LONDON & HOME COUNTIES BOXER CLUB : CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct indicates the standard of behaviour expected of Club members.  All members should read it carefully.  Prospective members should only submit the Application for Membership if they are prepared to honour this Code.

1.       General
a)       The health and welfare of the Boxer are of extreme importance.
b)      The Boxer should primarily be considered as a companion and a member of the family.
c)       It is the responsibility of members to ensure that the dogs in their care are not permitted to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
d)       Members should have third party insurance cover for all their dogs.
e)       Members must ensure that their dogs bear some recognised means of identification and be kept fully leashed or under effective control when they are away from home, as is required by law.
f)       Members will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere where their dogs are exhibited.

2.       Health and Welfare
a)       Members should properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and seek veterinary advice when required.  Preventative inoculations and/or alternative medications against all infectious diseases should be administered.

3.       Dog Exhibiting
a)       Members will, when engaged in competitive events with their dogs, conduct themselves in such a way as not to bring discredit to the breed or Club and will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
b)      Members will abide by Kennel Club Show Regulations when participating in the exhibition of any of their stock.

4.       Breeding
a)       The principal criterion to be considered in breeding should be the improvement of the breed.
b)      Members should only use dogs and bitches which are registered with the Kennel Club and which are of good type, sound temperament and construction with no known hereditary defects.
c)       White stock should not be bred from except in extraordinary circumstances or under the Breed Council Control Schemes for hereditary defects.
d)       Members should maintain accurate breeding records and pedigrees.

5.       Brood Bitches
a)       Breeding should not be undertaken unless puppies can be properly accommodated and cared for.
b)      It is a mistaken belief that litters are essential to a bitch's well being.
c)       A bitch should not be bred from before she is eighteen months old or after her seventh birthday nor should she be bred from on consecutive seasons without due regard to her well being.  Excessive breeding should be avoided.
d)       Veterinary advice should be sought regarding the further mating of any bitch which has had difficulty in whelping.

6.       Stud Dogs
The owner of a stud dog should be selective in the bitches which are covered and should ensure, as far as possible, that the owner of the bitch can whelp and care for her and the puppies.

7.       Puppies
b)      Puppies should not be removed from the litter to go to their new homes until they are properly weaned and never before seven weeks of age.
c)       If white puppies are retained they should be most carefully monitored before sale to ensure they are not deaf.  Puppies which are deaf or in other respects abnormal should not be sold.

8.       Sales
a)       Members will never knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs or puppies nor mislead any person regarding the quality of a dog or puppy.
b)      Members should carefully screen prospective buyers to ensure their suitability as owners and advise on the characteristics of the breed.
c)       Members will not knowingly sell any dog to commercial wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a contest of any kind.
d)       Members should not sell stock on a payment by instalment basis.
e)       When selling or transferring a dog or puppy to another person, Members will ensure that all the relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner at the time, or where unavoidable, within a reasonable time of the sale or transfer. The dog's pedigree, a diet sheet and other relevant information should be given to the new owner.
f)       As breeders, Members will take an interest in the welfare of their stock and will assure any new owner that they will always be available to help with any problems and assist with re-­housing if and when necessary. The Boxer Rescue Scheme should be used only as a last resort.

9.       Identification of Stock
All stock will be identifiable according to the legal requirements currently in force.

10.     Abnormalities and Hereditary Defects
a)       Members will agree without reservation that any Veterinary Surgeon may report to the Kennel Club:-
  i)     All operations carried out on any dogs owned or bred by them to correct any hereditary defects.
  ii)    All known or recognised hereditary defects in any dogs owned or bred by them.
b)      The Boxer Breed Council's Control Schemes for Progressive Axonopathy and all other hereditary defects will be followed.
c)       Members will report all cases of known or recognised hereditary defects in their stock to the Boxer Breed Council.