Breeders' Code of Conduct

THIS CODE OF CONDUCT IS RULE 19 OF THE CLUB AND WAS APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEEETING OF 22nd APRIL 1990

 

This code of conduct is the minimum standard expected from breeders of Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

The code’s operation will be governed under rule 10 of Club rules. Any member infringing this code will be informed of the matter by the Club Committee. Any further infringement will be dealt with by Committee acting under Club rule 10 and the matter will be referred to the next Club Annual General Meeting.

Club rule 10 states:- Every member shall strive to promote honourable dealings in all matters affecting the interests or well being of the Club, and shall bring to the notice of the Committee any apparent irregularites or dishonest or dishonourable practices within his knowledge, in connection with canine matters, in regard to which action might be taken with a view to prevention or remedy. He shall also communicate any information he may possess, likely to prove useful to Dandie Dinmont Terriers owners, breeders and judges, with a view to furthering the objects for which the Club exists.

Annual General Meeting could then take action under Club rule 11 EXPULSION OF MEMBERS.

 

1) Before breeding a litter, equal consideration should be give to type, temperament and soundness. Nervous or aggressive dogs should not be bred from. New breeders should seek advice on suitability of sires for their bitches, from experienced breeders.

 

2) Any Dandie Dinmonts to be bred from should be eye tested for pre-disposition to Glaucoma and have an unaffected eye certificate issued by a BVA Opthalmologist. This test to be repeated as recommended.

 

3) No bitch should be required to have more than FOUR litters, due regard being given to the number of puppies whelped. No bitch should be mated at more than two out of three successive seasons and never without regard for the well being of the bitch. No bitch should be mated before her second season and never before the age of sixteen months nor after the age of EIGHT years. The Kennel Club will not register a litter from a dam who has already whelped two litters, delivered by caesarean section. Prior to mating again, approval must have been granted by the Kennel Club.

 

4) All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens. Particular care should be taken where the owner of the bitch is not a member of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club registered by the Kennel Club i.e. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club, The Southern Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club and The Caledonian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club.

 

5) No member should breed a litter unless they have the time and facilities to devote the proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and the well being of the dam, and no member should provide stud services unless they are satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.

 

6) No member should breed a litter unless they are reasonably sure of finding homes for the puppies. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of EIGHT weeks.

 

7) Puppies/adults cannot be exported unless the Ministry of Agriculture guidelines have been followed regarding age and health regulations for country of import and where age is not specified not before the age of TWELVE weeks.

 

8) No Dandie Dinmont Terrier should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws. (If in doubt consult the Ministry of Agriculture and Kennel Club etc.)

 

9) No Dandies should be sold to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs or to persons known to sell stock to any of the above, nor should stud dog services be provided for such persons. (A dealer is defined as any person who regularly buys stock for sale at a profit. A person who buys a Dandie as an agent for a known individual is not necessarily a dealer). No Dandie should be sold or offered as a prize in a raffle or competition.

 

10) Prospective buyers of Dandies should be screened for suitability and should be ad- vised of the characteristics of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier as a breed, with the need for grooming and exercise. Dandies should not be sold to homes where they will be on their own all day. Buyers with children should be made aware of the importance of their children treating a dog or puppy properly.

 

11) No Dandie which has any physical defect, or shows any definitive departure from the standard should be sold without the buyer being made fully aware of such departure from the standard and its possible consequence. Members should sell only animals which, to the best of their knowledge are in good health at the time of sale.

 

12) Each purchaser of a Dandie should be provided, at the time of sale, with a pedigree, diet sheet, and information about training, worming, breed characteristics, breed clubs and inoculations.

 

13) Where appropriate the Kennel Club registration documents should be provided at the time of purchase or as soon as possible. It is undesirable that unregistered stock should be used for breeding. No Dandie that is unregistered, or is from unregistered or from partly unregisterd parentage should be sold without the buyer being made aware that he will be unable to register it with the Kennel Club.

 

14) It should be impressed on buyers that they should contact the BREEDER in the event of any problem with the Dandie. Breeders should make every effort to be of assistance in these circustamces.

 

15) Advertising by members should be as factual as possible, misleading exaggerations or unfound implications of superiority should not be used. Members should refrain from making unfair or untrue statements about dogs or practices of others.

 

16) Officers and/or Committee members of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club are always ready to help with any queries or problems. It is advantageous to be a member of one or more of the breed clubs.

 

17) The above code should be read in conjunction with the Club rules and Kennel Club Breed Standard.