CODE OF ETHICSThe Australian Shepherd Club of British Columbia (ASC of BC), in keeping with its aim of breeding for the working ability as will as temperament and conformation of the Australian Shepherd, hereby adopts the following Code of Ethics as its cornerstone, to promote and foster the highest standards among breeders, owners, and fanciers, to encourage good sportsmanship and cooperation and to work toward the improvement and advancement of our breed. All members in good standing with the ASC of BC, shall subscribe to and uphold this code. Article I - Records a) Each member who breeds his bitch or uses his stud for service shall keep accurate records of stock such as stud services, pedigrees, all litters produced, sales of dogs/puppies, all exchanges involving Australian Shepherds for a minimum of 5 years. b) Any member who falsifies a registration or knowingly misrepresents a pedigree shall be reported to the ASC of BC, c/o the club's secretary. Article II - Breeding a) A breeder shall plan each breeding with the paramount intention of improving the breed and only when he is in a position to give proper care to both bitch and offspring. b) A breeder shall select stud and matron with an eye to conformation, temperament and working abilities with a careful study of the ASCA Breed Standard, pedigrees, and basic principles of genetics. c) Before entering into any breeding agreement, a breeder shall scrutinize the pedigree, conformation and working potentials of both sire and dam, keeping in mind the ideal Australian Shepherd as described in the Standard. He shall refuse the breeding if in his opinion, it is not in the best interest of the breed. Should he refuse the breeding, a full explanation of his reasoning shall be given the owner of the bitch or stud. d) A breeder shall use for breeding purposes only those individuals free of defects such as monorchidism, cryptorchidism, deafness, albinoism and other such disqualifying defects named in the breed standard. He shall only use those individuals whose hips are recently x-rayed for dysplasia and have been rated normal to excellent by a qualified radiologist. He shall take care to use only dogs whose eyes have been examined and found free of signs of ocular deformities. He shall further refrain from using an individual who, although free of the above defects, consistently produces afflicted puppies. Article III - Health A breeder shall maintain high standards of health and care for his dogs and shall guarantee the health of puppies at the time of sale. Article IV - Sales a) A breeder shall be discriminating in the sale of his puppies and concerned with the type of homes in which they are placed. With this in mind, Australian Shepherds shall not be donated for raffles, giveaways or sold to dog wholesalers or retailers such as pet shops and the like. b) A breeder shall for his own protection as well as that of the buyer, provide adequate written contractual proof of sale and guarantees. c) A breeder shall provide a minimum 6 month written guarantee against crippling or handicapping congenital defects on all pet puppies sold, and shall additionally guarantee the sale of breeding stock puppies against all hereditary defects and any disqualifying faults for a like wise period. All guarantees shall at least provide for replacement of the puppy with another that meets the terms of the original guarantee, within a reasonable length of time after the return of the pup originally purchased, as agreed in writing by the purchaser and seller. d) A breeder shall transfer all applicable registration papers at the time the purchase agreement is completed and agreeable to both parties. e) Upon the sale of a dog/puppy the breeder shall provide all buyers with a 2 or more generation pedigree (if known) including coat and eye color, and care information including health and inoculation record complete with the date and type of serum. f) A breeder shall refrain from releasing a puppy until it is at least 7 weeks old or 8 weeks if it is to be shipped. g) A breeder shall inform new Australian Shepherd owners of ASCA and the Aussie Times magazine. Article V - Advertising a) The breeder agrees that all advertising of dogs/pups shall be factual and honest in both substance and implication. b) The breeders shall be cautious in encouraging buyers as to breeding potential as the breeding of Australian Shepherds is not to be taken lightly. Article VI - Member Relations a) The exhibiting of dogs, being a sport, ASC of BC members shall express good sports-manship in all activities involving the Australian Shepherd. b) Members shall refrain from unnecessary criticism of, or untruthful statements about another fancier or another's dogs. c) Novices are encouraged to seek the advice and assistance of more experienced owners and breeders and as a matter of ethics, members pledge to help educated the general public as well as graciously assist the novice breeder in all which the member is familiar. Article VII - Implementation Infractions of the Code shall be reported, in writing, to the ASC of BC, care of the secretary and shall be dealt with in accordance with the club's Bylaws. Only when a member continues to deviate from these ideals and is not cooperative in rectifying an error will the situation be considered by the club for disciplinary action. Join us! |
