The United Kennel Club, Inc., requires 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 5 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 and 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 be discriminating in the sales of my
puppies, and concerned with the types 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
inoculation 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 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.
*United Kennel Club Requirements
For Breeders of U.K.C. Registered Dogs
FOOD AND WATER
Clean water must be available at all times. Care
should be taken so that water dishes are not tipped easily. Dogs should be fed
at least once daily.
A balanced diet is necessary for
good health. Food containers must be cleaned regularly. Special attention to
feeding times is required in a multi-dog confinement area to ensure that each
dog receives adequate nutrition.
SHELTER
All dogs must have access to dry, weatherproof housing.
The shelter must be properly maintained in relation to weather conditions.
Regular inspections of housing is necessary to ensure sanitary bedding and
protection from objects harmful to pups and adults.
WHELPING
AREA
The whelping area must be a warm, clean
and roomy area segregated from other dogs, with easy accessibility for cleaning
and inspection. For both pups and mother, the kennel owner must provide a
healthy whelping area for maximum growth, survival, exercise and socialization
with humans.
CONFINEMENT
Each litter must be segregated or properly identified.
Dogs must be confined in such a manner that prevents their escape yet provides
adequate room for individual mobility. Crated dogs must have an exercise area
and receive adequate exercise daily. Females in season must be separated from
the males (other than the male she is bred to) for the entire heat cycle.
SAFETY
AND PROTECTION
The kennel owner
must ensure that dogs kenneled together are compatible and not in danger of
injuring one anther. Dogs must be protected from stray and wild animals and from
objects harmful to pups and adults. Adequate fencing is required.
HEALTH CARE
Vaccinations must be administered in accordance
with local and state requirements. An internal and external parasite program
must be maintained. Sick dogs must be separated from general kennel population.
Bathing/grooming should be administered as required by breed to maintain proper
health conditions.
SOCIALIZATION
A daily regimen of human interaction is necessary
to ensure the development of good temperament for all dogs; especially for pups.
WASTE DISPOSAL
Waste must be removed in accordance with accepted
local, state, and federal requirements. The kennel area must be cleaned of all
feces and urine daily. Solid waste must be removed from the kennel area.
RECORD KEEPING
Individual health records must be maintained for
each dog. All breedings must be recorded as well as the resultant litters from
those breedings. A sales record indicating to whom each dog is sold is necessary.
The "Official U.K.C. Breeder's Record" was designed to assist breeders
with record keeping. It is issued free of charge each time a litter is
registered with the U.K.C. All dogs must be easily identified within the kennel
operation. The kennel owner must have complete and accurate registration
documents for all U.K.C. registered dogs.
Kennel owners must meet all local, county, state and
federal government requirements for kennel operations. United Kennel Club, Inc.
reserves the right to inspect kennels at any time and to DNA-Profile any dogs
pursuant to the maintenance of the integrity of U.K.C. records. A person who
refuses inspection of his/her kennel or refuses to consent to DNA-Profiling of a
dog over which he/she has legal control may be barred from all Untied Kennel
Club privileges.