1.       NAME AND OBJECTS

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1.1       The Club shall be called the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain, and its objects shall be to do everything possible to protect and advance interest in the breed at home and abroad.

 

1.2       The origins of the Club, founded in 1973, shall be commemorated by a statement in the “Journal” saying “incorporating the British Elkhound Society, founded in 1923, and the Elkhound Club, founded in 1936.”

 

2.       MEMBERSHIP

2.1 The Club shall consist of a President, any number of Life Vice-Presidents, a Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Trophy Steward, a committee of 9 members from an unlimited number of Members.

 

2.2 A maximum of 5 Patrons may be appointed as and when such an honour is considered to be deserved by a Member of the Club. Nominations being put to a General Meeting to be voted on by secret ballot.

 

3.       COMMITTEE

3.1       The management of the Club shall be in the hands of the elected officers of the club, and a Committee of 9 elected members. All Committee members retiring shall be eligible for re-election.

 

3.2       The President, Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, and Hon. Trophy Steward shall be elected for two year terms, and will then be eligible for re-election. The President, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Trophy Steward shall retire together. The Chairman and Hon. Treasurer shall retire the following year.

 

 3.3 UNDISCHARGED BANKRUPTS. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee or hold any other Office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Society.

 

3.4 If any committee member, other than the President, fails to attend three consecutive meetings without giving an acceptable reason, he or she may be deemed to have resigned.

 

3.5 Subject to a minimum of three meetings in any year, meetings of the committee shall be held face to face, by video or telephone conferencing.when Seven persons shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, one of whom shall be the President, Chairman, Hon. Secretary or Hon. Treasurer.

 

3.6 The chairman at any meeting shall only have a casting vote in the event of equality in a divided vote.

 

 3.7 The committee shall have the power to co-opt to fill vacancies arising during the year, but persons so co-opted must stand for election at the next Annual General Meeting, and if elected will then serve for the remainder of the term of the person they replace.

 

3.8 The committee shall have the power to appoint sub-committees to deal with specific matters, and shall at its discretion authorise co-option to such sub-committees.

 

3.9 The committee shall be responsible for nominations to the Norwegian Elkhound Breed Council for inclusion in the Breed Judges List, and for reviewing that list annually.

 

4.       ELECTION OF MEMBERS

4.1       Membership of the Club will be dependant upon acceptance of and compliance with the Constitution and Rules and the Code of Ethics.

 

4.2       Candidates for membership of the Club shall be proposed by one Member and

seconded by another, and elected by the committee at one of their meetings by simple

majority of those present.

 

4.2.(1). That members supply an email address (one for a Joint Membership and parent/guardian for a Junior Membership) in order that the Club can use this method to dispatch all correspondence with the exception of ballot papers when necessary. Any member that does not have access to a computer, tablet or smart phone can apply in writing to rweceive such items by post. The distribution of the Journal and Magazine are exempt from this rule.

 

4.3       Life Vice-Presidencies or Honorary Life Vice-Presidencies may be granted by a

General Meeting to Members who have furthered the interests of the Club and who wish to retain full membership. They are entitled to attend committee meetings in a non-voting capacity.

 

4.4       Honorary Life Membership may be granted by a General Meeting to persons who have furthered the interests of the Club.

Honorary Life Membership to all members attaining the age of 75 years may be granted on application providing that they have maintained Membership of the Club for a period of at least 25 years. Honorary Members shall be exempt from paying subscriptions and will continue to receive all Club Publications and be entitled to a vote in all Club business.

 

4.5       Two adult Members of the same address may be admitted as Joint Members. Such pairings shall have two votes, but only one copy of Club publications. Before a jointly owned dog can qualify for Club awards both owners must be either Members or Joint Members.

 

4.6       Junior Membership is available to those under 18 years of age at a reduced subscription, without voting rights, but will receive a copy of Club publications.

 

4.7       An up to date list of current Club members names, together with their addresses, will be maintained and the list of names made available for inspection if so requested by Members of the Club or by the Kennel Club.

 

5.       SUBSCRIPTIONS

5.1 The annual subscription shall be as determined by the Members attending the Annual General Meeting, payable to the Hon. Treasurer on January 1st each year. If any Member shall fail to pay the annual subscription by February 1st the committee shall have the power to erase his or her name from the list of Members, but if the committee shall subsequently receive a satisfactory explanation the Member may, at the discretion of the committee, and on payment of arrears, be re-admitted to membership. No Member whose subscription is unpaid shall be entitled to any of the privileges of membership after February 1st.

 

6.       CLUB PROPERTY

6.1       The property of the Club shall be vested in the committee. Trophies will be accepted from donors only on the understanding that the gift is made outright to the Club. Cups and trophies shall be confined to Members only.

