​Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland Code of Ethics
It was agreed at our Annual General Meeting in October 2012 that the Club (BMDCI) would draw up a new CODE OF ETHICS relevant to our Breed.  Below is the revised account which comes into immediate effect (01/09/2013).

​BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG CLUB OF IRELAND CODE OF ETHICS

BMDCI Members Agree To:
  1. Keep only as many dogs for which they can properly house, feed, water and exercise to a high standard of care, and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
  2. Ensure that no healthy puppy should be culled.  Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
  3. Ensure not to breed from a dog or bitch that could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
  4. ​Not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
  5. ​Ensure that their dogs are micro-chipped and kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
  6. Clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited. 
  7. 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.
  8. Supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
  9. Ensure that all relevant Irish 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.
  10. 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, Irish Kennel Club Registration Certificates as stand alone items (i.e. not accompanying a dog).
  11. Not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs, nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.  Members who wish to breed Bernese Mountain Dogs should do so with the full understanding of the responsibility they bear to the future of the Breed and with the paramount intentions of improving and protecting  the Breed.  Breeders should understand the Breed Standard, evaluate individual mature dogs traits, evaluate traits present in a breeding dogs immediate and extended family, and apply The Principles of Genetics.  Additionally breeders should have a practical knowledge of mating, care of the bitch in whelp, raising a litter, and the time, effort and resources required to engage in this activity.  Experienced member breeders should make themselves available as a resource to novice breeders when requested.  Conversely, novice breeders should actively recruit assistance from experienced breeders when engaging in this activity.  All members should assist the breeders of their dogs by keeping them informed of their dogs development through life.

BERNESE MOUNTAIN CLUB OF IRELAND MEMBERS WHO BREED AGREE TO - 

  1. Breed with due attention to general health issues and the most relevant aspects of the Bernese Mountain Dog.  This is with particular emphasis to -​
  2. Endeavour to ensure all stock to be bred from is free from contagious disease
  3. ​All breeding shall be carefully planned in an attempt to reduce known hereditary conditions such as Hip Dysplasia, Osteochondrosis Of the Elbow, Ectropian/Entropian, Trembler and Elongated Soft Palate.
  4. Ensure that nervous or aggressive bernese shall not be bred from.
  5. Refrain from Whelping with a bitch until she is approximately 24 months of age.  Ensure a bitch shall not be bred from in any way that is deleterious to the bitch or the breed, and that the last litter shall be whelped before the bitches 7th birthday and the bitches first litter shall be before her 5th birthday, except in exceptional circumstances.
  6. Ensure a female bears puppies no more than two out of three seasons.  A period of one year rest between litters is desirable. 
  7. Ensure that Stud dogs are over 18 months of age before being used at stud and not used excessively.  The use of a stud dog shall be refused on any bitch considered to have poor health, temperament or quality.
  8. Ensure that Bernese Mountain Dog puppies are only bred from Irish Kennel Club or other IKC recognised Kennel Club registered Bernese Mountain Dog parents.
  9. ​All breeding stock should be x-rayed for evidence of Hip Dysplasia and the plates submitted to the Kennel Club BVA Scoring Scheme.  Results form any other equivalent, Irish Kennel Club recognised overseas scheme will be acceptable.  Breeders will treat mild cases as they would any other fault and excluded from the breeding program dogs with more severe evidence of Hip Dysplasia except in exceptional circumstances.
  10. All breeding stock should be x-rayed for evidence of Elbow Osteochrondrosis Related conditions and the plates submitted to the Kennel Club BVA Scoring Scheme.  Results form any other equivalent, Irish Kennel Club recognised overseas scheme will be acceptable.  Breeders will treat mild cases as they would any other fault and excluded from the breeding program dogs with more severe evidence of Elbow Osteochrondrosis except in exceptional circumstances.​
  11. Supply comprehensive welfare information with all puppies sold.   This is to include information on inoculations, veterinary care they may have had or require, guidance on care and the exercise and training of a Bernese Mountain Dog.  Registration documentation should include (at least) a 4-generation pedigree. 
  12. Guarantee the health of his/her stock subject to a veterinary examination within 2 working days of the sale or transfer and shall insure puppies for a minimum of 4 weeks against illness, loss, or sudden death.
  13. ​Breeders and Stud dog owners will remain available for advice when sought for the lifetime of offspring from their dogs.  They will try to keep in touch with the progress of his or her progeny and be prepared to take back any dog of his or her breeding or to be instrumental in the re-homing of the dog at any time throughout the dogs life.
  14. Members will at all times exhibit good sportsmanship at all events relating to the club and to dog shows.
  15. ​Members will not denigrate any other member or kennel.​
Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from Club Membership and/or disciplinary action as appropriate.  The Committee of The Club shall deal with reported breaches of the CODE OF ETHICS in a reasonable and proportionate manner and in more serious cases where expulsion is considered; refer the incident to the Membership via a SGM as per Rule 18 of the Constitution.  All cases to be appropriately reported to the membership as much as possible.  Members are asked to co-operate with any Club approved health scheme.

You are also required to get a Licence for your dog (s).  These can obtained online through An Post

NOTE:  Since the end of March 2016 it is a legal requirement for all dogs in Ireland to be microchipped and for that chip to be registered.  The following are the three recognised microchip databases in Ireland - ANIMARK, FIDO, THE IRISH KENNEL CLUB


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@ Bernese Mountain Dog Club Of Ireland 2018
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