In September 2008, The Kennel Club issued the following "The Kennel Club General Code of Ethics". The NECGB were required to adopt it, alongside the existing NECGB Code of ethics. As this was a KC directive, the NECGB were advised that there was no requirement to call a SGM or AGM in order to agree to this. The Code had to be adopted immediately and advised to members accordingly.
At the AGM in March 2009, the code of ethics were modified in the light of developments for DNA testing for prcd-pra. This is subject to ratification by the KC.
The Kennel Club Code of Ethics
All breeders who register their puppies, and new owners who register ownership of their dogs with the Kennel Club, accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
Breeders/Owners:
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.
The NECGB Code of Ethics
1 The primary role of this code is to serve the welfare and interests of the NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND as a breed and individually. In any activity involving ownership, breeding, sale and exhibition of Norwegian Elkhounds, members should act with this in mind. All members in accepting membership undertake to adhere to its principles.
2 The acquisition of a Norwegian Elkhound is to assume responsibility for its welfare and behaviour until its death or transfer to a new home.
3 A breeder should only breed from Kennel Club registered Norwegian Elkhounds which conform to the breed standard and are believed to be free from any hereditary defects, e.g. Epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (except in circumstances as in 16B) and Glaucoma, and are mentally and physically sound and not suffering from acute nervousness or aggressive tendencies.
4 Bitches should not be expected to whelp under 2 years of age. All whelpings should be acceptable to The Kennel Club. However, it is recommended that bitches do not whelp on consecutive seasons nor after the age of eight years. It is further recommended that a bitch's first litter should be whelped prior to the age of five years. No bitch should be expected to produce more than four litters.
5 Any puppy sold over the age of twelve weeks should be inoculated and ideally no puppy should leave the breeder under the age of seven weeks. It should be accompanied by a five generation certificate of pedigree, diet sheet, dates and details of worming and must be registered with the Kennel Club. All puppies sold should be insured for a minimum period of four weeks.
6 Breeders should make use of Kennel Club endorsements whenever necessary and inform the prospective owner of the reasons for this action. Purchasers should be asked to sign signifying their acceptance of endorsements.
7 No puppies or adult dogs should knowingly be sold to any retail or wholesale dealer, nor exported to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws. Ideally they should be sold direct to their new homes, every effort having been made to ascertain that the new owners have the facilities, time and commitment to correctly raise, train, exercise and are sympathetic to the Norwegian Elkhound's special needs.
8 Breeders should be responsible for stock they have bred and sold, and be prepared to take back or make provision for dogs of their breeding at their own expense whenever possible.
9 Stud dog owners must satisfy themselves as to the suitability, breeding and condition of any bitch presented to them, also the condition under which any resultant litter would be reared. If the owner of the bitch is not a member of the Club they should be made aware of the Club's Code of Ethics.
10 Stud dog owners should be honest about possible problems in each breeding programme and discerning about the use of their dog.
11 No member shall engage in false or misleading advertising or other falsification of their Norwegian Elkhounds. They should exhibit good manners and sportsmanship at all times.
12 Members agree to be willing to participate in a programme of improvement within the breed which will include completing breed survey questionnaires and should notify any defects thought to be hereditary immediately they are diagnosed in the Norwegian Elkhounds they own.
13 Members being aware of any case of mistreatment of any Norwegian Elkhound should report this to the appropriate authorities and the Club Secretary in writing.
14 Prior to being used for breeding all breeding stock must:
(a) Hold a Hip Score certificate issued under the Kennel Club/British Veterinary Association Hip Dysplasia scheme.
(b) Hold a clear eye test certificate issued under the KC/BVA scheme. The certificate to be dated no earlier than twelve months prior to mating.
In order to provide the breed with as much information as possible it would be appreciated if members had their Norwegian Elkhounds tested as above.
15. Prior to being used for breeding, it is recommended that all breeding stock should be tested for FRD.
The Committee shall request an explanation in writing from any member who fails to abide by the Code of Ethics. The member may be censured for such infringement and the censure published. In cases considered serious enough, action for expulsion shall be taken under the relevant section of the Constitution.
16 a). With immediate effect all breeding stock to be prcd – pra DNA tested and the results known and passed to the NECGB for publication in advance of matings. In cases of overseas stud dog/bitch for which the status is unknown, UK dog/bitch must be dna tested clear or hereditary clear, the resulting progeny should be dna tested with all registration certificates endorsed by the breeder.
b) Mating of prcd-pra affected dogs is not recommended, with the exception of a "once off" per dog/bitch to a DNA tested clear dog/bitch. This would only be with a view to improving the eye status in a particular line. Please be aware that any such mating will produce 100% carriers, with all registration certificates be endorsed by the breeder.
c) The mating of carriers should only be to DNA tested or heridatorily clear dogs/bitches and the resulting progeny should be dna tested with all registration certificates endorsed by the breeder.
d) It is recommended that all breeding stock should be eye tested annually so that they carry an updated certificate prior to breeding, regardless of DNA results of prcd – pra so that any other eye defect can be identified.
e) All puppies sold should be accompanied by a copy of the Sire and Dam DNA results for prcd-pra , appropriate at such time until DNA test results appear on the KC registration certificates.
NOTES:
1. Overseas members who have difficulty complying with those items that require The Kennel Club's involvement are urged to use whatever local arrangements equate to our requirements.
2. Members are reminded that they are obliged to abide by The Kennel Club's code of ethics.
RIG 05/09