Code of Ethics

Club Members

This code of ethics applies to everyone who has agreed to be subject to the jurisdiction of the Northern Schnauzer Club i.e. Club Members. They, whether owner, keeper or in temporary charge of a dog for any purpose, accept their responsibility in that:

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 an 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 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 a dog 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.

15) Will use the official Kennel Club’s Breed standard of the three sizes of Schnauzer when evaluating and breeding stock and encourage its application in judging.

16) Will agree that all our breeding stock to be eye tested in accordance with current NSC/KC/BVA advice and all litters bred will be eye tested by an Eye Specialist prior to sale.

17) Will use or give service to only registered stock that is physically and temperamentally sound and in good health.

18a) Schnauzer.

Bitches: Ideally not to be bred from before 22 months of age.

Bitches: Ideally not to be bred from in consecutive seasons (i.e. litters to be a minimum of 10 months apart).

18b) Miniature Schnauzers.

Bitches: Ideally not to be bred from before 18 months of age.

Bitches: Ideally not to be bred from in consecutive seasons (i.e. litters to be a minimum of 10 months apart).

18c) Giant Schnauzers.

Bitches: Ideally not to be bred from before 24 months of age.

Bitches: Ideally not to be bred from in consecutive seasons (i.e. litters to be a minimum of 10 months apart).

Males: to be 12 months or older before being used at stud (to allow for maturity and temperament to be assessed.

In extenuating circumstance, the provisos in points 18a) to 18c) will only be wavered by application in writing to the Kennel Club and their acceptance of these circumstances.

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.