Ethics

South Western Rottweiler Association

Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

 

All members of The South Western Rottweiler Association (SWRA) undertake to abide by the KC imposed general Code of Ethics:

  1. 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 who performs an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who performs a caesarean section on a bitch, 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
  14. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as standalone items (not accompanying a dog)
  15. 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.

 

As a member of The South Western Rottweiler Association you further agree:

  1. Breeding Ethics:

 

  1. HIPS: All dogs and bitches used for mating in your breeding programme or used for stud by you must have been X-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia and the scores must be received back under the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club (BVA/KC) scheme prior to mating taking place. As a Member, you agree any dog or bitch you use for mating must not have a combined hip score of more than the current BVA breed mean average (currently “13” as at December 2021). For example, a score of 3:4 (meaning one hip is scored a 3 and one hip is scored a 4) added together gives a score of 7 which is under the breed mean average as at December 2021.  More information on the BVA hip scheme can be found at:

See www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/hip-scheme

 

  1. ELBOWS: The BVA score elbow dysplasia as follows:

0 = Normal elbow joint

1 = Mild arthrosis or suspect primary lesion

2 = Moderate arthrosis

3 = Severe arthrosis or evident primary lesion

Each elbow is scored individually and can appear on a dog’s records.  It is the highest score of both elbows that is the mechanism for reporting the overall score for the dog. For example, a score of 1:2 (meaning one elbow is scored a 1 and one elbow is scored a 2) gives a score of 2 (the scores are not added together as with hip scores)

As a Member of the SWRA, we recommend you only breed from animals with the lowest possible elbow scores

See www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/elbow-scheme

  1. EYES: Breeders are recommended to also test their dogs’ eyes for Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD)

See      www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/eye-scheme/find-an-eye-panellist

See      www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/eye-scheme

See      www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/eye-screening-scheme/multifocal-retinal-dysplasia-mrd

  1. HEART: The BVA often run heart test screening via a panel of approved heart specialists. Additionally, Clubs or Shows will run heart screening or you can find out more by contacting one of the heart testing panel of vets. As a member, we recommend you screen your breeding dog’s/bitch’s heart prior to mating and where a condition is identified, agree not to breed from that animal

See      www.vet-cardio.co.uk/heart-testing

 

  1. OTHER HEALTH TESTS: All dogs and bitches must undergo the following further DNA health tests, prior to mating:
    1. Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy (JLPP)
    2. Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)

The SWRA also highly recommend the following DNA tests are undertaken:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy/ Radiculomyelopathy (DM Exon 02)
  1. X-linked Myotubular Myopathy (XLMTM)
  2. Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (NAD)
  3. Long Coat (hair) length

 

For all DNA tests, as a Member, you agree to only ever mate a carrier of any of the above to an animal which has tested clear and NEVER to mate carriers to carriers or carriers to untested animals

See www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/dna-testing

As a member of the SWRA, you can receive a discount for testing bundles (please ask our Secretary for information). See:

www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/GeneticDiseases.jsp?speciesID=Rottweiler&catID=DogsGD

Or

www.animaldnadiagnostics.co.uk/breed/dog/186

  1. Only hips, elbows, JLPP and LEMP are mandatory and recorded automatically once vets inform the Kennel Club. Other results can be requested by the breeder to be uploaded onto the dogs KC record but are not uploaded automatically.  As a member, we would advise you to make checks on the health test results of any dogs you are considering mating via the Kennel Club Health Test Finder.  We recommend you always ask to see original copies of health test results from the breeder/owner.  To confirm the health tests recorded under the exact KC Registered name:

See      www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/health-test-results-finder

  1. If the owner of a bitch: you will breed only from healthy, mature bitches, conscientiously planning each litter. Bitches shall not be mated prior to two years of age nor whelp after their 8th birthday, and shall not be bred from more than once in any period of 12 months, with a maximum of 4 litters in her lifetime
  2. If the owner of a stud dog: will only use healthy, mature dogs which have passed their first birthday. You will refuse a stud service to any bitch that has not reached her 24th month or has passed her 8th birthday. Additionally, you will refuse a stud service if you know the bitch has already had 4 litters or which you consider to be in poor health. You will satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the bitch for breeding and will only advocate bitch owners to breed if they have the facilities, time and resources to adequately care for a litter
  3. Will keep accurate records of matings, litters, sales and registrations. When advertising or selling puppies, you will be extremely cautious to describe your puppies accurately, especially with regard to potential prospects of young puppies in order to avoid inadvertently implying a guarantee of show success
  1. Selling Ethics:

 

