The Beagle Club of Western Canada, recognizing our responsibility to the breed, sets forth this Code of Ethics to reflect the desire of the membership to keep the Beagle sound, healthy, free of hereditary diseases, and conforming to the official CKC breed standard.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BEAGLE OWNER
Members should ensure that their dogs are kept safe and under control at all times. Members should properly train their dogs so that they are an asset to their community and not a nuisance. Dogs must be maintained with their safety and good health in mind at all times, including adequate and appropriate attention and socialization, grooming, feeding, veterinary care, housing, exercise and training.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF BCWC
Members’ responsibilities include educating the public about the breed, keeping in mind that they and their beagles represent the Beagle, the BCWC, and the sport of pure bred dogs in general.
Members must accept the published Breed Standard of the Canadian Kennel Club (or the other applicable governing body of the country in which they reside or exhibit) as the standard description of physical and temperamental qualities by which the Beagle is to be judged.
Members are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all canine events and competitions and with other members of the Club, abiding by the applicable rules and regulations set forth by the governing bodies for such events. Members’ conduct should always be in accordance with the purposes and intent of the BCWC Constitution and By-Laws. In addition, members should display a cheerful willingness to help newcomers and observers of the breed. While differences in opinions between members may occur from time to time, BCWC members will always treat each other with dignity and respect.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BREEDER
BCWC members are encouraged to think very carefully over their decision when they undertake to breed a litter. Breeding should only be undertaken with the objects of the BCWC in mind, that is: recognizing that the Beagle was developed as a working hound, encouraging the improvement of the breed by careful and selective breeding of Beagles that possess the structure, soundness, temperament, natural ability and personality that are characterized in the Standard of the breed, and doing all possible to advance and promote the perfection of these qualities.
Members who do breed Beagles are expected to demonstrate honesty and fairness in dealing with other owners and breeders, purchasers of dogs and the general public. Owners of breeding animals should do all appropriate testing to ensure they are using animals as genetically sound as possible. Members shall assure the general health of the sire and dam at the time of breeding, and shall not breed if it could compromise the health of the animals. Members should only consider breeding dogs of appropriate age and maturity.
Members who breed should only sell puppies, permit stud service and/or lease any stud dogs or brood bitches to individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they will give proper care and attention to the animals concerned, and who may be expected generally to act within the intent of the statements of this Code of Ethics. Members are encouraged to use clear, concise written contracts to document the sale of animals, use of stud dogs, and lease arrangements. The use, when appropriate, of non-breeding agreements is recommended. Members should not sell dogs at auction, or to brokers or commercial dealers.
BCWC members are expected to follow CKC (or other applicable governing body of the country in which they reside or exhibit) requirements for record-keeping, identification of animals and registration procedures. Breeders should understand and acknowledge that they may need to take back, or assist in finding a new home for, any dog they produce at any time in its life, if required.