Remember, the puppy you select will live with you for many years. It is important that you feel comfortable with the breeder from whom you acquire the puppy and that you feel able to call upon the breeder for support and guidance throughout the dog's life.

Puppy buyers are encouraged to carefully research all breeders. While responsible breeders do their best to avoid health problems, no breeder can guarantee 100% against health problems.

• Breed only dogs and bitches that exhibit and produce sound, stable temperaments.

• Research pedigrees to better understand and mitigate health risks.

• Obtain passing health clearances on their breeding stock and choose breeding partners who likewise have received passing clearances, particularly for CHIC required tests (CHIC required tests currently include hips, elbows and eyes).

• Breed only those dogs and bitches not affected by Osteochondrosis (OCD) or degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the shoulder.

• Breed only those dogs and bitches not exhibiting seizures.

• Maintain a safe, healthy environment for bitch and puppies.

• When dogs are maintained in cages within the house, as happens with many small breeds (terriers, toys, and so on) these must be of sufficient size for the dog to lie down, stand up and turn around comfortably, and allow the dog to defecate away from the sleeping area.

• All dogs require adequate exercise space should be provided.

• There must be some part of the sleeping area where the dog is able to enjoy a minimum temperature of 50 degree F and a maximum temperature of 79 degree F. The difficulty of maintaining the ideal temperature is acknowledged, however these are realistic temperatures and should not be exceeded in normal circumstances. Puppies under two weeks of age should be kept at a temperature between 79 to 82 degree F.

• During daylight hours, light must be provided to exercise and sleeping areas so that all parts are clearly visible. Where practicable this should be natural light.

• Provide the dogs with suitable food, drink and bedding material.

• Take reasonable precautions to prevent and control the spread among dogs of infectious or contagious diseases.

• Take necessary steps for the protection of the dogs in case of fire or other emergency.

• Take all appropriate steps to secure that the dogs will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding material and adequately exercise when being transported to or from the breeding establishment.

• Bitches are not mated if they are less than one year old.

• Bitches do not give birth to more than six litters of puppies each.

• Bitches do no give birth to puppies before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the day on which they last gave birth to puppies.

• Not sell any puppy to a pet store, broker or through any auction or raffle.

• Carefully screen puppy buyers to ensure that the buyer has the knowledge, environment and facilities to properly care for the animal.

• Support puppy buyers and be willing to take back any puppy during its lifetime.

• Disclose to puppy buyers any other health issues.

That accurate records in a form prescribed by regulations are kept at the premises and made available for inspection there by any officer of the local authority, or any veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner, authorised by the local authority to inspect the premises.