code

The code of ethics is designed as a guide for all members and Maltese to follow, with the welfare of the breed uppermost in mind.

1. (A) The Maltese should be kept in clean comfortable conditions, the well being of the dog being of paramount importance.

(B) All dogs should bear some recognized means of identification.

(C) When in a public as required by law.

2. (A) Only dogs and bitces of good quality and type should be used for breeding, and breeding purely for commercial reasons or without serious purpose should be discouraged.

(B) A dog or bitch which has or is carrying an inherited health problem should not knowingly be bred.

(C)A bitch should not produce more than six litters during her life time, nor should bred from over eight years of age as stated by The Kennel Club.

(D)She should not be bred before her second season and if she produces 20 or more puppies in her first four litters, should be retired from breeding.

3. (A) Stud dog owners have a great responsibility towards the breed and should enquire before accepting bookings, the reason for the mating, ensuring it is in the breeds interest.

(B) Due care should be taken by both stud dog and bitch owner that any resulting puppies are not sold to deaers.

(C) Stud dogs should be as god an example of the breed as possible and healthy at the time of mating, with owners ensuring that visiting bitches are only accepted if also in good health and of good quality.

4. (A) As far as possible the breeder should ensure that propective purchasers are able to provide a fit and proper home for a Mlatese.

(B) All dogs should be registered with the American Kennel Club and per puppies duly endorsed not for exhibition, breeding or export, with the new owner being fully aware of any such endorsements at the time of sale and included on the reciept.

(C) Puppies should be at least 10 weeks of age and in good health before sale, and already been thoroughly wormed. All paperwork associated with the puppy, i.e. vaccination certificate (if any), pedigree, etc. should accompany the puppy together with a comprehensive guide to feeding, care, grooming and a reciept of sale detailing any special agreements, which should be signed by both parties.

(D) No puppy should be sold or advertised as show quality unless over six months of age (or when second set of teeth are fully cut) and it conforms to the breed standard.

(E) Breeders should encourage vaccination and insurance in pups if this has not been caried out at the time of sale.

(F) Breeders should undertake at the time of sale to accept back any dog, or ensure it is comfortably re-homed if the purchasers initial circustances change.

(G) Breeders should always be prepared to give advice and guidance during the dogs lifetime.