Waikato & District Spaniel Cub was formed by a group of Like-minded spaniel owners living in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty and held its Inaugural meeting: Held on 15/10/1967 St John’s Hall in Cambridge with the purpose of promoting the showing of pedigree Gundog breeds that are recognised with the New Zealand Kennel Club , and is an affiliated club of the New Zealand Kennel Club.
In the early days the club held a number of events including Ribbon Parades combined with picnics style days, often held a member property with an emphasis on the "supportive & social" side. It was consider a day out for the whole family. An early Member Colleen Hickenbottom (HIMARK Cockers) has related a number of stories including how members often stopped their cars when seeing spaniels out walking to invite them along to the club events (no internet or cell phone to spread the word of course)
The first Ribbon Parade attracted 42 entries and, was judge by Ivan Muncaster (info be to verified) as the club gained more interest and support they applied for and were granted a Championship Show. Its believed this first show was judged by Richard Weir of England and spaniels came from both the North & South islands.
It’s also believed that K Twomey put together a club history in the 1980 - if anyone can give us her contact details or has a copy of this we would appreciate any information.
While there is no defined region for the club its traditional zone of influence is the Waikato & Bay of Plenty with W&DSC Shows generally being held within this area.
There are very few records amongst the Clubs "Stuff" prior to era of Amanda Calman becoming secretary for approx. 7 years. However we’ll add more as it comes to hand. But please let us know if anything we have recorded here is incorrect or you have information to share in effort to re-create the club history records.
Keith Simons is attributed as having initiated the Spaniel of the Year Points System
CONSTITUTION: A Waikato District Spaniel Clubs first 1976 Constitution Very little has changed since that first constitution - the main change being that meetings are now held via email. The current constitution.
OUR PATRONS & LIFE MEMBERS The Patron fills an honorary role as the figurehead for the club Our Current Patrons are life Members Jim Gascoinge and Brian Macey
Life Members Dawn Laurie (d) Sharrow Cocker Spaniel Kerry Twomey Tiako Cocker Spaniels Heather Burns Stonerock American & English Cockers Jim Gascoinge Brian Macey Minted & Glendaruel Cocker Spaniels Gill & Dorothy Lumb
As an NZKC Associated Breed Club our members are bound by the NZKC Code of Ethics: & The Breeders’ Code of Ethics.
As an NZKC Associated Breed Club our members are bound by the NZKC Code of Ethics: NZKC Mission Statement To Encourage & Support the pursuit of excellence by providing & administrating Rules of the New Zealand Kennel Club Show Regulations, Obedience Regulations, Judges Panel, Registration Regulations, And by encouraging the adoption of a
CODE OF ETHICS Owners should properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when desired. Owners should not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties. Owners should ensure that their dogs should wear properly tagged collars and should be kept fully leashed or under effective control when away from home. Owners will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are exhibited. Owners should agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on their dogs, which could alter the natural confirmation of the animal should report such an operation to the New Zealand Kennel Club. Owners should not agree to breed from a bitch in any way which is deleterious to the bitch or the breed. Owners should take care to ensure that when selling dogs there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the rehoming of a dog if the initial circumstances change. Owners should provide written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home. Owners should 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. Owners will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the quality of the dog. Owners will ensure that all relevant New Zealand Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owners when selling or transferring a dog.
The Breeders’ Code of Ethics (Is mandatory and came into effect on 1 January 2016) 1. I will practice and promote responsible dog ownership ensuring that dog welfare is a priority at all times. This will be demonstrated by the following. My dogs will be: • appropriately housed, fed, exercised, socialised and have received regular veterinary attention • appropriately controlled to avoid them becoming a public nuisance • properly identified (including micro-chipping and registration) • cleaned up after in public places • compliant with all legislation and by-laws governing dogs and the sale of dogs They will never be: • offered directly or indirectly as prizes or donations in a competition by myself or any person I can influence.
2. I will practise responsible breeding by always… • ensuring that the welfare of my sires, dams and puppies is a priority at all times • closely complying with the Animal Welfare Act in relation to breeding and sale of puppies/dogs • fully informing new owners of my dogs and puppies about: –– how a dog should be cared for –– diseases that dogs may be prone to (including measures to take to ensure good health where appropriate) –– how to socialise young dogs, and –– a dietary regime to be followed. In particular this will include frank disclosure of any health issues that are recognised in the breed, how to identify symptoms and mitigation measures available. • observing best practice in relation to commercial transactions, protecting all parties and ultimately the dogs involved • being in control of the entire sale process for which I am accountable • providing new owners with all the appropriate New Zealand Kennel Club paperwork for sold dogs, on time and in line with sale agreements at no extra cost.
3. I will observe the following specific practices… • I will not transfer from my care any puppy under the age of eight calendar weeks. • I will research health issues to which my breed/s may be prone and will take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise those issues. These steps will always include giving serious consideration to mating's I arrange, maintaining careful observations of the health of my stock and may include any of the veterinary checks available. Any test results will be made available to purchasers upon request. • I will not mate any bitch at less than 12 months of age. • I will not breed from a bitch aged eight years and over at whelping except where a veterinarian has certified the fitness of the bitch for the mating and has provided a certificate of that opinion that is dated prior to the date of mating. • I will not breed more than two litters from the same bitch within 18 months. • I will breed no more than six litters from one bitch in her lifetime, with no exceptions. • I will not mate a dog and a bitch that are close relatives (defined as father/daughter, mother/son or brother/ sister, i.e. same sire and dam, not necessarily same litter). Exemptions for numerically small breeds must be approved in advance by the Canine Health & Welfare Committee.
• I will not use co-owned dogs, bitches or semen in my breeding without the knowledge and written consent of all owners and co-owners with an interest in the dogs, bitches or semen involved. • If I wish to enter into a joint ownership arrangement with a buyer or to arrange access to the puppy for breeding or showing purposes once it is sold, I will fully explain the implications to the intending buyer and will encourage him/her to seek independent advice before committing to the sale. Before finalising the sale I will provide full documentation setting out the nature and terms of the arrangement and I will allow a 90-day ‘cooling down’ period after the date of the sale during which time the buyer may withdraw from the sale and return the puppy at their own expense upon which I will fully refund the cost of the puppy. • Where the buyer of a pup advises me of a health or behavioural issue with the pup that has arisen within nine months of the sale, or advises me at any time of an issue that may be due to a hereditary factor, I will at all times maintain cordial and helpful relations with the buyer. I will try to negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution with the buyer. In the event that the buyer and I cannot agree the matter will be referred to the Club/Member Liaison Officer for mediation or arbitration.