Club Rules
2010
1. NAME AND OBJECTIVES
The Club shall be called the Hovawart Club of Great Britain and its objectives shall be:
a) to encourage the breeding of Hovawarts to the standard laid down by the country of origin
b) to promote and encourage activities that will enable them to be shown and worked appropriately
c) to protect the breed and further its interests in every possible way.
2. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
The Club shall consist of Patron, President, Vice Presidents, Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Membership Secretary and a committee of six and an unlimited number of Members which can include Honorary Life Members and Honorary Members, all of whom shall be interested in the Hovawart.
3. COMMITTEE
The Management of the Club shall be in the hands of the following Officers of the Club:
Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Membership Secretary and a Committee consisting of six members of whom two shall retire on a three year rotation.
Officers shall retire annually.
Members of the Committee shall be eligible for re-election every three years.
The Patron, President, Vice-Presidents shall be elected by the Committee for a period of three years subject to approval of the members at a General Meeting.
The following Officers and Committee shall have full voting rights at Committee and General meetings; Patron, President, Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Membership Secretary and the six Committee Members.
An International Hovawart Federation (IHF) Representative will be elected from the Committee.
A Litter/Breed Information Secretary will be elected by the Committee and subject to election every three years.
Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary but at least every six months.
If any member of the Committee shall have been absent from two consecutive meetings of the Committee, his/her name may be struck off the list of Committee Members and the Committee shall appoint a replacement.
A quorum for Committee Meetings shall be two Officers and three Committee members.
The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Committee in the event of positions becoming vacant between General Meetings.
Those co-opted shall only hold office until the next General Meeting of the Club at which an election of Officers and Committee takes place. Co-opted committee members shall have voting rights at committee meetings.
No individual who has been a member for less than 18 months may be elected on to the Committee.
The Committee may appoint Sub-Committees as it may deem necessary to assist in the conduct of the business of the Club. The Committee may delegate any of its functions and powers to any Sub-Committee and may likewise at any time amend or revoke such delegation. Any such Sub Committee must have a Committee Member as part of its personnel, who shall be the person responsible to the main Committee. If a member of a Sub-Committee ceases to be a member of the Club he/she shall cease to be a member of that Sub-Committee.
4. ELECTION OF MEMBERS
Membership – the Club shall consist of an unlimited number of ordinary members. There shall also be Joint membership, Family Membership, Honorary Life Membership, Honorary Members and Overseas Membership. Membership is open to all interested in the Hovawart.
Ordinary Membership – Candidates for ordinary membership shall be proposed and seconded by members of the club who have been fully paid up members for at least twelve months. An ordinary member shall be eighteen years or older, all members younger than eighteen years shall be deemed junior members.
Joint Membership – two ordinary members resident at the same address
Family Membership – two ordinary members resident at the same address and any number of children, below the age of eighteen years, resident at the same address.
Patron, President, Vice-Presidents, who have been elected by the Committee & subject to approval of the members at a General Meeting shall be exempted from paying subscriptions. They however shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership, including the right to vote at General Meetings.
Honorary Life Membership – A person may be elected an Honorary Life Member of the Club at a general meeting on the recommendation of the Committee. Notice of a proposal to elect an Honorary Life Member must appear on the Agenda of a General Meeting. Honorary Life members shall have all the rights and privileges of membership but shall not be liable to pay subscriptions.
Honorary Membership – the election of Honorary Members shall be vested in the Committee. Such members shall be exempted from paying subscriptions but nevertheless shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership save the right to vote at General Meetings and eligibility for election to the Committee or any Sub-Committee.
Overseas Membership. – A person permanently resident overseas, whether a foreign or British National, may be elected an overseas member. The election of overseas members shall be in accordance with those of ordinary members and overseas members shall enjoy all the privileges of ordinary members save the right to vote at General Meetings and eligibility for election to the Committee.
The method of election shall be by a secret ballot of the Committee, or by a show of hands and approved by the Committee whose decision shall be final. Upon election the new member will be notified accordingly by the Membership Secretary in writing and will be supplied with a copy of these Rules (which Rules the member upon election expressly agrees to be bound thereby).
Upon election the name and address of the member will be published in the next printed Newsletter or Year Book.
An up to date list of members and their addresses, must be maintained and, if so requested, made available for inspection by the Kennel Club and Members of the Club. A declaration of the number of members of the Club must be made with the Annual Returns.
5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
Officers and members of the Committee shall be elected by a ballot of members eligible to vote at General meetings.
