American Dutch Shepherd Association Code of Ethics.
Preamble
As a member of American Dutch Shepherd Association, I recognize that I am faced with decisions about courses of action that can impact the health and well being of my own dogs and the preservation of the Dutch Shepherd breed as a whole.
As members of the ADSA, we share a deep concern for the welfare and future of the Dutch Shepherd.
This Code of Ethics has been developed in accordance with the purpose of the Club and the ADSA constitution to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of the purebred Dutch Shepherd.
The Code of Ethics is designed to promote sound ownership and breeding practices that preserve the health of the Dutch Shepherd and adhere to the Breed Standard.
In accordance with the ADSA by-laws, prospective members are asked to sign the ADSA Code of Ethics as part of the membership application.
1 AKC/ADSA
1.1I will abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club.
1.2I will record my Dutch Shepherds with AKC/ADSA.
1.3I will keep accurate records in compliance with the AKC/ADSA.
1.4I will abide by the By-Laws and Constitution of the ADSA.
2 Personal and Peer Conduct
2.1I will maintain sportsmanlike behavior in all canine endeavors and will work toward the betterment of the Dutch Shepherd breed.
2.2I pledge to help educate the public in the standard and the care of the Dutch Shepherd.
2.3I will educate myself about the conformation of my Dutch Shepherds, looking to their structure, health, and temperament.
2.4If necessary, I will consult with other breeders and knowledgeable, experienced members of the ADSA, regional clubs, or local kennel club to broaden my understanding and knowledge of the history of the breed BEFORE beginning a breeding program.
2.5I will never engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of my dogs.
2.6I will treat fellow club members, exhibitors, judges and spectators with respect and courtesy, whether at home, traveling or at shows.
2.7I will not degrade any fancier/breeder, his dogs or kennel operation.
2.8I will notify the ADSA Board of Directors of breeders whose actions do not appear to be in the best interest of the breed.
2.9I accept responsibility for the behavior of my Dutch Shepherd(s) at all times, including keeping them under control and cleaning up after them, especially at shows, hotels and other public places.
3General Dog Care
I will maintain high standards in the care of my dogs. Each dog I own or co-own will be, to the best of my knowledge and ability, provided with proper living quarters, nutrition, exercise, socialization individual attention and health care and I will strive to bring each dog to its full potential.
4Breeding
4.1I will only breed dogs possessing sound temperament, structure, good health and who exemplify the AKC/FCI Dutch Shepherd breed standard as I interpret it.
4.2I will not breed any bitch under 18 months of age.
4.3I will not breed any dog under 18 months of age. A onetime exemptionmay be allowed by the board of the ADSAas the result of a specific appeal to the board by a member in good standing of the ADSA.
4.4I will not breed a bitch after 96 months of age, without her veterinarian's approval.
4.5Periodicity of litters: the bitch shall not have more than 2 (two) litters in a period of 24 months. The 24 month period will start on the daythe first of the two covers takes place. The time between 2 (two) litters shall be at least 10 months (Counted from mating/breeding tomating/breeding).
4.6In no event may a bitch produce more than 4 litters in her lifetime.
4.7I will not permit a fellow breeder to use one of my stud dogs younger than 18 months with one of his/her bitches.
4.8I will provide written agreements for all stud services.
4.9If I breed a litter, I will be prepared to maintain the puppies myself or arrange safe accommodations for them until suitable homes are found for each one.
4.10My puppies will be at least 8 weeks old before being transferred to their new owner.
4.11I will breed only dogs with minimum four-generation pedigrees.
4.12I will only breed, or offer at stud, dogs which have been tested for hip and elbow dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Penn Hip, Genetic Disease Control (GDC) or recognized foreign registry. Note that European registries will only allow for ISO 9001 compliant DNA testing.Breeding should be done by preference with HD negative dogs.
4.13I will only use Roughhair dogs & bitches which have been tested for GD eye disease by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (C.E.R.F.) GD Carriers are not allowed to be bred to other GD Carriers. (So far, there has been no evidence of GD in Shorthairs and Longhairs.)
4.14I will disclose the test results of my dog or bitch to the owner of the dog that is chosen to be bred to my bitch or dog.
