Rules and Constitution
  1. NAME AND OBJECTS
    The Club shall be called "The Giant Schnauzer Club " and it's object shall be to promote and encourage the best interests of the Giant Schnauzer.


  2. THE CLUB
    The Club shall consist of an elected President, Vice President, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, a Committee of 9 and an unlimited number of members.


  3. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
    The management of the club shall be vested in the hands of the officers of the club and the Committee, who shall retire annually and shall be eligible for re-election every year. The Treasurer shall be a person with relevant business or accountancy experience. All officers and Committee shall have full voting rights, meetings of the committee shall be held as often as is deemed necessary but at least every three months. A quorum for Committee meetings shall be at least 4. The Committee shall elect a chairman of Committee by simple majority, such election to stand until the next General meeting. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to the Committee in the event of a position becoming vacant between General Meetings. Those co-opted shall only hold office until the next General Meeting of the club at which an election of Officers and Committee takes place. No person who has been a member of the club for less than two years or is under the age of 18 may be elected or co-opted on to the Committee or as an Officer of the club. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee of or hold any other office or appointment with the club.


  4. SUB-COMMITTEE
    The Committee may at it's sole discretion form one or more Sub-Committees from amongst the existing Officers and Committee to deal with specific tasks i.e. a show Sub-Committee or a special events Sub-Committee any such Sub-Committee shall consist of no less than three persons and will at all times be responsible to the main Committee in all matters.


  5. MEMBERSHIP
    Candidates may apply for Membership using a Membership application form supplied by the Club. Applications may be made on the following basis; Individual, joint (2 persons at one address), or Family (2 adults and any number of children up to 16 years of age at the same address). Election for Membership shall take place at Committee Meetings, a simple majority of the Committee being required. Election to Membership will be at the sole discretion of the Committee. Membership of the club is subject to acceptance and compliance with all rules contained herein and as maybe from time to time be amended as specified or required by the Kennel Club. Candidates will only be accepted on receipt of the appropriate subscription. An up to date register containing the names and addresses of all Club Members shall be maintained and the register made available for inspection if so requested by any Member of the Club or by the Kennel Club.


  6. VOTING RIGHTS
    Each member shall be entitled to one vote immediately upon acceptance of Membership, Joint and Family Members will have one vote for each Member of the partnership. Members under 16 years of age will have no voting rights. Voting shall be by secret ballot or show of hands as decided by a simple majority at the meeting. Postal or proxy votes are not allowed.


  7. CLUB PROPERTY
    The Property and Assets of the club shall be vested in the Officers and Committee, all cups trophies, donations of money, and any other items donated to the Club are the sole property of the Club. In the event of the Club being wound up or ceasing to exist, a General Meeting shall be called to decide the disposal of the Clubs assets, and the outcome of the Meeting must be notified to the kennel Club. A final statement of accounts with a record of the disposal of the property of the Club shall be forwarded to the Club within 6 months and the persons named as Officers and Committee of the Club will be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding up of the Club.


  8. CLUB ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL YEAR
    A Banking Account shall be held in the name of the Club at a Bank nominated by the Committee into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signature of any two of either Chairman, Treasurer or Secretary. Detailed and accurate financial records must be maintained by the Treasurer at all times. The Financial year of the Club will be the twelve months from the 1st January to the 31st December each year. The Club Financial Accounts will be certified annually and presented to the Members at the Annual General Meeting. Certification of Accounts must be carried out by a qualified Accountant or two unqualified and Independent individuals with accountancy experience.


  9. SUBSCRIPTIONS
    The Annual Subscription shall be such amount as agreed by the Members in General Meeting and notified to the Kennel Club, subscriptions shall fall due on the 1st January each year and shall be paid to the Membership Secretary. No member whose subscription is unpaid is entitled to any of the privileges of Membership and if the Member shall fail to pay outstanding subscriptions by the 1st of April the Members name/s shall be automatically erased from the register. Acceptance back on the register as a Club Member will be dependent on a new application and approval by the Committee.


  10. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
    Any Member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club rule A 42 (4) and/or any Member whose dog/s is/are disqualified under Kennel Club rule A42 (8) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Club for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification. If any member is in breach of the rules herein or 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 or the Breed, The Committee may, at a meeting the notice convening of which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the member, determine that a special General Meeting of the club be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel said member, 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 they 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 upon and subject to conditions as the Kennel Club may impose.


