Proposed Code of Ethics - Highveld Belgian Shepherd Dog Club

(Ref 11/01) Still to be finally approved by the members

Every person who is, or has applied to become, a member of the Highveld Belgian Shepherd Dog Club pledges to abide by the Club’s code of ethics.

Members of the Club [HBSDC] shall:

1. Conduct themselves in a positive and sportive manner so as to be a credit to the sport of purebred dogs in general and to the Belgian Shepherd Dog Breed in particular.

2. Abide by the constitution of the Club as well as the Code of Ethics of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa.

3. Not be party to any actions that could bring the Breed and/or the Club into disrepute.

4. Familiarise themselves with the Belgian Shepherd Dog’s true characteristics and undertake to promote the breed in line with its desired traits.

5. Pledge to help educate the public about the many attributes of the Belgian Shepherd Dog and attempt to rectify any incorrect perceptions that people may have about the breed.

6. Consider the well-being of their dog(s) and the BSD Breed in general above any personal gain or benefit and will take responsibility for the dog(s) they own.

7. Provide each dog in his or her care with individual attention and strive to bring each dog to its full potential.

8. Ensure that all dogs in his or her care are adequately housed and provide suitably qualified veterinary care as and when required.

9. Be honest in their dealings with all relevant persons and institutions concerning the origin, health and characteristics of their dogs.

10. Not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, nor falsely advertise or mislead any person regarding any aspect relating to the Belgian Shepherd Dog Breed and/or qualities of any dog.

11. Bring to attention of the relevant authorities any knowledge of dishonest actions that could detract from the pursuit of the betterment of the Breed.

12. Provide to all persons obtaining dogs from them written details of the dietary and immunization requirements as well as a written agreement of transfer stipulating all relevant conditions.

13. Ensure that all persons acquiring dogs from them clearly understand their responsibilities in relation to the care and welfare of such dogs.

14. Notify the relevant authorities if he/she witnesses any cases of cruelty/neglect of dogs or any other animals and not be party to any such actions themselves.

15. Notify the club of any matters that may appear to be detrimental to the best interest of the Breed.

16. Under no circumstances engage in, or be party to, the supply of puppies and/or adult dogs to puppy farms, pet dealers or retailers, or any commercial distributors, etc.

17. Not knowingly surrender a dog in their care to any person or party that will not provide adequate care for, and/or not have the interest of the dog or Breed at heart.

18. Aim to resolve any disputes in such a manner so as to be a credit to the Breed, the Club, and dogdom in general.

19. Agree to abide by both the letter and the spirit of this Code of Ethics irrespective of whether the dogs in their care are purebred Belgian Shepherd Dogs or not.

20. Members planning to breed from their dog(s) agree to abide by the Club’s Breeding Guidelines irrespective of whether the resulting litter is registered or not.

21. Breeding Guidelines

The Breeding Guidelines as listed below form an integral part of the Club’s Code of Ethics and represent a list of minimum requirements. The future of the breed is determined by the dedication of it’s fanciers and it is highly recommended that members remain vigilant and continue investigating ways and means of improving the breed and not limit their involvement to the items in this list.

Any member who intend breeding from their dog(s) will:

21.1. Familiarize himself or herself with the breed standard and strive to produce dogs of sound health, temperament, and characteristic breed type.

21.2. Breed with the aim of advancing the breed in accordance with its true characteristics and not to suit public demand and perceptions.

21.3. Ensure that any dogs and bitches that they breed from are of a standard suitable for breeding.

21.4. Only breed a litter if there is sufficient reason to believe that the resulting puppies will be an asset to the breed at large – and not merely an increase in numbers.

21.5. Keep accurate records in respect of parentage, registrations, health issues, etc. and make information from such records available to the Club in cases where such information is of greater interest to the Breed at large.

21.6. Have every dog or bitch that is to be used for breeding radiologically examined and certified for Hip Dysplasia by an approved institution prior to the mating.