4.15I will have each of my dogs micro-chipped for permanent identification.
4.16All of my breeding stock will have their DNA registered at AKC prior to breeding.
4.17I will not breed purebred Dutch Shepherds with other breeds. (e.g. Malinois, Tervuerens, Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds etc.)
4.18I will report all hereditary or congenital health problems to the ADSA's health database coordinator. I will not knowingly breed any dog that has a hereditary disease or defect.
4.19When breeding to a foreign stud dog, using imported frozen semen, importing a stud dog or importing a bitch in whelp:
Foreign stud dogs used for breeding will have been tested for health certifications
customary for his homeland.
Imported frozen semen will come from a male whose hips were tested for
hip dysplasia in his homeland.
An imported stud dog will have tested for health certifications customary for
his homeland. In the event his country of origin tests hips only, he will have his
elbows and eyes tested according to ADSA regulations before being used for breeding. If he is under 18 months of age, he will not be used for breeding until his health checks (hips, elbows, eyes in Roughhairs) have been performed.
A foreign bitch imported into the United States in whelp will arrive with an
export pedigree and proof of a hip exam in her homeland if over 18 months of age. If she is under 18 months of age, she will not be used for breeding until her health checks (hips, elbows, and in case of Roughhair, the eyes) have been performed.
5.Transfer of Ownership /Paperwork
5.1When transferring ownership, I will provide an AKC/ADSA 3 generation pedigree unless I am deliberately withholding it pending an action, such as spaying/neutering, required of the new owner in a contract.
5.2I will also provide a written sales agreement and any other information such as medical records and puppy care information. I will also supply a written health guarantee detailing conditions for replacement or reimbursement.
5.3When transferring ownership, I will ensure that the dog is up to date on necessary vaccinations and is transferred with written records indicating this. A current health certificate will be provided to any new owner who requests it.
5.4When transferring ownership, I will actively encourage the new owner to become a member of the ADSA.
5.5When transferring ownership of a dog with hereditary defects or disqualifying faults, I will make full disclosure of the condition to the buyer.
5.6I will educate prospective owners about the temperament and likely traits of the dog, and the investment of time, money and energy that will be required to properly house, train and maintain a Dutch Shepherd.
5.7I will remain available to the new owner for ongoing support.
5.8I will ensure that each puppy's microchip number is registered and traceable back to me.
5.9I will screen each puppy buyer and strive to place each dog in a permanent home.
5.10Under no circumstances will I engage in wholesaling litters nor will I knowingly sell to puppy mills, pet dealers, retailers, catalog houses, commercial breeding operations, buyers /brokers or supply puppies or dogs for raffles, lotteries, auctions or laboratories.
5.11I am aware that there is a surplus of dogs in today's society and will undertake breeding with a lasting commitment to the dogs I produce. I will help the purchaser in every reasonable way for the life of the dog. In the event the purchaser must give up the dog, I am prepared to take the dog back and to be responsible for placing the dog in another suitable home.
6 Notes
6.1If I voluntarily remove myself from the Breeder Referral List (due to a breeding which would violate any portion of the ADSA Breeders' Code of Ethics) I understand I must wait 2 years to re-sign the Code of Ethics and be listed on the Breeder Referral List.
6.2As co-owner of a stud dog that does not reside with me, I will not be held accountable if said dog is used against my will in a manner that is in violation of the Code of Ethics.
6.3Important information when considering a co-ownership, excerpt from the AKC Procedures for Registration Matters: "Co-ownership arrangements, in far too many cases, lead to problems. While AKC registration application forms provide for more than one owner, we recommend that co-ownerships be avoided. It has been our experience that purchasing a dog outright is preferable. We would like to point out that if a co-owner is suspended of all AKC privileges, then for the term of the suspension, recording of a transfer of the dog that is co-owned is barred and registrations of litters sired by or whelped by the dog in question are barred. Wins taken by the dog in AKC-licensed or member events are subject to disallowment."
I have carefully read and agree to follow the above outlined guidelines and I completely understand the penalties for violating the ABMC's Breeders' Code of Ethics.
Signed:
Date: