AMENDED AUGUST 1 2003

All Membership Applicants are required to review the code of ethics and sign and submit the Code of Ethics Agreement with their membership or renewal.

 

The Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America, Inc., requests that all breeders and owners subscribe to the following Code of Ethics to promote and foster the highest standards among breeders, owners and fanciers, and to encourage sportsmanship and cooperation in the improvement and advancement of the Dogue de Bordeaux.

HEALTH: I maintain high standards of health and care for my dogs, and guarantee the health of my puppies at the time of sale.
Vaccinations: Vaccinations must be administered in accordance with local and state requirements.  An internal and external parasite control program must be maintained.  Sick dogs must be separated from general kennel population.  Bathing/grooming should be administered as required by breed to maintain proper health conditions.
Socialization:  A daily regimen of human interaction is necessary to ensure the development of good temperament for all dogs; especially pups.
Waste Disposal: Waste must be removed in accordance with accepted local and state requirements.  The kennel area must be cleaned of all feces and urine daily.  Solid waste must be removed from the kennel area.
Food and Water: Clean water must be available at all times.  Care should be taken so that water dishes are not tipped easily.  Dogs should be fed at least once daily.
A balanced diet is necessary for good health.  Food containers must be cleansed regularly.  Attention to feeding times in a multi-dog confinement area is necessary to ensure that each dog receives adequate nourishment.
Shelter: All dogs must have access to dry, weatherproof housing.  The shelter must be properly maintained in relation to climatic conditions.  Regular inspections of housing is necessary to ensure sanitary bedding and protection from objects harmful to pups and adults.
Safety and Protection: Should the kennel owner choose to kennel dogs together, there must be attention given so that dogs are not in danger of injuring one another.  Also, there must be protection from stray and wild animals and from objects harmful to pups and adults.  Adequate fencing is required.

DOG FIGHTING: I shall discourage the promotion, support, and raising of dogs for fighting. I will not knowingly sell, give or trade dogs that will be used for fighting; I shall not condone or be associated with the facing off, game testing, rolling or pitting of dogs.

RECORDS: I will keep accurate records, and retain those records for a minimum of five years. These records will include: health and vaccination records, stud service contracts, pedigrees, all litters produced, and all dogs/puppies sold. 
All dogs are easily identified within my kennel operation. I maintain complete and accurate registration documents on all dogs. I will report any person who falsifies a registration, or knowingly misrepresents a pedigree to the proper registration outlet.

BREEDING: I shall plan each breeding with the paramount intention of improving the breed.

I will select the stud dog and brood bitch with an eye to conformation, temperament, and working instinct and ability, with a careful study of the breed standard and the principles of genetics. I will not breed any male or female until they are both physically and mentally mature.

Before entering into any breeding arrangement, I will scrutinize the pedigree, conformation, and working potential of both the sire and dam, keeping in mind the ideal of the breed.  I have an obligation to refuse the breeding if, in my opinion, it is not in the best interest of the breed.

As a responsible stud dog owner, I understand that should I refuse a breeding, I will fully explain my reasons to the owner of the bitch.

I subscribe to the policy that only those dogs known to be free of defects should be used for breeding.  Those include unilateral or bilateral cryptorchids, evidence of vicious or shy temperaments, and any other defect addressed in the breed standard.

Being a responsible breeder, I will refrain from using a dog that, although free from the above defects, consistently produces afflicted puppies.

Whelping Area: The whelping area must be a warm, clean and roomy area with easy accessible for cleaning and inspection.  For both pups and mother, the kennel owner must provide a healthy whelping area for maximum growth, survival, exercise and socialization with humans.
Confinement: Each litter must be segregated or properly identified.  Dogs must be confined in such a manner that prevents their escape yet provides adequate room for individual mobility.  Crated dogs must have exercise area and receive adequate exercise daily.  Females in season must be separated from males (other than the male she is bred to) for the entire heat cycle.

SALES: I will be discriminating in the sale of my puppies, and concerned with the type of homes in which they are placed.  My dogs/puppies will not be sold to dog wholesalers,  retailers or pet stores.

I will transfer all applicable registration papers at the time the purchase agreement is completed and is agreeable to both parties.
Upon the sale of a puppy, I will provide the buyer with a diet record, an inoculation and parasite control record, and a health guarantee.

I will refrain from releasing any puppy until it is at least seven (7) weeks old, or eight (8) weeks old if the puppy is to be shipped.

ADVERTISING: I agree that all advertising of dogs/puppies should be factual and honest, both in substance and implication.
I will avoid encouraging buyers regarding the breeding potential of a dog/puppy.  The breeding of any purebred dogs involves certain responsibilities, and is not to be taken lightly.

EXHIBITOR/BREEDER RELATIONS: I understand that exhibiting dogs is a sport, and that I am expected to express good sportsmanship in all activities. As an exhibitor I will refrain from unnecessary criticism of other people's dogs.

As a matter of ethics, I pledge to help educate the general public as well as to assist the novice breeder.

IMPLEMENTATION: The DDBSA Code of Ethics is enforceable by the DDBSA Board of Directors under the provisions of of the By Laws of the DDBSA. Members in violation of these codes are subject to disciplinary actions of the DDBSA including suspension and/or expulsion.

Kennel owners must meet all local, county and state government requirements for kennel operations.

Adapted from the United Kennel Club Code of Ethics.

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