1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when needed.
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 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 a commercial dog wholesale, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind.
14. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as standalone items (not accompanying a dog).
15. 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.
16. Abide by the Constitution and Rules of UKDP and the Kennel Club.
17. Keep accurate breeding records, registration papers ad pedigrees.
18. Breeding agreements: All stud services and sales arrangements shall be mutually agreed upon, stating in writing and signed by all parties concerned.
19. All advertising shall be honest and not in any way misrepresent or fraudulent.
20. Encourage all breeding stock to be tested for Hip Dysplasia, PHPV and vWD under KC/BVA recognized schemes.
21. Encourage permanent identification, tattoo, micro chipping and/or DNA profiling.
22. Only Kennel Club registered Dobermanns to be used for breeding.
23. All dogs offered at stud to be in good health and free from communicable diseases and serious faults as listed in the breed standard and will not mate a bitch in contravention of item 24.
24. No bitch shall be bred from more often than once per 12 (twelve calendar month period or mated before 2 (two) years of age), and shall be in good health and free from communicable diseases and serious faults as listed in the breed standard. No bitch to have more than 4 litters and must not whelp after her 7th birthday.
25. Honestly evaluate the quality of all Dobermanns and fairly represent that evaluation. For any puppies that appear to be sub-standard, the breeders have the following options available to them:
    a. No breeding contract signed and endorsed by the KC or papers withheld.
    b. An agreement in writing by both parties to spay or castrate at an appropriate age.
26. No puppy shall leave the breeder/s under 8 (eight) weeks of age.
27. Breeders should maintain an interest in the welfare of all puppies that they breed.
28. Furnish records to each buyer of all inoculations and worming, pedigree and Kennel Club registration or transfer documents, unless written agreement is made at the time of the sale that the KC registration papers are withheld.
29. All members shall conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the ownership of the Dobermann and membership of the Breed Council.
30. Members are encouraged to train and socialise their Dobermanns. Breeders should encourage all new puppy to do the same.
31. Member Clubs of the DBC do not condone or promote the breeding of White Dobermanns or any other colours not specified in the Breed Standard.
32. All breeding stock should closely follow the official Kennel Club Standard in all aspects, with particular attention being paid to the temperament of the dogs.

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.

The Dobermann Club is the national club for the breed, and was established in 1948.  Its objects are to foster and promote the interests, welfare and good name of the breed, bearing in mind that the Dobermann is a working dog.

Each year, the Club holds a Championship Show and one Open Show and other events of interest to Dobermann owners.  Help and advice is given on obedience, working and showing with Dobermanns.  Normally each subscription carries with it an entitlement to a Yearbook.

New Members can usually purchase a copy of the current Yearbook from the Secretary. The Club Stand provides a ready source of books, badges and many other items of interest, it is present at most Club functions, and also operates a postal service.

                                                CONSTITUTION & RULES OF THE DOBERMANN CLUB

1.    NAME & OBJECTS

The Club shall be called THE DOBERMANN CLUB (hereinafter called the Club), and its objects shall be to foster and promote the interests, welfare and good name of the breed, bearing in mind that the Dobermann is a working dog.

The Club shall not be classed as a trading business, and the profits of the Club from all sources shall be devoted to the furtherance of the objects of the Club.

2.    MEMBERS

 The Club shall consist of an unlimited number of Members, Junior Members (under the age of 18 years, and provided that one parent is a fully paid-up Member), and Honorary Life Members, all of whose names and addresses shall be entered in a register kept by the Secretary.

Applicants shall become members with full rights subject to later approval of the Committee, except in Rule 6. Any NEW members joining after 1st January who are accepted by the Committee shall enjoy full membership up to 31st March of that year and including the following year, after which the membership renewal becomes due on 1st April.

The Committee may recommend for Honorary Life Membership their own and other Members’ nominations of any persons whom they consider meriting such distinction, such recommendations being subject to ratification at the Next Annual General Meeting. Honorary Life Members shall be exempt from paying the annual subscription but shall enjoy full benefits of membership.

The Club must maintain an up- to- date list of members, names, and their addresses, and make a list available for inspection if so, requested by members of the Club or by the Kennel Club.

3. SUBSCRIPTIONS

Annual subscriptions shall become payable on 1st April of each year (exempt as in Rule 2) and until further notice shall be:

Single Membership - £10.00

 Joint Membership    - £13.00

 Junior Membership   - £2.00

Any member still paying the original £6.00 senior citizens price will continue at that tariff.

