Code of Ethics

All members are required to uphold the Code of Ethics. Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics may result in expulsion from the British Association of Hokkaido Ken and any affiliated resources.

Members agree to:

When promoting the Hokkaido Ken at any event, to conduct themselves in a professional, responsible manner that promotes the breed and the club in a positive way.
Never knowingly misrepresent the breed, give false information or misinform any interested party on health issues, health testing or the quality of a dog.
Actively promote the Hokkaido Ken wherever possible.
Assist in the promotion of the Club and its aims if they have the ability to do so.
Be aware of and keep up-to-date with all laws and regulations concerning the owning and welfare of dogs.
Avoid using training techniques that employ forceful punishment or training tools that may cause fear, undue stress or injury to the animal.
Acquire pet insurance (at minimum, public liability cover is required in order to attend any BAHK associated event) or be in possession of monetary assets to provide adequate and emergency healthcare for any animal in their care.
Support the ethical breeding of health tested dogs and ethical rehoming of rescue dogs.
Not allow any dog in their care to roam unchecked, cause harm to any other animal due to straying or inadequate training, or cause a nuisance to neighbours, farmers or the general public.
Follow rules and regulations set by their local authorities or in any area in which they visit with their dog/s.
Ensure their dogs wear properly tagged collars and are microchipped with the correct details.
Ensure their dogs are kept leashed or under control in any public place.
Abide by the ‘5 Freedoms’ which fall under the Animal Welfare Act 2006:

Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom to express (most) natural, normal behaviour
Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
Freedom fear or distress

Not sell any dog to commercial enterprises or pet shops and follow the contract set out by the breeder upon the sale of their puppy whenever possible.
The BAHK complies with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, and does not serve as a diagnosis platform, or a substitute for veterinary advice. The BAHK only serves as an information platform for health issues relating to the Hokkaido Ken. Members must not use our information in favour of veterinary advice.
Not seek out members of the Committee requesting advice or diagnosis relating to injury or other health-related issues. Such correspondence will be ignored or the individual will be advised to seek professional veterinary advice. Members are encouraged to share their experiences of health related issues with their dogs but are expected to seek professional help and not risk the health of their pet based on others opinions, no matter their experience or qualification.

Breeders Code of Ethics

All members of the British Association of Hokkaido Ken wishing to breed their dog/s agree to:

Breed in accordance with the breed standard and not knowingly breed or sell a dog with health problems..
Not allow any bitch kept by themselves to be mated:

(a) under 15 months of age.

(b) over eight years of age.

Not permit any bitch to:

(d) in any three year period no more than three litters shall be born to a bitch.

(e) no more than two litters shall be born to a bitch by caesarean section.

Futhermore:

(f) no male dog shall be mated under 12 months or over twelve years of age.

(g) no male dog shall be mated unless they have two normal, fully descended testicles.

Not permit any pure bred dogs under their care to be mated, except to a dog of the same breed, where all resulting puppies can be registered with a governing kennel body.
Breed with the intention of conforming to the breed standard, producing dogs of high quality, standard, and sound temperament, and never intentionally breed to produce disqualifying faults.
Do everything possible to prevent the passing on of life-altering genetic defects.
Breed only from dogs of sound temperament, with good health and no known hereditary or congenital conditions which may negatively impact quality of life.
Complete all mandatory health testing prior to the breeding of any dog. Mandatory health testing consists of a BVA eye test, BVA hip screening and genetic screening for CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly). Further advised health testing includes BVA elbow screening and having patellas, dentition and heart checked by a qualified veterinarian.
Make all health testing results available to the Breed Club so that an accurate representation of breed health can be kept and maintained.
To not intentionally allow the breeding of two dogs genetically screened as being affected with CEA. Carrier/Affected and Carrier/Carrier breedings can be permitted with the guidance of the Breed Club, but should be carefully considered, taking into account all positive and negative potential before taking place. Breeders must make potential owners aware of the CEA status of both parent dogs in such cases.
Promptly inform owners if the parents, littermates or close relatives of their dog develops a heritable health concern.
Ensure that all persons acquiring dogs of their breeding clearly understand their responsibilities for the care and welfare of the animal.
Only to breed when they have an adequate waiting list of screened homes, unless they are willing to keep all puppies until they are suitably placed.
Keep all puppies with littermates until they are at least 8 weeks of age, unless the health of a puppy requires it to be kept separate.
Microchip all puppies prior to leaving the breeders home in accordance of UK law.
Vaccinate all puppies as recommended by a licensed veterinary surgeon and provide this information-along with any recommended vaccination schedule-to the new owners.
Assume responsibility for every puppy they produce throughout its entire life and make written arrangements to take back any puppy for any reason at any time, should the owner no longer be able to provide care.
Notify the BAHK of any Hokkaido breeding that takes place, within 30 days, whether intentional or accidental and regardless of whether any puppies result from the breeding
Register every puppy within a litter with a governing kennel body (KC, IKC, AKC, etc) and do not sell puppies without registration.
Maintain accurate breeding records, registrations, health clearances and pedigrees, and be able to provide these upon request.
Require that all buyers of Hokkaido puppies who wish to breed in the future become members of the BAHK and follow this Code of Ethics and be willing to mentor them, encouraging best breeding practices.
Only co-own or co-breed Hokkaido with members or personages in good standing.
Provide to all purchasers of puppies, or dogs placed by them, written details of all dietary and immunisation requirements and/or appropriate publication relating to such.
Not allow a dog to be given as a prize or donation in a contest of any kind.
Ensure that when selling a dog to another person, that all documents will be supplied to the purchaser at the time of purchase or sent at the earliest opportunity.
Ensure that when selling a dog to another person that they are fully informed of any endorsements or restrictions placed on the registration of the dog.

Breeders found to be in violation of this Code of Ethics may be subject to expulsion and loss of membership from the British Association of Hokkaido Ken.