Code of Ethics
Last changes May 2009.All members of the Eurasier Society of the UK 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 performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, 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.
Furthermore, all members of the Society agree to:
15. Undertake to ensure the well-being of the Eurasier as a breed.
16. Conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is a credit to the Society and to ownership of Eurasiers.
17. Take every opportunity to promote the interest of Eurasiers, for example by welcoming and encouraging new owners and informing and educating people about the breed.
18. Always demonstrate good sportsmanship when taking part in competitive canine activities.
19. Not use any method of communication in a way that could be considered defamatory, insulting or detrimental to another Member, or the Society, or to the breed in general.
20. Not use or distribute information or photographs not owned by them, without prior written consent of the owner.
21. Always publicise show wins and other accomplishments in a precise and factual manner.
Members who own Eurasiers agree to:
22. Ensure that all dogs in their keeping have their emotional needs satisfied. This means, among other things, allowing Eurasiers to be with their human family whenever possible; not leaving them alone for long periods and never keeping them in a kennel (boarding kennels excepted), chained, or otherwise restricted outdoors.
23. Provide appropriate socialisation and training.
24. Maintain the best possible standards of canine health and care (including proper grooming and attention to teeth and nails) and provide protection from known diseases where such protection is available. Proper veterinary care should be obtained when required.
Members who breed Eurasiers agree to:
25. Always undertake breeding with the welfare and improvement of the breed in mind and not for financial gain. Volume-breeding is not in the best interest of the breed.
26. Plan matings selectively and conscientiously. It is strongly recommended that breeders approach the Society, via the appropriate Officer(s), to discuss the suitability of the dam and the choice of sire, prior to the mating. Before breeding, thoroughly screen and make a careful analysis of the health, temperament, conformation, pedigree, inbreeding coefficient and known hereditary and genetic defects of the sire and dam and those of their extended family if possible.
Both sire and dam must have hips, elbows and patellae screened through the BVA/KC or other similar accredited scheme and have satisfactory scores.
Hips: breeders should aim to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia by selecting whenever possible a sire and dam whose hip scores are well below the breed mean score (BMS). For Eurasiers in the UK, the latest published BMS (November 2008) is 11.
Elbows: only dogs and bitches with unaffected elbows (score of 0) should normally be used for breeding.
Patellae: only dogs and bitches with normal patellae (score of 0/0) should normally be used for breeding.
Both sire and dam must have a current eye certificate (CERF or similar) and be clear of entropion, ectropion and distichiasis.
Both sire and dam should have a Six Panel Thyroid Test (T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, T4 antibodies and T3 antibodies), and all values must be in the normal range.
27. Not allow a bitch to produce, or a stud to sire, more than two litters until at least 2 puppies of one litter, or 25% of her / his offspring, have been health-checked and achieved satisfactory results for hips, elbows, patellae, eyes and thyroid function as indicated above.
28. Always be mindful that the nature and needs of breeding stock are the same as those of all Eurasiers: they are first and foremost COMPANION dogs. Breeders are therefore expected to keep retired breeding Eurasiers as an integral part of the family and not rehome or dispose of them.
29. Only breed a litter if they have the time and facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and the well being of the dam.
30. Not provide stud services unless satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.
31. Only breed a litter if they are reasonably sure of finding suitable homes for the puppies.
32. Not intentionally mate a Eurasier with any other breed, nor with a Eurasier not registered with a national Kennel Club in its country of origin / residence.
33. Be honest and open about hereditary problems occurring in their stock to ensure that these are not unknowingly perpetuated.
34. Enter into all breeding arrangements with written contracts.
35. Not own more than three brood bitches at any one time.
36. Only mate bitches who will be between the age of 24 months and 7 years when they whelp, and then only if they are considered physically and mentally fit enough to raise a litter of puppies.
37. Not allow a bitch to have more than one litter in any 12 month period, or to mate on consecutive seasons.
38. Not allow a bitch to have more than four litters in her lifetime.
39. Consult with the Committee before using a bitch that has had a Caesarean delivery.
40. Keep accurate and thorough breeding records in full accordance with Kennel Club requirements.
41. Pay careful attention to the physical and emotional needs of puppies produced, providing maximum health protection through worming and proper veterinary care at all times, as well as adequate stimulation and thorough socialisation.
42. Ensure that all advertising is factual and neither offers Eurasiers at cheap prices, nor is worded so as to attract undesirable buyers.
43. Never sell a puppy to a home where it will be habitually without human company for more than a few hours at a time.
44. Fully inform potential puppy owners about the characteristics and needs of the breed, and the disadvantages, as well as advantages, of raising and owning a Eurasier.
45. Not pass on a puppy under the age of eight weeks, ideally (and never under the age of seven weeks), to a new owner.
46. Endorse all registrations of puppies ‘Progeny not for Registration’. (This can be rescinded by the breeder.) The purchaser must be advised of this condition of sale, in writing, before purchase has been completed, and advised of the conditions for lifting this restriction.
47. Microchip all their puppies.
48. Provide all new owners with written details on dietary requirements, general care, exercise requirements, dates of worming, and a three-generation pedigree which includes the results of all available hip, elbow, patella, eye and thyroid tests.
49. Keep in touch with new owners, answering questions and giving advice where appropriate, and checking on the Eurasier’s progress.
50. Encourage new owners to join the Eurasier Society UK or another breed club of good repute.
51. Strongly encourage owners to have their dogs’ hips, patellae, elbows, eyes and thyroid tested at the age of 12 months or older. (Breeders may wish to consider retaining a deposit at the time of purchase, to be refunded when the owner has the tests carried out and makes known the results.)
52. Be responsible for the stock which they have bred and sold and be prepared to take back and either keep or rehouse dogs of their own breeding. (If this is not possible, breeders would be expected to make a donation to Welfare & Rescue to defray the expenses incurred.)