Due to recent adverse publicity (2009) the UK Kennel Club have looked closely at Breed Club's own codes of ethics and a standardised version has been written for all breed clubs. In accordance with this, the Cocker Spaniel Club's own Code of Ethics no longer applies and the KC Code of Ethics has been adopted.

We are members of various regional Cocker Spaniel Clubs including the Parent Club (The Cocker Spaniel Club).

Before breeding a litter, serious and equal consideration should be given to construction, temperament, health and soundness; in the choice of breeding stock it should always be borne in mind that aggression and nervousness form no part of a Cocker Spaniel's temperament and character. All breeding should be aimed at the improvement of the breed.
No bitch should be mated at more than two out of three successive seasons and never without consideration to the well-being of the bitch. No bitch should be mated before her second season (unless her first season occurs after 12 months of age) nor after 7 years.
No member should breed a litter unless he/she is reasonably sure of finding good homes for the puppies. Owners of stud dogs should make it very clear to pet bitch owners the commitment and facilities necessary to rear a litter.
No puppy should leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks. Puppies should not be sold to homes where it is known that they will be left on their own all day.
No puppy should be exported before they are fully inoculated according to the regulations in force in the country to which they are being exported. Puppies should not be sold to countries where they are not protected by anti-cruelty laws. If doubt exists, DEFRA or the Kennel Club should be consulted.
No Cockers should be knowingly sold to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs or to persons known to sell stock to any of the above, nor should any stud services be provided to such persons (a dealer is defined as any person who regularly buys Cockers as an agent for sale at a profit; a person who buys Cockers as an agent for a known individual is not necessarily a dealer) No Cockers should be sold or offered as a prize in a raffle or competition.
Prospective buyers of puppies and/or adults should be carefully screened for suitability and should be fully advised of the characteristics of the Cocker Spaniel as a breed stressing the necessity for care, grooming and ample exercise. It should also be stated whether the puppy is registered at the Kennel Club.
No puppy or adult which has any apparent physical defects or which shows any definite departure from the Breed Standard should be knowingly sold without the buyer being made aware of such defects and its possible consequences. Members should only sell puppies and adults which to the best of their knowledge and belief, are in good health at the time of sale.
Each purchaser of a Cocker Spaniel puppy or adult should be provided at the time of sale with a pedigree, diet sheet and information about training, worming and inoculations. The purchaser should be provided, where applicable, either at the time of sale or as soon as possible thereafter with any necessary documents for Kennel Club registration. No puppy or adult that is of unregistered or partly unregistered parentage should be sold without the buyer being aware that he/she will be unable to register it with the Kennel Club.
It should be impressed on buyers that they should contact the breeder in the event of any problem arising with the puppy/adult and breeders should make every effort to be of assistance in these circumstances and that in the case of a dog needing to be re-homed, the breeder takes the responsibility wherever possible to assist as much as possible in achieving this end.
Advertising by members should be strictly factual. Misleading exaggeration or unfounded implications of superiority should not be used. Members should also refrain from making unfair or untrue statements about dogs or practices of others.
Members should be co-operative in any measures aimed at eradicating any hereditary disease and commit themselves to a positive programme of testing for hereditary defects
It would follow that it is the responsibility of all stud dog owners to investigate the history of all visiting bitches. No bitch should be mated unless she fits the criteria as stated in this schedule.
It would be considered to be unethical to exhibit a bitch at any show with the knowledge that she is in whelp as this could be extremely distressing to the bitch and the unborn puppies could be put at risk of infection resulting in various problems at birth i.e. cataract etc. When making the decision to mate a bitch all consideration should be given to her health and welfare and to the unborn puppies.
No dog or bitch having been taken in under the guise of Rescue by Cocker Club members or by an official Cocker Club Rescue Representative, shall be used in any breeding plan by that person or anyone else. The temperament of the rescued animal must be taken into consideration before any attempt is made to rehome it. If there is any doubt about the temperament, the appropriate action must be taken in accordance with the Cocker Club Rescue procedure.