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, 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 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 owners 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.

14. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone 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.

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.

Specifically

1. Members will be expected before embarking on a breeding programme or producing a litter, to make themselves aware of any inherited health defects, abnormalities or serious faults which may be present in the dog/bitch and exclude the use of such animals in breeding programmes, thus ensuring a healthy future for all German Spitz.

2. It would be expect that all members intending to breed would enter their dogs/bitches into any health scheme as set up by the club.

3. All stock should be thoughtfully placed with person/s who, to the satisfaction of the seller, can provide caring homes and can afford the animals a happy, comfortable life. Club members should reflect on this when considering the mating of a bitch, and not produce more pups than they can suitably keep or re-home.

4. It is advised that puppies are not sold under the age of 8 weeks.

5. All dogs included in a breeding programme should be eye tested clear before mating

2. Officers and Committee
a) The Club shall consist of officers, a committee of eight and an unlimited number of members whose names and addresses shall be kept by the Secretary. The Officers shall consist of Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. A Vice Chairman shall be appointed by the Committee from amongst their numbers at the first meeting following the AGM. The Officers shall be ex-officio members of the Committee. The Committee shall have the power to appoint from amongst its members such officers as it may deem necessary for the efficient running of the Club.
b) The Club may, at the Annual General meeting invite to take office as President for a period of three years, a person who has given outstanding service to the breed. The President shall be an ex-officio members of the Committee. In the event of more than one nomination for the position of
President being received by the committee, a secret ballot of the members will be held.
c) The Club may, by a vote of the Annual General Meeting invite to take office as Vice-President those whom it is felt have given outstanding service to the breed over a number of years. Such Vice-Presidents to remain in that office for a period of three years, and to be entitled to attend any meeting of the Committee of the Club, while they remain a member ( See Rule 3C for voting rights)
d) The Club may, by a vote of the Annual General Meeting invite to take office as Patron those whom it is felt have given outstanding service to the breed over a number of years. Such Patrons to remain in that office for a period of three years, and to be entitled to attend any meeting of the committee of the Club while they remain a member. ( See Rule 3C for voting rights)

3. Committee
a) The management of the Club, between General Meetings, shall be in the hands of the Officers of the Club and a Committee consisting of eight members of whom the Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer shall retire annually on a 3 year rotation. Members of the Committee will be eligible for re-election bi annually.
b) The following shall have full voting rights, the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and all Committee members.
c) The Chairman of the meeting, who shall be the Chairman, or other elected officers, shall have the casting vote.
d) Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary, but at least every four months.
e) A quorum for Committee meetings shall be four elected Committee members, at least one of whom shall hold office as Chairman, Honorary Secretary or Honorary Treasurer.
f) The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Committee in the event of positions becoming vacant between Annual General Meetings. Those co-opted shall only hold office until the next election of Officers and Committee takes place.
g) Any Committee member who fails to attend two consecutive Committee members or fifty per cent of meetings held between their election and close of nominations for the following year, without due cause, shall be deemed to have resigned from the committee.

4. Election of Members
Candidates for membership shall return a completed application form and the appropriate subscription to the Honorary Secretary. Candidates shall be proposed and seconded by two fully paid up members of at least 12 months standing, or two fully paid up Found Members of the Club. A ballot for acceptance of membership shall be taken by a show of hands of the Committee. Successful nominations must receive a simple majority of committee members present and voting.

5. Election of Officers and Committee
a) Retiring members of the Committee shall be deemed to have been nominated, unless they have stated in writing that they do not wish to stand for re-election.
b) All nominations for Officers and members of the Committee shall reach the Honorary Secretary by 31st December. Nominations for officers shall be deemed to be nominated for the non-officio Committee members as well. No individual who has been a fully paid up member for less than one complete calendar year as ordinary members and no member can offer themselves for election as an officer of the Club until they have served at least one year as a Committee member. Nominations shall not be valid unless accompanied by a signed declaration by the nominee that, if elected he/she is willing to serve on the committee.
c) The election of Officers and eleven committee members shall be by postal ballot, to be held prior to 25th February each year. Only members whose subscriptions have been received by the Honorary Secretary by 31st January shall be entitled to vote. Ballot papers to be opened and the votes counted by independent auditors on 25th February (26th if 25th is a Sunday) and the certified results to be announced at the AGM.
d) In the event of a tied ballot, the tie shall be decided by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting.
e) In the event of insufficient nominations being received the Officers or Committee members, those members who have been nominated shall be declared elected and, if necessary, any elections for the remaining positions will be held at the Annual General Meeting.