Junior members (under18 years) have no voting rights, (one parent must be a fully paid-up member) All the above fees are for digital memberships only. Anyone wanting postal needs to add £3.00 which will cover the AGM Announcement and AGM paperwork postage. and anyone wanting their yearbook posting it will also be £3.00 postage.

Senior membership is only available to those eligible during 2018 at £6.

The Committee may, from time to time, recommend changes in the annual subscriptions, but such changes must be ratified at an Annual General Meeting before they can be applied.

No Member whose subscription or other debts to the Club remain unpaid shall enjoy any privilege of membership, and if any member fails to make such payments by the last day of May of the current year his name shall be erased from the register of Members. If the Committee subsequently receives a satisfactory explanation of the delay, the Member may, at the discretion of the Committee and on payment of that year’s subscription be re-admitted to membership.

4.    MANAGEMENT

The management of the Club shall be in the hands of the Officers and Committee, all of whom shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election.

The Club may elect annually as President a person of eminence within the Dobermann breed or from outside it; the Office shall be non-voting.

The Club may elect annually up to three Vice-Presidents, persons of eminence within the Dobermann breed or from outside it, the office shall be non-voting.

There shall be a Committee of up to 8 elected members, an Honorary Secretary and an Honorary Treasurer both of whom shall be ex-officio members of the Committee, all with voting rights. The Committee shall each year, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting, elect from amongst its members a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and a Membership Secretary and a Club Stand Manager.

Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary by the Chairman or the Secretary, or by a majority of the Committee. For the transaction of business at a Committee meeting a quorum shall be ten members, of whom at least eight shall be elected Committee members. Committee members will be given notice in a timely manner or a meeting stating place or format (WhatsApp, Zoom etc.) date and time.

Any Officer or Committee member who, without reasonable cause, fails to attend three consecutive meetings may be suspended from the Committee.

Where a member has previously been elected an officer or member of the general committee and has resigned from that office or the general committee once within the term elected on matters affecting the management of the Club, he/she shall be ineligible to stand for election as an officer or member of the general committee for a period of five years from the date of the following Annual General Meeting.

At each meeting of the Committee, the Hon. Treasurer shall bring for inspection the accounts of the Club along with the relevant bank statements.

No person shall be eligible for election as an Officer or Committee member if that person is currently serving in a like capacity with another Dobermann Club.

No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee or hold any other office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Society.

Computerised list of members will be supplied.

4.     

    5. POWERS OF COMMITTEE

The Committee shall have the power to call meetings, to make necessary bylaws and rescind the same, to arbitrate in matters of dispute within the Club, to deal at absolute discretion with the funds and property of the Club, and to settle a question or matter not at present provided for in these Rules. Any decision taken under this Rule shall remain operative until the following Annual General Meeting.

The Committee shall, in respect of a vacancy on the Committee, have the power co-opt members, up to a maximum of two, to fill such vacancies. A similar procedure shall apply to the Sub- Committees, but only one Member may be so co-opted onto a one Sub-Committee. No co-opted members shall stand for re-election automatically.

The Committee shall have the power to appoint Sub-Committees (other than provided for under Rule 8) and Trustees, to carry out specific activities, composed Committee members and/or other Members of the Club with suitable qualifications. For liaison purposes the Chairman of any such Sub-Committee shall be invited attend all relevant meetings of the main Committee but, unless he is also a member of the main committee, without voting rights. A Trustee may be removed from office normally at an Annual General Meeting, on the recommendation of the Committee.

The Committee shall have the power to consult with or obtain advice and assistance from any person, including attendance at General and/or Committee Meetings, whether a Club Member or not, in furtherance of the objects of the Club.

6.    VOTING

At all Committee meetings each Officer, except as under Rule 4, and each Member and at any General Meeting each Club Member, except as under Rule 4 and Junior Members, shall have one vote on each motion. In the event of a tie at Committee Meeting, the Chairman shall have an additional casting vote.

At all Club meetings, a motion shall be, carried by a simple majority of those present and voting, except where the motion concerns a change of rule.

Votes may be, cast either by ballot or by a show of hands. In the latter case, a count shall be, held if, in the opinion of the Chairman, the result is not evident.

No Member shall participate in any Club vote at any Club meeting until three calendar months have expired since their application to join was, accepted by the Committee.

