GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
All members of the Pyrenean Sheepdog Club of Great Britain undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
Club members:
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Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
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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 operations to the Kennel Club
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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.
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Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
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Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
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Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
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Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
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Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
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Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
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Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
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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.
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Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Will breed only from mature dogs and bitches which are KC registered. Equal weight shall be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. They must be x-rayed for hip dysplasia and the plates submitted to the BVA for scoring. It is highly recommended that breeding stock with a significantly higher score than the breed average should not be used for breeding purposes. Bitches should not have a litter before the age of two and should not be bred after the age of seven
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Will not let an individual bitch produce more than four litters with a period of at least twelve months between litters. A first litter should be born before the end of the bitches fifth year. Will not breed again from a bitch who has undergone two caesarean sections.
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Will refuse the services of a stud dog if the bitch does not comply with the above guidelines.
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Will have puppies screened for PDA (preferably by a cardiologist) before they are sold. Documentary evidence of health tests should be registered with the club.
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Will only pass on puppies to new owners when they are at least seven weeks old. The puppies should have been wormed and should be in good health.
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Will not use breeding contracts as a selling point to coerce prospective owners into having a dog, even though such contracts are an accepted method, used in sales/purchases.
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Will make prospective owners aware of the specific needs of the Pyrenean Sheepdog.
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Will conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as reflects the credit of ownership of the Pyrenean Sheepdog.
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.
It is proposed that this document be reviewed at regular intervals to fall in line with up to date good practice as new legislation, testing or research comes into use.
July 2013