CODE OF ETHICS of the SCWTC of GB

Introduction
1. As a member of the Club I pledge that I will adhere to the Rules of the Club, adopt the Breed Standard, display good sportsmanship and conduct myself in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the Club and upon Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, and at all times maintain a high standard of health and care for my Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers.
It is my intention to keep my Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier for the whole of its life, but in the event of my being unable to do so I will notify the Committee, after prior reference to the Breeder, for advice and assistance with re-homing.

General Conduct
2. I will consider the welfare of my own dogs, and the breed in general, above any personal gain or profit. I will take responsibility for any dogs I own, or own in partnership, whether or not the dogs reside with me.
3. I will attempt to help and befriend novice exhibitors and breeders and new members of the Club.

Health
4. I will make every effort to keep informed of any problems within the Breed with regard to soundness, temperament, hereditary defects, etc. The Committee for its part, will inform the membership of any developments in respect of the above via the Health Notice Board of the Bulletin, as soon as the information is to hand.
5. I will inform the Committee of any serious problems that I have with my dog’s health, particularly where the Veterinary diagnosis indicates a disease of potentially genetic origin. The Committee for its part will offer advice and support and, where there is a possibility that this disease is hereditary, will seek verification from the appropriate professional experts. I accept that the Health Secretary will, in the event of confirmation of a hereditary disease, provide clear dissemination of the information to the affected dog’s breeders and to the membership.
6. I will endeavour to take advantage of any scheme devised to test the dogs for any known serious health problems or hereditary defects and inform the Health Secretary of the results.
7. I agree to cooperate with any health directives and associated breeding recommendations made by the club following advice from the relevant experts.
8. In order to facilitate the keeping of full health records, I will inform the Secretary of the death of my Wheaten at whatever age.

Breeding
A breeder’s main objective should be to produce puppies of superior quality to the bitch. A stud dog should be chosen to compliment the bitch and improve on any faults she may have.
The owner of the stud dog and the owner of the bitch have equal responsibility for adhering to the following points.
9. I will only breed from Wheatens which conform to the Breed Standard and are of sound temperament and which are registered with The Kennel Club (or entered into a corresponding register kept by a recognised Kennel Club with which The Kennel Club has a reciprocal agreement).
10. I will not breed from any Wheaten for which there is specialist veterinary evidence that it is
affected by, or is carrying, a serious inherited disease.
11. Brood Bitches: I will endeavour not to allow my bitches to whelp before the age of two (or on the third season whichever is earliest), and not after the age of eight (as per Kennel Club Rules). I will not permit a bitch to have her first litter after her fifth birthday without prior veterinary consultation. I will not allow my bitches to have any more than six litters during their lifetimes, and ideally no more than four litters. I will not breed from them on consecutive seasons without a certificate from a veterinary surgeon (as required by Kennel Club Rules and Regulations for classification & registration).
12. Stud Dogs: I will not allow my dogs to be used at stud if the dog itself, or the bitch brought to him, is in poor condition. Stud services will be refused to any bitch not registered with the Kennel Club or whose progeny cannot be registered with the Kennel Club or owned by a person suspended from Kennel Club Licensed activities. I will ensure, as far as is possible, that the owner of the bitch intends to comply with the Code of Ethics relating to Health, Breeding and Homing of the puppies.

Homing puppies
13. I will take every precaution to ensure that I place my puppies in suitable, permanent, caring
homes. I will encourage all new puppy owners to become members of the Club.
14. I will not knowingly sell puppies to commercial dog dealers, pet shops or laboratories nor will I allow my puppies to be offered as prizes in raffles or competitions.
15. I will ensure that prospective purchasers are fully aware of the disadvantages as well as
the advantages of owning the breed.
16. I will ensure that my puppies are wormed and that I provide each purchaser, at the time of sale, with a proper five generation pedigree, an adequate diet sheet and a puppy pack (available from the Secretary if required).
17. I will deal in a fair and honest manner with prospective purchasers, ensuring that they are advised of any serious fault the dog may have and in such cases I will consider endorsing
the registration “Progeny not eligible for registration”.
18. In the event of the need to re-home any dog bred by me, I will endeavour to help in any way I can.