Kennel Club Code of Ethics
Incorporating the Cairn Terrier Code of Conduct
Below is the Kennel Club Code of Ethics, incorporating the Cairn Terrier Code of Conduct, which all breeders who register their puppies, and owners of Pedigree dogs, registered with the Kennel Club, and Members of any
of the UK Cairn Terrier Breed Clubs must adhere too.
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 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. 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.Before breeding a litter, equal consideration should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Nervous or aggressive dogs should not be bred from.
16.All owners, irrespective of the number of litters they breed, must comply with the following:
no bitch to be mated under one year old
no more than six litters from any one bitch
no bitch to be mated who will have reached the age of eight at the date of
whelping without special dispensation from the Kennel Club (see KC Year Book B22 c(2))
In addition the following applies to breeders of five or more litters per year:
no more than one litter per year per bitch
Owners need to acquaint themselves with the relevant legislation in their country and Kennel Club requirements.
17.All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the Breed. Members should
do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens and
those members who own stud dogs should refuse stud service to such
specimens. Breeders should inform any person/persons prior to the use of their
stud dog(s) or mating of their bitch(es) of any known problems that may affect the
future health of the breed.
Particular care should be taken where the owner of the bitch is not a member of a Cairn breed club registered by the Kennel Club.
18.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 the well-being
of the dam and no Member should provide stud services unless he/she is
satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.
19.No member should breed a litter unless he/she is reasonably sure of finding
homes for the puppies. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of
eight weeks.
20.Puppies/adults cannot be exported unless the DEFRA guidelines have been
followed regarding age and health regulations for the country of import and,
where age is not specified, not before twelve weeks of age.
21.No Cairns should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-
cruelty laws. (If in doubt consult DEFRA, RSPCA or The Kennel Club)
22.No Cairns should be sold to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs, or to
persons known to sell stock to any of the above, nor should stud services be
provided for such persons. (A dealer is defined as any person who regularly
buys stock for sale at a profit. A person who buys a Cairn as an agent for a
known individual is not necessarily a dealer).
23.Prospective buyers of Cairns should be screened for suitability and should be
advised of the characteristics of the Cairn Terrier as a breed with the need for
grooming and exercise. Cairns should not be sold to homes where they will be
on their own all day.
24.No Cairn which has a physical defect, or which shows any definite departure from
the Standard, should be sold without the buyer being made fully aware of such
defect or departure from the Standard and its possible consequences.
25.Any deliberate cross-breeding will be considered to be detrimental to the breed
and is contrary to the Breeders' Code of Ethics.
26.Where appropriate The Kennel Club documents should be provided as soon as
possible. It is undesirable that unregistered stock should be used for breeding.
No Cairn that is unregistered or is from unregistered or partly unregistered
parentage should be sold without the buyer being aware that he/she will be
unable to register it with The Kennel Club.
27.It should be impressed on buyers that they should contact the breeder in the
event of any problem with the Cairn. Breeders should make every effort to be of
assistance in these circumstances.
28.Advertising by Members should be as factual as possible. Misleading
exaggeration or unfounded implications of superiority should not be used.
Members should refrain from making unfair or untrue statements about dogs or
practices of others.
29.Officers or Committee Members of the Cairn clubs are always ready to help with
any queries or problems.
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 March 2011
