TBC: Page 3

THE BLOODHOUND CLUB CODE OF ETHICS

Up until October 2008 Members of the Bloodhound Club had been operating within the a 10-point Code of Ethics ( here ) . However, following a BBC TV Panorama programme, in which no reference was made to bloodhounds, the Kennel Club General Committee reacted by insisting that all breed clubs adopt the same code of ethics, or they will be "de-registered" from the Kennel Club. The Bloodhound Club Committee asked for the ten points to remain. The answer from the Kennel Club was that the first 14 points need to be the same for all Kennel Club registered clubs, but additional points can be added from 15 onwards.
Manditory requirements of all Kennel Club registered Breed Clubs: GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
Club members: All members of The Bloodhound Club undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
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.
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.
ETHICS SPECIFIC FOR BLOOHOUNDS:
15.	Members must consider the welfare of their hounds as paramount, above any personal gain or profit and must ensure that their hounds are properly housed, fed, watered, exercised and cared for.
16.	All breeding should be aimed at the IMPROVEMENT OF THE BREED. Before breeding a litter equal weight should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from obvious inferior specimens.
17.	Members offering Bloodhounds at stud should ensure that they are in good health and as far as possible free from hereditary defects. Dog hounds should be of good type, temperament and soundness. Stud services should be refused to clearly inferior specimens.
18.	Bitches should not be bred from until they are mature, usually two years of age, nor should they be bred from too frequently.
19.	No member should breed a litter of Bloodhounds unless he/she has the facilities and time to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and the well-being of the dam. They should also be prepared to take back or help with the re-homing of their stock should it become necessary.
20.	Prospective buyers should be screened for suitability and should be advised of the breed characteristics and faults. They should be shown a full-grown adult and made to realise what they are taking on.
21.	At the time of sale members should provide a signed three generation pedigree [delete: together with a Kennel Club Registration Certificate and Transfer (if available) diet sheet and fact sheet regarding worming, vaccination, training, etc. All puppies should be fully covered by insurance for a month from purchase and should be wormed before sale. A receipt of purchase should be supplied.
22.	Where a Bloodhound puppy deviates seriously from the standard or has an obvious defect, the buyer must be made aware of this fact and the Kennel Club Registration Certificate should be amended to disallow breeding from the animal, or it should be neutered by the breeder at a later date.
23.	No Bloodhound should knowingly be sold to a pet shop or dealer and great care should be taken when exporting to ensure the hound goes directly to its new home.
24.	Members should conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the Bloodhound and should demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times at competitive events.