7.    ELECTION OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE

Officers and Committee members retiring as under Rule 4 shall, if they wish stand for re-election, so notify the Secretary in writing at least 42 clear days prior the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

New nominations, which must be, proposed and seconded by fully paid-up Members in writing and accompanied by the written agreement to stand of the nominee, shall reach the Secretary at least 28 clear days before the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

No person may be, nominated to be a member of The Dobermann Club committee unless they have been a fully paid- up member of The Dobermann Club for at least 12 months.

A candidate for election or his proposer/seconder shall be, deemed paid-up if his subscription is, received on or before the last day of February in the current year.

In the event of insufficient nominations to the Committee and/or Sub- Committees being received, the requisite additional names shall be, nominated from the floor at the Annual General Meeting.

Elections shall be by secret ballot of those Members present at an Annual General Meeting (except as in Rules 4, 5 & 6).

Any Club Member who is, entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting may vote by proxy in an election for Officers, Committee and Sub-Committee members provided:

1. such member applies to the Secretary in writing, at least 28 clear days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, for a proxy form AND
2. such Member returns the proxy form duly completed and signed so as to reach the Secretary at least seven clear days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting AND
3. the proxy is a Member of the Club who is entitled to vote at an Annual General Meeting and does not hold proxy for more than one Member of the Club.

The Secretary will hand a ballot form to the proxy at the AGM on which the proxy can vote. The Secretary shall keep a register of all proxy forms received and of ballot papers subsequently issued.

8.    GENERAL MEETINGS

A Special General Meeting may be called as often as the Committee shall decide.

The Secretary shall convene a Special General Meeting if 50 or more Members submit a clearly signed application for such a meeting stating the business to be transacted, other than which no matters may be discussed. All members shall receive at least 14 clear days’ notice of a Special General Meeting, giving the date, time and place. In dealing with a case of expulsion, the Secretary shall take any additional action required under Rule 15.

Voting procedures shall be similar to those for AGMs. An AGM shall be held not later than 30th June in each year for the following purposes:

1. To pass the Minutes of the previous General Meetings.
2. To receive reports from the Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer.
3. To receive annual accounts.
4. To elect Officers & Committee, and Honorary Life Members.
5. To elect a Working Tests Sub-Committee of no more than eight Members.
6. To elect an Obedience Sub-Committee of no more than eight Members.
7. To elect a Land Sub-Committee of no more than 12 Members.
8. To appoint auditors, of whom there shall be two unless one is professionally qualified when he alone shall suffice.
9. To consider items previously submitted for the agenda.

At an AGM only that business appearing on the published agenda may be dealt with, except for matters of routine or those considered by the Chairman to be of sufficient urgency.

At least 42 days’ notice of the date, time and place of an AGM shall be given to the Members, and all items for the agenda must be received in writing by the Secretary at least 28 clear days before the meeting.

General Meetings may be attended only by fully paid-up Members and Honorary Life Members, and for the transaction of business at these meetings a quorum shall be 30 or 5% of the membership (whichever is the lower) who are entitled to vote. The membership would be that recorded immediately preceding the A.G.M. or S.G.M.

9.    MINUTES OF MEETINGS

The Minutes of all Club meetings shall be prepared by the Secretary for agreement by the Chairman. They shall be circulated as required before the next similar meeting, at which they shall be confirmed by vote and signed by the Chairman. Club records so confirmed shall be available for inspection by any.

Member entitled to vote, after reasonable notice has been given in writing to the Secretary.

Members shall be allowed to give notice to the Secretary, within 14 days of an AGM of their wish to receive minutes of Committee meetings for the ensuing year. The notice shall be accompanied by £3 and eight stamped and addressed envelopes.

10.     CLUB ACCOUNTS

The Club’s financial year shall run from 1st April to 31st March. A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Club, to which all income shall be credited. Withdrawals shall be made only by any two of the Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, or Chairman. No cheques are to be signed until made out in full to the payee.

All expenses incurred by the Secretary, Treasurer, Show Manager or any other Member of the Club so authorised by the Committee shall be reimbursed from the Club funds.

The books of accounts shall be kept by the Hon. Treasurer who shall prepare the annual accounts along with the relevant bank statements for certification by the auditors and circulated to Members on request at least fourteen clear days prior to each AGM, with the AGM Agenda. Those certifying the accounts must be independent of the committee.

An annual stocktake to be undertaken by the Club Stand Manager at the year end. During the year two notifiable stock checks to be carried out.

