Northern English Setter Society

GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of the Northern English Setter Society 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, laboratories 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 characteristic of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.

15. Will recognise that the aim of breeding is to replenish the show stock within the breed and to improve the standard of English Setters generally. Will at all times maintain a high standard of health and care of dogs they own.
16. Will not breed from any bitch prior to 24 months of age and not more frequently than two consecutive seasons followed by not less than a full years rest from breeding. Not breed from any dog seriously affected by an inherited defect or with a nervous or uncertain temperament.
17. Imported dogs used for breeding, and any puppies kept for breeding sired by a foreign sire should be mandatory tested for NCL and PRA4 DNA testing unless proven hereditary clear for the conditions.
18. Not knowingly allow a stud to mate a bitch which would be disqualified by this code.
19. Will exercise all possible care as to the suitability of new owners and their home environment when selling or transferring a dog, including those placed on breeding terms.
20. Members, when breeding dogs, adopt as a minimum standard the principles and recommendations as embodied in the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme.

Breach of these provisions may result in the expulsion from a club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.

Agreed at NESS AGM on 1^st March 2020