21.7. Not breed from a dog or bitch displaying a serious hereditary defect and/or being a known carrier of any such serious hereditary defect.

21.8. Not breed from any dog before the minimum age of 2 years unless the traits of the ancestors of the relevant breeding dogs are well known to the person breeding the litter.

21.9. Only breed from a bitch one she is fully developed and only when in robust health and good physical condition, and preferably not after the age of 8 years.

21.10. Not normally breed from a bitch more than twice in three [3] seasons subject to clause 21.9

21.11. Undertake breeding with a lasting commitment to the dogs produced, and only breed if they are prepared to keep the resultant puppies until such time as each is suitably placed.

21.12. Raise puppies in healthy surroundings, with adequate socialization, and inoculate and de-worm all puppies in accordance with veterinary recommendations.

21.13. Permanently identify every puppy, either by tattoo or microchip, prior to placement.

21.14. Undertake not to place a puppy before the age of 8 weeks, unless the new owners are suitably experienced to cope with a young puppy’s needs.

21.15. Not produce repeat litters as a matter of course and keep an open mind on other possible combinations that may be better suited to the goal of improvement of the breed.

21.16. Make an effort to establish if the puppies from a dog or bitch’s previous litters are free of hereditary defect and of sufficient quality to justify further breeding from either of the parent dogs in future.

21.17. Accept the responsibilities of breeding, and commit to withdraw from breeding, any dogs or bitches if there are indications that such dogs no longer have a role to play in the improvement of the breed - even if such a decision may have financial implications.

21.18. Screen respective puppy buyers and strive to place each dog in a permanent home.

21.19. Allow each purchaser all reasonable access to view the mother of the puppy at the time of purchase as well as providing the contact details of the stud dog owner.

21.20. Endeavor to sell only to people that agree to uphold and promote the correct image of the breed irrespective of their interest and/or involvement in organised dogdom.

21.21. As a minimum, provide each purchaser with a written copy of the following:

21.21.1. Documentation regarding the Sire and Dam's registration, origin, and health certificates.

21.21.2. Instructions for care and feeding

21.21.3. An accurate three-generation pedigree,

21.21.4. Inoculation and de-worming information

21.21.5. A purchase agreement (contract) stipulating the health guarantee, price, and any terms to which the seller and purchaser have agreed.

21.22. Undertake to help the purchaser in every reasonable way for the duration of the dog’s life.

21.23. Be prepared to take the dog back and be responsible for placing the dog in another suitable home should the purchaser no longer be able to keep the dog.

21.24. Choose a stud dog that complements the bitch’s qualities and make an effort to investigate, and consider using, other stud dogs rather than automatically limit their choices to their own dog(s).

21.25. Offer at stud only dogs, which are mature, conform to the breed standard and are not known carriers of any serious hereditary defects.

21.26. Accept for stud service only those bitches which meet the same criteria as the stud and whose owners are prepared to accept the responsibilities outlined in this code of ethics.

21.27. Ensure that their stud dogs are not used on non-member’s dogs knowing that any point of this code of ethics will not be adhered to.

21.28. Provide a written agreement stipulating the conditions under which the stud service is provided.

21.29. Not knowingly permit any of their Belgian Shepherds to breed with any other variety of Belgian Shepherd Dog. (Cross-breeding between the different varieties of the Breed is prohibited save in very exceptional circumstances where it can be proven that any such mating is in the direct interest of the Breed at large and then only subject to the regulations as in force at that time)

21.30. Not knowingly permit any of their purebred Belgian Shepherd Dogs to breed with a dog of a different breed or dog of unknown ancestry.

This Code of Ethics shall be considered as a complete document and members agree to abide by both the letter and the spirit of this Code. Individual items in this Code of Ethics must be seen in context to the whole as well as the underlying objective of being in the better interest of the Breed.

The Committee of the HBSDC reserves the right to request an explanation from any member who does not abide by this Code of Ethics.

The committee of the HBSDC reserves the right to amend or improve this Code of Ethics as the need may arise.