THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB OF ENGLAND
CODE OF ETHICS
The West Highland White Terrier Club of England
Code of Ethics comprises:-
The Kennel Club General Code of Ethics
(Adopted in entirety on 31st October 2008)
&
The Members Code of Ethics
THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB OF ENGLAND
GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
All members of the West Highland White Terrier Club of England 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 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.
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.
Last updated January 2011
THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER CLUB OF ENGLAND
MEMBERS CODE OF ETHICS
The purpose of this Code is to offer guidance and information on good practice to all WHWT breeders and/or owners. Membership of the West Highland White Terrier Club of England assumes acceptance of this code. The Committee reserves the right to refuse membership to, or to recommend to a General Meeting of the Club the expulsion from membership of, anyone who knowingly and/or persistently acts in breach of this code to the detriment of the breed, of an individual dog, or in such a manner as to bring the West Highland White Terrier Club of England into disrepute (vide rule 6.4).
It is expected that members will at all times act in the interests of the breed and in the interests of the wellbeing of individual dogs and in a
manner in keeping with the aims and interests of the West Highland White Terrier Club of England.
It is expected that members will keep their own dogs in an environment and under a regime that as far as is possible ensures the well being of the dog. Wilful neglect or cruelty to any dog may result in exclusion from or expulsion from membership subject to the provisions of rule 6.4 of the Rules and Regulations of the Club.
Before breeding a litter, equal consideration should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Dogs from lines known to carry a serious inherited disease should not knowingly be bred from. All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly unsound or otherwise inferior stock. Stud service should be refused for bitches from such stock.
Bitches should not be permitted to have more than 4 litters. No bitch should be mated on successive seasons(assuming that litters result) and never without due regard for the well being of the bitch. No bitch should be mated before her second season and normally never before the age of 14 months, nor after the age of seven years without veterinary advice. Bitches should not be mated if they have previously had 2 litters delivered by Caesarean Section. The Mating of bitches should not occur between Father and Daughter or Mother and Son or Brother and Sister.
Commercial and unregulated internet sites should not be used to advertise puppies or stud dogs. The Club’s puppy co-ordinator or the online service provided by the Kennel Club are recommended. Any member found to be in breach of the Code of Ethics may be asked to leave the Club and their membership may be reviewed in accordance with the club constitution.
No member should breed a litter unless he/she has the time and facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and to the well being of the dam and no member should provide stud service unless he/she is satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities. Members’ dogs should only be used on bitches registered by the Kennel Club or the kennel club in the country of residence.
No member should breed a litter unless he/she is reasonably sure of securing suitable homes for the puppies. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks and, by law, must be microchipped.
Puppies/adults may not be exported unless the Ministry of Agriculture guidelines have been followed regarding age and health regulations for the country of import and, if age is not specified, never before the age of 12 weeks.
No dogs should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws (if in doubt consult the DEFRA, RSPCA, or KC).
Before selling dogs abroad members should check as far as is possible the credentials of the prospective purchaser through, for instance, membership of recognised WHWT Clubs in the appropriate country or through that country’s equivalent of the Kennel Club.
Members shall not sell dogs to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs or to persons known to sell stock to any of the above: nor should stud service be available to such persons. (A dealer is defined as a person who regularly buys stock for sale at a profit. A person who buys a dog as an agent for a known individual is not necessarily a dealer).
Members will, when breeding dogs, adopt as a minimum standard the principles, requirements and recommendations as embodied in the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme. The Kennel Club strongly recommended that members who breed should consider joining the Scheme.’
Last updated September 2021