6. Voting Rights
a) Each members shall be entitled to one vote immediately upon acceptance of membership except as laid down in Rule 5c.
b) Voting for Officers and members of the Committee shall be decided by secret postal ballot. At meetings, voting shall be as decided by the majority of the meeting.
c) Junior members (under 16 years) shall have no voting rights.
d) Whilst a member’s subscriptions remain unpaid he/she will not be allowed to vote on any question.
e) Proxy votes are not permitted.

7. Club Property
The property of the Club shall be vested in the Committee. In the event of the Club ceasing to exist, a Special 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.

8. Club Accounts
a) Banking accounts shall be held in the name of the Club, at a bank or building society approved by the Committee, into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid and from which withdrawals shall only be made on the signatures in accordance with a mandate approved by the Committee.
b) After the end of the financial year on December 31st, a balance sheet duly certified shall be sent to each member of the Club, to reach them before the Annual General Meeting.
c) One qualified or two unqualified auditors will be appointed to audit the accounts of the Club.

9. Subscriptions
a) The annual subscription shall be Adult £5.00 per member. Joint Membership shall be £8.00 (Joint membership will be restricted to husband and wife or a KC. Registered partnership of 2 people). Overseas membership shall be £10.00. Junior Members (under 16 years) shall be £2.00.
b) The annual subscriptions shall be due on the 1st January each year.
c) No member whose subscription is unpaid is entitled to any of the privileges of membership, and if a member fails to pay outstanding subscription by 31st January his/her name shall be automatically erased from the register. Acceptance back on the register will be dependent upon a new application and payment of arrears.
d) Officers and Committee must have their membership paid to the secretary by the 31^st December each year. Any Committee member or Officer who has not paid by then will no longer be deemed a member of the Committee. 

10. Expulsion of Members
a) Any member who shall be suspended under K.C. Rule A42 (4) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under K.C. Rule A42 (8) shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the German Spitz Breeders & Owners Club for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification.
b) 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 interest 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 a 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 a 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 third majority of members present and voting, his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of members, and he/she may, within two calendar months of the date of such a meeting appeal to the Kennel Club upon and subject to such conditions as the Kennel Club, may impose.
c) If the Club expels any member for discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, or Dog Shows, the club must report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within seven days and supply any particulars required.

11. Financial Year/Annual General Meeting
The financial year of the Club shall be from 1st January to 31st December. The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such a time and place as the Committee appoint but in any case before 30th April.

12. The Annual General Meeting
a) The purpose of the Annual General Meeting shall be to receive the report of the Committee, to approve the Balance Sheet, to receive the results of the ballot for Officers and Committee in accordance with Rule 5cc and to discuss any resolution duly placed on the Agenda of which prior notice has been given to the Honorary Secretary. No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless notice there of appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine matters of those which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting are urgent.
b) Notification of the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to all members no later than 30th November each year.
c) Items for discussion at the Annual General Meeting shall be forwarded to the Honorary Secretary to arrive no later than 31st December each year.
d) Agenda for the meeting shall be sent to all members no later than 14 days before the meeting.
e) At an Annual General Meeting the quorum shall be the members present.

13. Special General Meeting
a) A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Honorary Secretary if fifteen members send a signed requisition the subject to be discussed and requesting a Special General Meeting to do so. The Committee of the Club is also empowered to call a SGM. The meeting shall take place at a time and place as the Chairman and Honorary Secretary shall appoint, but no later than two calendar months following the date of receipt of the requisition.
b) Notification of a Special General Meeting shall be sent to all members no later than 14 days before the date of the meeting.
c) No business other than detailed on the agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting.
d) At a Special General Meeting requested by the committee the quorum shall be the members present, otherwise it shall be twenty.

14. Amendment to Rules
a) The rules of the Club may not be altered except at a General Meeting, the agenda for which contains specific proposals to amend the rules.
b) Any proposed alterations to the rules may not be brought into force until the Kennel Club has been advised and has approved the alterations. New rules or amendments introduced specifically to meet Kennel Club requirements shall be adopted immediately and be included in the Club’s constitution with effect from the club’s Annual Meeting.

15. Members List
The Club will make a list of members and their addresses, to be held by the Secretary. This information may be held on computer.

16. Maintenance of Title/Annual Returns.
The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the secretary for the continuance of registration and that by 31st July each year, regardless of whether any changes have been made to the list of Officers or Committee members,

Rules etc.
a) A copy of the Annual Statement of Accounts which must be certified in accordance with the Rules of the Club and approved at the last Annual General Meeting of the Club.
b) A copy of the current Rules highlighting any approved amendments.
c) Other returns, as stipulated in Kennel Club regulations for the registration and maintenance of title of Societies. And Municipal Authorities, will be forwarded to the Kennel Club. The officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any change of Secretary of the society which may occur during the course of the year.

17. Final Court of Appeal
The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the rules of the Club in all cases relative to canine or club matters.

18. Federation
The Club shall not join any federation of Societies or Clubs.

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