Boykin Spaniel Society
CODE OF ETHICS

The Boykin Spaniel Society endorses the following Code of Ethics for its members. It is the purpose of the BSS to encourage its members to perfect through selection, breeding and training the type of dog most suitable in all respects for work as a companionable gun dog, and to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of Boykin Spaniels in every endeavor.

RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF THE BOYKIN SPANIEL SOCIETY:

Members' responsibilities include educating the public about the breed, keeping in mind that they and their dogs represent the breed, the BSS and the sport of pure bred dogs in general. Members are urged to accept the written Breed Standard as approved by the Boykin Spaniel Society as the standard description of physical and temperamental qualities by which the Boykin Spaniel is to be judged. Members are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all events and competitions, abiding by the applicable rules and regulations set forth by the governing bodies for such events and competitions. Members' conduct should always be in accord with the purposes and intent of the BSS Constitution and By-laws.

RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BREEDER:

BSS members who breed Boykin Spaniels are encouraged to maintain the purpose of the breed. Owners of breeding animals shall provide appropriate documentation to all concerned regarding the health of dogs involved in a breeding or sale, including reports of examinations such as those applying to hips and eyes. If any such examinations have not been performed on a dog, this should be stated.

Members who breed should sell puppies, permit stud service and/or lease any stud dogs or brood bitches only 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, including the use, when appropriate, of non-breeding agreements. Members of the Boykin Spaniel Society should not sell dogs/puppies at auction or sell or donate dogs/puppies that will be awarded in raffles. The Boykin Spaniel Society considers auctions and raffles not to be reasonable and appropriate methods to obtain or transfer dogs. Additionally, members of the Boykin Spaniel Society should not sell, barter or transfer dogs/puppies to brokers, commercial dealers or to retail pet stores or retail distribution outlets. The Boykin Spaniel Society recommends that individuals wishing to acquire a Boykin Spaniel only do so from breeders or individuals that endorse and adhere to the responsibilities and guidelines as described and defined in this Code of Ethics of the Boykin Spaniel Society.

ADVISORY GUIDELINES:

Breeding stock should be selected with the following objectives in mind:

Recognizing that the Boykin Spaniel breed was developed as a useful gun dog, to encourage the perfection by careful and selective breeding of Boykin Spaniels that possess the appearance, structure, soundness, temperament, natural ability and personality that are characterized in the Standard of the breed, and to do all possible to advance and promote the perfection of these qualities.

BSS members are expected to follow BSS requirements for record-keeping, identification of animals and registration procedures.

Animals selected for breeding should:

(I) be of temperament typical of the Boykin Spaniel breed; stable, friendly, trainable, and willing to work. Temperament is of utmost importance to the breed and must never be neglected;

(ii) be in good health, including freedom from communicable disease;

(iii) possess the following examination reports in order to verify status concerning possible hip dysplasia or hereditary eye disease:

Hips: appropriate report from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; PennHip; or at least a written report from a board-certified veterinary radiologist (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists).

Eyes: appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO)

Consideration should be given also to other disorders that may have a genetic component, including, but not limited to epilepsy, hypothyroidism, skin disorders (allergies), and orthopedic disorders such as elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation.

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