Silken Windhound Club of America
Code of Ethics
This Code of Ethics is presented as a guide for owners, breeders, and potential breeders of Silken Windhounds, whose foremost goals should be the welfare and improvement of the breed. All should do everything in their power to protect and advance the interests of the breed. They should consider the breed and the following principles when engaged in any activities involving the breeding, exhibiting and selling of Silken Windhounds and refrain from any activities which would be detrimental to the best interests of the breed and the Silken Windhound Club of America (SWHCOA).
Members of the SWHCOA will comply with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Club and the Code of Ethics written below.
Registration
Dogs must be properly and honestly registered with the International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS), and accurate records must be kept. Unregistered bitches will not be bred, and unregistered dogs will not be used for breeding. All SWHCOA rules and regulations will be complied with where applicable.
Breeding
Dogs will be bred according to the approved SWHCOA Breed Standard. All pet puppies not kept by the breeder should be sold or placed into a caring home. Pets should be placed with a spay/neuter contract. Unplanned matings will be guarded against. No member shall intentionally produce crossbred dogs and will never offer or advertise crossbred dogs for sale.
Placement
It is suggested that Silken Windhound puppies not be placed before three months of age, however, no puppies will be placed before eight weeks of age. Every dog sold shall be accompanied by a signed registration, or registration and a four-generation pedigree, unless both seller and buyer agree in writing that the dog is sold without ISWS registration papers. For each sale, the breeder shall give a record of dates and types of immunizations given, and suggested dates and types of immunizations required. Written instructions on proper care, grooming and feeding should be provided. No puppy shall be sold without either temporary or permanent protection against parvo-virus, distemper, and hepatitis. Puppies should have a veterinary examination and be wormed before sale.
Health
Dogs will be kenneled with adequate room and sanitary conditions. Puppies and adults will be de-wormed and inoculated. Any dog that has defects of a nature that will make it detrimental to the breed will be sold or placed as a pet, under the condition that it be spayed or neutered.
Advertising
Advertising should be factual. It should not be worded to attract undesirable buyers or to encourage raising dogs for profit. Young puppies should not be described as show, and/or breeding stock.
Sales
No member of the SWHCOA will sell at wholesale or to retail outlets, brokers, pet shops, mail order houses, or businesses of similar commercial enterprise, or donate a dog to be offered as a prize.
Professionalism
Each SWHCOA member shall pledge to help educate the public on the Silken Windhound Standard and idiosyncrasies of the breed and in all other areas where qualified, and to help the new owner in every reasonable way for the life of any dog sold or placed. Members should be willing to take back any dog they sell or place, on a non-financial basis, in order to provide or find an appropriate home for the animal.
Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship is expected of each SWHCOA member in and out of the show ring. No member should malign another, either his person or his dog. Members will refrain from knowingly making unfair or untrue statements about the dogs or practices of others. When confronted by a situation not covered in this Code of Ethics, the member will conduct themselves as they would like to be treated.
Enforcement
Enforcement of this Code of Ethics is as enumerated in the SWHCOA By-Laws.