All members of the West of England Labrador Retriever Club undertake to abide by it's general Code of Ethics.

Club members:

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 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, 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, therefore when breeding litters members will breed only from good stock, sound in health and temperament. Breeders should use (for both parents) the KC/BVA tests and the DNA tests that are recommended for the Labrador Retriever in the Kennel Club Breed Health Standard. Information on the KC/BVA schemes for hip, elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye defects and the recommended DNA tests for the breed are available on the KC website: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/about-us/about-the-kennel-club/the-kennel-club-codes/thekennel-club-health-standard/ 

Dogs used for breeding should conform as closely as possible to the Kennel Club breed standard as improvements to the quality and health of stock must be the prime consideration at all times.
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 puppies will not leave the Dam before the legal minimum of eight weeks of age, and will be microchipped and recorded in the name of the breeder. Reasonable steps will be taken to ensure the suitability of the new owner and the conditions in which they will be kept.

  13) 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.
14) 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).
15) 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.. No member shall deliberately or knowingly undertake a breeding pairing or programme that will result in dogs being bred that do not meet the requirements of the published breed standard for Labrador Retrievers. For example, different coat colour, length, conformation or size e.g. toy or miniature. 

16) Will not breed from any Labrador carrying or affected by the D Locus/dilute gene. Such actions will be subject to a Committee review, sanctions and ultimately withdrawal of membership. 

17) Kennel Club rules regarding the age of the bitch and number of litters should be observed and adhered to unless a special concession has been granted,

 18) The owners of stud dogs shall satisfy themselves as to the suitability of the bitch before mating and a stud service receipt/contract should be given to bitch owners and copies retained. Copies of health certificates or links to the KC health results website for the stud dog should be given to the bitch owner

 

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.