Ethics

Code of Ethics of the Old English Mastiff Club

Updated 2016

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 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.

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.

15. Will make the primary consideration when producing stock that it conforms as closely as possible to the breed standard. Clearly inferior stock should not be bred from.

16. Will make every effort to reduce faults of the breed: lack of type, poor temperament, unsoundness. Particular consideration shall be given to sound temperament. Bitches should not be mated to dogs showing the same fault.

17. Will make every effort to reduce the incidence of inherited defects. Dogs with serious inherited defects should not be used for breeding. The use of the KC/BVA Hip/Elbow Dysplasia and Eye Schemes and other recommended health tests are strongly recommended, including Micro-chipping.

18. Will make the health and well being of the bitch and the stud dog their prime importance when planning mating’s, and it is recommended that both dog and bitch should be DNA profiled by blood sample.

19. Will not mate the bitch and stud dog if they are not in good physical condition.

20. Will not be mated to dogs of other breeds or to any unregistered dogs.

21. Will not mate a bitch before the age of twenty months, or after her sixth birthday, and will not produce more than two litters in a two year period. Any bitch that has had more than three puppies shall not be mated within a six month period

22. Will not allow the services of a stud dog in circumstances where the code of ethics would be breached.

23. Will supply the client, at the time of sale, with a signed five generation pedigree and the KC registration/ transfer of ownership form, duly signed. If such registration/transfer document is not available at the time of sale, the breeder will forward it to the client as soon as possible after receipt from the KC, unless it is mutually agreed that such documents shall be withheld. Should the breeder wish to impose conditions or endorsements on official papers, written notice of such will be given to the client prior to the sale.

24. Will keep an accurate pedigree of at least five generations for each litter bred and retained by the breeder for reference

25. Will not sell a mastiff without the buyer being made aware of any defect or definite deviation from the breed standard at the time of the sale.

26. Members will not use the name of the OEMC for the purpose of business, to facilitate the sale of stock or to infer the sale of stock, on any website or media outlet, either directly or by inference

27. Committee members will not use their position to promote the sale of their stock, on any website or media outlet, either directly or by inference.

28. In the event of an owner being unable to keep a mastiff, the breeder in the first instance or the stud dog owner should be prepared to take it or find it an alternative suitable home with the assistance of mastiff rescue if necessary. The breeder or stud dog owner should be expected to assist towards re-homing.

29. The committee shall be empowered to approve minor deviations to the above but members must be prepared to offer an acceptable explanation when this is requested by the committee in any situation which can appear to be in breach of the code of ethics.

30. Where there is substantive evidence of malpractice or mistreatment of mastiffs, it is the duty of the membership to report such to the Hon. Sec. of the O.E.M.C. for consideration by the committee, which after investigation of the complaint may consider such matters under their rules.

31. Will not knowingly aid or abet any other member to breach the code of ethics. Any member doing so will be equally responsible with the offender

32. Will promote good relations in respect of all mastiffs in their ownership and must never engage in any activity which might render the breed liable to adverse media attention

33. Will observe good sportsmanship at all times and disparaging remarks about fellow members stock are to be strongly discouraged

34. The primary consideration of the OEMC is the development, well being, preservation and safety of the mastiff.