  1. You will remember that your prime concern of breeding is to produce healthy, sound dogs which will be a credit to the breed. You will be honest in dealings with buyers and fellow breeders and endeavour to co-operate towards an improvement of the breed
  2. You will, to the best of your ability, attempt to help prospective buyers and be available to answer their questions and provide assistance whenever possible
  3. You will only sell puppies of at least eight weeks of age. To the best of your knowledge, they will be sold in good health and of sound temperament
  4. Puppies highly benefit from a full veterinary health check prior to sale. We recommend Members obtain a Certificate or letter from their vet for each puppy to be sold, proving the puppy has received a full vet check up in the week or so prior to sale at 8 weeks.  Any such certificate or letter should include the microchip number of the puppy, the age of the puppy at the date of the check up, its weight and any issues identified and be available for puppy buyers to view
  5. For each puppy sold you will provide at the time of sale:
    1. A Kennel Club Registration or Application Form
    2. A Three-Generation Pedigree (at least), satisfactory Diet Sheet, Inoculation detail and worming record
  • Microchip details
  1. Confirmation the puppy has been health checked and is sound
  1. Links to “MY KC” and general information available from: thekennelclub.org.uk/search/health-test-results-finder
  2. You will clearly explain to every purchaser of your puppies what breeding restrictions apply and their implications (if breeding restrictions are used), including any Kennel Club Endorsements or Export Restrictions. Examples of breeding endorsements are:
    1. R – Progeny Not Eligible For Registration (new puppy owners will not be able to breed from their puppy and register their offspring with the Kennel Club)
    2. X – Not Eligible For Export (their puppy will not be able to be registered by a foreign Kennel Club if exported)
  3. Puppies sold over the age of 12 weeks will have commenced an Inoculation program
  4. If KC Registration is to be withheld, it must be by mutual agreement in writing between yourself and the purchaser
  5. You will refuse to recommend breeders who do not conform to the obligations expressed in this Code. You will not sell dogs, bitches or puppies to dog wholesalers, retailers, pet shops or laboratories and will not donate a Rottweiler for raffle or similar purposes
  6. When a puppy or puppies are taken in lieu of a stud fee, or as part of breeding terms, you understand that the vendor is fully responsible for the condition of the puppy or puppies at the time of sale, and that their puppy or puppies should not be sold unseen
  7. You will use a written agreement upon any sale, and shall exercise every possible care as to the suitability of your Rottweiler’s future home
  8. You understand that “Breeding Terms” must not be used as a means of foisting puppies onto those persons unable to afford the price of a puppy. Such arrangements should only be used to place bitches in homes where their welfare and furtherance of the breed will have been fully investigated

As a member of The South Western Rottweiler Association, you further agree to abide by our Code of Conduct:

  1. SWRA General Code of Conduct:

 

  1. To co-operate and participate with The SWRA, and other show-giving clubs, to share aid and information with those interested in the breed
  2. To read and familiarise yourself with, and abide by, the Kennel Club Standard for the Rottweiler
  3. To maintain good standard of the physical and mental wellbeing of your dogs and to care for them properly, obtaining professional veterinary care whenever necessary
  4. Good mental health of your dog includes regular contact with people and exposure to the outside world. All new puppy owners should provide obedience training at the appropriate age
  5. As a member, you have a responsibility to represent our Club in a good light. You will not verbally in person, or through the use of Social Media in any form, act in a way that reflects badly on the SWRA: you are expected to address any concerns you have with the Club Chairman directly
  1. SWRA Code of Conduct At our Shows:

 

  1. No-one should be subject to intimidation or made to feel alarmed or distressed or put in fear of reprisal. Harassment is a criminal offence and to that end, The South West Rottweiler Association adopts the Kennel Club’s own zero tolerance approach towards all type of harassment activity
  2. You will conduct yourself at all times (whether as exhibitor or spectator) in a manner, which will reflect credit upon you, The SWRA and the breed regardless of location or circumstances
  3. You will ensure your dogs are properly taken care of throughout the period of the event and do not become a nuisance to other dogs, other attendees or the general public
  4. To abide by the rules (including consideration for the “spirit” of the rules) of our Show venue
  5. Conduct: Participants have a duty both to their dogs and to others to make our events friendly and welcoming, and are expected to be co-operative and above all to create a safe environment
  6. Sportsmanship: Participants should conduct themselves at all times in an appropriate fashion and should display good manners and respect towards other participants, show officials and to the judges
  7. Any verbal communication with a judge should take place after judging has finished and must be conducted in a polite and professional manner
  8. Abusive or aggressive behaviour towards anyone at the show – including the judge, other participants, show management or other officials and ultimately, the dog itself – will not be tolerated under any circumstances
  9. Do not interfere with any dog whilst it is being judged
  10. Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere within the Show venue’s grounds, other than in the designated area
  11. Mobile phones should be turned off whilst exhibiting or whilst your dog is under test
  12. If you have children, do not allow them to touch any dogs unless you have the permission of the owner for them to do so. Be aware of where your children are, and what they are doing, at all times. Take special care around created areas where dogs may react to an unexpected approach
  13. All dogs must be of the correct temperament to enable the judge to examine the exhibit, independently of the exhibitor’s assistance
  14. Sparring between dogs is discouraged
  15. Dogs are not permitted to wear muzzles of any kind whilst being judged