Section 1. This association is not for profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of California and the name of this association pursuant to its certificate of incorporation is the Irish Red and White Setter Association.

This Code of Ethics is devised in accordance with the aims and objectives of the Irish Red and White Setter Association. It outlines the essentials of responsible behavior for the Irish Red and White Setter owners and potential breeders, whose foremost aim should be the welfare of their dogs and of the breed. All members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with this Code of Ethics.

1. Members will consider the welfare of their dogs and the Breed above any personal gain or profit, and should take responsibility for any dogs they own and provide for the welfare of all dogs bred by them for the lifetime of those dogs in the event of a dog is in need of re-homing.
2. Members should at all times conduct themselves in such a way as not to bring discredit to the Breed or Association. Members should not deliberately disparage other owners, exhibitors or breeders, or their dogs, and should act at all times in a polite and sportsmanlike manner and with courtesy to judges, officials and fellow exhibitors alike and should accept decisions made with good grace and dignity.
3. Members when advertising should not misrepresent themselves or their stock, state only the facts, not offer IR&WS at bargain prices, or in any way encourage raising IR&WS as a moneymaking enterprise. Members should follow good business practices and ethics in sale and breeding contracts and should honor all agreements. Written agreements are encouraged.

A breeder shall be defined as any member who breeds his bitch or offers his stud dog at public stud.

1. Members should breed only with the intention of improving the breed, planning each litter with this goal in mind, using parents of appropriate qualities in relation to the official standard.
2. Members should abide by the rules and regulations of the AKC and should comply with all AKC requirements regarding litter and individual recordkeeping. Whenever possible, all dogs/bitches & litters should be registered with AKC-FSS.
3. Members should take advantage of any relevant or official scheme devised to test a dogs soundness, and use for breeding, only those dogs and bitches free from hereditary defects such as hip-dysplasia, hereditary eye-anomalies, monochidism, malocclusion or entropion eyelids.
4. Before considering a breeding, the breeder should make sure both the bitch and stud dog are certified clear of Hip Displasia and Eye Anomalies (for Eye Anomalies-within a year of intended breeding). The breeder should refrain from repeat breeding of any pair of individuals who although free from such hereditary defects, consistently produce afflicted offspring.
5. Breeders should not breed bitches under two years old nor allow their bitches to whelp more than once in any twelve month period, nor breed a bitch after her 8^th birthday.
6. Breeders should ensure that every effort is made to place puppies in suitable homes and not allow puppies to leave their premises under the age of seven weeks. Breeders should not sell to dealers or pet shops nor consign Irish Red and White Setters to commercial breeders, retailers, or research laboratories, nor supply dogs for raffles, prizes, auctions or other such projects.
7. Breeders should honestly represent the qualities and defects of any puppy to the prospective buyer. Should a problem arise, to either exchange, offer a full refund or agree on a mutual compromise.
8. Breeders should provide each puppy with the accepted course of inoculations and veterinary treatments and provide each buyer with accurate records regarding health. Breeders should provide a three-generation pedigree for IRWS being purchased.
9. Breeders should only sell Irish Red and White Setters, permit stud service, and lease stud dogs or brood bitches to individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they are in accord with this Code of Ethics.

3. Violations

Violations of this Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with the Constitution and by-laws or Standing Rules of the Irish Red and White Setter Association.

©1997, Irish Red & White Setter Association (Approved Mar. 1, 1997)