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The
United Kennel Club, Inc.,
requests that all breeders
subscribe to the following Code
of Ethics to promote and foster
the highest standards among
breeders, owners, and fanciers,
and to encourage sportsmanship
and cooperation in the
improvement and advancement of
U.K.C. registered breeds.
RECORDS
I am
familiar with, and follow, the "U.K.C.
Kennel Requirements". I will
keep accurate records and retain
those records for a minimum of
five years. These records will
include: stud service contracts,
pedigrees, all litters produced,
and all dogs/puppies sold. I
will use the "Breeder's Record"
that the U.K.C. provides to me
to maintain these records. I
will report to the Registration
Office of the United Kennel
Club, Inc. any person who
falsifies a registration or
knowingly misrepresents a
pedigree.
BREEDING
I shall
plan each breeding with the
paramount intention of improving
the breed.
I will
select the stud dog and brood
bitch with an eye to
conformation, temperament, and
working instinct and ability,
with a careful study of the
breed standard, and the
principles of genetics.
I will not
breed any male or female until
they are both physically and
mentally mature.
Before
entering into any breeding
arrangement, I will scrutinize
the pedigree, conformation, and
working potential of both the
sire and dam, keeping in mind
the ideal of the breed. I have
an obligation to refuse the
breeding if, in my opinion, it
is not in the best interest of
the breed.
As a
responsible stud dog owner, I
understand that should I refuse
a breeding, I will fully explain
my reasons to the owner of the
bitch.
I believe
that only those dogs known to be
free of serious or disqualifying
defects should be used for
breeding. I will not breed
monorchids, cryptorchids, dogs
with vicious or shy
temperaments, or dogs with
serious defects or
disqualifications addressed in
their breed standards.
As a
responsible breeder, I will
refrain from using a dog that,
although free from serious or
disqualifying defects,
consistently produces afflicted
puppies.
I will
encourage/require the buyers of
pet quality puppies to spay or
neuter them.
HEALTH
I will
maintain high standards of
health and care for my dogs and
guarantee the health of my
puppies at the time of sale.
SALES
I will
show discrimination in the sale
of my puppies and be concerned
with the type of homes in which
they are placed. My dogs/puppies
will not be sold to dog
wholesalers or retailers.
I will
transfer all applicable
registration papers at the time
the purchase agreement is
completed and is agreeable to
both parties.
Upon the
sale of a dog/puppy, I will
provide the buyer with a
properly executed U.K.C.
Registration Certificate, diet
record, an innoculation and
parasite control record, and a
health guarantee.
I will
refrain from releasing any puppy
until it is at least seven (7)
weeks old, or eight (8) weeks
old if the puppy is to be
shipped.
ADVERTISING
My
advertising of dogs/puppies will
be factual and honest, both in
substance and implication.
I will
avoid encouraging buyers
regarding the breeding potential
of a dog/puppy. I believe
breeding purebred dogs involves
certain responsibilities and I
will not take it lightly.
EXHIBITOR/BREEDER RELATIONS
I
understand that exhibiting dogs
is a sport and that I am
expected to express good
sportsmanship in all activities.
As an
exhibitor I will refrain from
unnecessary criticism of other
people's dogs.
As a matter of ethics, I pledge
to help educate the general
public as well as to assist the
novice breeder.
IMPLEMENTATION
This
Code of Ethics is intended as an
expression of goals for
breeders, exhibitors, and
fanciers. It is not to be
construed as a rule or
regulation to be enforced by
punishment. Breeders are
expected to police themselves in
a civil and responsible manner.
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Copyright 2003-2004, United
Kennel Club, Inc. |
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