Code of Ethics

United States Lancashire Heeler Club v.1.9

Purpose

To protect and advance the interests of the Lancashire Heeler and to provide guidelines for responsible ownership and ethical breeding practices. These guidelines further the goals and purposes outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the United States Lancashire Heeler Club (USLHC) and support the development of the breed parent club under the umbrella of the American Kennel Club (AKC). The USLHC counts on all members of this parent club to make a good-faith effort to behonorable stewards of Lancashire Heelers in the United States and maintain the club’s cohesiveness. Further, the USLHC believes that all members hold the best interests of the Lancashire Heelers at heart and want to do what is best for the breed.

It is not the responsibility of the USLHC to police the actions of the breeders and owners. It is your commitment to the breed to do what is best for each and every dog. The USLHC is not responsible for any situations that may occur during buying, selling, training, or caring for Lancashire Heelers.

All Members

 

• • Agree to be ambassadors for this vulnerable breed and understand the importance of responsibly promoting Lancashire Heelers beyond our community of dog enthusiasts and to be welcoming of greater diversity within this community.

• • Maintain the best possible standards of health, cleanliness, safety and care of their dogs.

• • Take all appropriate measures to assist a Lancashire Heeler in distress.

• • Display good sportsmanship and conduct, whether at home, at shows, or in hotels, in such a manner as to reflect credit upon themselves and the USLHC.

• • Should refrain from negative social media posts concerning the club. Private messaging is the appropriate venue for expressing concerns relating to actions by the Board or issues concerning club activities.

• • Never alter the appearance, physical structure, condition, or natural temperament of a dog by any means other than allowed for in the Official Breed Standard if the dog is to be exhibited.

• • If the dog is to be exhibited, abide by the Rules Pertaining to Dog Shows published by the AKC.

• • Bear the responsibility for the truth and accuracy of any information and/or photographs submitted for publication.

• • Members who breed Lancashire Heelers have additional responsibilities listed below.

Breeders

 

• • Strive to breed Lancashire Heelers that are temperamentally and structurally sound.

• • Know the Breed Standard and breed only those dogs and bitches which most closely conform to it.

• • Keep well informed in the field of genetics and work to eliminate hereditary defects from the breed.

• • Refrain from further use of a Lancashire Heeler for breeding if the dog or bitch has produced any offspring with serious inherited defects detrimental to an animal’s well-being (physically or mentally), and has produced like results with a different mating partner.

• • Never breed to an unregistered Lancashire Heeler.

• • Never wholesale litters of Lancashire Heelers, buy from or sell to Brokers or Pet Shops, provide any animal for prize or raffle purposes; nor use a Stud Dog in like manner. Violations of this standard will lead to expulsion from the USLHC.

• • Keep all puppies with the litter until at least 8 weeks of age.

• • Adhere to State and Local laws regarding the sale of puppies.

• • Sell dogs in good condition, health and sound temperament at time of delivery. They shall be free of internal parasites to the best knowledge of the seller; will have received the necessary inoculations to date; a record of dates and types of immunizations will be given; and a health certificate provided if required. Written instructions on the feeding, health care, training and any other information necessary for the dog’s well-being will be made available after the sale to assist the new owner.

• • If the puppy is intended for breeding, provide a three or more-generation pedigree and the AKC registration or AKC registration application at the time of sale of each dog. Any dog sold as a pet and not for breeding should be sold under a limited registration or provided a written contract specifying conditions of sale (e.g., spay/neuter agreement, show or pet quality, co-ownership, breeding rights, etc.).

• • Provide the buyer with information concerning all pre-screenings done on both parents to assure the buyer that every possible effort has been made to produce puppies free of hereditary problems.

• • Sell or place each Lancashire Heeler with the contemplated final owner, therefore the seller should ascertain that the prospective buyer has the knowledge and facilities to properly care for a growing or grown dog. As a condition of sale or placement, the breeder shall retain the right of first refusal should the purchaser ever decide to transfer ownership or resell the dog, therefore giving the seller every opportunity to help the purchaser find a new home for the dog if necessary.

• • All dogs sold (puppy or adult) shall have a signed agreement between the seller and purchaser that the animal shall be examined by a Veterinarian of the purchaser’s choice (and paid for by the purchaser) within 72 hours of purchase or delivery. If the dog is deemed unhealthy or possessing an inherited defect which would impair the use for which it was purchased (pet, show or breeding program) the seller will refund the full purchase price upon the return of the dog with a Veterinarian certified documentation of the condition.
    The dog will be returned at the purchaser’s expense.

• • Provide and honor all contracts regarding sales, co-ownerships, breeding rights, agreements, compensation for future puppies, leasing a bitch, stud service, etc.

• • Use only the agreed upon stud dog in the absence of the owner of the bitch.

It is strongly recommended

 

• • All dogs and bitches to be bred be examined prior to breeding and declared free of hereditary conditions by a knowledgeable Veterinarian. It is also encouraged that all available technology be used to screen all animals to be used for breeding according to known problems within the breed (e.g., CEA, PLL, Patella Luxation, etc.).

• • A written Stud Contract be used which specifies all conditions of the breeding and a color marked pedigree be provided by both parties.

• • Breeders should follow the recommendations of their veterinarian concerning the appropriate age for use of a stud dog or bitch used for breeding. The physical and mental maturity of the male and female should be considered before breeding.