Since its launch in 2001 the UK Dog Breeder Directory has always operated our very own Charter For Ethical Dog Breeding.

Unlike other online dog breeder and puppy sales websites, the aim of this site has NEVER been to generate profit on advertising from dog breeders. We are NOT about volume, we are exclusively about QUALITY.

This site exists purely as a means to match responsible dog lovers with quality breeders.

To this end we insist that all breeders who wish to be part of the UK Dog Breeder Directory must agree and adhere to our Charter For Ethical Dog Breeding.

The charter is underpinned by the principles of both the UK Animal Welfare Act 2006 (legal) and The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. All breeders who wish to be registered on this site MUST adhere to the following overriding principle:

No one should breed companion animals without careful regard to characteristics (anatomical, physiological and behavioural) that may put at risk the health and welfare of the offspring or female parent).

The UK Dog Breeder Directory: Charter For Ethical Dog Breeding

In the event that any breeder wishes to be registered on UK Dog Breeder Directory they must:

• When registering a litter of puppies for sale via the site, provide us with a scan of all relevant vet checks and health screening documentation appropriate to the breed in question
• Agree that no more than TWO litters will be registered on this site in any calendar year
• Provide full and detailed information, documentation and health advice to puppy buyers
• ‘Guarantee’ the health of puppies sold: Any buyer who’s puppy develops a genetic/hereditary health condition will be given the choice of having their money refunded or a replacement made
• Agrees to the minimum set of ethics as outlined by The Kennel Club
• Will not use a stud dog on more than 12 matings in order to protect against the problem of ‘popular stud syndrome’
• Ensure a consistent COI of below 6% working from a 10 generation pedigree – if this is not possible to achieve due to a lack of genetic diversity within a breed, the breeder agrees to research the options in breeding to an outcross. Kennel Club registration is not the be all and end all for breeders in compliance with the UK Dog Breeder Directory Charter for Ethical Dog Breeding, sound breeding principles that are not deleterious to the health and genetic diversity of dog breeds takes precedent over closed studbook policies
• Provide puppy buyers with copies of all relevant health tests performed on both sire and dam along with additional information about the value of working toward minimising genetic disease in dogs for the benefit of educating the new puppy owner
• Where available, record Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) or Genetic Breeding Values (GeBV) on pedigree certificates
• Prior to breeding, obtain a ‘Fit for breeding’ certificate from a veterinarian. A copy of this certificate to be sent to the UK Dog Breeder Directory for filing

UK Dog Breeder Directory reserves the right to suspend that breeder’s listing until a full investigation is carried out should there be a reasonable need to perform such checks. The breeder understands that they will not be entitled to a refund of their registration fee in the event of a removal from the directory.

UK Dog Breeder Directory to maintain the very highest practices in relation to their care and maintenance of ANY dog in their possession. Breeders are expected to co-operate fully in the event of any complaint made against them. It is the duty of any registered breeder to inform us of any upheld complaint or
criminal prosecution made against them in relation to the care and maintenance of any animal in their possession.

Breeders registered on the UK Dog Breeder Directory are required to keep accurate records during the
breeding cycle and post birth of any litter. These records may contain dates of mating, dates of puppy birth, details of litter, colour and markings and most importantly any health or medical notes that may be
required at a later date.

Breeders registered on the UK Dog Breeder Directory agree that no dog shoulder ever be
bred unless the following criteria is met:

* The resulting puppies will advance the overall quality and standard of the
breed in question with specific priority given to health and temperament
* The dam of the puppies is at least 16 months old and has
previously experienced at least two normal heats
* The sire must be a proven dog, whose genetics will contribute to
the advancement of the breed in question but who has not been used in more than 12 other matings which produced puppies
* Puppies should be wormed and vaccinated at appropriate ages in
conjunction with the advice of a veterinarian.
* A mating should not be carried simply for any other reason than the
advancement of the breed and the improvement of the domestic dog.

UK Dog Breeder Directory may, at any time throughout the registration of a breeder with this service, ask for copies of health records, veterinary statements or other materials in conjunction with ensuring the quality of breeder registered with this service is of the highest standard. All breeders registered agree to comply with this.