 

6.2       If the Club is wound up or ceases to be a registered society under Kennel Club Regulations, a final statement of audited accounts with a record of the disposal of the property of the Club shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club within six months, and the persons named as Officers and Committee of the Club on the last return furnished to the Kennel Club will be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding up of the Club.

 

7.       EXPULSION OF MEMBERS

7.1 Any Member who shall be disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A11.i. (5) and/or Kennel Club Rule A11.i. (9) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Club.

 

7.2 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 interests 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 the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Club shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.

 

7.3 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 purposes to be a Member of the Society 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.

 

8.       FINANCIAL YEAR

8.1 The Financial Year of the Club shall be from January 1st to December 31st.

 

9.       GENERAL MEETINGS

9.1 Twenty Members eligible to vote shall form a quorum at any General

Meeting. When physical meetings prove impracticle due to pandemic, travel restrictions, etc.. such meetings may be held by video conferencing to allow maximum input from members for the greater good of the Club.

 

9.2 The Hon. Secretary shall despatch a notice to all Members at least two calendar months before the Annual General Meeting, and at least twenty-eight days before any other General Meeting.

 

9.3 The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than April 30th each year.

 

9.4       Nominations for the Officers and committee, and items for the agenda from paid up Members or Honorary Members must reach the Hon. Secretary by recorded or signed delivery/or email at least one calendar month before the Annual General Meeting, or by the date set by the committee in the notice of the Annual General Meeting.

 

9.5 The election of the Officers and the committee shall be by postal ballot supervised by an independent scrutineer nominated by the Committee if the nominations exceed the number of vacancies.

 

9.6 A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Hon. Secretary within two calendar months if twelve members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed. No business other than the matters on the agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting.

 

9.7 Members of the Club to have access to quarterly summaries of Committee decisions via the Clubs website, but not the detailed minutes which remain confidential to the Committee.

 

10.       ALTERATION TO RULES

10.1 The Rules of the Club shall not be altered except at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. The notice of the meeting shall include details of the proposal to alter the Rules. Any alteration to the Rules shall not be brought into force until the Kennel Club have been advised and have approved the alteration.

 

11.       CLUB ACCOUNTS

11.1       A banking account shall be opened in the name of the Club into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid and from which withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of two or more Officers.

 

11.2       A deposit account or accounts may be maintained in Banks or Building Societies as from time to time determined by committee.

 

 

 

 

 

11.3       The Accounts shall be kept by the Hon. Treasurer, and Auditors shall be appointed at each Annual General Meeting who shall audit the Club’s Accounts for the ensuing year before the Annual General Meeting. Certification of accounts must be carried out by one qualified accountant or two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience, unconnected to the Committee. The certified accounts shall be made available to members 14 days prior to the AGM.

 

 

 

12.       RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB

12.1       The Officers of the Club acknowledge that during the month of January each year Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the Secretary for continuance of registration and that by 31st July 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, will be forwarded to the Kennel Club.

 

The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club or any change of Secretary of the Society which may occur during the course of the year.

 

12.2       The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of the month in which the Society’s Annual General Meeting is held and to notify the Kennel Club of any subsequent amendments to that date.

 

13.       KENNEL CLUB THE FINAL COURT OF APPEAL

13.1 The Kennel club is the final authority for interpreting the rules and regulations of the club in all cases relative to canine or society matters.

 

14.       EMBARGO ON FEDERATION

14.1The Club shall not join any federation of societies or clubs.

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

1.              The primary role of this code is to serve the welfare and interests of the               NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND as a breed and individually. In any activity involving

              ownership, breeding, sale and exhibition of Norwegian Elkhounds, members should

              act with this in mind. All members accepting membership undertake to adhere to its

              principles.

 

2.              The acquisition of an Norwegian Elkhound is to assume responsibility for its welfare

              and behaviour until its death or transfer to a new home.

 

3.              A breeder should only breed from Kennel Club registered Norwegian Elkhounds

              which conform to the breed standard and are believed to be free from any hereditary

defects e.g. Epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (except in circumstances as in 16b) and Glaucoma, and are mentally and physically sound and not suffering from acute nervousness or aggressive tendencies

 

4.              Bitches should not be expected to whelp under 2 years of age. All whelpings should

              be acceptable to The Kennel Club. However it is recommended that bitches do not

              whelp on consecutive seasons nor after the age of eight years. It is further

              recommended that a bitch’s first litter should be whelped prior to the age of five

              years. No bitch should be expected to produce more than four litters.

