Ethical Guidelines for Breeding Practices
AKC’s Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Breeding HERE
Introduction
Being an owner, exhibitor, or breeder of Shetland Sheepdogs is a great responsibility that comes with its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is to make decisions that can impact the breed’s well-being and preservation. It’s important to remember that with the right information and education, one can make the best choices to ensure the continued improvement and preservation of the Sheltie breed. By making informed decisions, we can avoid any unintended damage to the breed’s integrity and contribute towards its growth and betterment.
We know how important it is to maintain the integrity and reputation of the beloved Shetland Sheepdog breed. That’s why we’ve put together a set of practical guidelines to ensure the happiness and well-being of both the puppy/dog and the owner/breeder. By showing your respect and concern for the breed’s health and reputation, you can help make a positive impact. Thank you for doing your part!
Breeding Considerations
It’s of utmost importance for a breeder to reflect on their intentions before embarking on a breeding journey. While the desire to produce champions is admirable, it’s vital to remain mindful of the lives they bring into the world. By understanding the costs involved, both in terms of time and finances and recognizing the potential difficulties in finding suitable homes for any offspring, the breeder can be better equipped to make responsible decisions that prioritize the well-being of the animals.
- Breeding should aim to produce healthy Shelties with high quality, type, and temperament by selective breeding that minimizes faults.
- Breeding should only be done when the breeder is fully capable of taking proper care of the bitch and her litter. The breeder must understand that it may be necessary to house the offspring for a long period and be ready to provide them with suitable accommodations.
- No fancier should attempt breeding until knowledgeable of the breed standard, type, and proper structure of the Shetland Sheepdog. Such ability presupposes careful study of the breed standard, the basic principles of genetics, and the pedigrees of prospective mates.
- Breeders should only breed dogs that are healthy and free from inheritable defects or diseases, both physically and temperamentally.
- The stud dog should be bred selectively. The owner should discourage the individual who wants to breed pet quality bitches, or one unsuitable for their stud. The stud owner should be certain that the owner of the bitch has the necessary knowledge and facilities to care for the puppies.
- In order to ensure the health and well-being of future generations, it is crucial to breed only those dogs that are free from any known or assumed hereditary defects. This means that we should prioritize the selection of dogs with a clean bill of health, which can be determined through competent eye exams to detect blindness, x-ray studies to diagnose joint diseases like hip dysplasia, palpitation to check for cryptorchidism or monorchidism, and other obvious abnormalities like heart or skeletal defects. By doing so, we can help reduce the incidence of genetic disorders and promote a healthier canine population for years to come.
- The Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA), the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF), and the DNA test for von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) are recommended as useful measures for the detection of defects.
- Individuals who themselves have been examined and checked out “clear” but who are direct parents or close relatives of affected dogs should be regarded as relatively “high risk” breeding stock.
- It’s important that any contract regarding co-ownerships, breeding rights, or repeat breeding should include a clause that voids the contract or provides alternative terms of settlement without breeding in case a dog involved is found to be “affected” or “high-risk” after the original contract date. This ensures that the terms of the contract remain fair and reasonable for all parties involved.
Selling and Sales Contracts
When it comes to sales and sales agreements in the breeding industry, it’s important for both sellers and buyers to work together and build trust. By being honest with each other and recording all agreements and stipulations in written contracts, both parties can have peace of mind and avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. This not only leads to a more positive experience for everyone involved, but also helps to strengthen relationships within the breeding community.
- Sales prices of dogs and puppies should be based on the observable quality of the individual dog as a potential show or breeding specimen.
- No puppy should be released or shipped to a new home before the age of eight (8) weeks, with a strong recommendation for nine (9) weeks.
- Ethical breeders do not consign their dogs to pet stores, animal brokers, or commercial kennels and do not donate them as prizes for any raffle or contest. [ SSCNC members who participate in such activities will be subject to expulsion from the club. ]
- A breeder must discriminate in the placement of his/her dogs and should not knowingly deal with unethical persons. A breeder should not sell to, or aid in selling a Sheltie to any person whom he/she has reason to believe will not provide the proper care and environment or who may use the dog in a fashion which is detrimental to the breed.
- The new owners should receive at least a three-generation pedigree, an inoculation record, and booster due dates. Novice buyers should also be provided with a thorough written list of instructions on diet and care.
- Breeding arrangements should never be established to encourage the pet buyer to undertake a breeding program. Pet quality puppies should be sold on spay/neuter contracts or AKC limited registration.
- Each person who sells or places a dog should provide the new owner with a registration application, a signed transfer, or a signed agreement between buyer and seller as described in the American Kennel Club rules (Chapter 3). It is recommended that a sales contract be executed for every sale.
- Breeders and sellers should familiarize themselves with the laws and regulations intended to protect the pet-buying public. Puppy buyers have a right to a sound, healthy pet that is representative of the breed. Breeders and/or sellers should be responsible for certain refunds, replacements, or reimbursements if the pet they sell becomes ill or dies from an inherited or congenital condition or disease contracted before the purchase.
Exhibiting & Competing
- All members of the SSCNC should conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will reflect credit upon themselves and the breed, regardless of the location or circumstances, but especially when attending dog club meetings or shows, whether as an exhibitor or a spectator.
- All members should demonstrate good sportsmanship in all shows, trials, and matches in which they participate.
- All members should assist in assuring that exhibitions, matches, trials, shows, or seminars supported by the Club are conducted in an atmosphere of courtesy, fairness, and good sportsmanship.
General Recommendations
- Dog owners have a responsibility to their canine companions to provide proper care and humane treatment at all times. Proper care and humane treatment include an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, kind and responsive human companionship, and training for appropriate behavior. Dogs should not be kept in circumstances or numbers where all of their needs cannot be adequately fulfilled.
- Breeders should encourage puppy purchasers to have their pets spayed or neutered to prevent accidental breeding, and to avoid breeding merely to produce puppies for monetary gain.
- All Breeders must keep accurate and thorough breeding records in accordance with AKC requirements.
- All advertising shall be of an honest and straightforward nature and shall not in any way be misrepresentative or fraudulent.
The SSCNC does NOT endorse, restrict, or accept responsibility for the activities of the dogs owned, leased, or purchased by its members. To maintain the integrity of the SSCNC, please email the Breeders Directory Complaint regarding any contrary claims or statements.