German Shepherd Dog Club of Rochester, NY, Inc.

BREEDER'S CODE OF ETHICS

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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

  1. 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.
     
  2. 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.
     
  3. 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

  1. 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.
     
  2. 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.
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. 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

  1. 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.
     
  2. 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.
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. Provide a copy of the German Shepherd Dog Standard to accompany any puppy or adult dog sold by me.
     
  5. 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.
     
  6. 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.