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CODE OF ETHICS
A. GENERAL
1. Provide appropriate housing, food and health care.
2. Endeavor to enhance the role of the Leonberger in society, through training, education, and good neighbour practice.
3. Exhibit good sportsmanship, integrity, and honesty when taking part in any activity.
4. Undertake the task of educating and encouraging all newcomers to the world of purebred Leonbergers, no matter what their field of interest.
B. BREEDING
1. All breedings should be planned and aimed at improvement of the breed.
2. Before considering the breeding of any Leonberger, the breeder should have a full and thorough, comprehensive understanding of the breed, its approved standard, and its original purpose.
3. Before breeding either a male or female, the owner of both should have a thorough understanding of the genetics of his or her dog, with special attention given to genetic diseases which may exist in the individual dog.
4. The owner of the stud is just as responsible for any breeding as the owner of the female.
5. In consideration of the aim of the overall improvement of the breed, the breeder must decline any breeding when the presence of any undesirable or potentially debilitating genetic or behavioral trait is known or suspected in either the sire or the dam. The owner of the stud should refuse service to any bitch he sincerely feels is not worthy of breeding.
6. As a MINIMUM requirement, all breeding stock must hold:
a) a certificate of examination from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) indicating no evidence of Hip or Elbow dysplasia. This certification must be done no younger than 2 years of age. PennHip is also an acceptable alternative to Hip Xrays.
b) a certificate of examination from an accredited Ophthalmology institute (Canine Eye Registration Foundation – C.E.R.F.), indicating no evidence of inherited eye disease or functional abnormalities of the eye which will affect the sight of the dog at present or in the future. In the event that a CERF Certificate Number is issued containing a Breeder’s Option Code, it is the dog owner’s responsibility to disclose all pertinent data contained in the CERF report to all interested parties as it may affect the offspring of future breedings.
c) a certificate of examination from a Cardiologist or Practitioner indicating no physical signs of cardiovascular disease.
d) veterinary certificate that the dog has been tested and found to be clear of Hypothyroidism (Full Panel – T4, T3, FT4, FT3, T4AA, T3AA, TSH, TgAA).
e) no dog or bitch should be bred under the age of two years.
f) any dog used for breeding should have a temperament consistent for the breed.
g) proof of socialization for every dog bred, i.e., Canine Good Citizen Test and/or Canine Good Neighbour Test, Obedience Trials, Conformation Shows, etc.
h) proof of LPN1 and LPN2 tests from an accredited institute. Dogs with a LPN1 carrier gene (D/N) will only be bred to clear dogs (N/N). Dogs with a carrier gene for LPN2 must not be used in a breeding program.
Note: For the future, should testing be developed for other LPN gene designations, it will automatically be included as a mandatory test requirement.
i) veterinary certificate that the dog has been tested and found to be clear of any abnormalities for Von Willebrands (this test is optional but recommended).
7. All published data pertaining to health clearances must be factual and not worded as to be misleading or misrepresentative.
8. Breeders will be required to submit proof of any and all clearances done on their breeding stock to the LCO Board or a Committee duly appointed for that purpose, in the event the information is not available through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or any other accredited registering body.
9. Complete a stud dog contract to be signed by both parties before the mating takes place. Stud or Breeding Contracts should be used to clearly set out the agreed upon conditions in regards to re-servicing, number of puppies constituting a litter, stud fee, substituting either mate for future return services.
10. No owner of a stud will allow his dog to service a bitch owned by a pet store, chain or commercial kennel.
11. No bitch should be bred on consecutive heat sessions.
C. EXCEPTION
A member may request an Exception to the rules set forth in Section B- BREEDING of this Code by submitting a request, in writing, to a representative of the LCO Board of Directors or a Committee duly appointed for this purpose. All requests are to be made prior to the breeding taking place and will be evaluated by the entire Board or Committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions will be based on a majority vote of the Board or Committee, and shall be forwarded to the member by regular mail, e-mail or facsimile no later than 30 days following receipt of the request for Exception.
