Code of Ethics
- Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
- 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.
- Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
- Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
- Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
- Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
- Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
- Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
- Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
- 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.
- Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
KC/GJ September 2008Purpose of Breeding
All breeding shall be aimed at the improvement of the breed.Breeding from Sound Stock
Members will not breed from any bitch or use any dog at stud who does not meet with the Health Screening requirements of the breed.
- Requirements for Health Screening - Hip Scoring & Eye Testing
- Recommendations for Breeding Stock - Elbow grading & DNA test - prcd-PRA (Optigen or equivalent)
Nor will they permit dogs or bitches to be used for breeding purposes that show undue signs of nervousness or aggression or to produce crossbred puppies i.e. Labradoodles.
Stud Dog Owners
Stud dog owners must refuse the use of their dogs if there is any doubt as to the intentions of the breeder.
Stud dog owners will not allow their stud dog to be used on bitches who are in poor condition. They should think carefully before mating bitches who are clearly inferior specimens of the breed or who are not Kennel Club registered
Stud dog owners should give help and advice to novice breeders.
It will be as much the stud dog owner's responsibility, as that of the brood bitch owners, to ensure that these guidelines are observed
Care of Bitches
Kennel Club regulations state - No bitch will whelp more than 6 litters and no bitch should be mated at successive seasons without regard to her health. Bitches will not be bred from over the age of 8. The Labrador Club of Scotland recommends no more than 4 litters.
Care of Litter
A member should not breed a litter unless he/she has the time and the facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of puppies and the well-being of the dam. A member should not provide stud services unless satisfied the owner of the bitch also has such time and facilities.
A member should not breed a litter unless reasonably sure of finding homes for the puppies.
Sale of Puppies
The breeder should check prospective purchasers for suitability and inform them of the characteristics of the Labrador and the responsibility of dog ownership. Puppies should not be sold to homes where they will be alone for long periods during the day.
In normal circumstances, puppies should not leave their breeder until in their eighth week, and the breeder should sell only those which to the best of his/her knowledge are in good health. A puppy which has any physical defect or which has any definite departure from the Breed Standard should not be sold without the buyer being made fully aware of such defect and its possible consequences.
A breeder should not knowingly sell puppies to laboratories, pet shops, dog dealers or to persons known to be acting for the above. Stud services should not be provided for such persons. Note: A dealer is defined as any person who regularly buys puppies to sell for a profit.
Overseas Sales
Special care must be taken when exporting Labradors; facilities are often available to check prospective owners and guidance should be sought in any cases of doubt.
The implementation and interpretation of anti-cruelty laws can differ from country to country. A breeder should exercise great care in selling to a country where he/she has any doubt regarding its internal policy. The Kennel Club, S.S.P.C.A. or D.E.F.R.A. may provide some guidance and should be consulted for further information.
Puppies should not be exported until they are at least 12 weeks old unless travelling in the personal care of the new owner or their representative. For those travelling alone, a reputable canine exporting company should be used.
The breeder should take every care in ascertaining up-to-date and accurate details of the health regulations of the importing country. The best sources are a Veterinary Surgeon and D.E.F.R.A.
Registration, Documents & Information
The breeder should register each litter with the Kennel Club and comply with relevant K.C. regulations concerning the registration of any puppy they wish to register. They should not hesitate to endorse any registration if applicable under K.C. Regulation B11.
When selling a puppy of registered parentage the breeder must provide the buyer with a fully completed signed K.C. Registration Certificate and inform the buyer how to transfer ownership. The purchaser of a puppy born from unregistered or partly registered parents should be informed the puppy cannot be registered with the Kennel Club.
The breeder should also provide each purchaser at the time of sale with a signed pedigree certificate which to the best of his/her knowledge is accurate and written information about the care of a Labrador covering at least the following items: Diet from puppy to adult, worming, grooming, inoculations, training, exercise and basic health. It's hoped the breeder will also give information about The Labrador Club of Scotland and consider proposing the purchaser for membership.
After Sales Service
Whenever possible, the breeder should provide assistance or give advice to the purchaser of a puppy should a problem subsequently arise. The purchaser should be made aware of this at the time of sale and encouraged to contact the breeder about any problem.
The Breeder will actively assist with re-homing of a Labrador, if the initial circumstances change or are found to be unsuitable. The breeder should, whenever possible, take the puppy back. If the breeder is unable to take it back, he/she should inform the owner how to contact Labrador Welfare and provide all possible help in finding a suitable home for the puppy
Loan of Bitch for Breeding
Any agreement of the loan of a bitch for breeding purposes should be entered into with great care. The parties concerned each should have a written copy of the agreement signed by each party. It is recommended that the Kennel Club regulations for loan or use of a bitch for breeding purposes be used. (See K.C. Regs. B, Annex C).
Social Network Media
- All members agree to abide by the Kennel Club Code of Conduct regarding the use of Social Network Media
- That no member would post on any social medium any statement likely to be prejudicial to any case brought to, or likely to be brought to, the attention of the Kennel Club.
Equally they will not post any statement likely to be injurious to any individual in line with the Kennel Club Code of Conduct.
Assistance from Breed Club
Any breeder experiencing a problem over any part of this code should seek assistance from The Labrador Club of Scotland through its Secretary.
The Labrador Retriever Club of Scotland Club expects all of its members concerned with the breeding, acquisition or disposal of Labradors to conduct their business in an ethical manner whilst at the same time conforming to the rules of The Labrador Club of Scotland and The Kennel Club.
Overseas members are expected to follow the spirit of this code whilst conforming to the rules of their governing Kennel Club.
The guidelines create a common basis for all, and ensure puppies are guaranteed a fair start with the expectation of a long, healthy and happy life. Used with discretion they can be the means whereby the Committee may be empowered to ask a Member to answer a complaint against the individual, and in extreme cases, in conjunction with Rule 6, expel that member from the club.
Approved by The Kennel Club - July 2013
Approved by Members - May 2013
