The Kennel Club Code

A member of The Kennel Club is an ambassador and a representative of The Kennel Club. Inherent within that status is an expectation of a certain standard of conduct and propriety. The privilege carries responsibilities. These responsibilities are not prescriptive but ought to be obvious within a bandwidth of reasonable expectation. They include extending respect towards everyone in the canine world – both at home and to those overseas.

In particular a member of The Kennel Club is expected:

• To act with integrity at all times when engaged in canine activities; not to use his/her position or status for personal benefit or material gain or for that of a spouse, partner or person in the same household
• Not to use membership status to achieve benefits or gains
• Not to exhibit improper behaviour to staff, recognise they have a job to do, and as employees have statutory and contractual obligations and operational responsibilities, rights and obligations
• To respect the opinions of other club members and dog activity participants, and do nothing to bring themselves, others or The Kennel Club into disrepute
• To only disclose information regarding the business of The Kennel Club if it is in the public domain or it has been authorised for publication or disclosure, or to disclose information when legally required to do so
• To practice inclusivity and respect diversity; race, religion, age and disability
• To deal with allegations of misconduct through the proper investigatory process and be willing to provide and disclose all evidence necessary to permit a fair hearing for others. To take all reasonable steps to assist with the process of dealing with such allegations
• To apply sound judgement when using social media, respecting the opinions of others and not to engage in threatening, abusive or offensive activity towards others
• Not to publicly criticise other members, nor do anything to damage the interests of or undermine confidence in The Kennel Club and its members including social media activity
• To comply with The Kennel Club's rules and regulations

A member of The Kennel Club will understand that if he/she does not follow these principles and falls short of the expectations and responsibilities in being a member of The Kennel Club, we may be obliged to implement and enforce the code with sanctions under The Kennel Club's rules and regulations – including the possibility of removal from membership.

The Kennel Club's committee members (in conjunction with the declarations on confidentiality/collective decision making/IPR)

Inherent in being a member of a committee of The Kennel Club is an expectation of a certain standard of conduct and propriety. The privilege carries responsibilities.

These responsibilities are not prescriptive but ought to be obvious within a bandwidth of reasonable expectation. They include extending respect towards everyone in the canine world – both at home and to those overseas.

In particular, The Kennel Club's committee members are expected:

• To demonstrate commitment and make every effort to attend meetings, and when unable to do so send apologies for absence to the respective chairman
• To prepare properly for meetings by reading the agenda, supporting papers and emails in good time prior to the meeting taking place
• To raise issues regarding the agenda or supporting papers with the chairman or responsible persons prior to the meeting to allow time for an appropriate response to be prepared
• To participate fully by engaging in the meeting, keeping an open objective mind, listening and contributing positively
• To take decisions based on the best interests of The Kennel Club. To act honestly and use reasoned judgement and experience to make recommendations and decisions
• To be accountable and respect the collective joint responsibility for decisions made by the relevant committee
• To declare conflicts of interest
• To take on assigned responsibilities, and take positive actions to deal with them, and to report progress back to the committee chairman regularly
• To keep meeting details and decisions confidential as required, not to disclose information to others publicly or privately that might undermine the committee process or the credibility of The Kennel Club
• To apply sound judgement when using social media, respecting the opinions of others and not to engage in threatening, abusive or offensive activity towards others
• Not to publicly criticise nor do anything to damage the interests of or undermine confidence in The Kennel Club and its members including social media activity
• To comply with the standing orders for Board and committee members (as set out in the annex to this Code)

A Kennel Club committee member will understand that if he/she does not follow these principles and falls short of the expectations and responsibilities in being a Kennel Club committee member that The Kennel Club may be obliged to implement and enforce the code with sanctions under The Kennel Club's rules and regulations – including the possibility of removal from the respective committee membership.

(In conjunction with the declarations on confidentiality/collective decision making/IPR and Companies Act statutory duties)

A Board member/director of The Kennel Club is an ambassador and a representative and a custodian of the assets and reputation of The Kennel Club. Inherent within that status is an expectation of a certain standard of conduct and propriety. The privilege carries responsibilities.

These responsibilities are in some respects prescriptive (Companies Act requirements) but also ought to be obvious within a bandwidth of reasonable expectation. They include extending respect towards everyone in the canine world – both at home and to those overseas.