 

5.              Any puppy sold over the age of twelve weeks should be inoculated and ideally no

              puppy should leave the breeder under the age of seven weeks. It should be

              accompanied by a five generation certificate of pedigree, diet sheet, dates and details

              of worming and must be registered with the Kennel Club. All puppies sold should be

              insured for a minimum period of four weeks.

 

6.              Breeders should make use of Kennel Club endorsements whenever necessary and

              inform the prospective owner of the reasons for this action. Purchasers should be

              asked to sign signifying their acceptance of endorsements.

 

7.              No puppies or adult dogs should knowingly be sold to any retail or wholesale dealer,

              nor exported to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws. Ideally

              they should be sold direct to their new homes, every effort having been made to

              ascertain that the new owners have the facilities, time and commitment to correctly

              raise, train, exercise and are sympathetic to the Norwegian Elkhound’s special needs.

 

8.              Breeders should be responsible for stock they have bred and sold, and be prepared to

              take back or make provision for the dogs of their breeding at their own expense

              whenever possible.

 

9.              Stud dog owners must satisfy themselves as to the suitability, breeding and condition

              of any bitch presented to them, also the conditions under which any resultant litter

              would be reared. If the owner of the bitch is not a member of the Club they should be

              made aware of the Club’s Code of Ethics.

 

10.              Stud dog owners should be honest about possible problems in each breeding

              programme and discerning about the use of their dog.

 

11.              No member shall engage in false or misleading advertising or other falsification of

their Norwegian Elkhounds. They should exhibit good manners and sportsmanship at all times.

 

12.              Members agree to be willing to participate in a programme of improvement within

              the breed which will include completing breed survey questionnaires and should

              notify any defects thought to be hereditary immediately they are diagnosed in the

              Norwegian Elkhounds they own.

 

13.              Members being aware of any cause of mistreatment of any Norwegian Elkhound

              should report this to the appropriate authorities and the Club Secretary in writing.

 

14.              Prior to being used for breeding all breeding stock must:-

 

              (a):              Hold a Hip Score certificate issued under the Kennel Club/British Veterinary

Association Hip Dysplasia Scheme/or equivalent overseas scheme providing that it is recognised and accepted by the Kennel Club and BVA

This amendment to C O E wording was voted on by members at the 2021 AGM and the proposal was passed by members, so we ask KC permission to add it to our C.O.E. please.

 

              (b):              Hold a clear eye test certificate issued under the KC/BVA scheme. The

                            certificate to be dated no earlier than twelve months prior to mating.

 

In order to provide the breed with as much information as possible it would be

appreciated if members had their Norwegian Elkhounds tested as above.

 

15.              Additionally, all breeding stock must be DNA tested (or hereditary status known) and results known in advance of mating(with results passed to NECGB for publication) for the following commercially available (as at 1/1/17)tests.

              a) Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA)

              b) Glaucoma

              c) Early Retinal Degeneration (erd)

              d) Chondrodysplasia (dwarfism)

              e) Von Willebrand’s Disease (Vwd) Type 11

 

16.              In cases of overseas stud dog/bitch for which the status is unknown, UK dog/bitch must be DNA tested clear or hereditary clear for all the conditions in para 15 above, the resulting progeny used for breeding should be DNA tested. Breeders should use KC endorsements on puppies they sell and lift them once DNA tests (or any other defined requirement) has been undertaken/met.

 

17.              Mating of affected dogs of any one condition in para 15 above is not recommended, with the exception of a once off per dog/bitch to a DNA tested clear dog/bitch. Please be aware that any such mating will produce 100% carriers, with all registration certificates endorsed by the breeder.

 

18.              The mating of carriers for any of the above conditions should only be to a DNA tested or hereditary clear dog/bitch of the same condition and any progeny used for breeding must be DNA tested.

 

19.              It is recommended that all breeding stock should be eye tested annually so that they carry an updated certificate prior to breeding, regardless of DNA results, so that any other eye defect can be identified.

 

20.              All puppies sold should be accompanied by a copy of the Sire and Dam DNA results for all conditions for which there is a DNA test until DNA tests appear on the KC registration certificates.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES –               

 

1. Overseas members who have difficulty complying with those items that require The Kennel Club’s involvement are urged to use whatever local

    arrangements equate to our requirements.

 

2.  Members are reminded that they are obliged to abide by The Kennel Club’s Code of Ethics.

 

3.  The Committee shall request an explanation in writing from any member who fails to abide by the Code of Ethics. The member may be censured        for such infringement and the censure published. In cases considered serious enough, action for expulsion shall be taken under the relevant              section of the Constitution.

 

 

  

(NECGB Code of Ethics post 2016 AGM approved by KC March 2016, Constitution and rules post 2022 AGM

approved by Kennel Club March Feb 6th 2023)

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