The High Desert Labrador Retriever Club of CA, Inc., asserts that its membership has an obligation to the Labrador retriever to preserve the magnificence of the breed without exploiting it. In addition, it is asserted that this club owes an obligation to future members and others interested in the Labrador retriever breed, and thereby sets forth this code of ethics for decision making with regard to the breeding, exhibition, husbandry, and representation of the breed.
Responsibilities of members:
Read and familiarize yourself with the Breed Standard for the Labrador Retriever
Support and abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club.
Assume the responsibility to maintain the best possible standards of proper feeding, health, veterinary care, and training of all Labrador retrievers in your care.
Always conduct yourself at any dog event in a manner which will reflect well upon HDLRC and the Labrador Retriever breed.
Refrain from public criticism or maligning of other members or their dogs, as well as other Labrador retriever clubs.
Never knowingly place a Labrador retriever with persons who would not provide proper and humane care to the dog, sell any Labrador retriever to a pet shop, research facility, wholesale dealers in dogs, or offer for auction any Labrador retriever.
Breed only registered Labrador retrievers with other registered Labrador retrievers, and keep accurate records of ownership, health, and matings.
Maintain the natural ability and personality of the Labrador retriever for work as a gun dog.
Breed a litter only when it is conscientiously felt that such breeding will result in improvement or preservation of the qualities inherent in the breed. Prior to any breeding, owners of the bitch and dog shall supply to each other accurate and complete information on their dog or bitch with respect to all genetic testing, or undesirable characteristics of which they are aware.
Breed only those dogs certified clear of genetic joint diseases at two years of age by one of the following: The O.F.A., Wind-Morgan, or PennHip Distraction Index. Males bred before the age of two years, should have preliminary certification by any of the above mentioned methods within one year of breeding.
Breed only those dogs that have been certified up to the age of 6 years, as free from evidence of inherited eye disease on an examination report from Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.
No bitch shall be bred before the age of two years to allow for maturity, nor shall she have more than one litter in a 12-month period or more than 5 litters in her lifetime.
Screen all prospective purchasers to assure that each puppy will have a safe and loving home. Each breeder shall accurately represent each puppy to the prospective purchaser and furnish prospective purchasers with information on appropriate genetic clearances on the sire and dam, as well as health records on each puppy. Details on feeding and proper care shall be provided to the purchaser.
Release puppies to new homes no earlier than the age of eight weeks.
It is recommended that the purchaser of any puppy not sold as a show or breeding animal be provided with an AKC Limited Registration for that puppy.
Accept responsibility for those animals that are the result of your breeding and are at risk of abandonment, in need of rescue, or found in an animal shelter.
Failure to abide by the HDLRC Code of Ethics is subject to disciplinary actions up to and including loss of membership.
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Signature Date