Our purpose is to encourage, protect and advance the interests of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The fate and integrity of our breed is dependent upon the decision of owners, breeders and exhibitors. To this end, we offer the following policies and guidelines:

RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP indicates that you provide the following for all dogs in your care:

1. The best possible standards of health care for the physical and emotional well-being of your dog(s). This includes, but is not limited to appropriate food, shelter, sanitation, immunizations, regular health checks, medical care as needed, attention, exercise and affection regularly.
2. Control your dog(s) at all times, both on and off your premises, in the form of leashes or the appropriate training to affect this control. Your Stafford(s) should never be allowed to roam unattended. Avoid discredit to yourself and the breed by curbing your dog where required and cleaning up after your dog in public places, (i.e., parks, hotels, motels, show sites, etc.) and leaving public facilities clean.
3. Identification for your animal in the form of collars with tags, tattooing or microchip implants. Accurate records complete with photos and a list of each dog readily identifiable marks and/or characteristics should be available.
4. Fairness to your dog and the breeder. If, for whatever reason, you find you cannot keep, or do not wish to keep the dog you have adopted, contact the breeder. Responsible breeders make every effort to see that the dog is re-homed. Never turn the dog loose to fend for itself. Animal shelters are not to be considered an option for the Stafford you have adopted.
5. A humane death for your dog when necessary. Euthanasia should be accomplished by means of lethal injection and administered by qualified personnel.

BREEDING should only be considered:

1. With the intention of producing Staffordshire Bull Terriers that are physically and mentally sound, of the proper temperament and with the desired type and characteristics inherent to the breed.
2. When the breeding stock has been selected based upon the breed standard, merit of the individuals, genetics, pedigrees, and when every reasonable attempt has been made to determine that the dogs selected are in the best health, temperamentally sound and free of any serious inheritable genetic disease or defect.
3. When a breeder is in a position to offer proper care to the dam and the litter. Suitable homes are not always readily available; there- fore, the breeder must be committed to long term care and be able to provide the additional facilities needed for the physical and emotional development of the pups.
4. No stud dog or brood bitch shall be cross-bred to an unregistered dog or bred to any dog whose owner is in any way involved with pet shops, puppy brokers, puppy mills, litter lot sales, research laboratories or any commercial enterprise whose business it is to deal in similar activities.
5. No brood bitch shall be bred for commercial gain.
6. No brood bitch will be bred more than twice in any three consecutive seasons.
7. No member of the NESBTC will breed more than 3 litters in a 12 month period.
8. No bitch will be bred prior to her second season. She will be in good health, parasite free and free of any known communicable disease or serious genetic fault.
9. No bitch will be bred after her sixth birthday without a thorough veterinarian examination to determine the state of her health.
10. Any bitch having two caesareans will be considered unfit for breeding.
11. Stud dogs shall be over one year of age, in good health, parasite free and free of any known communicable disease or serious genetic defects.
12. Studs/Bitches shall be properly registered. Stud/Bitch owners shall keep accurate, current breeding records, health records, and pedigrees according to AKC Policy and Guidelines and make these available upon request of the other party.

PUPPIES, SALES AND CONTRACTS

1. Litters shall not be sold to a person en-bloc, to commercial sources, or for purposes of resale.
2. No member of the NESBTC will advertise the sale of any dog/bitch or puppy in any newspaper, magazine, or puppy selling website.
3. Breeders should consult with known authorities regarding the names of specific countries outside the United States where dog fighting has not been made an illegal practice and refuse all export to these countries.
4. No Stafford shall be sold with any defect that will interfere with its ability to perform and function as a pet or companion.
5. Puppies shall be placed in private, safe, caring homes. Buyers should be as thoroughly screened as possible to determine their stability to provide the proper environment.
6. Puppies shall not be sold prior to seven weeks of age, and with the proper temporary vaccination protection. Puppy buyers should be provided with vaccination and other health care records.
7. Every sale should also include a copy of the Breed Standard, a Registration Application provided by the AKC, and a copy of the Code of Ethics.
8. The breeder should follow up on the puppy after the sale to insure continued care and to evaluate the progress of his or her own breeding program. The buyer should provide reasonable opportunity for the examination and inspection of the premises and environment maintained for the puppy. Fenced yards are recommended.

GENERAL

1. Advertising should be truthful and should not refer in a deprecatory way to the methods, reputations of animals or of other Stafford owners. Advertising should not be used to promote the rearing of dogs for profit.
2. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner/breeders/exhibitor shall never, under any circumstances, condone, support or ignore the practice of pitting a dog against any other animals in a fight for pleasure or profit. Information regarding this type of abuse to animals shall be reported to the proper humane authorities.
3. Good sportsmanship should be advanced by all. When participating in competitions, refrain from the use of disparaging, false and misleading statements about judges, fellow competitors and other Stafford owners. Conduct yourself in such a manner as to reflect credit on the sport of purebred dogs in general and the Staffordshire Bull Terriers in particular.
4. All Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners should stay abreast of current State/Local laws and legislation related to the dog. Your awareness can help in the prevention of Breed Specific Laws. You are encouraged to take the time to educate the public regarding the breed and exhibit.