The method shall be by either a show of hands or a paper ballot held at the General Meeting.
Timing shall be at least fifty-six days prior to the Annual General Meeting the notice should be sent out together with nomination papers. Twenty-eight days prior to the Annual General Meeting will be the closing date for receipt of the nomination papers.
Fourteen days prior to the Annual General Meeting the Agenda will be available from the Secretary on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, otherwise it will be available at the Annual General Meeting. All candidates nominated must have been paid up members for at least eighteen months.
6. VOTING RIGHTS
The Patron, President, Vice Presidents, Honorary Life Members and Ordinary Members at a General Meeting shall be entitled to vote on each motion after twelve months of membership.
Joint and Family Membership are restricted to two votes only on each motion after twelve months of membership.
Voting on resolutions that have been duly proposed and seconded for inclusion on the Agenda will be decided by the majority of the meeting either by ballot or a show of hands at the meeting. Postal or proxy voting is not allowed on such resolutions. Honorary, Overseas and Junior Members shall not be eligible to vote at General Meetings.
7. CLUB PROPERTY
The property of the Club shall be vested in the Committee. In the event of the Club ceasing to exist, a final General Meeting shall be called to decide the disposal of the Club’s assets and the outcome of the meeting notified to the Kennel Club. A final statement of certified accounts with a record of the disposal of the assets of the Club shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club within six months and the persons named as Officers and Committee of the Club on the last return furnished to the Club will be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding up of the Club.
8. CLUB ACCOUNTS
Banking Accounts shall be held in the name of the Club at Lloyds Bank & Alliance and Leicester Commercial Bank into which all revenue of the Society shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signatures of two or more Officers – Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary or Chairman.
The Rescue & Welfare Account & Health & Research Account shall be administered as separate accounts with the same criteria.
The accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer and will be certified annually and presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting, Certification to be carried out by one qualified accountant or by two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience. These individuals shall not be connected to the Treasurer.
9. SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription shall be such an amount as agreed by members in General Meeting and notified to the Kennel Club. All such subscriptions shall become payable in advance on 1st January each year.
No member whose subscription is unpaid is entitled to any of the privileges of membership and if the member shall fail to pay outstanding subscriptions by 1st April his/her name shall be automatically erased from the register. Acceptance back on the register will be dependent upon a new application and payment of back arrears.
10. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
Any member who shall be suspended under the Kennel Club rule A42j(5) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under Kennel Club rule A42j(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Club.
If the conduct of any member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Club, be injurious, or likely to be injurious, to the character or interests of the Club, the Committee of the Club may, at a Meeting the notice convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Club shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.
Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused Member, giving particulars of the complaint and advising of the place, date and hour of the Meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. If at that Meeting a resolution to expel is passed by a two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting, his /her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of members, and he/she shall thereupon cease for all purposes to be a member of the Club, except that he/she may within two calendar months from the date of such Meeting, appeal to the Kennel Club upon and subject to such conditions as the Kennel Club may impose.
If the Club expels any member for discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, Dog Shows, Trials or Competitions, the Club must report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within seven days and supply any particulars required.
11. FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year of the club shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
12. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a date fixed by the Committee not later than 30 June in each year.
Nature of business to be conducted:
a) to receive a report from the Committee
b) to receive the balance sheet & certified accounts for the preceding financial year.
c) to elect the Patron, President & Vice Presidents (if the posts be vacant), Officers and members of the Committee.
d) to discuss any resolution duly placed on the agenda, of which the required prior notice has been given to the Honorary Secretary.
No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those which in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting are urgent.
Members shall receive not less than fifty-six days notice in writing of the Annual General Meeting, together with nomination papers and request for resolutions for the Agenda. Resolutions for inclusion on the Agenda are required by the Honorary Secretary not less than twenty-eight days prior to the date of the General Meeting, proposed and seconded by fully paid up members with at least twelve months membership. The agenda will be available from the Secretary on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope fourteen days prior to the meeting.
A quorum for General Meetings shall be not less than two Officers, three Committee members and four Ordinary Members.
13. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Honorary Secretary if twenty members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed and requesting a Special General Meeting to do so. The Committee of the club is also empowered to call a Special General Meeting.
No business other than that detailed on the Agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting. Members shall receive 28 days notice in writing of a Special General Meeting.
14. AMENDMENTS TO RULES
The rules of the Club may not be altered except at a General Meeting, the notice for which contains specific proposal to amend the rules.
