The Bull Terrier Club Founded 1887

The welfare of BULL TERRIERS must be the first concern of all its members, but the breeder and the first owner of a dog should accept a particular responsibility for that dog throughout its life.

To this end the Breeder should endeavour to maintain contact with the owners of all the dogs they have bred.

The greatest care must be taken in placing or re-homing BULL TERRIERS. Advice from The Club Committee or Welfare Officer should be sought in cases of any but absolute certainty, of the suitability of prospective owners.

All Members of THE BULL TERRIER CLUB undertake to report to the appropriate authorities any information they may acquire on dog fighting; NO member of The Club will be involved in any way in dog fighting.

All Members accept the objects of The Club as defined in Rule “ of THE BULL TERRIER CLUB as a condition of membership.
 
BEHAVIOUR

A proper standard of behaviour is expected of Members at all times, and particularly at dog shows. The very essence of judging dogs is that different judges have different opinions. Exhibitors should remember they have the option of not showing under a particular judge, and therefore have the duty to accept the judge’s opinion with good grace.

Dog showing is competitive, disagreements are bound occasionally to arise. The proper channels for complaints is The Show Manager, or for matters outside the show ring, The Clubs Hon, Secretary. Vocal disagreements at shows are not acceptable to The Committee and action may be taken against offenders.

Rumours and unsubstantive claims concerning the failing of dog or owner are one of the evils of the dog world. Members should avoid being party to either. However the best defence against such evil is for greater frankness, regarding inherited or acquired problems in our dogs, than in common in many other breeds. Members should do all they can, including complete disclosure of their own problems, to encourage open study of any such conditions.
 
BREEDING

1.  No bitch should be bred from until she is mature, in no case under the age of one year. Frequency of breeding should have regard to the health and well being of the bitch and would usually be no more than one litter in a year.

2.  Breeding should be aimed primarily at the improvement of the breed. The use of inferior dogs or bitches should be discouraged and advice to newcomers should be frank in this, as in other respects. Particular regard should be paid to the importance of sound, equable temperament in Bull Terriers.

3.  No dog or bitch suffering from an inherited abnormality should be used for breeding, and Members are reminded of their declaration regarding deafness in Bull Terriers. Breeders must recognise their liability at law in respect of the sale of puppies, which may be found to be suffering inherited abnormalities.

4.  The stud dog owner should satisfy him or herself as to the suitability of the bitch’s temperament before committing the dog to service. It is conventional and desirable, that a second service should be offered two days after the first successful mating. In the event of failure by the bitch to conceive, one or more free returns service may be offered, but should not be considered obligatory.

5.  Accurate records of breeding should be kept by the owners of both breeding bitches and stud dogs.
 
BUYING AND SELLING

1.  Buying and selling dogs is a matter of mutual trust and confidence. Buyers must expect to pay a fair price having regard to the expenses of owning, showing and breeding a bitch; they are entitled to expect a healthy, well-reared puppy in return for that price. Notwithstanding the element of mutual trust it is in the interest of both parties to obtain written agreement for any special conditions of the sale. In particular any puppy sold on breeding terms should be the subject of, preferably, a kennel club standard agreement.

2.  The seller should make his or her conditions for the return of the puppy, and possible refund of the purchase price, quite clear to the buyer. The buyer should understand that the value of the puppy is likely to fall rather than rise as its age increases.

3.  Puppies should not, without good reason be sold before they are 6 weeks old; the preferred age is 8 to 12 weeks.

4.  Prospective buyers should expect to be screened for suitability having regard to the very dominant nature of Bull Terriers. They are likely to be required to demonstrate their familiarity with adult specimens of the breed in a home environment. Sellers should not offer a puppy to anyone in whom they do not have complete confidence. Bull Terrier puppies should not be sold to homes where they will be left alone for longer than short periods during the day, or to homes which are not securely fenced.

5.  No puppy which has any physical defect or abnormality, even though such abnormality may be regarded as temporary, should not be sold, without the buyer being made aware of the abnormality. Deaf puppies should not be sold.

6.  Only puppies which, to the best of the owner’s knowledge, are in good health should be sold. All puppies should have been treated for external parasites according to a suitable routine and should receive inoculations appropriate to its age, before sale, for which veterinary certificate should be provided. It is appropriate here to draw the attention of breeds to the availability of low-cost short term health insurance to cover the settling in period of a puppy in a new home.

7.  Each purchaser of a puppy should be provided at the time of sale with a pedigree of at least three generations, diet sheet, and information about training, worming and inoculations. Provisions of the documentation for registration must be considered a priority after sale; any proposed conditions of registration should be notified in writing to the purchaser at the time of sale.
 
 
APPROVED 13/04/89