Cocker Spaniel Club
of
Western Pennsylvania, Inc.
CODE OF ETHICS
Cocker Spaniel Club of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.
I. CANON OF ETHICS
A. Each member of the Cocker Spaniel Club of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. has an obligation to protect the interests of their breed by conducting themselves in a manner designed to reflect credit on themselves, their breed, and on the Cocker Spaniel Club of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.
B. Each member is expected to observe the highest standards of sportsmanship, conduct themselves in a manner as to reflect positively on the sport of showing dogs, and exhibit good will at all breed shows, obedience and field trials.
C. Each member who contemplates breeding a litter, or who allow the use of their stud dog to the same end, shall direct their efforts toward producing dogs of exceptional quality, temperament and condition.
D. No member shall engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of their breed; now shall they malign their competition by making false or misleading statements regarding their competitor's dogs, breeding practice or person.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BREEDER
Breeders shall
A. Be familiar with their breed standard and breed only those specimens which conform to it.
B. Be familiar with the AKC rules concerning record keeping, registration, sale and transfer of dogs, and abide by these rules.
C. Use for breeding only dogs which are healthy and free from serious congenital and hereditary defects characteristic of their breed or breeds.
D. Produce puppies only when they have the time and facilities to provide adequate attention to physical and emotional development until such time as they are sold.
E. Refrain from further use of a bitch or stud that has become affected or has produced any serious inherited defects detrimental to the animal's well-being, such as blindness, deafness, lameness, or impairment of the vital functions, and consistently produce like results with different mating partners.
F. Maintain the best possible standards of health for their animals and care of their kennels.
G. Under no circumstances will dogs be sold or donated to commercial wholesalers.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN EXHIBITOR AND/OR HANDLER
A. Should act professionally at all times in caring for ad exhibiting any dog in their charge.
B. Should not engage in any questionable contact with judges prior to exhibiting under them.
C. Should be familiar with and abide by AKC's Rules & Regulations for Dog Shows, Obedience Trials, Field Trials and the guidelines for Dog Show Judges.
IV. ENFORCEMENT
A. The Cocker Spaniel Club of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. shall enforce Article VI of its By-Laws enttled "Discipline", should violations of its Code of Ethics be brought before its Board.
B. Article VI entitled "Discipline", addresses the area of suspension, charges, Board hearings and expulsion. Each member is expected to be familiar with this very important By-Law.
