Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America, Inc.

Epilepsy Registry Form

As fellow Welsh Springer Spaniel owners, we realize the distress you are feeling and we want to thank you for your help in gathering data that may let us eliminate this problem from our breed’s future. Members of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America hold the protection and future well-being of the breed as one of their primary obligations. Please answer as many of the questions as you can, but don’t worry if you don’t know some answers. If necessary, the club will contact you for further information. If possible, please attach a three generation pedigree and a copy of the AKC Registration Certificate to this form. Thank you! Mail to: Karen Lyle, Secretary, WSSCA, W254 N4989 McKerrow Drive, Pewaukee, WI 53072Code of Ethics

General Conduct

The Epilepsy Registry Form is designed to facilitate analysis of epilepsy and other factors that can lead to seizing dogs.Members of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America hold the protection of the breed as their primary obligation. This form contains a statement for you to sign that allows the club to disclose the information that you submit if your dog meets the registry qualifications. Initially, we will publish two lists. One will be for dogs that have had a seizure that seems likely due to hereditary causes. The other is for dogs that have produced these epileptic offspring.

They shall conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on themselves, the breed and the WSSCA.

All members must abide by the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club, the Constitution and Bylaws of the WSSCA and this Code of Ethics.

Members must observe the highest standards of sportsmanship and goodwill at all events involving Welsh Springer Spaniels. They must be willing to spend time educating the public on the characteristics of the Welsh Springer Spaniel and responsible dog ownership.

Members must be responsible dog owners. They shall provide for the health and welfare of their dogs by treating them humanely, providing adequate food, water, shelter, and routine veterinary care.

No member shall tolerate the maltreatment or misuse of any Welsh Springer Spaniel. Should a member become aware of such maltreatment or misuse, they must intercede if possible, notify law enforcement authorities if appropriate, and notify the WSSCA of the circumstances as soon as possible.

If a member becomes aware of a Welsh Springer Spaniel held in a pound, SPCA, or Humane Society shelter, they must immediately notify the WSSCA rescue committe.

Advertising

All written and oral representations of show wins, puppies, adults, and stud services, as well as comparisons with other peoples’ dogs and breeding programs must be factual, honest, and not misleadingIf you own, or co-own, a dog who has seized, or who has produced offspring that seized, you may fill out and submit the form. If you co-own the dog, the co-owner(s) should sign the submission as well. You may also submit this form without the co-owner's signature, in which case the club will contact the co-owner. You may attach another page if you need more room for any response

Breeding

All breeders must keep accurate records in accordance with AKC requirements.

Standard and Genetics

A member must not attempt breeding until they are able to distinguish between correct and incorrect conformation by studying the AKC breed standard and representative dogs. The prospective breeder must also learn the basic principles of genetics, and apply them to the pedigrees of the intended stud dog and brood bitch. Any member who contemplates breeding Welsh Springer Spaniels must be thoroughly familiar with the current body of knowledge regarding inheritable conditions such as hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

The breeding must be planned to conserve and improve the conformation, health, temperament, and working ability -- while not sacrificing one for the sake of the others. Breeders must strive to reduce faults and produce healthy dogs of high quality and sound temperament in accordance with the AKC breed standard.

Breeders shall breed only animals that are in good health and who are physically and temperamentally sound. A breeder must not breed a dog or bitch that is known to have, or is strongly suspected of having, a serious inheritable disease or defect.

The breeder must check the radiographic hip status of the breeding stock before producing a litter.

Brood Bitches

Bitches should not be bred before the age of two years and should not be bred more than twice in any three consecutive seasons. The physical and mental well-being of the bitch is the primary concern.

(continued on reverse)

Stud Dogs

The stud dog owner shall consider the health, hip and eye evaluations, and pedigree of the bitch prior to agreeing to provide stud services.

The stud dog owner shall confirm that the bitch’s owner is aware of the effort required to produce and care for a litter, and that they have ethical standards regarding puppy placement.

If the owner of the bitch is not the person who bred the bitch, the stud dog owner must make every reasonable effort to contact the breeder of the bitch in order to check for genetic problems and breeding restrictions. If a purchase contract exists between the bitch’s owner and her breeder, the stud dog owner must not breed contrary to restrictions.

The stud dog owner must not breed to a bitch with an AKC limited registration, or with no AKC papers.

