.     Any puppies to be registered at the Kennel Club should be registered by twelve months of age.

23.     No puppies to be sold under 8 weeks of age.

24.     No puppies to be sold or advertised as show quality.

25.     All puppies or adults must be healthy at the time of sale.

26.     Any puppy with a known hereditary fault should have a restricted registration certificate to prevent it being bred from.

27.     All puppies to be sold with a diet sheet.

28.     No puppies to be sold to a pet shop or puppy dealer.

29.     Breeders are obliged to take back any puppy or adult that does not settle or fit into the household.

30.     Stud dog owners must see the bitches pedigree and registration certificate to check ownership, age, endorsements and should try to ascertain number of litters, number of pups and when she last had a litter.

31.     Breeding Terms only to be taken on with either a Kennel Club Loan of Bitch agreement or a written contract, and both parties have a signed copy of said agreement and have full knowledge of what it entails.

32.     No member should take on more dogs than they can care for and keep in a healthy environment.

33.     Every effort should be made by the breeder to ascertain that every prospective owner is suitable for keeping the puppy or adult.

DOGS TO BE USED AT STUD

34.     No dog with a known hereditary defect to be used at stud.

35.     Any dog which is to be used at stud to be vaccinated, and checked annually for good health and be in good condition at the time of every mating.

36.     Stud dog owners should take every precaution regarding infection between matings.

BITCHES TO BE USED FOR BREEDING

37.     No bitch with a known physical or hereditary defect to be used for breeding.

38.     No bitch to be mated so as to whelp before she is 16 months old and then only if she is considered mature enough to raise a litter.

39.     No bitch to be mated so as to rear a litter after her eighth birthday.

40.     No bitch should normally rear a litter on two consecutive seasons and must have no more than two litters in any two years.

41.     No bitch to be allowed to have more than six litters in her lifetime.

42.     No bitch should be allowed more than two Caesarean sections, as this would indicate whelping difficulties.

43.     Any bitch which is to be used for breeding to be vaccinated annually, checked for good health, be free from any infection and be in good condition at the time of mating.

OWNERS

44.     Owners of stud dogs must only allow their dogs to be used if they are confident that their stud dog meet the criteria stated and that the bitch to be mated meets the specified criteria.

45.     Owners of bitches should only mate them if they are confident that their bitch and the prospective stud dog meet the criteria stated above.

46.     Once a mating has taken place, the owners of the bitch have a responsibility for the good welfare of the puppies and as such have an obligation to help new owners if requested to do so.  Stud dog owners should also have a moral obligation for the welfare of the puppies.