About Us

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 who performs 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 operations to The Royal Kennel Club.

3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the breed standard 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 rehoming 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 Royal 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 Royal 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.

Together with the Spanish Water Dog Society additional requirements:
a. Will undertake all available Health Tests to ensure any Dog or Bitch used for breeding will minimise risk of genetically inherited health conditions.

b. Will work collaboratively with each other to ensure genetic diversity to further minimise health risks in our breed.

c. Will treat each other with respect regardless of differences maintaining honesty and integrity in all interactions, taking responsibility for their actions and decisions.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from society membership, and/or disciplinary action by The Royal Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.

1. NAME
The Club shall be called Spanish Water Dog Society of Great Britain hereinafter referred to as “the Society”

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The Society is committed to promoting, preserving, and supporting the Spanish Water Dog across the UK. We provide an inclusive and educational community for owners, breeders, and enthusiasts, ensuring fair representation nationwide. Our society upholds responsible breeding and ownership, aligning with The Royal Kennel Club’s Code of Ethics, while celebrating the breed’s versatility in work, sport, and companionship. We are dedicated to conserving the Spanish Water Dog’s natural characteristics and working ability, ensuring it remains true to its heritage. Through national events, training, and educational initiatives, we aim to empower owners to make informed decisions, encourage ethical practices, and support the Spanish Water Dog in all aspects of its role, whether as a working partner, competition dog, or beloved companion.

3. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
The Society shall consist of three Officers: Chairperson, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, plus a Committee of not more than nine and an unlimited number of members. The Chairperson shall have a casting vote only, which shall be exercised in the event of an equality of votes. The Chairperson shall not otherwise vote. The Committee has the power to invite a suitable candidate to serve as president, approved by members, for a period up to 3 years.

The three Officers shall be elected for a three-year term of office, shall retire in rotation but shall be eligible for re-election. The Committee, three of whom shall retire annually, shall be elected for a three-year term of office but shall be eligible for re-election.

The Society shall consist of:
a) A President who, having been elected by postal or electronic ballot of fully paid-up members for a 3-year term, shall be entitled to attend meetings in a nonvoting capacity.
b) A Chair who shall be elected for a term of three years by postal or electronic ballot of fully paid-up members.
c) An Honorary Secretary who shall be elected for a term of three years by postal or electronic ballot of fully paid-up members.
d) An Honorary Treasurer who shall be elected for a term of three years by postal or electronic ballot of fully paid-up members.
e) A Vice-Chair who shall be elected by the Committee each year immediately following the AGM.
f) A committee of nine excluding officers to be elected for a term of three years by postal or electronic ballot and electronic voting system of fully paid-up members. One third of the committee shall retire annually in rotation and be eligible for re-election
g) All postal ballot papers to be numbered and returned to an independent scrutineer for counting.

4. MEMBERS
The Society shall have an unlimited number of members. A complete list of members’ names and their addresses will be maintained by the Hon. Secretary and the list of names shall be available for inspection by the Royal Kennel Club or members of the Society upon request.

5. MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIETY
The Management of the Society shall be in the hands of the Officers and the Committee. The elected Committee shall each year immediately following the AGM appoint a Vice-Chair who shall oversee and facilitate the activities of the Committee in the absence of the Chair.
Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary; however, there shall be at least four per annum. Seven shall form a quorum for the transaction of business; this must include at least two Officers.
In the event of a Committee member failing to attend two consecutive meetings without a reasonable explanation, the Committee shall have the power to remove him/her and replace with a co-opted member.
The committee shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Committee in the event of positions becoming vacant between Annual General Meetings and those co-opted members shall have full voting rights and hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.

6. ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
Membership applications must be supported by a fully paid-up society member, approved by a majority committee on receipt of a signed membership form and payment. The Committee retain the right to refuse applications.

7. VOTING RIGHTS
Immediately upon acceptance of membership:
Each single subscription member shall be entitled to one vote;
Junior members (6-18 years) are eligible for free membership but do not have voting rights.

8. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
Any member who shall be disqualified under Royal Kennel Club Rule A11.j(5) and/or Royal Kennel Club Rule A11.j(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Society.
If the conduct of any member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Society be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interest of the Society 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 Society 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 so that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. If at that meeting a resolution to expel is passed by 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 may within two calendar months from the date of such a meeting appeal to The Royal Kennel Club upon and subject to such conditions as The Royal Kennel Club may impose.

