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CODE OF ETHICS - Click
here to PRINT
Revised 2/96, 1/99, 1/00, 6/06, 7/07
This Code of Ethics is presented as a guide for members whose foremost
aims should be the welfare and improvement of the Breed. The purpose
of these guidelines is to set forth minimum principles of practice
to which the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, Inc.
(RRCUS) would have its members adhere, as they strive to accomplish
the goals and purposes set forth in the constitution and bylaws
of the RRCUS. These guidelines are presented with the realization
that ethics are difficult to regulate and that most individuals
desire and intend to do what is right.
I. HEALTH
1. All dogs shall be kept in a clean, healthy, and safe environment.
2. Dogs will be provided with all nutrition, exercise, socialization,
vaccinations, deworming, and external parasite control and appropriate
veterinary
treatment necessary to provide maximum mental and physical well
being.
3. When a Rhodesian Ridgeback (neonate through adult) must be euthanized,
the procedure should be humanely performed.
II.
BREEDING: A breeder's aim and foremost responsibility shall
be to produce the healthiest and best representatives of the breed
possible.
1. Each litter shall be the result of conscientious planning, including
consideration of physical and genetic health, soundness, temperament
and
conformity to the official standard of the breed as established
by the RRCUS and approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
a. In order to protect the health and safety of the stud dog and
brood bitch (as well as resulting puppies) it is recommended that
both dog and
bitch have pre-breeding veterinary screenings to certify that they
are in good breeding condition. Tests may include, but are not limited
to:
brucella test, urinalysis (dog), vaginal exam, and vaginal culture.
b. Only dogs screened and certified clear of hip and elbow dysplasia
by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Pennhip or comparable
foreign registry shall be bred. Other recommended genetic testing
includes a complete thyroid panel* from an OFA-approved laboratory
or
canine endocrinologist, cardiac certification (OFA or cardiologist
evaluation) CERF* and BAER. Breeders shall endeavor to stay current
in
their knowledge of all known inheritable diseases present in the
breed and demonstrate reasonable care in eliminating those diseases.
(*indicates annual re-test requirement)
c. Only mature adult dogs shall be used in a breeding program. Additional
precautions, including a veterinarian consultation, should be taken
when breeding a bitch over seven (7) years and under 18 months of
age. Dogs and bitches under 24 months of age may only be bred if
preliminary genetic clearances have been obtained (see “B”
above)
2. Only purebred, American Kennel Club (AKC) [or equivalent] registered
Rhodesian Ridgebacks shall be used for breeding.
3. A litter should only be bred with the intention of producing
conformation and performance candidates and not for the pet market
alone.
4. When entering into a breeding agreement a written contract shall
be signed and dated by all owners and co-owners of the sire and
dam. Full
disclosure of all test results for inheritable disease shall be
made available to all parties.
5. Breeders and stud dog owners are held responsible for the progeny
of their dogs. Both are required to assist in the placement and
care of any do
in rescue that is either bred by them or sired by a dog that is
owned, co-owned or leased by them. “Breeder is defined as
the owner, co-owner or
lessee of the broodbitch at the time of whelp. Stud dog owner is
defined as the owner, co-owner or lessee of the stud dog at the
time of the
breeding.”
III. SALES: Members must
be particularly concerned with the proper placement of adults as
well as puppies, both pet and show potential.
1. Rhodesian Ridgebacks should not be displayed in public places
or on the internet for the sole purpose of immediate sale.
2. Breeders shall require purchasers to spay or neuter any dog that
is not considered breedable quality and make use of limited registrations
where
appropriate. If puppies with serious defects or faults (dermoid
sinus, ridgelessness) are sold rather than culled, the breeder must
take the extra
responsibility to see that the dog is spayed or neutered. Dermoid
surgery should be performed prior to placing the pup in a new home.
3. Members will not knowingly furnish puppies or adult dogs for
wholesale, pet shops, puppy brokers, commercial facilities, guard
dog businesses or agents thereof, or dispose of them as “Give
away” prizes or auction items; neither will they sell puppies
to nor breed to dogs owned by those whom
they have reason to believe may do so.
4. Members will not dispose of dogs or puppies by giving them to
the local animal shelter, pound, humane society or any organization
of that type.
5. AKC (or equivalent) Registration papers or a bill of sale stating
sire, dam, and date of birth shall accompany puppies as they go
to new homes.
6. Breeders shall furnish the buyer with written details on feeding,
dates of inoculations, deworming, and general care of the dog and
the name and
address of a licensed veterinarian who has examined the puppy after
the age of six weeks. Furthermore, full written disclosure of inheritable
disease testing done on both sire and dam shall be enclosed in the
puppy packet when the puppy leaves the breeder’s home.
7. Responsibility of the breeder does not stop with the sale. The
breeder should be available for consultation and to assist in the
recovery and
placement of any dog sold by the breeder if such need arises at
any time in the dogs’ life.
IV. REGISTRATION
AND RECORDS
a. All members shall keep complete and accurate records of individual
dogs, breedings, litters, pedigrees, and puppy sales as required
by the AKC,
and abide by the AKC rules and regulations.
b. Whenever a dog changes in ownership all parties shall enter into
a signed and dated written agreement.
V. CONDUCT:
Members shall do all within their power to uphold, promote and protect
the interests of the breed by conducting themselves in
a manner reflecting credit on the Club, its members, their dogs,
and the dog world in general.
1. Members shall abide by the rules and regulations of the AKC (or
the rules under which an event is held), and exhibit in the spirit
of good
sportsmanship, treating all present with respect and courtesy.
2. Hotels and show grounds shall be treated with respect and left
in a clean condition.
3. Consideration of other guests in the hotel is imperative, dogs
creating a disturbance are to be attended to immediately, and precautions
taken to
see that it does not happen again.
4. A member does not engage in false or misleading statements regarding
a judge, official, exhibitor, fellow member, another dog, or
misrepresentation of their own dogs through claims or advertising.
5. Documented misconduct or violation of this Code of Ethics should
objectively and calmly be presented to the proper representative
of RRCUS or the AKC when appropriate.
Education and communication are the preferred methods of obtaining
compliance to this Code of Ethics; however, flagrant, serious and/or
repeated disregard of this code may result in formal charges brought
before the RRCUS Board of Directors by RRCUS members,
nonmembers and/or the Ethics Committee. Contract violations as well
as slanderous or libelous allegations between members shall be
adjudicated in the courts prior to presentation to the proper representatives
of the RRCUS. |
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