CODE OF ETHICS of THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB OF WA (inc.)
CAWA CODE OF ETHICS
- Members must abide by the CAWA Code of Ethics, and any laws, by‐laws and regulations of the federal and state governments and the relevant local council.
STANDARD OF THE BREED
- The Breed Standard is a written criterion developed by the Golden Retriever Club of the United Kingdom and accepted by the Canine Association of Western Australia Inc. which describes the ideal Golden Retriever. Members shall breed only for the purpose of improving the quality of the breed, and not for the pet shop market or any other commercial purpose.
CAWA RULES & REGULATIONS
- Members shall ensure that when selling or transferring a dog that documents, as required by the CAWA Inc. Rules and/or Regulations, will be provided to the purchaser or transferee.
- Members shall ensure that each dog to be used for breeding or to be shown or worked, is properly registered with the CAWA, in accordance with the understanding of the purchaser.
- Members must maintain accurate breeding records. As of 1stJanuary 2012, all litters must be Micro-chipped before registration.
HEREDITARY DEFECTS, HEALTH & BREEDING
- Members owning stud dogs shall be selective in the bitches they accept, in terms of soundness and hereditary defects, and as the owner of a stud dog, ensure that the owner of the dam has the ability and the necessary facilities to successfully whelp, raise and assure the future well being of any resulting litter. They also have an obligation to assist the breeder as needed and/or requested.
- As the owner of the dam, members shall be selective in the dog they use, in terms of soundness and hereditary defects. Members shall ensure that the owner of the sire has the knowledge and experience to provide a safe and supervised mating, including the diligent care of the dam.
- Members shall have all dogs and bitches in breeding programmes X-Rayed and hip and elbow scored under a recognized grading scheme and have eyes checked annually by a qualified Ophthalmologist. In the case of an AI litter, where the sire is deceased, a Clear Eye Certificate within 18 months of the Sire’s death, or after ten years of age, is required.
- Members shall ensure that at all times all dogs under their care, are properly housed, fed, watered, exercised, socialized and receive proper veterinary attention, if and when required.
- Members shall not breed from a bitch before she is at least 18 months of age and not on the first season. A bitch should only be bred when she is in good health. Bitches must not have a litter within 12 months of a previous litter. However, that should if become necessary, in extenuating circumstances, to breed from a bitch twice within 12 months, then the bitch must be rested on the third season. Members shall not breed any bitch kept by them or registered in their name more than six times without prior veterinary certificate of fitness.
- Members shall not permit any pure bred dog owned by them or registered in their name to be mated to a dog of a different breed, to a cross‐bred dog, or to an unregistered dog of the same breed.
- The Golden Retriever Club of Western Australia (Inc.) acknowledges the ANKC's Code of Ethics, Clause 4:
"Members shall constantly strive to improve their knowledge of their chosen breed or breeds, and their knowledge of the requirements for the care, welfare and betterment of dogs".
To promote the ideals of Clause 4 the data and health screening results connected to your dog received by the club will be stored and where relevant used for registration and publication in relevant NGRC/ANKC documentation. The data may also be used for research and shared with trusted and reputable partners for the sole purpose of undertaking research to improve dog health and welfare”.
SELLING OR DONATING
- Members shall not sell or allow any dog to be sold to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers, or directly or indirectly to allow a dog to be given as a prize or donation in a contest of any kind, or auction or allow to be auctioned any dog owned by them or registered in their name.
- Members shall ensure that all persons acquiring dogs from them clearly understand their responsibility for the care and welfare of the animal, and that they have the time and facilities (ie. Adequate fencing, sufficient room and proper shelter, etc.) to meet their obligations. To accept that dogs, like people, grow old and may need special care and attention. To be prepared to love and care for a dog for all of its life.
- Members shall provide to all purchasers of dogs placed by them, written details of all dietary, micro-‐chipping and immunization requirements and/or an appropriate publication relating to such requirements and responsible dog ownership. Including information on spaying/neutering.
- Members shall not sell or otherwise transfer from their care any puppy under eight weeks of age and Members shall not export a puppy under the age of 11 weeks.
HONESTY IN REPRESENTATION
- Members shall not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed, nor falsely advertise, or mislead any person regarding the performance of any dog, and at all times shall adhere to proper and ethical business practices when breeding, selling and placing their dogs.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
- Members shall not allow any dogs under their care to roam at large and, when away from home, ensure they are kept fully leashed, or under effective control, at all times.
- To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship amongst members and those participating in or at shows.
Passed at AGM 23rd NOVEMBER 2017