11.    SHOWS, WORKING TESTS, TRAINING & OBEDIENCE AND LAND

A Show Manager shall be appointed by the Committee from among its members to organise Shows and similar functions as deemed expedient by the Committee.

The venues of such events shall be decided by the Committee, bearing in mind the need for varying locations over as wide an area as conditions permit.

The Working Tests Sub-Committee shall organise Club Tests as often as it considers desirable. Tests for individual dogs shall be available at the discretion of the Sub Committee. Minutes of its meetings shall be recorded and submitted to the main Committee for approval/action and lodged in the Club Minute Book.

The Training & Obedience Sub-Committee shall organise obedience training and competitions. Minutes of its meetings shall be recorded and submitted to the main Committee for approval/action and lodged in the Club Minute Book.

The Land Sub-Committee shall, in co-operation with the Trustees where necessary, recommend action in respect of purchase of land and in respect of the development, maintenance and usage of that land that is the property of the Club. Minutes of its meetings shall be recorded and submitted to the main Committee for approval/action and lodged in the Club Minute Book. The Deeds to the Land to be deposited by the Hon. Treasurer in the Clubs Bank. In respect of all Sub-Committees, the Club Treasurer has overall responsibility in all financial matters.

12.    CUPS, TROPHIES AND SPECIAL AWARDS

A Cup Steward shall be appointed by the Committee from among its members and shall be responsible for keeping records of awards and signatures of their recipients. All cups and trophies donated to the Club shall be deemed to be the sole property of the Club and it is only under this condition that they shall be accepted. Each cup or trophy shall be awarded in accordance with the wishes of the donor, subject to the Committee’s agreement, and shall not be re-allocated without the written consent of the donor. In the event of the donor being untraceable, the Committee may, after a period of six months, make any change deemed to be in the interests of the Club.

Cups, Trophies and Special Awards shall, unless specifically stated otherwise, be available only to fully paid-up Members. If the winner is a non-member, no award shall be made on that occasion.

13.    JUDGES

Judges for all Club Shows shall be appointed by the Committee on the basis of a simple majority vote. Any fully paid-up Member may submit in writing to the Secretary a nomination of a Judge, and it shall receive due consideration.

Nominations for additions to all the Club’s Judging lists shall be in accordance with the relevant Breed Council’s criteria and must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary on the correct application form.

14.    BRANCHES

The Committee may, at its discretion, approve the setting up of a Branch or of Branches where it considers it necessary and in the best interests of the Members in a particular area. Such Branches shall be run constitutionally on the lines of the parent Club, each with its own Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and Committee.

Accounts shall be kept by each Branch and submitted to the main Committee each year in time for publication with the parent Club’s accounts. The elected Committee of any Branch shall include at least one member of the parent Club’s Committee, or one of its Officers. Minutes of all Branch meetings shall be kept and shall be available to the Club Committee as required.

The Club Committee shall have the power to wind up the affairs of any Branch which it considers is not being constitutionally conducted or sufficiently supported. All Branches shall be financially self-supporting.

15.    EXPULSION OF MEMBERS

Any Member who shall be disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A11.j. (5) and/or Kennel Club Rule A11.j.(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 the place, date and hour of the Meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. If at the 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 Society 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 condition as the Kennel Club may impose.

16.    ANNUAL RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB

The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, the Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the Secretary for continuance of Registration and that by 31st July each year, other returns, as stipulated in Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Societies and 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 Society that may occur during the course of the year.

17.    WINDING UP

In the event of the Club ceasing to exist, for any reason, the donors of the Cups and Trophies shall be consulted, where possible, and each Cup and Trophy shall be disposed of in accordance with the wishes of the donor.

A meeting of the Committee shall be called to decide on the disposal of any assets remaining after all the Club’s liabilities have been discharged. The Kennel Club shall be notified as soon as a decision is made to wind up the Club, and within six months of such date the Kennel Club shall be supplied with a final statement of accounts and a record showing the disposal of all Club property.

18.    FEDERATION OF CLUBS

The Club may not join any Federation of Societies or Clubs, other than the United Kingdom Dobermann Partnership.

19.    ALTERATION OF RULES

The Rules of the Club may not be altered except at an AGM or a Special General Meeting, notice of which includes details of the proposal/s to alter the Rules.

That all rule changes must be carried by a minimum of a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.

20.    KENNEL CLUB AUTHORITY

The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Constitution and Rules of the Club, and in all cases relating to canine and Club matters.