Any proposed alteration to the rules may not be brought into effect until the Kennel Club has been advised and approved the alteration. New rules or amendments introduced specifically to meet Kennel Club requirements shall be adopted immediately.
15. ANNUAL RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB
The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, Maintenance of Title Fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club whether by the secretary or by direct debit, for continuance of Registration and that by 3l July each year, other returns as stipulated in Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Registered Societies, Breed Councils, and the Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities be forwarded to the Kennel Club.
The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any changes of Secretary of the Club which may occur during the course of the year.
16. KENNEL CLUB FINAL AUTHORITY
The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the Club in all cases relevant to canine or Club matters.
The Club shall not join any other Federation of Societies or Clubs.
No person whilst an un-discharged bankrupt may serve on thee Committee of or hold any other office within a Kennel Club registered Club.
17. CODE OF ETHICS
All Members must adhere to the Code of Ethics adopted by the Hovawart Club of Great Britain (Attached as Appendix A). Any contravention of the Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action by the Hovawart Club of Great Britain in addition to any disciplinary action deemed necessary by the Kennel Club.
18. BREED SOCIETY JUDGES LIST
The Club’s Judges Sub-Committee, consisting of experienced judges within the breed, appointed by the Committee of the Club, will produce a list of Judges each year which must be submitted to the Kennel Club as part of the Annual Returns. The purpose of Breed Club Judges Lists is to indicate to interested parties those persons a Breed Club would support at differing levels of judging.
Membership of the Club is not a pre-requisite for inclusion of the list. Persons nominated for inclusion on the list shall be proposed by one Member and seconded by another, both of whom shall have been fully paid-up members for at least twelve months.
Criteria for inclusion on the Judges List shall be as listed in Appendix B.
Judges Sub-Committee members need not be members of the Club’s Committee.
Inclusion on the list will be by secret ballot of the Judge’s Sub Committee whose decision will be final. The List will expire on the 1st August each year when a new list will be completed.
Appendix A - Hovawart Club of Great Britain's General Code of Ethics.
All members of the Hovawart Club of Great Britain undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
Note: On 15.02.11 the General Committee of the Kennel Club reviewed the Kennel Club Code of Ethics as follows:
Clause 2: 'Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon who performs an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformationof the animal, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, may report such operations to the Kennel Club.'
As a Kennel Club registered Breed Club we are required to adopt the Kennel Club Code of Ethics, and this amendment will therefore be incorporated into the HCGB Code of Ethics at the 2012 AGM, in accordance with rule 14.
Club members:
1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).
14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.
15. In addition, all breeders should agree to:
15.1. Have a carefully planned breeding programme, the purpose of which is to produce dogs which are structurally and temperamentally sound and physically fit in every way. Before mating, the owner of the stud dog and brood bitch will ensure that there are suitable conditions in which to whelp and raise a litter.
15.2. Not to mate any bitch under 24 months of age. Not to mate any bitch aged 8 years or older without Kennel Club and veterinary approval and a Certificate of Health. A bitch should not be bred from at successive heats unless under specific veterinary advice in writing. All certificates must be available to the Club's committee on request. A dog over 8 years of age may be used at stud providing he is in good health and at the discretion of the owner.
15.3. To breed only from hip scored dogs or bitches, or those which have foreign grades passed for breeding. The breeder will not breed from bitches or dogs with a hip score of over 20, or where the combined score of a mating will exceed 25 in total.
15.4. Not to breed from a dog or bitch resident in the UK until a blood test has shown that the thyroid function is within the normal range valid at the date and time of the test. A copy of the result of the blood test to be forwarded to the Club Secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club's Health Register.
15.5. To breed only with dogs or bitches which comply fully with their own country of residences FCI recognised breed club's rules and ethical codes.
15.6. The Honorary Secretary of the Hovawart Club of Great Britain should be informed in writing by any member who plans a mating which contravenes the Code of Ethics. The Committee may then discuss and investigate the implications of the contravention as it sees fit.
16. Owners/Breeders will report to the Club, any instances of unsociable behaviour by dogs at shows or in any other public places. Likewise, they should be prepared to confirm or refute when asked to do so, allegations of such behaviour made by third parties.
17. If initial circumstances change and a dog has to come into rescue, the owner, breeder and stud dog owner share primary responsibility for the dogs’ welfare. The Club rescue fund will assist a dog in need where possible and when funds allow.
18. Puppy Sales
18.1. If requested by the purchaser, the breeder agrees to the puppy being examined by a qualified Veterinary Surgeon, on the breeder’s premises, to certify that the puppy/dog is healthy (buyer to meet the costs).