  11. GENERAL MEETINGS
    The Annual General Meeting shall be held within 3 months of the end of the financial year, the meeting will be held to receive the report of the Officers and Committee and the Financial Accounts. To elect Officers and Committee and to discuss any resolutions duly placed on the Agenda of which prior notice has been given to the Hon Secretary. No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda with exception of routine matters or those which in the opinion of the Chairman of the Meeting are urgent. The Chairman of the meeting shall be the President or Vice President or in their absence the Meeting shall be opened by the Chairman of the Committee who will invite the meeting to elect a Chairman by a show of hands and a simple majority. Notice of such Meeting will be given to Members at least 42 days prior to the date of the meeting in writing or via the Jottings. Items and nominations for inclusion on the Agenda must be sent in writing to the Secretary at least 28 days prior to the meeting. All items & nominations must be proposed by one fully paid up member and seconded by another fully paid up member. The Agenda and Accounts will be available at the meeting unless there is a special resolution for discussion.


  12. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
    A Special General Meeting may be summoned by the secretary if 30 fully paid up members send a signed requisition stating 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 Special General Meeting. No business other than that detailed on the Agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting. The Secretary shall give members 21 days notice of such meeting the notices must be sent out within 21 days of receipt of such a requisition. The meeting will be Chaired under the same rules as a General Meeting.


  13. AMMENDMENT TO RULES
    The rules of the Club may not be altered except at a General Meeting or Special General Meeting the Agenda for which contains specific proposals to amend the rules any proposed alterations to the rules may not be brought into effect until the Kennel Club has been advised and approve the alterations.


  14. JUDGES LIST
    The Club must publish a list of judges annually indicating an expiry date and which must be submitted to the Kennel Club as part of the clubs annual returns; the list will be drawn up in strict compliance with all Kennel Club requirements and regulations. All kennel Club guidelines with regard to "Best Practice" and the requirements or advise of the Kennel Club Judges working party will be observed and as may from time to time be amended. The judges list rules should be read in conjunction with Kennel Club regulations and advice on "Best Practice" The purpose of the breed club judges list is to indicate to interested parties those persons the Breed Club would support at differing levels of judging. The List must be made available to all General Championship show Secretaries, and to any other person who request a list. Membership of the club must not be a prerequisite for inclusion on the lists. Judges may apply direct to the club for an application form to be included on the clubs judging list. The club must clearly indicate the criteria by which persons will be considered for inclusion on the list. The Committee may require new applicants and persons on existing lists to provide up to date details of their recent judging experience. Although the judging list will be published annually the work of considering new judges will be carried out on an ongoing basis. When the Club Committee is unable to comply with "Best Practice" regarding the level of experience of those sitting on the Committee, the Committee must form a judges Sub-Committee which will consist of the Secretary, The Committee Chairman and all Committee members who have been passed to award Challenge Certificates and in addition invite an appropriate number of senior experienced judges who are passed to award Challenge certificates in the Breed to sit on any such Judges Sub-Committee in order that the "Best Practice" requirements can be reached a judges Sub-Committee is to consist of not less than four persons.


  15. KENNEL CLUB CODE OF ETHICS
    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 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 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 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 standalone 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. It is recommended that all breeding stock will be eye tested in accordance with current GSC/KC/BVA advice and that all litters will be tested by an eye specialist prior to sale. Copies of all eye certificates (including litter screening forms) must be submitted to the GSC before names will be added to the clubs “puppies available list”.

    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. (See Code of Ethics)


  16. FEDERATION
    The club shall not join any federation of societies or clubs.


  17. ANNUAL RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB
    During the month of January each year maintenance of the title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the Secretary for the continuance of the registration and that by the 31st of July each year other returns as stipulated in Kennel Club Regulations for the registration and maintenance of titles of societies and Breed councils any changes of club Secretary that occurs must be advised immediately to the Kennel Club.


  18. KENNEL CLUB FINAL COURT OF APPEAL
    The Kennel Club shall be the final court of appeal in all matters of dispute.

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