1. The Club shall be called the Scottish Beagle Club. Its object to promote the breed in Scotland. The club is opposed to the breeding, acquiring or disposing of Beagles for research or vivisection. The club shall be run for the benefit of its members and shall not be classed as a trading business. All of its profits from any source, functions and/or activities of the Club shall be maintained for the benefit of, and for the further education of its members in the management, training, showing, breeding of Beagles and in every aspect pertaining to canines.

2. The Club shall consist of an unlimited number of members. An up-to-date list of members and their addresses must be maintained and, if so requested, the list of names made available for inspection by the Kennel Club and members of the club. A declaration of the number of members of the society must be made with annual returns. The committee shall have the power to refuse any application by a majority of the committee consisting of two-thirds present and voting.

3. The Officers of the club shall consist of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer (these latter positions may be held jointly). All officers shall be ex officio members of the committee, and there shall be a further eight Committee members, five to form a quorum. All office bearers and committee members to reside permanently in Scotland. Each officer and committee member attending a committee meeting will have a vote, with the exception of the chairperson or acting chairperson, who will have a vote only to be used in the event of an equal division of votes. If any office bearer or committee member shall have been absent from three consecutive meetings or events of the said committee without having submitted a satisfactory explanation, the management committee shall strike his/her name off the list of members of that committee and fill up the vacancy. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the committee of or hold any other office appointment within, a Kennel Club registered Society. The entire management of the Club shall be vested in the Committee.

4. The Committee shall have the power to nominate an Honorary President and Honorary Vice-President as they deem fit and these shall be elected annually by the members at the Annual General Meeting.

5. The Honorary Chairman, Honorary Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer shall hold office for two years half retiring annually, and shall be eligible for re-election. The Committee shall hold office for two years, half retiring annually, and shall be eligible for re-election. Each Committee member shall hold office for two years, half retiring annually, and shall be eligible for re-election. The Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy by co-option. Candidates for Officers and committee must be duly proposed and seconded in writing and such nominations forwarded to the honorary secretary no later than 21 days prior the the Annual General Meeting. The retiring Officers and Committee shall be eligible without such nomination. If the number of nominees together with those retiring from the Committee but who are willing to stand again, shall exceed the number of vacancies, a voting paper recording the names of the nominees shall be circulated to the members at least fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting. Voting papers must be returned in a sealed envelope marked ballot to the scrutineer at least seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting. The candidates obtaining the largest number of votes shall be declared by the chairman to be committee members for the ensuing years. In the event of an equal number of votes being recorded for two or more candidates, a final decision between these candidates will be made by a vote of members present at the Annual General Meeting. The scrutineers shall submit the result of the ballot in a sealed envelope to be opened by the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting in the presence of the members.

6. The financial year of the club shall be from January 1st to December 31st. The annual subscription at 2022 shall be fixed at £6.00 single membership, £8.00 joint membership, and £1.00 junior membership (up to the age of sixteen years and without voting rights). These rates may be varied at the discretion of the Committee. If subscriptions are not received by ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, membership will automatically deem to be lapsed.

7. A Banking account shall be opened in the name of the club into which all revenues of the club shall be paid and from which withdrawals by cheque and online banking shall only be made on the signature of two officers.

8. Annual Returns. After registration the following returns must be forwarded to The Kennel Club by the 31st July each year regardless of whether any changes have been made to the list of Officers or Committee, Members or Rules etc;

a) A list of current Officers and Committee with their addresses and telephone numbers.

b) 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.

c) A copy of the current constitution rules highlighting any proposed amendments for which approval from the Kennel Club is required.

d) Where appropriate, a request for authority to hold matches and /or gundog Working Tests during the coming year and a list of matches and/or Gundog Working Tests held during the previous year.

e) The number of members of the Club as at the end of the Club’s financial year.

f) Judges’ lists and Code of Ethics

9. The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year before the 25th April for the results of the election of Officers and Committee, to appoint Auditor and Scrutineer, and to pass the balance sheet of the club. There shall be at least 5 committee members or office bearers present to form a quorum. Certification of the accounts must be carried out by one qualified Accountant or two individuals with accountancy experience, unconnected to the committee. The rules of the club may not be altered by the club except at an Annual General Meeting, notice of which includes details of the proposal to alter the rules. Such alterations shall not be brought into force until the Kennel Club has been advised and has given its approval of the alteration. New rules or amendments, as per Kennel Club directives shall be adopted immediately and be included in the Clubs Constitution with effect from the Club’s Annual General Meeting. Notice of such meeting to be given to each member at least 35 days beforehand. A statement shall be given of (a) the number of committee meetings held during the elected term of office; (b) the number of attendances at said meetings by Officers and committee seeking re-election. No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless notice therefore appears on the agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those which, in the opinion of the Chairman or Committee, are urgent. Matters for inclusion in the agenda must be notified to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

10. A Special General Meeting of the club may be held on the written requisition of not less than fifteen paid up members, stating the object of the meeting. The Honorary Secretary shall give members fourteen days notice of such meeting, and the notice must be sent out within seven days of receiving the requisition. No business other than that named in the notice shall be brought before a Special General Meeting. The quorum at such a meeting shall be twenty members.

