CURLY COATED RETRIEVER ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN

CODE OF ETHICS
July 2023

All breeders who register their puppies, and new owners who register ownership of their dogs with the Royal Kennel Club, accept the jurisdiction of the Royal Kennel Club and undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

Members of the Curly Coated Retriever Association Of Great Britain also undertake to abide by this Code of Ethics, which are incorporated within the Association’s Rules.

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 performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, may report such operation to the Royal 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 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 Royal 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 Royal Kennel Club registration certificates as standalone 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, when breeding dogs, adopt as a minimum standard the principles, requirements and recommendations as embodied in the Royal Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme.
16. Will be encouraged to make use of DNA testing for EIC, GSD iii and PRA before breeding and ensure that prospective buyers are aware of the DNA status for EIC, GSD iii and PRA of both the sire, dam and resulting puppies.
17. Will be encouraged to endorse puppy registrations as “Progeny not eligible for registration” until relevant health testing is completed.
18. Will be encouraged to make use of RKC/BVA eye testing and hip scoring schemes for breeding animals.
19. Will ensure that bitches are not bred from until 2 years old at the earliest, will not be bred from on consecutive seasons, shall have no more than four litters in her lifetime and will not have a litter after the age of 8 unless permission has been granted from the Royal Kennel Club.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Royal Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.

CCRA Of GB Code of Ethics July 2023