CODE OF ETHICS
4/5/22
This Code of Ethics outlines basic procedures and sets forth principles of general conduct to be followed by all members. Failure to comply with the code will subject a member to disciplinary procedures provided by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Association of Canada. Allegations of violations of the Code shall be adjudicated by the Board of Directors of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Association of Canada.
1 GENERAL:
1.1 Remain in good standing and abide by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) regulations and with the governing body of the country in which I reside. Accept and support the Constitution and Bylaws of the SCWTAC.
1.2 Promote the best interests and welfare of the breed and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Association of Canada.
1.3 Exhibit good sportsmanship and the highest professional attitudes when participating in canine sports and events.
1.4 Provide every dog with humane living quarters, veterinary supervised health care, proper nutrition, exercise, and grooming.
1.5 Promote the cause of responsible dog ownership by personal example and by providing current and accurate information and education on breed characteristics, grooming, health, and training of Wheaten Terriers.
1.6 Be responsible for my dogs’ behavior so they reflect the best possible image of the Wheaten Terrier.
2 BREEDING:
2.1 Breed only:
2.1.1 Purebred dogs, CKC registered, or eligible for CKC registration.
2.1.2 Animals that have reached such maturity that they can produce and raise a healthy litter.
2.2 A bitch shall not be bred before 18 months of age or before her third season. Ideally, a bitch should not be bred before two years of age, should have only one litter in a twelve-month period. If a bitch is bred in two successive seasons, she will not be bred in her next season.
2.2.1 A bitch bred to more than one male during any given heat cycle shall have DNA testing carried out on all offspring according to CKC regulations.
2.3 A dog should not be used as a stud before 12 months of age. When selecting a stud dog, it is prudent to assess the dog’s mature characteristics and the quality of the dog’s offspring. These traits are not usually apparent until a stud dog is about three years of age or older.
2.4 Dogs in excellent health, determined by:
a) X-rayed free of Hip Dysplasia over the age of two years. Radiographs shall be examined and graded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), and results posted on the OFA website at ofa.org or meet the average mean for SCWT using PennHIP. Any breeding stock under the age of two years will have a preliminary OFA hip evaluation clear of hip dysplasia or will meet the mean for the SCWT using PennHIP.
b) After examination, be free of Progressive Retinal Atrophy and other significant hereditary eye disorders as determined by a Board-certified ophthalmologist. Examination shall be done prior to the first breeding and a minimum of every two years thereafter while being bred. Live dogs whose semen has been frozen shall be tested until age 10. Results shall be registered with Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) and posted by OFA on their website ofa.org.
.
c) Breeding stock shall have 1) annual blood testing, including biochemical profile and complete blood count, and 2) urinalysis, including testing to determine proteinuria, such as the microalbuminuria (MA) test, the urine protein/creatinine ratio (U P/C) test, or the E.R.D. Healthscreen to assure current excellent health.
d) Tested for Protein Losing Nephropathy (PLN) Variant Alleles either by parentage or DNA testing through Penn Genn or another genetic testing laboratory, prior to the first breeding, with three exceptions:
i. A dog whose sire and dam have both been DNA-tested as homozygous normal/negative as the dog can only be homozygous negative.
ii. A dog that is the result of a breeding between a DNA-tested homozygous normal/negative and a DNA-tested homozygous positive need not be tested as the dog can only be heterozygous.
iii. A dog whose sire and dam have both been DNA-tested as homozygous positive as the dog can only be homozygous positive.
Note: Dogs who are DNA-tested heterozygous or homozygous positive (as defined above) should only be bred to dogs that have been tested as homozygous normal/negative.
DNA results are usually interpreted as:
i. Homozygous normal/negative: will not develop the condition.
ii. Heterozygous carrier: may develop the condition, increased risk of producing affected offspring if bred to other heterozygous or homozygous positive dogs.
iii. Homozygous positive: highest risk of developing the condition and producing affected offspring.
e) There are additional DNA tests for diseases for which Wheatens are considered at-risk. Diseases include, but are not limited to, Microphthalmia (RBP4), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), and Paroxysmal Dyskinesia (PD). Breeders should determine the risk associated with their breeding stock and test accordingly. Breeders should be aware that basing breeding decisions on the risk factors for relatively rare diseases may further narrow the small gene pool for SCWT.
f) All test results may be posted free of charge at www.scwtdb.org, a database funded by the SCWTCA Wheaten Endowment.
g) Breeders need to move gradually to producing homozygous normal/negative Wheatens in the breeding population. Reducing the gene pool too quickly will result in other genetic diseases and mutations manifesting because a more concentrated gene pool utilizes fewer dogs. Breeders should continue to consider stud dogs with exceptional breed type who are heterozygous carriers or homozygous positive for a bitch that is homozygous normal/negative for the same condition(s). Bitches of quality who are heterozygous carriers and homozygous positive may still be considered for stud dogs who are homozygous normal/negative. More detail can be found on scwtac.com/breeding
h) Free of internal and external parasites.
2.5 Dogs characteristic of the breed standard with excellent conformation and of sound temperament.
2.6 Keep accurate breeding records and ensure registration applications are sent to the CKC as soon as possible. As per the Animal Pedigree Act, individual dogs must be registered within six months of the date of sale.
2.7 Use a written stud dog contract for each breeding.
2.8 Participate in conformation events held by CKC recognized clubs as a means to evaluate breeding stock.
2.9 Mentor those with whom breeding stock is placed.
3 SELLING/PLACING:
3.1 Conscientiously plan the placement of all Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers.
3.1.1 No dogs will knowingly be sold to pet dealers, pet wholesalers, pet brokers, laboratories, or puppy mills, singly or in litter lots.
3.1.2 No dogs will be offered as a raffle or contest prizes or for other types of giveaways.
3.1.3 No dogs will knowingly be sold to any person who would act as a third party to the transactions referred to in 3.1.1 or 3.1.2.
3.2 All advertising and claims regarding the sale of Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers will be honest and forthright.
3.3 Sell only healthy dogs:
3.3.1 Well started with adequate nourishment and care.
3.3.2 With no known temperament problems.
3.3.3 Free of internal and external parasites.
3.3.4 With protection against those diseases which can be controlled by vaccination according to current veterinary practices.
3.4 At the time of sale, supply the buyer with:
3.4.1 A detailed sales agreement containing the name(s) of the purchaser(s), the date of sale, a statement confirming the dog is purebred, the name of the breed, and the dog’s microchip/tattoo identification number. In addition, all terms and conditions of the sale, including a return or replacement policy, shall be clearly defined. The agreement shall be properly dated and signed by all parties
3.4.2 An accurate four-generation pedigree.
3.4.3 Written instructions of feeding, health care, training, grooming, etc.
3.4.4 Medical records indicating date of examination and vaccinations and any medication given.
3.5 Use the CKC “Non-Breeding Agreement” for the sale of dogs (not already neutered/spayed) that should not reproduce and encourage the owner to have the dog neutered/spayed.
3.6 Register dogs born in Canada in accordance with the Animal Pedigree Act.
4 EXHIBITING:
4.1 The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier shall be entered and exhibited in accordance with the CKC rules.
4.2 Dogs presented in the conformation show ring shall be clean and properly groomed according to the breed standard.
4.3 In performance events, dogs shall be neat, clean, and in an appropriate condition for their sport.
4.4 Be responsible for the appearance and conduct of my dog at all times.
4.5 Display professional and sportsmanlike conduct when participating in canine sports and events.