STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this Breeder's Code shall be to serve as a guideline for a
minimum standard of excellence in the ownership, breeding and sales of the
German Shepherd Dog. To that end, I hereby pledge to:
HEALTH
- Maintain the highest possible standards of health, cleanliness and care
in my kennel. This includes, but is not limited to proper veterinary care,
regular contact with people and exposure to the outside world for proper
socialization of all my dogs.
- Urge all buyers to have the puppy or adult dog sold by me, examined by a
licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of receipt. The buyer will pay for the
examination.
- Deliver or ship only puppies or adult dogs of sound health and
temperament. Where the buyer or his authorized representative did not
personally see and choose said dog, a period of 48 hours is granted to
advise of the final decision and an additional 48 hours is provided if the
dog is to be returned.
BREEDING
- Encourage bitch owners to breed only if they have facilities, time and
resources to adequately care for a litter and upon strong evidence of the
possibility of finding suitable homes for the resultant litter.
- Refuse stud service to any bitch I consider in poor health, physically
or mentally unsound, or lacking the necessary breed characteristics as set
forth in the German Shepherd Dog standard. Before or at the time of
breeding, an exchange of pedigrees and hip and elbow X-ray information must
be made.
- Allow one repeat service where a bitch has failed to conceive after
being bred to one of my studs, if the stud is still in good health and
available, and at such time and place as mutually agreed upon by the owner
of the bitch and myself.
- Breed my own bitches only when I have a definite goal for improvement of
the breed in mind, never permitting them to produce three consecutive
litters unless breeding consecutive litters is recommended by a
veterinarian. I fully understand that I am responsible for keeping and/or
finding suitable homes for the resultant puppies.
SALES
- Use a sales contract or written agreement in any sale or purchase
involving a dog. The sales contract offered by the German Shepherd Dog Club
of America, or one similar to it, which covers guarantees and agreements
must be used with a signed copy to each party involved.
- Refuse to sell to or recommend breeders who do not conform to the ideas
and obligations expressed in this Code and refuse all sales to dog
wholesalers and retailers.
- Provide buyers of my German Shepherd Dogs with a four-generation
pedigree, complete health records, accurate breeding, OFA and registration
records, except that registration papers may be withheld or limited in the
case of a dog who the parties have agreed in writing will not be bred, until
it has been spayed/neutered as evidenced by veterinary confirmation.
- Provide a copy of the German Shepherd Dog Standard to accompany any
puppy or adult dog sold by me.
- To encourage and invite the new owners of any dog sold by me to attend
some type of training class and to join in becoming guardians of the Breed
by participating in local dog club activities, educational programs, a
regional German Shepherd Dog club and/or the German Shepherd Dog Club of
America.
- Assure puppy buyers that if at any time the buyer has to place the dog,
the breeder must be notified and given the opportunity to assist the buyer
in placing the dog.
NOTE TO BREEDERS: If you do not follow this Breeders' Code
of Ethics once signed, you could be brought up on disciplinary charges and
removed from the Club.
Date: ____________________________
Signed: _____________________________________________
Signed: _____________________________________________
Name (print)
______________________________________________________________________________
Address:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________________ Email:
_________________________________________
NOTE TO MEMBERS: Only GSDC of Rochester members in good
standing may be official signers of this Breeders' Code of Ethics. Membership
termination also voids your status as a signer of the code. You must re-sign the
Breeders' Code when you rejoin the GSDC of Rochester.
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