9. ANNUAL SOCIETY FEE’S
The Annual Fee shall be an amount determined by the committee, agreed by members at the AGM and notified to the Royal Kennel Club.
The Annual Fee falls due on 1st March each year. Members have 31 calendar days to renew before their membership expires, in this case they will need to reapply for membership. Members leaving the Society are not entitled to a refund of Fee’s.

10. SOCIETY PROPERTY
The Society shall not be dissolved except in accordance with Royal Kennel Club Regulation C3.a.(10). In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Society shall be disposed of in accordance with the requirements of that Regulation and with the approval of the Royal Kennel Club.

11. FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year of the Society shall be from 1st May to 30th April each year.

12. SOCIETY ACCOUNTS
Whilst the Society Treasurers primary responsibility is managing the finances the Committee must ensure that robust systems are in place and regular oversight is maintained
A banking account shall be held in the name of the Society into which all revenue of the Society shall be paid and from which withdrawals shall only be made on the signatures of two of the three Officers of the Society, with primary responsibility held by the Honorary Treasurer.
The accounts must be independently certified – either by one qualified accountant or by two unqualified individuals who have accountancy experience, unconnected to the committee. The certified accounts must be approved by members at the AGM, having been made available 14 days prior to the meeting

13. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting shall be held before 30th June for the following purposes:
a) To receive the report of the Committee and Balance Sheet,
b) To elect Officers and Committee; nominations for whom shall be in writing and received by the Honorary Secretary not less than six weeks prior to the AGM; all nominations shall be proposed by one fully paid-up member and seconded by another fully paid-up member. Nominations must be fully paid-up members of at least one year’s standing.
c) To discuss any resolutions duly placed on the agenda of which prior notice has been given to the Honorary Secretary not less than six weeks prior to the AGM.
d) No business shall be transacted at an AGM unless notice thereof appears on the agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those which in the opinion of the Chair of the meeting are urgent.
e) Eight weeks’ notice of the AGM shall be circulated in writing to all members. Not less than fourteen days prior to the AGM the agenda shall be circulated in writing to all members.
f) The Hon. Secretary shall enter the minutes of the AGM in the minute book.

14. AMENDMENTS TO RULES
The Rules and Regulations of the Society may not be altered except at an Annual General Meeting, the notice for which contains specific proposals to amend the Rules. Amendments shall not be brought into force until the Royal Kennel Club has approved the Annual Returns.

15. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Hon. Secretary if twenty members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed and requesting a Special General Meeting to do so.
The Committee of the Society is also empowered to call a Special General Meeting.
No less than fourteen days’ notice of a Special General Meeting shall be given to members.
No business other than that detailed on the agenda can be discussed at a SGM. The Hon. Secretary shall enter the minutes of the SGM in the minute book.

16. ANNUAL RETURNS
The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year
Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the Royal Kennel Club by the Hon. Secretary for continuance of registration and by 31st July each year the other returns, as stipulated in the Royal Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Societies be forwarded to the Royal Kennel Club. The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Royal Kennel Club of any changes of Secretary of the club which may occur during the course of the year.

17. FINAL AUTHORITY
The Royal Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the Society in all cases relative to Canine or Society matters.
The Society shall not join any federation of societies or clubs.
No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee of or hold any other office or appointment within a Royal Kennel Club registered society.

18. CODE OF ETHICS
Members of the Society are expected to follow the recommendations published in the Societies Code of Ethics.

19. SHOWS’, SHOWING, TESTs and TRIALS
Officers and members of the Committee may enter dogs owned by themselves at any event or show organised by the Club.

20. ADVISORY PANEL
The Committee may appoint an Advisory Panel such as it may consider necessary or expedient to advise the Society Committee on matters related to good governance. The panel will be expected to regularly report progress to the Society Committee.
i) The Committee may delegate any of its functions and powers to the Advisory Panel and may at any time amend or revoke such delegation.
ii) All Advisory Panels shall conduct their business in accordance with the directions of the Committee, and shall submit minutes of all meetings to the Society Honorary Secretary.
iii) The Chair of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Committee. If a vacancy occurs a replacement may be nominated or elected by members of the Advisory Panel subject to the approval of the Committee.
iv) The Chair of the Society will be an ex-officio member of any Advisory Panel and shall be informed of all meeting dates.
v) Advisory Panel members shall elect a Chair, from within its number, for the ensuing year, at the first meeting held following the Society’s AGM each year. Should any member resign for any reason the Chair of the Advisory Panel shall have the power to co-opt another member. The
Advisory Panel will meet as often as deemed necessary to complete any tasks allocated by the committee.