United Lucas Terrier Association (ULTA) Code of Ethics

  • I pledge to help educate the public in the Standard of the Lucas Terrier and will help the novice whenever and wherever I can with grooming, training, breeding, whelping, and general care.

  • I will consider the welfare of my dogs and that of the Lucas Terrier above personal gain or profit.

  • If I elect to breed my Lucas Terrier(s), I will do so for the improvement of the breed, as exemplified by the official Breed Standard.

  • I will breed scientifically and selectively, by mating only sound Lucas Terriers of good type to reduce faults to a minimum, and to secure puppies of type, ability, and temperament that will be a credit to the breed. I will never deliberately breed dogs with known physical or behavioral defects.

  • I will keep accurate and complete records of all stock, their matings, and their pedigrees.

  • I will maintain and pass on to purchasers factual health, breeding, and registration records. I promise to furnish to the owner a signed ULTA registration application or transfer with each Lucas Terrier puppy sold. I will withhold registrations on any puppy with numerous heredity faults of such nature as to make its use for breeding detrimental to the breed.

  • Upon my notification of a puppy sale to ULTA, an official, five-generation pedigree shall be furnished by the Association to each buyer with each sale.

  • I will not breed a bitch more often than two heats out of three, or prior to 18-24 months of age. Similarly, I will not breed a dog before 18 months of age; two years is preferred.

  • It is expected that no Lucas Terrier bitch should have more than three litters during her lifetime.

  • I will refuse stud service to any bitch I consider in poor health, of unsound temperament, or of having serious hereditary faults. Nor will I use a dog at stud whom I consider having these failings.

  • I will endeavor to avoid COI results of greater than 6.25% in my litters.

  • Every Lucas Terrier dog or bitch I use for breeding stock must be tested for Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) before they are bred. Two carrier or at risk animals cannot be bred together. At 2 years of age, I will test for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) any animal I plan to use as breeding stock. I will consult with ULTA about genetic outcomes and their likely impact on the breed lines in the U.S.

  • I will urge all buyers to have a puppy or adult dog sold by me examined by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of receipt. Said examination to be paid for by purchaser. A period of 48 hours is granted to return any animal so sold, for reasons of health, or in the case of the purchaser not having been able to see the animal prior to shipping, for any valid reason upon visual examination.

  • I will state to buyers if a puppy or dog sold has a disqualifying fault per the Lucas Terrier Breed Standard.

  • I will maintain the best possible standards of health and care in all my dogs. I will sell only puppies that are healthy, free of parasites, and never release to new owners before they are 60 days old.

  • In the event a Lucas Terrier does not ‘work out’ in its new home, the breeder of said puppy or dog will be offered first right of return at no expense, before the dog may be offered to another entity.

  • I will refuse to deal with unethical breeders, retail pet dealers, or wholesalers and commit to placing each dog in a home where loving, appropriate facilities are available for the dog and where it will receive proper care. No Lucas Terrier will be knowingly sold into an environment where it will become an outdoor or ‘backyard’ dog.

  • I will show good sportsmanship, and will conduct myself in a manner representative of the principles upon which this Association is founded. I will not speak unjustly of others in the breed, nor his/her kennel. To do so invites cancellation of my membership in ULTA.

The Officers and Board of ULTA reserve the right to refuse membership to an individual for any reason, including those who conduct/have conducted themselves in a manner which violates this Code through discreditable behavior, especially in the sport or toward others in the breed.