Code of Ethics

CODE OF ETHICS
The rules of The British Chihuahua Club stipulate that membership of the Club shall imply acceptance of the Club's Code of Ethics.  These were originally drawn up by the Club and embodied in our Rules, but have since been revised at the direction of The Kennel Club who require that all Breed Clubs must adopt The Kennel Club's own Code of Ethics, with such variations as are approved by them.

The Committee have received approval from The Kennel Club for inclusion of those clauses from our original Code of Ethics which did not appear in The Kennel Club's code, and all members of The British Chihuahua Club are required to abide by the combined Code of Ethics as shown below.

THE BRITISH CHIHUAHUA CLUB GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
All members of The British Chihuahua Club 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 who performs 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. With effect from 6 April 2016 it is law for all dogs over 8 weeks of age to be microchipped
10. will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited;
11. 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;
12. will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning re­sponsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home;
13. 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;
14. 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);
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.
    
    In addition to the above Kennel Club provisions, members
    
    
16. shall not mate any bitch that is less than 12 calendar months of age;
    
17. shall not mate a bitch aged more than 8 years of age;
    
18. shall not mate a bitch after it has had 4 litters.  As from the 1st January 2012 The Kennel Club will not register more than 4 litters from each bitch;
    
19. shall not sell, or allow to leave their premises, puppies which are less than 12 weeks of age;
    
20. shall not have more than two cæsarian sections on any one bitch and these must not be on two consecutive seasons.  As from 1st january 2012 The Kennel Club will no longer register puppies born either by cæsarian section or naturally from any bitch which has previously had two such operations;
    
21. shall not mate any bitch for more than two consecutive seasons.
    
22. No member shall knowingly abandon any dog, bitch or puppy.

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.