Code of Ethics

Irish Red And Whiter Setter Association
CODE OF ETHICS

I.  GENERAL
This Code of Ethics  is devised in accordance with  the aims and objectives  of  the  Irish Red and White Setter Association. It outlines the essentials of responsible behavior for Irish Red and White Setter owners and potential breeders, whose foremost aim should be the welfare of their dogs and of the breed.  All Members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with this Code of Ethics.
A.   Members  will  consider  the  welfare  of  their dogs and the breed  above any personal gain or profit, and should take responsibility for any dogs they own and provide for the welfare of all dogs by  them for the lifetime of those dogs in the event a dog is in need of rehoming.
B.  Members  should at all times conduct themselves in such a  way as not to  bring  discredit  to the  Breed or Association.  Members should not deliberately disparage other owners, exhibitors or breeders, or their dogs, and should act at all times in a polite and sportsmanlike manner and with  courtesy to judges, officials and fellow exhibitors alike and should accept decisions made with grace and dignity.
C.   Members, when  advertising, should  not  misrepresent  themselves or their  stock, state only  the facts; not offer IR&WS at bargain  prices, or  in any way encourage raising IR&WS as a money-making  enterprise.   Members  should  follow  good  business  practices  and ethics  in sales and breeding contracts and should honor all agreements.  Written agreements are encouraged.
D.   Members shall not participate, promote, condone breeding of Pure IRWS to other breeds.  
II.  BREEDING  - A breeder shall be defined as any member who breeds his bitch or offers his stud dog at public stud.
A.  Member should breed only with the intention of improving the breed.  Planning each litter with this goal in mind, using parents of appropriate qualities in relation to the official standard.
B.   Members should abide by the rules and regulations of the AKC and should comply with all AKC requirements regarding  litter and  individual record keeping.  Whenever  possible, all dogs/bitches  &  litters  should be registered with AKC/FSS.
C.  Members should take advantage of any relevant or official scheme devised to test a dog’s  soundness, and use for breeding, only those dogs and bitches free from hereditary defects such as hip-dysphasia,  hereditary  eye  anomalies,  monorchidism,  malocclusion,  or entropies  eyelids.
D.  Before considering a breeding, the breeder should make sure both the bitch and stud dog are certified clear of  hip-dysphasia PPC or and eye anomalies (for eye anomalies - within a year of the intended breeding). Clear of CLAD (either by DNA or pedigree), normal Thyroid, vWD (Elisa recommended, DNA test available in the UK optional)  The breeder  should  refrain from repeat breeding of any pair of individuals who, although free from hereditary defects, consistently produce afflicted offspring.
E.   Breeders should not breed bitches under two years old nor allow their bitches to whelp more than once in any   twelve month period, nor breed a bitch after her 8th birthday.
F.   Breeders should ensure that every effort is made to place puppies in suitable homes and not allow puppies to   leave their premises  under the age of  seven weeks.  Breeders  should  not  sell to dealers or pet shops nor consign Irish Red & Whites Setters to commercial breeders, retailers or research laboratories, nor supply dogs for raffles, prizes, auctions or other such projects.
G.  Breeders should honestly represent the qualities and defects of any puppy to the prospective buyer.  Should a  problem arise, to either exchange, offer a full refund or agree on a mutual compromise.
H. Breeders should provide each puppy with the accepted course of inoculations and veterinary treatments and provide each buyer with accurate records regarding health , and should be encouraged to have their dogs permanently ID with a micro chip or tattoo and to submit DNA to the AKC. Breeders should provide a three generation pedigree for the IRWS being purchased.
I.       Buyer/Owners should have their dogs permanently ID with either a microchip or tattoo and to submit DNA to the AKC if not provided by breeder.
J.     Breeders should only sell Irish Red & White Setters, permit stud services lease stud dogs or brood bitches to individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they are in accord with this Code of Ethics.

III.  VIOLATIONS
Violations of the Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with the Constitution And By-Laws or Standing Rules of the Irish Red & White Setter Association.
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