CODE OF ETHICS
THE SCOTTISH TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA

This Code of Ethics is established to set a standard of acceptable behavioral limits for the Scottish Terrier Club of America members. The Code is designed to protect the interests of the club and to protect and preserve the Scottish Terrier. The Scottish Terrier Club of America expects adherence to the code. Blatant disregard for the standards set out in this code will not be condoned.

The Scottish Terrier Club of America was formed and exists to encourage and promote the responsible breeding and ownership of Scottish Terriers and to protect and advance the interests of these dogs. Toward these ends, The Scottish Terrier Club of America recommends the following practices as ethical.

• Abide by the Constitution and By-laws of the Scottish Terrier Club of America and the rules of the American Kennel Club.
• Maintain the animal(s) in an environment and under a regime that as far as possible ensures the well being of the dog.
• Make use of available DNA testing when needed in order to produce Scottish Terriers free of genetically transmitted defects.
• Familiarize oneself with the AKC Standard of the Breed and strive to breed only Scottish Terriers of characteristic type, sound structure and temperament, directing ones efforts to producing dogs in conformity to the AKC Standard.
• Keep accurate breeding records and registration information in accordance with American Kennel Club regulations.
• Breed bitches in good condition and health according to AKC recommendations.
• Only undertake the breeding of a bitch when one is prepared to keep the resultant puppies until they are suitably placed. Members offering a dog at stud should require similar assurances from the owners of bitches of non STCA members.
• Puppies should not be sold prior to 10 weeks of age. Puppies and adults should be sold with appropriate inoculations for their age.
• Members should provide stud service only when satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities necessary for the proper development of the puppies.
• Should not misrepresent or fail to disclose known hereditary defects, health and physical condition of any stock offered for sale or breeding purposes.
• Provide purchasers of adults or puppies with accurate papers to include a three generation pedigree, registration certificate and/or a written sales agreement as to whether a guarantee is provided and setting forth any terms, conditions or limitations thereto, together with complete medical records and instructions for care and feeding.
• Not knowingly sell a Scottish Terrier of any age to a pet shop, catalog house, laboratory or any wholesale dealer in dogs (a dealer being a person who regularly buys dogs for sale at profit), or to any person who sells to any of the above. Members will not knowingly offer stud service to wholesale dealers or to any person involved with pet shops, catalog houses or laboratories. No Scottish Terrier will be provided for use in raffles, auctions or similar enterprises.
• Assume an ongoing responsibility for the Scottish Terriers that they produce. This is a lifetime commitment. A Scottie in need of a new home, who is owned by, bred by or sired by a dog owned by a member of the STCA should not become a rescue dog. Whenever feasible this dog should become the responsibility of the owner, breeder, or owner of the sire.
• Engage in advertising that is as factual as possible. Misleading exaggerations or unfounded implications of superiority shall not be used.
• Refrain from knowingly making unfair or untrue statements about the dogs or practices of others.

ENFORCEMENT Enforcement of the above Code of Ethics will be per Article VI of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Scottish Terrier Club of America.

(Code revised and approved October, 2002)