A. General Conduct
As a member of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Greater Tampa Bay, Inc. (SCWTCGTB), I will:- Consider the welfare of the breed and refrain from actions contrary to the best interests of the breed or the Club.
- Give my dogs an appropriate physical and social environment.
- Remain in good standing with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and with the governing body of the country in which I reside. I will accept and support the Constitution and Bylaws of SCWTCGTB.
- Demonstrate courtesy and fairness when participating in all canine activities.
- Be responsible for the behavior of my dogs, so they reflect the best possible image of the Wheaten Terrier.
- Promote responsible dog ownership.
- Help educate the public by providing current and accurate resources and information on the breed characteristics, general well-being, grooming, health, and training of Wheaten Terriers.
- Be open and honest in all matters involving my Wheaten Terriers and the breed in general.
- Advertise factually and honestly about Wheaten Terriers.
- Understand that a violation of this code of ethics can subject me to disciplinary process provided by the SCWTCGTB Constitution and Bylaws.
B. Breeding Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
As a breeder of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, I will:- Only breed dogs whose progeny are eligible for AKC registration.
- Breed for the characteristics set forth in the Official Standard of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (The Standard) of the country in which I reside.
- Use only breeding stock
- With sound temperament;
- In good health;
- With no known heredity or congenital diseases.
- Breed only mature dogs and bitches.
- I will breed only dogs that are 15 months of age or older.
- I will breed only bitches that are 18 months of age or older. If a bitch is bred on two successive seasons, she will not be bred on her next season.
- Be knowledgeable about the genetic diseases affecting Wheaten Terriers and I will work to manage these and other diseases.
- Breeding stock over two years of age will be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hips or will meet the mean for the SCWT using PennHIP. Any breeding stock under two years of age will have a preliminary OFA hip certification or will meet the mean for SCWT using PennHIP.
- The eyes of breeding stock are examined by a board certified ophthalmologist and registered with Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) (a division of OFA) prior to the first breeding and a minimum of every two years while being bred; live dogs whose semen has been frozen are tested until age 10. Only dogs with CAER/OFA eye certification may be bred.
- Breeding stock undergoes annual blood testing and urinalysis, including testing to determine proteinuria, such as Microalbuminuria (MA) test, the urine protein/creatinine ratio (U P/C) test, or the E.R.D. Health Screen. For the most current testing recommendations, go to the SCWTCA, Inc. website, www.scwtca.org.
- Breeding stock is also tested prior to the first breeding for PLN-associated variant alleles with three exceptions:
- a dog whose sire and dam have already been tested as homozygous negative as the dog can only be homozygous negative.
- a dog that is the result of a breeding between a DNA-tested homozygous negative and a DNA-tested homozygous positive as the dog can only be heterozygous.
- a dog whose sire and dam have both been DNA-tested homozygous positive, as the dog can only be homozygous positive.
- Keep accurate health and breeding records on my breeding stock.
- Use a written stud dog contract for each breeding.
- Participate in conformation events held by AKC-recognized clubs as a means to evaluate breeding stock.
- Mentor those with whom breeding stock is placed.
C. Placing Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
- As an owner, breeder, or member who places Wheaten Terriers in new homes, I will:
- make careful placements of all Wheaten Terriers I have bred, acquired, or rescued and assist in any necessary re-homings.
- neither place Wheaten Terriers with nor provide stud dog service to:
- Pet dealers.
- Wholesalers.
- Brokers.
- Laboratories.
- Individuals conducting raffles, contests, auctions, or other types of giveaways, or
- Anyone unethical in their dealings with the public or their dealings with or treatment of animals.
- Only place Wheaten Terriers that are in good health, of sound temperament and in good condition at the time of delivery and will attest that they are free of internal parasites and are protected against disease according to current veterinary practice.
- Request that:
- non-breeding stock be spayed or neutered;
- owners advise me of any health problems, physical abnormalities, and/or death of the dog; and that
- owners advise me of their intent to place or give up the dog.
- provide new owners at the time of placement with:
- the registration transfer or application from the appropriate national registry, i.e., AKD, Canadian Kennel Club, etc. For non-breeding dogs, I will provide limited/non-breeding registrations or will withhold registration papers until proof of spaying or neutering has been submitted to me.
- an accurate four-generation pedigree;
- complete medical records;
- complete written instructions on feeding, health care, training and grooming; and
- a written contract or bill of sale.
- guide and support new owners with advice, resources and information.
D. Competing with Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
As an owner or handler of a Wheaten Terrier at any dog event, I will:- Be responsible for my dog’s wellbeing, conduct and appearance.
- Show dogs that reflect the best possible image of the Wheaten Terrier.
- In conformation events, dogs conform as closely as possible to the breed standard as approved in the country of exhibition.
- In companion/performance events, dogs are neat, clean and in appropriate condition for their sport.
- Display professional and sportsmanlike conduct at dog events and at public facilities supporting those events, reflecting the best possible image of participants in the sport of purebred dogs.
- Assist newcomers interested in learning about or participating in events.
