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.

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.

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.
An Officer of the Committee can only hold one Officer role at one time. Chairman, Honorary
Secretary and Honorary Treasurer roles should not be held by persons in a partnership or
relationship at the same time.
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.

Membership – the Club shall consist of an unlimited number of ordinary Members. There shall
also be Life Membership, Joint Membership, Family Membership, Honorary Life Membership,
Honorary Members and Overseas Membership. Membership is open to all interested in the
Hovawart.
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/email and will be supplied with a
copy of these Rules (which Rules the Member upon election expressly agrees to be bound
thereby).

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.

Life Membership – Ordinary members can convert their membership to Life Membership on
payment of the appropriate one-off life subscription fee. Any previous membership fees paid
are non-refundable. For all voting purposes these members are classed as Ordinary 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 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.

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. If
the meeting is held by virtual means then a voting system approved by the committee in
advance and in general use may be allowed.

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.

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. If the meeting is held by virtual means then a voting system approved by the
committee in advance and in general use may be allowed. If a resolution is likely to be
considered contentious then a virtual system or meeting will not be allowed, the final decision
on this to be taken by the committee. Postal or proxy voting is not allowed on such resolutions. 
Honorary, Overseas, Complimentary and Junior Members shall not be eligible to vote at
General Meetings

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.

Banking Accounts shall be held in the name of the Club at any FSA regulated bank approved
by the committee 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. The certified accounts will be made available on
request to Members fourteen days prior to the AGM. 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.

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.

Any member who shall be disqualified under the Kennel Club Rule A11j (5) and/or under
Kennel Club Rule A11j (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.

The financial year of the club shall be from 1st January to 31st December.

The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a date fixed by the Committee not later than 30
June in each year. This meeting may be held by virtual means if the Committee consider it
appropriate. If this is the case then registration for attendance in advance will be required as
set out by the committee and all attendees must be identifiable at the meeting.

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 or by email 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

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. This meeting may be held by virtual means if the Committee consider it appropriate. If
this is the case, then registration for attendance in advance will be required as set out by the
committee and all attendees must be identifiable at the 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 or by email of a Special General
Meeting.

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.

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.

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 the Committee of or hold any other
office within a Kennel Club registered Club.

All Members must adhere to the Code of Ethics adopted by the Hovawart Club of Great Britain
(Appendix A below). 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

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.

All members of the Hovawart Club of Great Britain undertake to abide by its general Code of
Ethics.

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 who performs an operation
on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who carries out a
caesarean section on a bitch, may report such operations 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 be microchipped 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. The blood
test should include Free T4, Total T4, Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAA) and cTSH,
and should be conducted no more than 2 years prior to the mating. Breeders should
be aware that the results may be affected by various drug therapies, and bitches
being in season. It is recommended that if a blood test shows an equivocal result it
should be repeated 6 months later.

15.5. Not to breed from a dog or bitch until a DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy
(DM) has been performed, and a copy of the DNA result forwarded to the Club
Secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club’s Health Register.
No dog should automatically be excluded from breeding on the basis of a result, but
matings should be planned to avoid the production of offspring with a double copy of
the affected SOD1 gene and therefore considered to be more at risk of developing
DM.

15.6. 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.

15.7. 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.

15.8. Adopt the standards of the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme as the
minimum expected for Members who breed a litter and/or have a dog at stud”.

15.9. Members intending to breed a litter should supply all health test results to the
Honorary Secretary of the Hovawart Club of Great Britain for both stud dog and bitch
before a mating occurs including overseas/cross border matings.

15.10. Where a mating is conducted by Artificial Insemination using semen from a
deceased dog the dog should have conformed to all health test requirements in place
during the dog’s lifetime, and copies of the results should be made available to the
Honorary Secretary of the Hovawart Club of Great Britain. Note should also be taken
of any hereditary disease exhibited by the dog or its siblings or offspring after the
semen was collected.

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, a normal
thyroid test result, and a degenerative myelopathy genetic test 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.

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 30 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 30 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.

Note : For A3 list, attendance at breed seminar is preferable but not mandatory, if you award
CC’s already in at least 3 other breeds ( KC Guidelines.

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 10 classes of this breed at Open Shows or Championship Shows without
CC’s.
3. To have judged 15 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 15 of this breed.
4. To have attended at least one breed specific judging seminar and passed an assessment
where applicable.

Requirements 1 and 2 of the B List (Non-Specialist) will be waived for judges who are
previously approved by the Kennel Club to judge the Working Group at Championship Shows,
provided that requirement 4 is met.

C List – for judges who have met the requirements of JEP Level 1.

Requirements to meet this level:

• Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs.
• Attend a requirements of a dog show judge seminar (but not mandatory to take and
pass examination).
• Attend a conformation and movement seminar
• Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments.

Eligibility to judge.
• Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) or five (six if one is a puppy class) for
stud book band E breeds for any breed at limited or open shows.