All members of the Australian Shepherd Club of the UK undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

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.

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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

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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 operations 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.

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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.

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Additional annexe to the KC Code of Ethics

 

A. Members should feel that they can voice their opinions but should refrain from any unsportsmanlike behaviour or unnecessary criticism of other members, their dogs and their breeding.

 

B. Health screening :

i) Hip Scoring – All breeding stock must be hip scored. No dog should be bred from with a score of over 16

 ii)  Elbow Scoring –All breeding stock must be elbow scored. No dog should be bred from with a score over 1

iii) Eye Testing – All breeding stock at the time of mating, must have a clear eye test certificate from within the last 12 months.

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iv) HSF4 DNA Test – All breeding stock must be DNA tested for HSF4. Dogs with 1 or 2 copies of the gene must only be bred to a clear dog / bitch. If a dog / bitch is bred from who carries the HSF4 gene, then all potential puppy buyers must be made aware.

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v) Multi Drug Resistance Gene (MDR1) DNA Test All breeding stock must be DNA tested. If a mating will produce puppies with 1 or 2 copies of the gene, then all puppy owners must be provided with full information on MDR1 and an up to date list of the drugs that a puppy may react to. It is recommended that all dogs, not just breeding stock are tested for MDR1

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vi) All Other DNA tests – All breeding stock should be DNA tested for all DNA tests available to the breed. Dogs who have 1 or 2 copies of any genetic trait MUST only be bred to dogs who have no copies of the same trait. (As of 7th April 2019, DNA tests currently available for the Australian Shepherd include; Cone Degeneration (CD), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (CMR1), Cobalamin Malabsorption, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Hereditary Hyperuricosuria (HUU), and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscionsis (NCL).

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vii) Pelger Huet – All breeding stock should be tested, and information of the result given to puppy buyers.

viii) All breeding stock should have their own DNA certification, and not rely on hereditary status. This must be tested every second generation.

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ix) All health testing documentation must be available to potential puppy owners.

 

C. Breeders must keep truthful records of matings, resulting puppies, pedigrees and sales of all litters for a minimum period of 5 years.

 

D. Breeders will provide all new puppy owners with a contract of sale which should be fully explained by the breeder before being signed by both parties. Any offspring that is sold to pet homes/unsuitable for breeding should be issued with a ‘non-breeding contract’ with all endorsements on the pedigree being fully explained.

 

E. Bitches under the age of 2 years or over the age of 8 years should not be bred from. Dogs should also not be used in a breeding programme until after the age of 2 years.

 

F. Merle to merle matings must not be undertaken by any ASCUK breeder.

 

G. Breeding stock should be chosen with the aim of producing healthy and sound dogs that will be a credit to the breed. Dogs and bitches should be of sound temperament with no tendency for nervousness or aggression.

 

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