Northern & Midland Counties Beagle Club

THE NORTHERN & MIDLAND COUNTIES BEAGLE CLUB BREEDER'S CODE OF CONDUCT 1991 (amended JANUARY 2012)

 This Code of Conduct is the minimum standard expected from Breeders of Beagles.

1. Before breeding a litter, equal consideration should be given to type, temperament and soundness.  Nervous or aggressive stock should not be bred from.  New Breeders should seek advice on suitability of sires for their bitches, from experienced Breeders.

2. No bitch should be required to have more than four litters, due regard being given to the number of puppies whelped. Serious consideration has to be given where a breeder wishes a bitch to have more than four litters but the Kennel Club may grant permission for this if it believes there is a good and justifiable reason for doing so on a case by case basis. Ideally no bitch should be bred from more than once a year and never without regard to the well being of the bitch.  No bitch should be mated before the age of sixteen months; no bitch should have reached the age of eight years at the time of whelping.

3. All Breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed.  Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens, and those members who own stud dogs should refuse service to such specimens.  Particular care should be taken where the owner of the bitch is not a member of a recognised beagle club, registered by the Kennel Club.

4. No member should breed a litter unless he/she 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/she is satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities.

5. No member should breed a litter, unless he/she is reasonably sure of finding homes for the puppies.  Puppies should not normally leave the Breeder before the age of eight weeks.  It is strongly recommended that all breeders keep records of the names and addresses of the owners  of all puppies sold.

7. No beagle should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws.  (If in doubt consult DEFRA, Kennel Club etc.)       

8. No beagles should be sold to laboratories, pet shops, or dealers in dogs, or to persons known to sell stock to any of the above, nor should stud services be provided for such persons.  (A dealer is defined as any person who regularly buys stock for sale as a profit.  A person who buys a beagle as an agent for a known individual is not necessarily a dealer. No beagle should be sold or offered as a prize in a raffle or competition.

9. Prospective buyers of beagles should be screened for suitability and should be advised of the characteristics of the beagle as a breed, with the need for grooming and exercise.  Beagles should not be sold to homes where they will be on their own for long periods without adequate provision being made for their well being.  Buyers with children should be made aware of the importance of their children treating a dog or puppy properly.

10. Members will, when breeding dogs, adopt as a minimum standard the principles, requirements and recommendations as embodied in the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme. It is strongly recommended that members who breed should apply to join the Scheme.

11. No beagle which has any physical defect, or which shows any definite departure from the standard should be sold, without the buyer being made fully aware of such defect or departure from the standard and its possible consequences.  Members should sell only animals, which to the best of their knowledge, are in good health at the time of sale.

12. Each purchaser of a beagle should be provided, at the time of sale, with a valid pedigree, diet sheet, a supply of appropriate food and information about training, worming, breed characteristics, breed clubs, inoculations and insurance cover, and the importance of microchipping, subject to current legislation.

13. Whenever possible, the breeder should provide assistance or give advice to the purchaser of a puppy should a problem subsequently arise.  The purchaser should be made aware of this at the time of sale and encouraged to contact the breeder about any problem.  Should circumstances arise making it impossible or undesirable for the puppy to stay with its new owner, the breeder should, whenever possible, take it back.  If the breeder is unable to take it back, he/she should find suitable alternative arrangements.

14. Where appropriate the Kennel Club registration documents should be provided at the time of purchase or as soon as possible.  It is undesirable that unregistered stock should be used for breeding.  No beagle that is unregistered, or is from unregistered or partly unregistered parentage should be sold without the buyer being made aware that s/he will be unable to register it with the Kennel Club. 

15. Advertising by members should be as factual as possible.  Misleading exaggerations or unfounded implications of superiority should not be used. Members should refrain from making unfair or untrue statements about the dogs or practices of others.

16. Officers or Committee Members of the Club should be always ready to help with any queries or problems.  It is advantageous to be a member of a beagle club.

17. Members should agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon operating on any of their dogs to correct a hereditary defect, may report such an operation to the Kennel Club.