RULES OF THE MASTIFF ASSOCIATION
(as from 1st August 2012)
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1.  Name & Objects  The Association shall be called the MASTIFF ASSOCIATION and its objects shall be to encourage and promote the breeding, owning, and well-being of the Mastiff; To ensure that a continuing programme of education is undertaken; To adopt and publish the description of the standard and to urge the adoption of this standard by all breeders and judges; To undertake the guaranteeing of the Mastiff Breed classes at shows; To promote and support Breed classes at shows, and to assist members and the breed in every way compatible with their interests.

2.  Officers & Committee

The Association shall consist of a President, a maximum number of three Vice-Presidents, Chairperson, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, a Committee of eight members, and an unlimited number of members.

3.  Committee

(a)  The management of the Association shall be in the hands of the Officers of the Association and a Committee of eight members who shall retire annually.  The Officers of the Association shall be the Chairperson, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer. 

(b)  The Officers and Committee shall have full voting rights, and the Chairperson shall  have a casting vote in the event of a stalemate situation arising.

(c)  Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as necessary but at least every  three  months.

(d)  A quorum for Committee Meetings shall be five.

(e)  The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members on to 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 Association at which election of Officers and Committee takes place.

(f)  No individual who has been a member for less than one year may be elected on to the  Committee.

(g)  Any member of the Committee who fails to attend three consecutive Committee  Meetings without giving just cause for absenting him or herself shall be dismissed, and the Committee shall have the power to co-opt another member in his or her place.

(h)  No member shall be elected to the Committee of this Association who is a serving  Committee Member of any other Mastiff Society.

(i)  No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the committee of, or hold  any other office or appointment within, a K.C. Registered Society.

                                                                                                                                               
4.  Officers Honorary  All the Officers of the Association shall be honorary, and no member shall be allowed to make the Association a means of private speculation or trade or directly or indirectly derive a money benefit therefrom.

5.  Election of Members

All applications for membership must be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary who will place them before the Committee for approval.

6.  Voting Rights

Each member aged 14 years and over shall be entitled to one vote after three months membership.  Voting shall be by show of hands or as decided by the majority of the members at a meeting.

7.  Resignation of Membership

It shall be competent for any member to withdraw from the Association on sending or giving notice of his intention in writing to the Hon. Secretary.  Any member so leaving the Association shall not be entitled to receive back any money he/she had paid to the Association during his/her membership or have any claim against the Association.  Any cups, trophies etc. held by him/her shall be returned to the Secretary forthwith.

8.  Club Property

The property of the Association shall be vested in the Committee.  In the event of the Association ceasing to exist, a 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.  All challenge cups etc. which have not been won outright at the time of dissolution shall be returned to the donors, their heirs or assigns.  All challenge cups and trophies at shows to be held by the winning members at the Committee's decision of time limit, when they must be returned to the Hon. Secretary.
      
9. Club Accounts/Auditors  A banking account shall be held in the name of the Association at the TSB Bank plc, into which all revenue of the Association shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signatures of two Officers of the Committee as specified in Rule 3(a) thereof, or as the Committee may decide.  The Hon. Treasurer shall maintain the accounts and present them, after they have been certified in accordance with K.C. regulations currently in force, in the form of a financial report and Statement to members at each Annual General Meeting. The A.G.M. shall appoint appropriate persons to certify the Association's accounts for the ensuing year.

10. Subscriptions  The Annual Subscription shall be such amount as agreed by members in General Meeting and notified to the Kennel Club.  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 three months of the date due, then his/her name shall be automatically erased from the Membership Register.  Acceptance back onto the Register will be dependent upon a new application and payment of arrears.

11.  Expulsion of Members

Any member who shall be suspended under K.C. Rule A42j(4) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under K.C. Rule A42(j)8 shall ipso facto cease to be a member of this Association for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification.  If the conduct of the Member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Association be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interests of the Association, the Committee of the Association may at a meeting the notice convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of a member, determine that a Special General Meeting 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 purpose to be a member of the Association 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.

12.  Financial Year/Annual General Meeting

The financial year of the Association shall be from the 1st June to 31st May.  The Annual General Meeting shall be held within a period of six weeks following the end of the financial year.

13.  Membership Register

The Association shall make a list of Members and their addresses available for inspection if so requested by the Members of the Association or by the Kennel Club.

14.  General Meetings 
(a)   To receive the Report of the Committee and Balance Sheet; to elect  Officers and Committee, and to discuss any resolution duly placed on the Agenda of which prior notice has been given to the Hon. Secretary.   No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine  matters and those which in the opinion of the Chair of the Meeting are urgent.  The Chair will normally be the Chairperson in office on 31st May prior to the Meeting.

(b)   Notice of the Meeting shall be in writing.

(c)   Notice of the Meeting shall be given by 15th March prior to such meeting.

(d)   Items for inclusion on the Agenda for the Meeting shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary by the 15th April prior to the Meeting.

(e)   Nominations for Officers and Committee of the Association shall be submitted to the Secretary by 15th April prior to the Meeting on the form provided with the Notice of the Meeting, and shall contain relevant details of the Nominee and shall be signed by the Nominee, Proposer and Seconder.  The Proposer and Seconder shall have been members of the Association for at least three months in accordance with Rule 7, and the Nominee shall have been a member for at least one year at the date of nomination in accordance with Rule 3(f).

