The English Cocker Spaniel Club of Northern California, in keeping with its goal of breeding the best possible dogs while preserving their unique beauty and character, and of promoting the best possible care and training of these dogs, recommends the following code:

1.  Members shall at all times exhibit good sportsmanship and always act in the best interest of the English Cocker Spaniel breed.

2.  Breeders shall strive for perfection of the breed in accordance with the official standard set forth by the American Kennel Club.  In this regard, they shall:

   a.  Use only physically, genetically and temperamentally sound stock, and will refuse stud service to any bitch that is un-registerable or shows obvious defect.  They should study and learn the good and bad points within their own stock, never doubling up on a known or visible fault.  They will urge buyers of puppies with disqualifying or detrimental faults to spay or neuter in their sales contract.

   b. Eyes should be checked annually by a canine ophthalmologist.  Only ECSs with eyes checked normal should be used for breeding.  They should be X-rayed for evidence of hip dysplasia at the age of two years or older, excluding from breeding any dogs without a written veterinarian certificate or with a rating of less than OFA Fair.

   c.  A bitch should not be bred more than two out of three seasons, this depending on the size of the litter whelped and her condition.  It is suggested that in most cases a period of one year elapse between litters, and no more than four litters, be bred during her lifetime.

3.  Breeders will not sell stock without a true representation to the purchaser, nor use misleading or untruthful statements in selling or advertising.  The seller will make available to the novice the benefit of their experience:

   a.  A buyer should be supplied with a four-generation pedigree, with information on inoculations and veterinary care the dog has had, and with instructions on the care, feeding and training of the English Cocker Spaniel.

   b.  The breeder will guarantee the health of their stock subject to a veterinarian's examination within 72 hours of the sale.

   c.  The breeder will not place any puppy before the age of 8 weeks, barring extenuating circumstances.

   d.  Breeders must ensure that an ECS is never knowingly sold or consigned to pet stores, wholesalers, or other commercial dealers, nor supplied for raffles, giveaways, prizes or other such projects.  Puppies should be sold with a contract requiring the buyer to obtain approval from the seller before in any way disposing of the ECS.  Stud dog owners should share responsibility for the dogs produced in case of a buyer reneging on the contract of purchase. 

   e.  Puppies sold as "pet quality" should be sold with “limited registration”.
                                                                              
Rev 09/2024