Bearded Collie Club

Bearded Collie Club Code of Ethics & Breeders' Code

All members of the Bearded Collie Club undertake to abide by its general code of ethics and :

1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon who performs an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who carries out a caesarian section on a bitch, may report such operations to the Kennel Club.
3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally
6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity if not immediately available.
13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).
14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed or falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from Club membership and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
KC requirement - October 2008


15. All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. Before breeding a litter, equal weight should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. The hope of financial gain should not be of primary consideration.
16. Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens, and those members who have stud dogs should refuse stud service to such specimens. It cannot be stressed too strongly that nervous or aggressive dogs should not be bred from.
17. Members will agree not to breed from a bitch in any way which is harmful to the bitch or breed. No bitch should be mated before she is two years of age. No bitch should be required to have more than four litters.
18. Members who have bred puppies that suffered from conditions classified by their veterinary surgeons as inherited defects, or which exhibit serious divergences from the Standard, should, whenever possible, endorse their registrations. Members whose dogs go on to develop a serious health defect should inform the owners of any of the dogs' progeny about the condition.
19. Hip dysplasia is a potentially crippling abnormality with a high degree of heritability. Even dogs that show no clinical symptoms when young are liable to develop arthritis in later life and to suffer from pain that may be severe. The aim should be to breed only from dogs whose hips have been scored and are not significantly higher than the breed average.
20. No Member should breed a litter unless he has the time and facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and the well-being of the dam, and no member should provide stud services unless he is satisfied the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.
21. Any Member breeding a litter must be willing to take back any of his stock for re-homing or to assist with the re-homing of the dog. Stud dog owners must also be willing to assist with re-homing of their dogs' progeny, if requested to do so.
22. No member should breed a litter unless he has the facilities and commitment to retain all unsold stock. The Bearded Collie Club maintain members' puppy lists and puts prospective buyers in touch with members who have litters, but it is not an agency for the sale of puppies.
23. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of eight weeks.
24. No puppies should be exported before they are fully inoculated or before the age of three months, unless they are travelling in the personal care of the owner or his known representative.
25. No puppies should be exported to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws, which are enforced, or where there is any doubt as to the national attitude towards dogs.
26. Prospective buyers of puppies should be screened by the breeder for suitability and should be advised by the breeder of the characteristics of the breed, with the emphasis placed on boisterousness, jumping, chewing, digging and other traits. The prospective buyer must also be made aware of the importance of regular grooming. Bearded Collies need companionship, stimulation and regular exercise and should not be sold to homes where this will not be provided. Prospective buyers should be shown an adult specimen of the breed in order to fully appreciate the breed's characteristics and size when fully grown.
27. No Puppy which has any known defect, or which shows any definite departure from the Standard, should be sold without the buyer being made aware of such defect or departure from the Standard and its possible consequences. Members should only sell puppies that, to the best of their knowledge, are in good health at the time of sale.
28. Each purchaser of a puppy should be provided at the time of sale with a pedigree, diet sheet, and information about grooming, training, worming and inoculation. KC Registration papers and transfer document (if not issued at the time of sale, must be issued as soon as possible after the date of sale), and purchasers should be provided with a 'sale of agreement' signed by both parties (all endorsements must be made clear in writing prior to the sale). They should be strongly encouraged to take out insurance on the dog.
29. No puppy that, for any reason, is unregistered with the Kennel Club should be sold without the buyer being made aware that he will probably be unable to register the puppy on the Kennel Club Breed Register.
30. It should be impressed upon buyers that they should contact the breeder in the event of any problems or concerns about the puppy. Breeders MUST be of assistance in these circumstances.
31. Members should refrain from making unfair or untrue statements about the dogs or practices of others.
32. Any joint ownership or breeding terms contracts between members, whether for dogs or bitches, should be freely entered into without undue pressure being applied by either party.
33. Each member should endeavour to work in unity with other members, putting the welfare, preservation and advancement of the breed above personal ambition.
34. Officers and Committee Members of the Club and all Club members must always be ready to do their best to help members with any queries or problems.

For the sake of convenience, the male personal pronoun has been used throughout this statement, but its provisions apply to members of either sex. Stud dog owners should also take responsibility for any puppies produced.

If a contravention of the Code by a Member is reported to the Club it will be investigated and where in the opinion of the Committee a reasonable and plausible explanation cannot be given, the Committee can carry out sanctions on the Member as they feel it necessary.

Revised March 2024

Copies of this Code of Ethics and Breeders' Code are available as a Word document here or as a PDF here.

In addition, a document entitlede GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERS ON THE BEARDED COLLIE CLUB BREEDERS’ CODE OF ETHICS can be downloaded as a Word document or as a PDF.