Members' Code of Ethic

The purpose of this Code is to offer guidance and information on good practice to all West Highland White Terrier Breeders and/or owners. Membership of the West Highland White Terrier Club assumes acceptance of this code. The committee reserves the right to refuse membership to, or recommend to a General Meeting of the Club the expulsion from membership of, anyone who knowingly and/or persistently acts in breach of this code to the detriment of the breed, of an individual dog, or in such a manner as to bring the West Highland White Terrier Club into disrepute.

1) It is expected that members will at all times act in the interests of the breed and in the interests of the well-being of individual dogs and in a manner in keeping with the aims and interests of the West Highland White Terrier Club.

2). It is expected that members will keep their own dogs in an environment and under a regime that as far as is possible ensures the well being of the dog. Wilful neglect or cruelty to any dog may result in exclusion from or expulsion from membership subject to the provisions of the Rules & Regulations of the Club.

3). Before breeding a litter, equal consideration should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Dogs from lines known to carry a serious inherited disease should not knowingly be bred from.

All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly unsound or otherwise inferior stock. Stud service should be refused for bitches from such stock.

4). Normally, no bitch should be required to have more than six litters, due regard being given to the number of puppies whelped. No bitch should be mated at more than 2 out of 3 successive seasons (assuming that litters result) and never without due regard for the well-being of the bitch. No bitch should be mated before her second season and normally never before the age of 14 months, nor after the age of 7 years without veterinary advise.

5). No member should breed a litter unless she/he has the time and facilities to devote the proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and to the well-being of the dam and no member should provide stud services unless she/he is satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.

6). No member should breed a litter unless she/he is reasonably sure of securing suitable homes for the puppies. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks.

7). Puppies/adults may not be exported unless the Ministry of Agriculture guidelines have been followed regarding age and health regulations for the country of import and, if age is not specified , never before the age of 12 weeks.

8). No dogs should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws. (If in doubt consult MAF, SPCA or Kennel Club).

9). Before selling dogs abroad members should check as far as possible the credentials of the prospective purchaser through, for instance, membership of recognised West Highland White Terrier Clubs in the appropriate country or though the country’s equivalent of the Kennel Club.

10). Members should not sell dogs to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs or to persons known to sell stock to any of the above; nor should stud service be available to such persons. (A dealer is defined as a person who regularly buys stock for sale at a profit. A person who buys a dog as an agent for a known individual is not necessarily a dealer).