"The betterment and well being of the bullmastiff shall be the primary consideration of every member of the Bullmastiff Association"

The betterment and well being of the bullmastiff shall be the primary consideration of every member of the Bullmastiff Association and is a consideration of membership.

All members shall ensure that at all times all dogs under their care are properly housed, fed, exercised and will receive proper veterinary attention if and when required. Dogs shall not be allowed to roam at large and when away from home shall be kept under control at all times.

No members shall permit any pure-bred dogs to be mated to a dog of a different breed, to a crossbred dog, or to an unregistered dog of the same breed.

When planning a Bullmastiff mating a member should only breed with the intention of maintaining and/or improving the standard of the breed and every effort must be made to control or, if possible eliminate faults and defects, especially if such faults/defects are hereditary. The use of BVA KC screening scheme are to be strongly encouraged.

A bitch should not be allowed to conceive until at least 20 months of age nor subsequently bred from more than once in a 12-month period. A bitch should not generally be allowed to conceive a first litter over the age of 5 years nor bred after her 6th year.

No bitch should have more than four litters. Owners of stud dogs shall not allow bitches that are over or under age or under age to be mated and should refuse a mating to any bitch which is not in good physical condition. Owners should examine all documents for the dog or bitch [pedigree registration documents etc] before mating.

Members will ensure that breed stock are clinically tested and certified free of infection before mating takes place.

An accurate pedigree of at least three generations shall be kept for each litter bred and retained by the breeder and owner of the stud dog for references. The names and addresses of all puppy purchases should be retained by the breeder for future reference.

No members shall knowingly misrepresent the chararacteristics of the Breed nor falsely advertise or mislead any person regarding the performance of any dog.

Members should make every effort to sell stock only to responsible persons who are prepared to correctly rear and care for the Bullmastiff and to give it a permanent home. In the event of an owner being unable to continue to keep the Bullmastiff the breeder should make every effort to find a new home for the dog. Puppies shall not be sold to pet shops or dealers. A dealer is defined as any person who deals in the acquisition and resale for profit.

Members selling stock shall supply the purchaser at the timer of sale with a signed pedigree and Kennel Club registration [or if such registration form is not available, shall provide a signed declaration to the purchaser that 1 will be forwarded as soon as possible]. Should the breeder wish to impose conditions or endorsements on official papers, written notice of such should be given prior to sale. A diet sheet shall be supplied with each puppy sold together with details of any medication and inoculations that the animal may have received.

Breeders shall give a comprehensive back up service with every puppy they sell I e if a puppy develops any hereditary disease or a congenital defect becomes apparent within 6 months of age breeders must be prepared to take it back and refund full purchase price. In cases where the new owner wishes to keep the puppy despite the defect an amicable agreement must be reached between both parties.

It is recommended that no puppies shall leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks. No puppies should be exported before they are fully inoculated or before the age of 3 months, unless they are travelling in the personal care of the owner or his known representive. No pups should be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti cruelty laws.

Future breeding from both dogs and bitches should not be a condition of sales. The uses of Kennel Club Agreement Forms For Loan Of Bitches Or Breeding Terms are recommended and are to be encouraged where the necessary arises.

Members will inform those accepting their stock that there is evidence of certain breed associated conditions for which no current control schemes are available. Details of these conditions as it affects the members stock will be made available to prospective purchasers.

Where there is substantial evidence of malpractice or mistreatment the Bullmastiff it is the duty of every member to report such to the Hon Secretary of the Bullmastiff Association for referral to the committee. The committee after investigation of the complaint may consider such matters and act accordingly.

Dogs showing unprovoked aggression to humans must not be bred from or shown under any circumstances.

Members shall observe good sportsmanship and disparaging remarks about fellow members of their stock should be strongly discouraged.