German Shorthaired Pointer Club Code of Conduct

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, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, 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.
  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. This code does not apply when GSP members are working, training or exercising their dogs, or participating in gun dog events, as permitted by The Control of Dogs Order 1992.
  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 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 standalone 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.
  15. Members will only breed from German Shorthaired Pointers of sound temperament, which show natural ability and will always strive to produce German Shorthaired Pointers conforming to the standard as published by the Kennel Club.
  16. Members will not allow their stud dogs to service bitches of less than two years, or over the age of eight. Neither dogs nor bitches in poor health, of unsound temperament or with any serious hereditary faults will be used for breeding.
  17. Stud dog owners will use discretion in the number of times their dog is used in the course of each year.
  18. Members will not allow their bitches to whelp more than once in every twelve months or be mated before two years of age or after the age of eight. The Kennel Club state that a bitch will not have more than four litters during her lifetime. The German Shorthaired Pointer Club recommends that a maximum of three litters of German Shorthaired Pointers are bred and registered in any twelve month period.
  19. Members will not, when advertising, misrepresent themselves or their stock and will deal only in a fair and honest manner with clients who shall be encouraged to present the dog to a veterinary surgeon within three days of purchase. Should a veterinary surgeon, at such an examination, advise that the dog is not suitable for the purpose for which it was bought, members will verify this opinion and, if necessary, take back such a dog and refund the purchase price.
  20. Members will be encouraged to take advantage of any relevant official scheme devised to test the dog’s soundness.
  21. Members will, when engaged in competitive events with their dogs, conduct themselves in such a way as not to bring discredit to the breed or Club, and will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
  22. The German Shorthaired Pointer Club recommends that all breeding stock is hip scored, heart tested and holds a current eye test certificate in accordance with the available schemes run by the Kennel Club and the BVA.