Puppies

Conscientious breeding demands prior consideration of the time and expense involved in raising a litter of healthy puppies. Breeders must take responsibility for the lives that they produce, and recognize the considerable effort involved in placing puppies in caring homes. As the breeder of a dog, you are morally and financially responsible for the disposition of dogs that your buyers can no longer keep.

If there are limitations on breeding or transfer, these terms will be covered in a written contract signed by both parties.

Puppies that are not of show/breeding quality must be sold with a Limited Registration. Full-Registration puppies shall be sold only to people whom the breeder feels will ascribe to our Code of Ethics and are aware of their responsibility to the future of our breed.

Puppies will not be released or shipped to their new homes before they have reached the age of eight weeks. The member will provide the new owner with a three (or more) generation pedigree and a health record. Novice buyers will be provided with complete instructions on diet, training, and care. The breeder must also provide the new owner an AKC registration application or transfer form, unless their purchase contract agrees to withholding papers.

Placements

No member will sell, consign, transfer, or broker either puppies or adults to unethical breeders, puppy mills, pet shops, commercial dealers, research laboratories, a person who will not provide proper care and environment, or a person who may use the dog in a way that would be detrimental to the breed.

No member will allow a Welsh Springer to be used as a prize in a contest, raffle, or lottery.

No member shall put a puppy or dog in a pound, SPCA, or humane society shelter.

Discipline

Violations of this Code of Ethics will subject a member to disciplinary action in accordance with the WSSCA Constitution and Bylaws..

Information About You

Your Name:

Mailing Addresses:

City, State, ZIP:

Home Area Code & Telephone Number:

E-Mail Address:

Information About Your Dog

Registered Name of your dog:

Call name:AKC Registration Number:

Date of Birth:Sex:

Date of First Seizure:

Date of Death (if applicable):

Co-owner’s name, if any:

Registered Name of Sire:

Registered Name of Dam:

Name of Breeder:

Breeder’s Address:

Breeder’s Home Area Code & Telephone Number:

Has your dog been bred? Yes No

If so, has he or she produced seizing offspring?Yes No

If you answered the above question ‘Yes’ and your dog has not had a seizure, you may skip the Medical History/Lab Workup sections and go directly to Any Additional Comments.

Your Dog’s Medical History

  • Were all the vaccinations current during puppyhood and as an adult, especially distemper? Yes No
  • Any history of trauma, such as being hit by a car or falling that caused a loss of consciousness? Yes No
  • Any severe medical illnesses, such as uterine infection, temperature over 104, or liver/heart disease?Yes No

  • Briefly describe the seizure(s):
  • Did the seizures type or interval change? Yes No
  • Was the seizure associated with any event that could have triggered the episode -- For example, a heat cycle or pregnancy? Yes No If applicable, how long after the cycle or pregnancy did a seizure occur?
  • What, if any, medications were used? What was the response? Were any blood tests done to measure response?

Your Dog’s Laboratory Workup

If possible, the blood work performed should include the following tests Although this is not mandatory, the information is very helpful. If the dog was put down to end pain or if funds were not available to do the blood tests, the form should still be submitted. Feel free to ask your veterinarian’s advice as well as the aid of our Board of Directors or the Head of the Health Committee. You may contact them through the club secretary at the address on the front of the form.

CBC(complete blood count)

SGPT

Total protein

BUN

Calcium

Glucose

Sodium

Potassium

Chloride

T4 (Thyroid)

If copies of laboratory work related to seizing are available, please attach; otherwise, circle the appropriate response if known:

White blood cell count:HighNormalLowAttending Veterinarian:

Blood sugar level:HighNormalLowVet Hospital:

Liver tests:HighNormalLowAddress::

Kidney tests: HighNormalLow

Blood lead: HighNormalLowPhone:

List any other tests that may have been performed:

Any additional comments

If you would like, include a short paragraph to explain the circumstances surrounding the seizure episode, or anything else you would like to put in the record.

Certification

I understand that by signing this form I affirm that the information that I have given is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and I agree that any or all of the information may be disclosedI have read and understand the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America's Official Code of Ethics, and accept them as my own. I agree to conduct myself at all times in accordance with them.

Owner

X Date

Co-owner X Date

X Date

X Date