A Board member/director should demonstrate all the expectations outlined for a committee member and in addition is expected:

• To act in compliance with the statutory duties of a director as set out in companies legislation. Understand and recognise their statutory responsibilities as a director
• To act in the best interests of The Kennel Club at all times
• To act with honesty, integrity, competence and use professional judgement and or experience to take decisions in the best interests of dogs and their welfare, The Kennel Club and its members
• To provide leadership where necessary and apply objectivity to the decision making process
• To be accountable and respect the collective joint responsibility for decisions made by the Board
• To deal with allegations of misconduct in the best interests of The Kennel Club and its members, deal with whistle blowers in confidence and ensure the appropriate follow up action is taken
• To apply sound judgement when using social media, respecting the opinions of others and not to engage in threatening, abusive or offensive activity towards others
• To comply with the standing orders for Board and committee members, in particular the provisions relating to the exhibition, handling and ownership of dogs and judging at Crufts

A Board member/director of The Kennel Club will understand that if he/she does not follow these principles and falls short of the expectations and responsibilities in being a Kennel Club director that we may be obliged to implement and enforce the code with sanctions under The Kennel Club's rules and regulations – including the possibility of removal from Board membership/directorship.

(In conjunction with the volunteer requirements)

The Kennel Club recognises the importance of volunteers and makes every effort to ensure that they are supported and are valued for their contribution.

A volunteer is a person taking part in a Kennel Club event who has or has offered to take on tasks or responsibilities at that event and where the organisers have accepted this offer. A volunteer may be a committee member, steward, helper or ambassador who is not in receipt of payment in return for the assistance being provided.

Inherent in being a Kennel Club volunteer is an expectation of a certain standard of conduct and propriety. These responsibilities are not prescriptive but ought to be obvious within a bandwidth of reasonable expectation. They include extending respect towards everyone in the canine world – both at home and to those overseas.

In particular, a volunteer is expected:

• To demonstrate commitment and to make every effort to attend events/meetings as may be required
• To recognise that they are representing the best interests of The Kennel Club whilst they are volunteering
• To do so because they are volunteering their skills for the benefit of The Kennel Club, its competitions and events
• Not to seek financial recompense over and above reasonable expenses agreed with The Kennel Club or organiser(s) in advance
• Not to do anything to bring The Kennel Club or its members or participants into disrepute while volunteering and not to undermine confidence in The Kennel Club or its officers, or members, or members of staff
• To treat members of staff, competitors and other participants with respect, recognising they have rights and obligations and contractual responsibilities particularly whilst volunteering and commenting on licensed competitions and events
• To apply sound judgement when using social media, respecting the opinions of others and not to engage in threatening, abusive or offensive activity towards others
• Not to publicly criticise nor do anything to damage the interests of or undermine confidence in The Kennel Club and its members including social media activity
• To be aware of and adhere to The Kennel Club's Child Protection Policy and agree to DBS verification checks as appropriate

The Kennel Club's volunteers will understand that if they do not follow these principles and fall short of the expectations and responsibilities in being a Kennel Club volunteer that we may be obliged to implement and enforce the code including the possibility of terminating the volunteer arrangement.

3.1 The objects for which The Kennel Club is established (objects) are:

3.1.1 To promote in every way the general improvement of dogs;

3.1.2 Without derogating from the generality of Article 3.1.1, the pursuit or carrying out of the following activities:

1. a) The classification of breeds and their registration;
2. b) The registration of dogs, transfers of ownership, production of pedigree certificates etc.;
3. c) The compilation and maintenance of registers of relevant associations, clubs, societies and other organisations (societies) including registers of:

      (i) Breed societies;

      (ii) General canine societies;

      (iii) Dog training societies;

      (iv) Field trial societies;

      (v) Working trial societies; and

      (vi) any other societies, recognised as furthering the knowledge and understanding of dogs and their competition.

1. d) The licensing of shows, trials and other activities;
2. e) The award of challenge cups;
3. f) The award of challenge, champion and other certificates and the approval of judges who award them;
4. g) The publication of an annual stud book containing (inter alia) a record of championship shows, field trials, working trials and obedience tests;
5. h) The publication of a gazette and journal;
6. i) The making and giving effect to reciprocal agreements with ruling canine authorities in other countries;
7. j) The formation and regulation of Councils to consult on subjects on which such Councils shall be considered to have special knowledge;
8. k) The election of Associates of The Kennel Club, and;
9. l) The maintenance of a junior organisation to foster in young people the knowledge of dogs and their welfare and acceptable standards of personal behaviour