18.2. Breeders will undertake to help prospective buyers in their choice of dog and be ready to provide them with any assistance which they may require. They will inform prospective buyers of the special characteristics and requirements of the Hovawart, thereby encouraging caring and responsible ownership. It is the responsibility of all breeders to ensure as far as possible that their puppies go to suitable homes and that new owners are encouraged to become Club members. All breeders will ensure that prospective buyers are informed of any known defects of the dam and sire.
18.3. No puppy under any circumstances shall leave the dam below 6 weeks of age. If a puppy is sold after 12 weeks of age, it will be appropriately wormed and vaccinated. A buyer should be supplied with at least a four generation pedigree, with information on inoculations and other veterinary care the puppy/dog has had, and with the instructions on the care, feeding and training of the Hovawart.
19. Registration and Endorsements
19.1. All puppies shall be registered and their Kennel Club Registration will be endorsed "Progeny not eligible for registration" until the production of a Hip X-ray scored under the BVA/HD Scheme, showing an overall score of 20 or less when the endorsement may be lifted. This does not remove from the breeder the right to retain the endorsement should circumstances dictate. A copy of the BVA/HD scoring sheet to be forwarded to the Club's secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club's Health Register.
19.2. All breeders are to ensure that prospective buyers are informed, in writing, of the requirements which will be needed to be met before the progeny ban on each puppy is lifted and they sign an agreement to this effect.
20. Breeders should be prepared to make a donation for each puppy sold through the Club waiting list.
21. The Club Member agrees to co-operate with the Hovawart Club of Great Britain, and participate in its aim to further the interests of the Hovawart in all aspects whether that be breeding, showing working, pet ownership or any other roles which is suitable to the temperament of the breed. All Members shall exhibit good manners and sportsmanship when the breed is in the public eye. All members are expected to agree to work together in unity as far as is possible for the sake of the breed, putting the good and preservation of the breed above personal preferences and agreeing that honesty is the best policy.
Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
Appendix B - HOVAWART CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN – JUDGES CRITERIA
It is a pre-requisite for inclusion on these lists that critiques are submitted as is customary to the dog press.
A3 List (Breed Specialists)
1. Minimum of 7 years judging experience in the breed and have the support of the HCGB
2. To have judged at one breed club show.
3. To have judged a minimum of 15 classes
4. To have judged a minimum of 50 dogs
5. To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer and passed the relevant examination on Kennel Club Regulations and Judging Procedures.
6. To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer of Confirmation and Movement.
7. To have attended and passed a Hands on Assessment delivered by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer (C & M).
8. To have attended at least one Hovawart Club of Great Britain breed specific judging seminar run in accordance with the relevant Kennel Club Code of Best Practice and passed an examination/or assessment where applicable, within the last 10 years.
9. To have bred and or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their 1st entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book (save in exceptional circumstances).
10. To have stewarded over a minimum of 12 days.
A3 List (Non-Specialists)
1. Minimum of 7 years judging experience in any one breed (to include 5 years in this breed) and have the support of the HCGB
2. To have judged a minimum of 15 classes in this breed.
3. To have judged a minimum of 50 dogs in this breed.
4. To have awarded CC’s in at least one other breed.
5. To have attended at least one Hovawart Club of Great Britain breed specific judging seminar run in accordance with the relevant Kennel Club Code of Best Practice and passed an examination/or assessment where applicable, within the last 10 years.
B List (Breed Specialist)
1. To have 5 years experience owning and exhibiting in this breed and 3 years judging in this breed and to have the support of the HCGB
2. To have judged 9 classes of this breed at Open Shows or Championship Shows without CC’s
3. To have judged 27 dogs of this breed.
4. To have attended at least one breed specific judging seminar and passed an assessment where applicable.
B List (Non Specialists)
1. Minimum of five years judging experience in any one breed and have the support of the HCGB
2. To have judged 10 classes of this breed at Open Shows or Championship Shows.
3. To have judged 30 of this breed.
To have attended at least one breed specific judging seminar and passed an assessment where applicable.
C List (Breed Specialists)
For aspirant judges who have shown an interest in the breed and have the support of the HCGB. Listings would normally include persons who have judged the breed at Limited and Open Shows but do not yet qualify for the B Lists.
C List (Non Specialists)
For aspirant judges who have shown an interest in the breed and have the support of the HCGB. Listing would normally include persons who have judged the breed at Limited and Open Shows but do not yet qualify for the B Lists.