11. The Honorary Secretary shall call committee meetings as required after consultation with the Chairman of the committee. The Club must undertake to keep minutes of meetings which must contain a full record of all business transacted at General meetings and Committee meetings, including a record of all guarantees offered by the Club, and to maintain a system of accounts showing a complete record of the Income and Expenditure of the Club and a balance sheet. Such minutes, accounts and balance sheet and also any other documents belonging to the Club, are to be produced for The Kennel Club at any time when required. A copy of the Annual Statement of Accounts for the last financial year must be certified in accordance with the Rules of the Club. The certified accounts will be made available to members 14 days prior to the AGM.

12. The property of the club shall be vested in the committee and in the event of the Club’s dissolution, all trophies which are the property of the Club shall be returned to the donors if possible, and a Special General Meeting shall be called to decide upon the disposal of any remaining assets. If the club is wound up or ceases to be a Registered Society under these 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.

13. The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, the 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 and Maintenance of Title of Societies/Breed Councils and the Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club. The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any changes of Secretary of the club which may occur during the course of the year.

14. The winner of a cup or trophy, who must be a member of the Club, may at the sole discretion and by permission of the committee be allowed to hold same until won by another member. Each holder of a cup or trophy shall be responsible for its safe-keeping and for its return in good condition on demand.

15. All expenses incurred on behalf of the Club by the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and any members of the committee shall be defrayed out of the Club’s funds, unless not approved by the committee.

16. Any members may resign his membership at any time, but shall not be entitled to the return of any subscriptions paid. Any member who has resigned his membership or whose resignation has been requested or who has been removed from membership or whose membership has been suspended, shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership of the Club and shall forthwith return to the Secretary any Club property, challenge cups or trophies which he may hold.

17. Any member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A11.J.(5) and/or Kennel club Rule A11.J.(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Club for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification. If the Club expels any member for the discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, dog shows or competitions, the Club must report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within seven days and supply all particulars required. 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 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. Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused member, giving the 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 Club except that he/she may, within two calendar months from the date of such meeting, appeal to the Kennel Club.

18. Breed Club Judges Lists – The Club shall produce a list of judges each year which must be submitted to the Kennel Club as part of the Club’s Annual Returns. The purpose of the Breed Club’s judging Lists is to indicate to interested parties those persons the Club would support at differing levels of judging. The Club must clearly indicate the method by which persons may be nominated for inclusion onto the relevant Judging List. Membership of the Club must not be a prerequisite for inclusion onto the lists.

At the first meeting following each Annual General Meeting the Committee will nominate a Judges Sub Committee consisting of at least 4 members, of which at least 75% shall be CC judges for the breed. The Judges Sub Committee will be responsible for compiling the Club’s Judging Lists each year in accordance with the criteria set out by the Kennel Club. Kennel Club opinion letters on the suitability of judges to award CCs for the first  time should only be considered by the above Committee.

19. GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of The Scottish Beagle Club undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

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, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, 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 Health and Welfare Scotland (Act) 2006 or the corresponding current legislation in their UK country of residence.

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 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 dog ownership when placing dogs in a new home.

12. Will ensure that all relevant 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 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.

15. All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed, and all breeders must abide by the current Scottish Government Guidelines on Breeding. Members :-

a) will not breed from any bitch or use any dog at stud who has been diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy, steroid responsive meningitis, hip dysplasia or any other disease that may have a hereditary factor or allow their stud dogs to be used on any such bitch. Nor will they permit dogs or bitches to be used for breeding purposes that show excessive signs of nervousness or aggression.

b) will not breed from bitches over the age of 8, before they are 18 months or on successive seasons without due regard to their health.

c) will not allow their stud dogs to be used on bitches who are in poor condition, are clearly inferior specimens of the breed or who are not Kennel Club registered.

d) will not breed a litter unless they have the time and facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of the pups and to the well being of the dam and will not provide stud services unless reasonably sure that the owner of the dam can provide the same.

e) will provide the new owners with a signed pedigree certificate, Kennel Club registration papers, a diet sheet, grooming advice, information about insurance and breed clubs and a worming record, microchipping and vaccination certificates. Note: all dogs over eight weeks old in Scotland must be microchipped under the Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016. .They will also make all prospective owners aware of the characteristics and nature of the Beagle and give advice on training, exercise and socialisation.

f) will not release pups to their new homes until they are eight weeks old.

g) will ensure that at the time of sale the puppy is in good health. Any known physical defects will be brought to the attention of the purchaser and any possible consequences to the pup's health explained.

h) will be as factual as possible when advertising pups and never knowingly sell to a dealer, pet shop, puppy farmer, research establishment or as a surprise gift.

i) will provide life long assistance and advice to their puppy owners and make it clear, at the time of sale, that the breeder should be contacted if the situation arises where the new owner is unable to keep the dog. The breeder will assist in every way possible to ensure the successful rehoming of the animal.

j) will not export puppies to any country that does not enforce anti-cruelty laws and will ensure that DEFRA guidelines for each specific country have been followed.

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.

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

21 The Club shall be registered at the Kennel Club, and shall recognise the Kennel Club as the Final Court of Appeal. The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the Club in all cases relative to Canine or Club matters.