1. Responsible Ownership and Animal Welfare

 Members shall:

 a. Provide their dogs with appropriate nutrition, clean water, suitable shelter, regular exercise, humane training, socialization, and necessary veterinary care.

b. Maintain their dogs’ physical and mental well-being throughout their lives.

c. Keep their dogs securely controlled, prevent unsupervised roaming, and comply with applicable municipal and provincial requirements.

d. Clean up after their dogs and respect public spaces, private property, and event facilities.

e. Ensure their dogs can be identified, preferably by permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo, and use appropriate identification tags.

f. Never condone, participate in, or support animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, dog fighting, or the use of dogs to fight other animals.

g. Make humane end-of-life decisions in consultation with a qualified veterinarian when a dog’s welfare and quality of life warrant them.

 

2. Ethical Breeding and Preservation of the Breed

 Members who breed American Staffordshire Terriers shall:

a. Breed with the primary purpose of preserving and improving the breed’s health, temperament, structure, and overall soundness in accordance with the applicable CKC breed standard.

b. Breed only from mature, healthy dogs with sound temperaments, taking reasonable steps to identify and reduce the risk of inherited diseases and other significant health concerns.

c. Seek appropriate veterinary advice and use relevant health screening for breeding stock. For Amstaffs, this may include hip, elbows (optional), cardiac, thyroid (optional), and NCL-A testing, as appropriate.

d. Plan each litter carefully and comply with applicable CKC requirements and laws.

e. Ensure breeding females are medically fit for breeding and whelping, and provide appropriate care throughout pregnancy, birth, and recovery.

f. Select breeding partners responsibly and avoid matings that knowingly create unacceptable health, welfare, or registration concerns.

g. Maintain clean, safe conditions and appropriate veterinary care for breeding dogs and puppies.

h. Never misrepresent a dog’s pedigree, parentage, registration status, health, or temperament.

i. Maintain accurate breeding, pedigree, health, litter, sales, and registration records.

j. Never breed solely for commercial gain at the expense of the breed’s welfare.

 

3. Puppy Rearing, Placement, and Sales

 Members who breed or sell dogs shall:

a. Raise puppies in clean, safe, and appropriate surroundings, with suitable nutrition, veterinary care, and age-appropriate socialization.

b. Make reasonable efforts to assess prospective homes and ensure purchasers understand the breed’s needs and responsibilities.

c. Provide truthful information about each puppy or dog, including known health concerns, temperament, pedigree, and registration status.

d. Not place puppies before eight weeks of age, or before any stricter applicable requirement.

e. Provide purchasers with appropriate written sales documentation, available health and vaccination records, feeding and care instructions, and relevant pedigree and registration information.

f. Follow CKC registration and documentation requirements, including applicable obligations relating to registration certificates.

g. Not knowingly sell or transfer dogs to puppy brokers, puppy mills, dog-fighting operations, or persons or businesses likely to mistreat or exploit them.

h. Never offer a dog as a prize in a contest, raffle, or similar promotion.

i. Encourage responsible decisions about spaying and neutering for dogs not intended for breeding, considering individual veterinary advice and the dog’s circumstances.

j. Make reasonable efforts to remain available to puppy buyers for advice and support throughout the dog’s life.

k. Accept responsibility for assisting with the return or rehoming of a dog they have bred when necessary, in accordance with their written agreement and practical circumstances.

l. Retain appropriate records of sales, purchasers, health information, and registration.

 

4. Health, Temperament, and Responsible Training

 Members shall:

a. Promote stable, breed-appropriate temperament and responsible management of their dogs.

b. Use humane training methods and seek qualified assistance when behavioral or welfare concerns arise.

c. Avoid knowingly breeding from dogs whose serious health or temperament concerns make them unsuitable for breeding.

d. Share accurate information about the breed and avoid misleading claims about health, temperament, working ability, or suitability as a companion.

e. Support education for owners, breeders, exhibitors, judges, and the public.

f. Act as responsible ambassadors for the American Staffordshire Terrier.

 

5. Sportsmanship and Respectful Conduct

 Members shall:

a. Follow applicable CKC rules and the rules of Club events and activities.

b. Treat judges, exhibitors, handlers, volunteers, fellow members, and the public with courtesy and respect.

c. Refrain from harassment, intimidation, bullying, threats, malicious conduct, and knowingly false or misleading statements about other members, competitors, judges, or their dogs.

d. Conduct themselves respectfully in person and online, including on social media.

e. Raise concerns about misconduct through appropriate Club or CKC channels rather than through personal attacks.

f. Accept competition results and disagreements with dignity and good sportsmanship.

 

6. Compliance with Laws and CKC Requirements

 Members shall:

a. Comply with applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws concerning dogs and animal welfare.

b. Comply with applicable CKC bylaws, rules, policies, and registration requirements.

c. Cooperate honestly with legitimate Club or CKC processes concerning alleged violations.

d. Support responsible, evidence-informed public education about the breed and responsible dog ownership.

 

7. Club Integrity and Member Responsibilities

 Members shall:

a. Support the Club’s objectives and act in ways that uphold its reputation.

b. Respect the Club’s bylaws, policies, and properly adopted decisions.

c. Handle Club funds, records, and confidential information responsibly when entrusted with them.

d. Disclose relevant conflicts of interest when participating in Club decisions.

e. Avoid using Club membership, positions, events, or resources to mislead others or gain improper personal advantage.

 

8. Complaints, Investigations, and Discipline

a. Alleged violations of this Code may be reported in writing in accordance with the Club’s bylaws and applicable procedures.

b. Complaints shall be handled fairly, impartially, and with appropriate confidentiality.

c. A member accused of a violation shall receive notice of the allegations and a reasonable opportunity to respond.

d. A complaint shall not be treated as proven solely because it has been submitted.

e. Any reprimand, suspension, or expulsion must be imposed only through the authority and procedures established in the Club’s bylaws, including any applicable appeal provisions.

f. Where appropriate, the Club may provide education or guidance to help members understand and meet their obligations.

 

9. Acceptance and Review

Members shall be provided with access to this Code of Ethics and are expected to acknowledge that they have read and agree to follow it as a condition of membership, subject to the Club’s bylaws and membership procedures.