Code Of Ethics

GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS, AMENDED May 2024
(Paragraphs 1-14 are as stipulated by the Kennel Club for all Breed Clubs. Paragraphs 15-23 have been added with the approval of the Kennel Club.)

All members of the Keeshond 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, 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 reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help 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 new homes.
12. Will ensure that all Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documentation 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. The aim of the Club is to further the health, well-being and welfare of the breed, and to conduct their activities in accordance with this guide. Members should help raise the general public’s awareness of the breed whenever possible and be prepared to talk about the breed when interest is shown; honestly explaining the positive aspects of owning a Keeshond.
16. The Club supports the BVA guide which states: It is clearly sensible for all dogs which are to be used for breeding to be examined under the Eye Scheme prior to being bred from, as this is the simplest way of identifying breed-related and potentially inherited problems. Advice on the frequency of re-testing is provided each time the dog is examined under the Eye Scheme. Examination and certification of older dogs, usually those no longer used for breeding, should be regarded as essential, because longitudinal information collected over time is a crucial means of providing owners and breeders with the information that they need in order to make informed breeding decisions.
17. The Club also recommends that all Keeshonds used for breeding are to be Hip and Elbow scored with the results sent to the BVA.
    The Club also recommends that animals should be inoculated and wormed following the
    current guidelines and/or veterinary advice; the same applying to homeopathic remedies.
18. Each litter should be carefully planned using, to the best of one’s knowledge, animals that are free from hereditary or congenital defects and of good temperament and quality. In order to minimise the risks of using animals affected by the early onset of idiopathic epilepsy, only unaffected mature dogs and bitches should be bred from and should not be mated before 24 months of age or in any way which would be deleterious to them. Normally thereafter bitches should be bred from not more than every other season. Breeders should explain to buyers of puppies the necessity of protecting unspayed bitches from an unplanned mating.
19. To ensure suitable homes are likely to be available before breeding and to have facilities to run on any puppies until such homes become available. No puppies should leave the breeder until at least eight weeks of age. Breeders will ensure all puppies be sold with a comprehensive puppy pack to include as a minimum: a signed five generation pedigree, a record of worming (showing the dates the puppy was wormed whilst still with the breeder), Microchip transfer details, Kennel Club registration certificate, diet sheet, advice on training, care and grooming, including advice on appropriate grooming equipment.
20. Breeders should inform prospective owners of conditions where DNA tests are currently in place and breed only from animals that are tested negative, or are negative by descent for the PHPT gene. Breeders will also inform those accepting their animals that there is evidence of certain associated conditions in the breed for which no current control schemes are available. Details of these conditions, as it affects the member’s animals, should be made available to prospective purchasers.
21. All live puppies should be registered at the earliest opportunity with the Kennel Club, which will help the Club to maintain accurate records of puppies born annually. Members should not register puppies with any other organisation. Where applicable Kennel Club Endorsements on Registrations, breeders Stud Dog Agreements and Breeding terms should be clearly explained, understood and put in writing and duly signed by both parties, and copies kept by each. Breeders should keep an accurate record of mating and pedigrees.
22. At Shows members should conduct themselves in a polite and courteous manner at all times. They should ensure that any dog in their care does not interfere with or in any way distract another dog or handler especially whilst handling in the show ring. Bitches in season or those that have recently been in season should not be kept ‘ringside’ as this is an obviously and unfair distraction to male dogs.
23. When confronted with a situation not covered by the above, members should conductthemselves in a manner in which they would expect to be treated in similar circumstances. The harassment of Committee or Club members in terms of aggressive pressure, intimidation or repetitive questioning will not be tolerated.  Where any individual criticises licensed events, show/event organisers, other exhibitors or their dogs in inappropriate, hurtful or excessive ways either verbally, in writing or on social media this will be reviewed by the Committee.  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 authority for legal action, as appropriate.