KCA CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Ethics has as its primary goal the welfare of the breed and the manner in which those people involved conduct themselves.

AN ETHICAL BREEDER CONDUCTS HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES AS FOLLOWS:

The breeder conscientiously plans each litter based on the parent's appropriate temperament, freedom from congenital and hereditary defects, and qualities in relation to the breed's A.K.C. approved official standard. Before deciding to produce a litter, the breeder considers the obligations of properly placing or providing for all the puppies.

VOLUME BREEDING is not in the best interest of the breed. The breeder takes care to plan the SPACING OF LITTERS so that puppies, under the age of six months, bred by him or her are not consistently available. The breeder and the stud dog owner verify in writing that the parents' patellas have been pronounced normal and that hip x-rays have been cleared by a veterinarian specializing in the field of orthopedics or radiology, or through a national registry such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

The breeder breeds only healthy, mature Keeshonden over one and one-half years of age and after preliminary or certified x-rays.

Bitches should have no more than two litters in any 18-month period and no bitch should be bred after the age of eight years. No male should be used for breeding before one and one-half years of age. All Keeshonden purchased as pets are required to be spayed or neutered. All unneutered bitches or dogs are safeguarded from unplanned matings. All the breeder's stock is kept under sanitary conditions and given maximum health protection through worming, inoculation, and proper veterinary care at all times. Whenever a person is entrusted with the care of another person's dog, utmost effort must be made for the care, protection, and well-being of that dog.

The breeder registers all breeding stock and keeps accurate records of matings and pedigrees in accordance with American Kennel Club requirements.

The breeder does not sell, consign, or lease puppies or adults to pet shops or any commercial establishment, broker, distributor, or wholesaler and words any contract so that purchasers or lessees will not do so either. The breeder does not supply Keeshonden for auctions, raffles, "giveaway" prizes, or other such projects or consignments, even in non-commercial instances. By setting a reasonable price for young puppies, the breeder upholds the value of the breed. Adults and puppies are given first class care and therefore cannot be sold at a low price.

The breeder sells Keeshonden, permits stud service, and leases studs or bitches only to individuals who have demonstrated that they will give them proper care and attention, and who are in written agreement with this Code of Ethics. The breeder makes available to the novice the benefit of his or her advice and experience. The breeder requires adherence to this Code of Ethics and to the Keeshond Club of America's Recommended Practices for Breeders, Exhibitors, and Owners in all transactions.

All puppies leaving the breeder's possession are at least seven weeks of age. All new owners are provide with written details on feeding, general care, dates of worming, and inoculations and a four-generation pedigree.

Written contracts are provided and signed by all parties to all sales and other transactions prior to physical transfer of the animal. These contracts specify how the breeder will honor a refund or replacement, which may be necessary because of unforeseen health problems or other circumstances. Contracts that require puppies back as part of the purchase price of the bitch, whether the arrangements are an outright purchase or co-ownership of the bitch to satisfy the purchase price should not require puppies back after the bitch's first normal litter, the size of which is to be defined in the contract. At the completion of the transfer of these above mentioned puppies, the dam's breeder will deliver to the purchaser all forms necessary for completion of the transaction.

NOTE: Under American Kennel Club rules (Chapter 3, Section 8) all such forms MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUPPLIED by all parties to transactions, unless they have agreed otherwise in writing. Terms for co-ownership for either dogs or bitches between KNOWLEDGEABLE breeders must be clearly stated in the contract and must be mutually favorable to both parties. Breeding arrangements NEVER involve the breeding of a pet quality dog or bitch.

All the breeder's advertising is factual. It neither offers Keeshonden at cheap prices, nor is it worded so as to attract undesirable buyers, or to encourage producing Keeshonden as a money making enterprise. Advertising relating to show wins or producing accomplishments must be precise and factual and should not imply achievements that are not accurate.

The Breeder or Owner at all times behaves in a sportsmanlike manner such as to reflect positively on the sport of showing dogs and Keeshond breed in particular.

When confronted by a situation not covered by this Code of Ethics, the breeder's conduct reflects how he or she would like to be treated under similar circumstances.

Keeshonden are outstanding in temperament - outgoing, and uncommonly loyal and devoted. Those involved with this breed should reflect these qualities in return and be uncommonly good to their dogs and considerate of each other.

Effective: 8/92

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR THE BREEDERS, EXHIBITORS AND OWNERS OF KEESHONDEN

Are you an owner, exhibitor and/or breeder of Keeshonden? If so, at some point in the future YOU will be confronted with decisions that will affect the future of our breed.

The Board of Directors of the Keeshond Club of America recommends that the following guidelines be read in conjunction with the Code of Ethics of the Keeshond Club of America prior to the purchase, breeding or sale of a Keeshond. These guidelines represent a distillation of the personal codes of conduct and concerns of the Ethics Policy Committee of KCA, the membership of KCA as well as the Codes of Ethics of other National Breed Clubs. Our goal is education of the novice as well as the breeder who is committed to the welfare of Keeshonden.

BREEDING CONSIDERATIONS

It is important that breeders examine their motives prior to undertaking a breeding. While the desire to produce champions is understandable, the breeder must be prepared for the costs in time and money and recognize the difficulties in placing unwanted puppies in caring homes.

1. Breeding must be done selectively with the intention of reducing faults to a minimum and producing healthy Keeshonden of high quality type and proper temperament.