(f)   Voting for Officers and Committee shall be by ballot of the members present at the Annual General Meeting eligible to vote in accordance with Rule 7 on the forms provided therefore.

(g)   The President of the Association shall be elected annually by ballot of the members  present at the Annual General Meeting eligible to vote in accordance with Rule 7.

(h)   Vice Presidents shall be honorary and shall be appointed at the discretion of the  Membership at the Annual General Meeting.

(i)   Ballot Papers for the election of Officers and Committee shall be circulated at the  Meeting.

15.  Special General Meetings

A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Hon. Secretary if 20 members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed and requesting a Special General Meeting to do so.  No business other than that detailed on the Agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting. The Committee of the Association is empowered to call a Special General Meeting at its discretion.

The following method of notifying members of Special General Meetings shall apply:-  The Hon. Secretary shall notify all members in writing at least 28 days prior to the date arranged for such meeting.

16.  Amendments to Rules 
The Rules of the Association may not be altered except at a General Meeting, the Agenda for which contains specific proposals to amend the Rules.  Any proposed alterations to the Rules may not be brought into effect until the Kennel Club has been advised and approved the alterations.

17.  Place of Meeting

Meetings of the Association shall be held at any time or place as arranged by the Hon. Secretary at the direction of the Committee.

18.  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 by the Hon. Secretary for continuance of Registration; and that by 31st July in 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 shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club.

The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of:-

 (i)   the month in which the Association's Annual General Meeting is held, and to notify the Kennel Club of any subsequent amendments to that date.

 (ii)  any change of Hon. Secretary which may occur during the course of the year. 

19.  Kennel Club Final Court of Appeal

The Kennel Club shall be the final court of appeal in all matters of dispute.

20.  Federations

The Association shall not join any Federation of Societies or Clubs.

21.  Judges

At all shows where classes are guaranteed by the Association either on the whole or in part, the Judge must be approved by the Association.

22.  Nomination of Judges

Whilst any member of the Association may nominate any person for consideration for the Association's list of approved judges, the responsibility for the election of such judges shall be vested in the Committee.  The Committee shall draw up a list of such judges before the Annual General Meeting but may add to, or delete from such a list as may be considered necessary between such Annual General Meetings.

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CODE OF ETHICS
(Approved by the KC w.e.f. 1st April 2011)

All members of the Mastiff Association undertake to abide by the Kennel Club’s general Code of Ethics 1 – 14 and the M.A,’s additions 15 –19 .

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, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, 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)  Will promote good public relations in respect of all Mastiffs in their ownership and must never engage in any activity which might render the breed liable to adverse media attention; and accept that leaving Mastiffs in the care of unsupervised children may have legal implications.

16)  Will promote in every way the Health and standing of the Breed and, in planning matings, the health and well-being of the bitch and stud dog shall be of prime importance and :-

    (a)  will ensure that both dog and bitch have been either DNA profiled, micro-chipped or tattooed. If DNA is chosen, and it is preferable that the owners hold certificates of proof. However, proof that DNA samples have been taken and submitted to a recognised laboratory in advance of the mating would suffice.

    (b) will ensure that a bitch shall not be mated before the age of 20 months or after her sixth birthday; and shall not produce more than two litters in a two year period.  Any bitch that has had more than three puppies shall not be mated within a six month period, and will further ensure that Mastiffs must never be mated to dogs of other breeds or unregistered Mastiffs.

    (c) will accept that it is the responsibility of the stud dog owner to ensure that they do not provide the service of a stud dog in circumstances when the Code of Ethics would knowingly be breached.

    (d)   will agree to accept that due to current litigation, breeders should make use of  Health Screening Schemes as supported by the K.C. in respect of hip-scoring as  a requirement, and elbow grading and eye testing as recommendations  (published by the K.C. through the Accredited Breeder Scheme and other current  KC health screening schemes) at the time of mating.

    (e)  will socialise the puppies and provide written advice on the continuation of  socialisation, exercise and future training with particular reference to the  KCGCDS Scheme.

    (f)    will provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice, provide written advice on  the feeding and worming of the puppy and draw up a contract of sale for each  puppy sold. 

(N.B. The contract of sale should clearly lay out to the buyer the nature and  details of any guarantee given  (e.g. time limit) and/or any provisions for refund or return and replacement of puppy. If endorsements are being used the contract  should  also  explain why these have been placed and under what circumstances they would be removed (if any). The contract should be signed and dated by both   breeder and  purchaser, showing that both have agreed to these terms)

    (g)  will commit to help, if necessary, with the re-homing of a dog, for whatever  reason, throughout the dog's lifetime

17.  Will ensure that Mastiffs shall not be sold to pet shops, dealers or through any  third party.

18.  Will ensure that Good sportsmanship shall be observed at all times.

19.  Will accept that any members aiding or abetting any other member to breach the   Code of Ethics shall be equally responsible with the offender.

20.  Will agree that where there is any evidence of malpractice or mistreatment of Mastiffs, it is the duty of the membership to report such in writing to the Hon Secretary of the Mastiff Association for consideration by the Committee which, after investigation of the complaint, may consider such matters under its rules.

NB:  The committee shall be empowered to approve minor deviations to the above but Members must be prepared to offer an acceptable explanation when this is requested by the committee in any situation which can appear to be in breach of the Code of Ethics.

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.

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