EAST MIDLANDS
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Code of Ethics 2026
All members of the East Midlands Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club undertake to abide by its general
Code of Ethics.
Club members:
1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange appropriate
veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs
which alters the natural conformation of the animal, may report such operation 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, or supply, any 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 in accordance with the law and will be kept on
leads 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 any dog they breed 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 nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead
any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.
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Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the
Kennel Club and/or being reported to relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
In addition, EMSBTC members will specifically:
• Members will, when breeding dogs be encouraged to follow best practice
• Undertake to test all breeding stock for genetic DNA tests currently available, ie L2-HGA
PHPV/PPSC and HC-HSF4-2 under a Royal Kennel Club approved eye testing scheme whose
results are published.
• Agree that when mating a bitch, they ascertain that a stud dog is Royal Kennel Club registered and
has also been tested for L2-HGA, PHPV/PPSC and HC-HSF4-2 & ELBOW SCORING
• Stud dog owners shall satisfy themselves as far as possible that any bitch brought for mating is
Royal Kennel Club registered, fit to be bred from and has been tested for L2-HGA, PHPV/PPSC
and HC-HSF4-2.
• Agree not to breed from a bitch before her second season or after her sixth birthday without first
obtaining veterinary advice.
• Agree that a bitch shall have no more than three litters except in special circumstances and
following veterinary advice.
• Stud dog owners shall satisfy themselves as far as possible that any bitch brought for mating is
Kennel Club registered, fit to be bred from and has been tested for HC, L2-HGA, PHPV/PPSC and
HSF4.
• Agree, when breeding, to strive to produce stock which is sound and typical, of good temperament
and which conforms to the breed standard.
• Agree to behave at all times in an appropriate manner to ensure that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
and people associated with the breed are seen to be responsible in the eyes of other people,
whether or not they own dogs.
• Show respect and consideration to other people – whether exhibitors, judges, officials, or members
of the general public – when attending shows in whatever capacity and conduct themselves in the
true sportsmanlike manner associated with the breed.
• Encourage members when breeding a litter to make new owner(s) of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
puppy a member/or members of their local breed club.
EMSBTC Constitution
JDR/2026AGM update
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