2. Breeding should be undertaken only when the breeder is in a position to properly care for the bitch and her litter. The breeder should be prepared to house offspring for a considerable length of time and be prepared to provide suitable facilities during this period. The breeding should be planned such that the breeder intends to keep at least one puppy for the purpose of advancing and improving the breeders line.

3. A prospective breeder should be able to distinguish between "correct" and "incorrect". Such ability presupposes careful study of 1) the breed standard 2) the basic principles of genetics, and 3) the pedigrees of the stud and dam.

4. Breeders should only breed stock which is in good health and which is physically and temperamentally sound. No dog or bitch should be bred that is known to have, or suspected of having, any serious inheritable defect or disease. (see list of reported diseases in Keeshonden.)

5. Breeders should make every effort to comply with the recommended testing set forth in the KCA Code of Ethics. No dog or bitch should be bred at less then eighteen (18) months of age. No bitch should be bred after eight (8) years of age.

6. No bitch should be bred more than twice in any three (3) consecutive breeding seasons. The physical and mental well-being of the bitch are the prime considerations.

7. The stud dog should be bred selectively. The owner should discourage the individual who wants to breed the pet quality bitch or one unsuitable for the stud, and explain why the breeding is inadvisable. The stud dog owner shares equal responsibility with the bitch owner for the proper placement of puppies and assistance in puppy placement. The breeder should provide the stud dog owner with the names and addresses of new puppy owners. Similarly, the new puppy owners should be given the name and address of the stud dog owner.

8. All bitches should be thoroughly examined by a Veterinarian prior to breeding to determine that they are healthy, mature and suitable for this purpose. Inexperienced breeders should seek the advice of an experienced breeder and Veterinarian before attempting to breed Keeshonden.

9. All breeders must keep accurate breeding records in compliance with AKC rules and regulations.

10. Prior to breeding it is recommended that all dogs and bitches be at least two (2) years of age; and it is further recommended that any dog or bitch bred be O.F.A. certified clear of hip dysplasia prior to breeding. All dogs and bitches should be examined for luxating patellas by a qualified Veterinarian. It is strongly recommended that Keeshonden affected with luxating patellas not be bred. If you wish to use a dog or bitch younger than two (2) years of age, O.F.A. will provide an evaluation of preliminary x-rays.

RESPONSIBILITY TO NEW PUPPY OWNER AND SALES CONTRACTS

Problems resulting from sales and sales agreements are perhaps the greatest source of dissatisfaction and ill will in the breed. When selling Keeshonden it is important to be honest with oneself and with the buyer. It is equally important that all agreements be in writing and signed by both parties.

1. Sales prices of adult Keeshonden and puppies should be based on the observable quality of the individual dog as potential show or pet. Since it is costly to raise a puppy to saleable age, these costs should be reflected in the sales price. These costs vary regionally, however puppies should be advertised for sale at a price competitive with other breeders in the area. Under no circumstance should the puppy/adult be placed without a fee.

2. No puppy should be released or shipped to a new home prior to eight weeks of age.

3. Under no circumstances will the KCA Board countenance the consignment of Keeshonden to pet stores, animal brokers or commercial kennels. Further, the KCA Board will not countenance the use of Keeshonden as prizes for any raffle or contest.

4. The breeder should give an honest appraisal of the coat care as well as the physical, mental and nutritional needs of the Keeshond to any prospective buyer.

5. The breeder must be discriminating in the placement of stock and should not knowingly deal with unethical persons. A breeder should not sell to, or aid in procuring a Keeshond, for any person whom he has reason to believe will not provide the proper care and environment, or who may use the dog in a fashion that is detrimental to the breed.

6. The new owner should be given at least a three generation pedigree, a health certificate with inoculation and booster due dates, and the name and address of the Veterinarian who examined the puppy. Novice buyers should be provided also with a thorough written list of instructions on diet and care.

7. Breeding arrangements in addition to or in lieu of cash payment should be kept to an absolute minimum and confined to the knowledgeable purchaser. Such arrangements should be made only with a dog of such quality as to qualify it as show stock, and only when the breeder/seller wishes to retain that Keeshond as a prospective part of a well planned breeding program.

8. Breeding arrangements should never be established which encourage the pet buyer to undertake a breeding program. No sales contract should compel a pet buyer to breed from a pet quality dog or bitch.

9. It is recommended that all pet quality puppies be sold with a neuter/spay agreement. Samples of such agreements are attached.

10. No owner should be forced to keep an unwanted dog nor a dog that the owner feels was misrepresented prior to the sales agreement. Provision for such eventualities and the time period allowed for return should be stipulated in the sales contract.

ADVERTISING

1. All advertising of puppies, adults or stud service should be factual and without misleading implications. Similarly, advertising of show wins or breeding records should not be false or misleading.

2. The breeding of Keeshonden must never be offered or taken lightly. Therefore it is strongly recommended that no Keeshond fancier advertise "breeding stock" for sale or lease.

SPORTSMANSHIP

While Sportsmanship might strictly be defined as the art of playing fair, accepting defeat without complaint and victory without boastfulness, the additional concepts of Sportsmanship when practiced can enhance the respects afforded the Keeshond fancy and the pleasures of participation.

1. Every enthusiast should at all times, while at dog shows, in the show ring, traveling or staying at hotels or motels, behave in such a manner as to reflect positively on the sport of showing dogs, and the Keeshond breed in particular.

2. Experienced breeders and exhibitors should willingly offer the novice advice, constructive criticism or assistance with problems, when requested to do so.