D. ADVERTISING
1. All advertising is factual. It is not so worded as to be misleading or misrepresentative, to attract undesirable buyers or to encourage the raising of Leonbergers merely as a money-making scheme.
2. The Club will not accept any advertising or information to be printed in a Club publication regarding future breedings, upcoming or existing litters, stud services, that indicates the existence of a certificate of examination for hip/elbow dysplasia, eye, heart, blood, or other conditions, unless a copy of the certificate of examination, indicated in the advertisement or information, is provided at the time of submission.
E. SALES
1. Each puppy will be identified by means of a tattoo or microchip in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club. This MUST be done prior to the puppy leaving the breeder.
2. The breeder will not supply puppies or adult dogs to pet stores, commercial dealers, flea-market-type operations for raffles, give-away prizes or other such projects.
3. The breeder should screen all buyers on their desire and ultimate intent for each Leonberger. Their interest and ability to provide a safe adequate and loving home should be determined. Fenced yards and the use of crates should be recommended.
4. The breeder will provide the purchaser with a written agreement of sale which specifies the conditions on which the dog is being sold and the agreed upon purchase price.
5. Provide the new owner with complete health records which states dates of de-worming, shots, and any other pertinent information.
6. Provide the buyer with a 3 generation pedigree and the results of any hip, elbow, eye, heart, LPN1 and LPN2 tests and blood examination carried out on the sire and dam and grandparents (optional) of the puppy/dog being purchased.
7. Provide a written health guarantee, specifying length of guarantee, and to what degree. All guarantees should at least provide for replacement of the puppy with another, within a reasonable length of time after the return of the puppy originally purchased.
8. All puppies leaving the breeder’s possession are at least eight (8) weeks old, with the exception of puppies shipped as potential guides for the blind, which may be released between six (6) and seven (7) weeks of age. All puppies under twelve (12) weeks of age to be shipped by air must be accompanied by an individual approved by the breeder.
9. Non-Breeding Agreement:
a) All Leonbergers sold in Canada must be sold on the Canadian Kennel Club Non-Breeding Agreement. The agreement must not be cancelled unless the adult dog obtains the minimum requirements for breeding stock as defined in section “B. BREEDING”, and in the opinion of the breeder or a knowledgeable, independent third party approved by the breeder that the dog is worthy of being bred, or unless the breeder has proof the dog has been spayed or neutered.
b) Exceptions to this clause may be made only in cases where breeders are selling Leonbergers to foreign countries or to individuals wishing to exhibit in a foreign country such as the United States. In such cases, a private purchase agreement must be executed between the breeder and purchaser which is in keeping with the principles of the use of the Canadian Kennel Club Non-Breeding Agreement and this Code of Ethics.
c) The breeder shall not charge the buyer a fee to cancel the CKC Non- Breeding Agreement, except for reimbursement of the applicable CKC fees, or as per the terms specified in the Agreement of Sale provided to the purchaser.
10. Strive to be accurate and honest to the best of their ability in appraising the quality of the Leonberger being offered for sale or placement with reference to the standard of the breed.
11. recommend to the new owners to spay or neuter all pets at an appropriate age.
12. Recommend basic obedience training for the puppy/dog.
13. Ensure that all relevant CKC registration papers are provided to the new owner within a six (6) month period from the date of sale.
14. Provide written instructions on feeding, care, training and transporting.
15. Endeavour to help the new owners in every reasonable way.
F. CONDUCT
1. No member will participate in any act(s) which may bring the name of the Club or any of its members into disrepute.
2. This Code of Ethics constitutes the required standard of behavior expected of members. Any member(s) found in breach of this Code could be called upon to explain their actions to the Club. In addition, member(s) may be subject to having his/her kennel name removed from the Club’s Breeders List, and/or be subject to additional disciplinary action being taken at the Board’s discretion. (Refer to “Articles 11. DISCIPLINE; 11.1 Canadian Kennel Club Suspension; 11.2 Complaints; 11.3 Hearing; and 11.5 Expulsion” of the By-Laws of the Leonberger Club of Ontario.)
Revised February 2012
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Page Updated February 12, 2012 |
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Leonberger Club of Ontario
