ETHICAL GUIDELINES

            AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN

(October, 2008)

All Members of the Australian Cattle Dog Society of Great Britain should conduct themselves in such a way as to reflect credit on the ownership of dogs. They must treat all dogs with such kindness and consideration as to ensure their happiness, dignity and continuing well-being; and to demonstrate to prospective dog owners that standards will be expected of them as owners and as Members of the Australian Cattle Dog Society of Great Britain.

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN

GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of the Australian Cattle Dog Society of Great Britain 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.

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.

Introduction

Clause I of the Society Rules states one of the objects of the Society as being the improvement of the breed. This document amplifies that statement by giving guidelines intended to assist Members in attaining this worthy objective: it also complements The Kennel Club General Code of Ethics which is reproduced in full at the beginning of these guidelines for your convenience.

The title Ethical Guidelines implies a moral aspect. Clearly the Society and every member of the Society have a moral duty to do everything possible to improve the breed. The Society wishes to discharge its duty without having to resort to the imposition of rules which it would find difficult to enforce.

The Committee commends these guidelines to you and urges all Members to:

a. Accept them in the spirit in which the are issued.

b. Abide by them as far as is humanly possible in support of Society Rule I and the betterment and welfare of the breed.

Members may disagree in part with these guidelines because of their experience and the idiosyncrasies of their stock, nevertheless, they must remember that these guidelines have been adopted by a majority of Society Members and should give each clause due consideration.

Breeding Guidelines

Breeding should only take place for the betterment of the breed. To avoid matings, which could be detrimental to the breed? Members should only breed from stock which is temperamentally and physically sound and should always strive to produce stock which show natural ability and conform to the breed standard as published by The Kennel Club.

The Society strongly recommends members to take part in all official schemes devised to test a dog’s soundness, which should include:

a. BAER hearing test (from the age of 4 weeks). b. Prcd DNA test (from the age of 6 weeks).

c. Eye examinations under the KC/BVA scheme every 2 to 3 years. d. KC/BVA Hip & Elbow scoring (usually between 12 - 18 months of age).

Stud dog owners are advised to ensure that any bitches comply with these guidelines.

Bitches should not whelp:             a. if younger than two years of age.

b. more than once in any 12 month period. c. if older than seven years of age.

Members should ensure that any stock from which they breed is Kennel Club registered.

Each breeder shall plan each mating with the paramount intention of maintaining the BREED STANDARD and shall only breed when in a position to give proper care to both bitch and offspring.

If you are not prepared to do this:                             PLEASE DO NOT BREED.

Sales and Welfare Guidelines

Persons homing an ACD should satisfy themselves that the prospective owner is fully conversant with the requirements both physically and mentally of the breed.

No puppy shall leave the breeder until the age of at least seven weeks old.

A puppy may be sold without registration and transfer papers if that is under stood and agreed to in writing by both parties.

Persons homing an ACD are encouraged to:

a. Supply any relevant documentation, i.e., health records, pedigree information.

b. Provide written instructions on the future care of the puppy including diet, exercise, training and worming and shall stress the need for early training. They shall also give written information about the care given to the puppy to date, particularly on diet, worming and inoculations.

c. Release only those dogs which to the best of knowledge are in good health.

d. Supply a written contract which includes a clause that if the purchaser is no longer able/willing to keep the dog (at any time in its life) - it will be returned to the breeder for assessment/re-homing.