This code of ethics has been agreed by all four Breed Clubs as acceptable guidelines to all who wish to own or breed Samoyeds and includes The Kennel Club’s mandatory Code of Ethics.

Club Members:

1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled.  Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind.  Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).
14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.
15. Breeding:  There should be a demand for puppies before embarking on breeding a litter. When considering breeding, equal weight should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness.  Breeders should not knowingly breed from any stock which has hereditary diseases.  It is advised that all breeding stock be X-rayed for Hip Dysplasia by a qualified veterinary surgeon and that all plates should be submitted to the BVA for hip scoring under the KC/BVA Scheme, even if the hips are poor so that a true picture of hip dysplasia in the breed can be assessed.
16. No dog should be used at stud unless it has been hip scored and is over 12 months of age. Only entire dogs should be used at stud and owners of Stud Dogs should refuse stud services to inferior specimens of the breed and to owners who have neither the time nor facilities to rear litters.
17. Bitches should not be mated before 15-18 months of age and not before the second season.  No bitch should be mated at every season.  Bitches should not have litters on consecutive seasons.  No bitch should have more than 3 or 4 litters, and should not be bred from beyond her 8th birthday.
18. No puppy should leave the breeder before 7 weeks of age. Breeders should be prepared to replace/refund the purchase price should the puppy develop a defect to such a degree that it has to be put down. After two independent vets have advised this and the breeder has been properly notified.  It is advisable for breeders to take out insurance cover on any puppy they breed for the first six weeks in its new home and encourage the new owners to continue this cover.
19. Advice should be given to new owners on the need for exercise, family contact and grooming.
20. It is advisable for new owners to read books on the breed and join a breed club.  All officers and committee members are always ready to help with members’ problems wherever possible.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.