The club has had a codified set of rules for many years and they inevitably mutate at AGMs
to reflect the changing requirements of the membership. The current version is Club Rules 2022
All members are expected to adhere to a code of ethics for the well being of dogs and puppies and a code of conduct as members our club.
It forms a part of each membership application.
IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB OF IRELAND Est. 1908.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB OF IRELAND.
1. IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL IRISH WOLFHOUND OWNERS TO KEEP THEIR HOUNDS UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES.
To keep them well exercised and in good health and endeavour to further promote the image of the breed and its equable temperament.
2. Officers and Committee members of the Club should always be ready to do their best to help members with any queries or problems.
3. Advertising by members must be factual. Members should refrain from making unfair or untrue statements about the dogs or practice of others.
4. It should be impressed upon buyers that they should contact the breeder in the event of any problems with the puppy. Breeders should make every effort to be of assistance in these circumstances.
5. Each purchaser of an Irish Wolfhound puppy should be provided at the time of sale, with a pedigree, diet sheet and information about training, worming and inoculations.
6. Before breeding a litter consideration should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Aggressive dogs are not satisfactory as pets or breeding stock.
7. All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed. Members should do all in their power to discourage breeding from clearly inferior specimens.
8. No member should breed a litter unless he has time and facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the puppies and the well being of the dam. No member should provide stud services unless satisfied that the owner of the bitch has such time and facilities available. Members should allow their males to be used only if certain that both dog and bitch have something to offer towards the improvement of the breed, not just for stud fees. They should be prepared to assist in finding suitable homes for the puppies.
9. No member should breed a litter unless he is reasonably sure of finding homes for the puppies. No puppies should leave the breeder before the age of eight weeks at least. No bitch should be bred until physically mature.
10. No puppies should be sold to dealers, pet shops, laboratories, security firms or as security guard dogs or to persons known to sell puppies to any of the above. Nor should stud services be provided to such persons. Knowledge of such sales should be reported to the committee. It is recommended that no puppies should be sold to areas overseas that do not have similar standards of animal welfare to our own. If in doubt, check with the Club.
11. Prospective buyers of puppies should be screened for suitability and should be advised of the characteristics of the Irish Wolfhound as a breed. The breeder should encourage the prospective owners to feed the puppy correctly and endeavour to monitor its progress and encourage the owner to keep in touch with the breeder, who should be prepared to take back any hound whose home may no longer be able to cope or to contact the Club’s Rescue Service.
12. Members should only sell animals, which to the best of their knowledge are in good health at the time of the sale.
13. Breeders should only sell directly to permanent homes. Members should not buy puppies from other breeders for re-sale or assist in sales in any other way for financial gain. This exempts stud fee puppies.
14. All members are encouraged to test for liver shunt before sale.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB OF IRELAND
The Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland was formed to protect and to promote the Irish Wolfhound.
All Members and Associate Members must be aware that at all times they represent the Club and are ambassadors for the Irish Wolfhound Breed.
Members are role models for the juvenile Members of the Club and as such they should act accordingly and lead by example.
The Code of Conduct will apply to all members of the IWCI and govern them in all actions concerned with the owning, breeding, selling & exhibiting hounds; in protecting the Breed Standard; and in representing the IWCI either as a member, as a committee member, or as an officer.
Articles of this Code of Conduct
1. Members must properly house, feed, water, exercise, and when required provide appropriate veterinary care, for all hounds and canines in their care.
2. When breeding members should:
a. Only breed from stock of a good standard.
b. Only breed from bitches over 2 years of age.
c. As the owner of the stud dog be prepared to assist in the ethical sale of puppies if necessary.
d. Only release puppies to their new home when over 10 weeks of age, unless to an experienced wolfhound owner.
e. Export puppies only to countries whose standards of canine match or exceed those of Ireland.
f. Provide a written diet sheet, pedigree and kennel club registration certificate.
g. Should ensure that the puppy is microchipped.
3. Members should only sell animals to permanent homes. Members should not buy puppies from other breeders for re-sale or assist in sales in any other way for financial gain. This exempts stud fee puppies
4. To cause hurt or distress to any Irish Wolfhound, or to any other canine, whether by deliberate act or by neglect will be a breach of this Code of Conduct.
5. Members should demonstrate good sportsmanship both inside and outside the show ring. Derogatory comments made about fellow Members, appointed Judges or Stewards, or about the Club, its Officers, or Committee Members, whether made in person, in print, or via electronic means of communication, including all forms of social media will be a breach of this Code of Conduct.
6. Members must always behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to the IWCI and to the Irish Wolfhound.
The use of provocative, bullying, racist, sectarian or sexist language will not be tolerated at any time in person, in print, or via electronic means of communication. The policy with regard to Social Media is described below.
Social Media Policy
Social media has become an integral part of day to day communication for individuals as well as businesses. Social media is defined as the social interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.
Social media may include, but is not limited to, magazines, internet fora, weblogs, social blogs, social networks, podcasts, photographs or video. Its ability to capture community sentiment and shape opinions is driven by its dynamic and immediate nature.
What constitutes ethical behaviour can seem ambiguous when engaging on any social forum. However, the IWCI believes that members should uphold the highest ethical standards displaying respect, honesty and integrity.
The IWCI follows the guidelines of the IKC:
7. Members should abide by the Club Rules, Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct. Members should be reasonable & respectful and should not post malicious, misleading, or unfair content in relation to the IWCI, IWCI Members, or their hounds. Members should be accurate – any comment posted as fact should be able to be substantiated.
The same values which apply to the real world apply to the virtual world and to social media exchanges. Breaches of this Code of Conduct within Social Media will be regarded in the same way.
Breaches of the Code of Conduct
Concerns regarding conduct shall be reported in writing to the Committee of the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland care of the Hon Secretary.
If the Committee accepts that a breach may have occurred, the Member concerned will be asked for a written response and may be requested to attend a Committee Meeting to discuss and clarify the matter.
If the Committee concludes that a breach has occurred, the Committee is empowered to proceed with any of the following courses of action:
The Committee decision will be by majority vote.
If a member of the Committee reported the concern to the Committee that member will be disqualified from taking part in such a vote.
The Member under investigation will be informed in writing of the Committee’s decision.
Appealing the decision of the Committee.
The Member concerned shall have the right to have the matter discussed at a Club EGM called for this purpose.
The Member concerned must write to the Committee to register an appeal within 21 days of being informed of the Committee’s decision regarding the matter.
The Committee will set the date for the EGM in accordance with Rule 11(vii)
© Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland 2018 All rights reserved.
