English Toy Spaniel Club of America, Inc.
Officers and Directors
President – Bruce Van Deman
Vice President – Debi Bell
Corresponding Secretary – Theresa Cousins
theresacousins@yahoo.com
Recording Secretary – Susan Plance
sueplance96@yahoo.com
Treasurer – Jamie Ward
Board of Directors
Tom O’Neal
Jane Naimark
Ron Morgan
Newsletter & Webmaster – Kathie Lawrence
Member Clubs
English Toy Spaniel Club of New England
Contact: Kathy Dullinger
English Toy Spaniel Club of Western Pennsylvania
Contact: Jane Naimark
Code of Ethics
Preamble
This Code of Ethics is established to set a standard of acceptable behavioral limits for the English Toy Spaniel Club of America members. As members of the English Toy Spaniel Club of America we recognize our responsibility to preserve and protect the breed, and we further recognize that the quality and reputation of all English Toy Spaniels rests solely in the hands of our breeders, owners and exhibitors. We, as members of the English Toy Spaniel Club of America, adhere to and are guided by the following code of ethics.
I. Canon of Ethics
A. Members of the English Toy Spaniel Club of America have an obligation to protect the interest of their breed by conducting themselves in a manner designed to reflect credit on themselves, the English Toy Spaniel and on the English Toy Spaniel Club on America, to be aware that the English Toy Spaniel Club of America exists to protect and improve the breed and that these aims must be uppermost in all activities within the breed.
B. Members are expected to observe the highest standard if sportsmanship, conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect positively on the sport of showing dogs and exhibit goodwill at all breed shows, obedience trials and performance events.
C. Members shall maintain the best standards of health for their animals and care of their quarters and assure that the English Toy Spaniel has good medical care though out his lifetime.
D. Members shall not engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of the English Toy Spaniel nor shall they malign their competition or other members by making false and misleading statements regarding their competitor’s dogs, breeding practices or person.
E. Members shall not refer to English Toy Spaniel Club of America membership in any advertising.
Responsibility as a Breeder
Breeders Shall:
A. Be familiar with the breed standard and breed only those specimens which conform to it, never knowingly falsifying a pedigree or breeding information.
B. Breed only English Toy Spaniels registered with full registration with the American Kennel Club (or other recognized bodies when applicable.) Be familiar with the American Kennel Club rules concerning record keeping, registration, sales and transfers of dogs and to abide by those rules.
C. Hold as the primary consideration in all breeding the improvement and preservation of the breed. Members who contemplate breeding a litter or allow the use of their stud dog to the same end shall direct their efforts toward producing dogs of exceptional quality, temperament and condition. Therefore, when planning breeding, members shall conscientiously strive to use the best dogs and bitches, free from serious physical and mental defects, including congenital and hereditary defects characteristic of the English Toy Spaniel. Members are not to use their stud dogs on pet quality bitches, totally lacking in type.
D. Produce puppies only when time and facilities allow to provide adequate attention to physical and emotional development; retain and house only the number of dogs for which they have adequate facilities and to retain the puppies as long as is necessary to assure their placement in suitable homes.
E. Assure that all puppies, at 8 to 12 weeks of age, are examined by a veterinarian to include fontanels, heart, eyes, and grading stifles
F. Keep puppies until they are at least 8 to 10 weeks of age before releasing to a new home with current inoculations.
G. Provide that puppies sold solely as pets be sold with limited registration and/or have AKC registration withheld until proof of neutering is furnished to the buyer.
H. Put any contract or guarantee in writing
I. Limit the number of English toy spaniel litters bred or co-bred to average no more than 4 liters per year (this is due to the small number of pet homes available.)
J. Refrain from further use of any bitch or stud dog that has become affected with 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 who consistently produces like results with different mating partners.
K. Breeder shall not breed bitches more than 2 out of every 3 seasons. A bitch shall not be bred before 12 months of age, and then only if she is sufficiently mature and is in excellent health. A bitch should not be allowed to carry to term and rear more than 5 litters in a lifetime. After a bitch is 7 years of age, the breeder should seek the opinion of a Veterinarian regarding her health for breeding.
L. Never supply a dog or stud service to pet shops, either outright or on consignment; refrain from selling puppies to persons whose intention to resell is known or suspect; refrain from breeding primarily for the pet market; refrain from selling puppies in litter lots.
M. Sell only quality dogs to foreign countries.
N. Be responsible for the welfare of each dog bred, sold, or placed for the life of the dog; be available for consultation after placement or sale; perform timely follow-ups ensuring that both dog and owner have adjusted well; have a clear understanding (written contract) that if the buyer is no longer able to keep the dog, the buyer shall contact the breeder/seller so he/she can take the dog back or find it a suitable home.