KCA Code of Ethics

KCA members, with regard to all aspects of owning, showing and /or breeding Keeshonden, will conduct themselves, at all times in accordance with the following guidelines and requirements:

All dogs will be kept under sanitary and humane conditions and given maximum health protection through de-worming, inoculation, and proper veterinary care at all times.

All un-neutered bitches and males will be safeguarded from unplanned mating.

Whenever a KCA member is entrusted with the care of another person’s dog, utmost effort will be made for the care, protection, and well-being of that dog.

KCA members will make the benefit of their advice and experience available to others, particularly to novices and new-comers to Keeshonden.

When confronted by a situation not covered by this Code of Ethics, the KCA member will conduct himself/herself in a way that reflects how he or she would like to be treated under similar circumstances, and in all cases, behave in a sportsmanlike manner such as to reflect positively on the sport of showing dogs and the Keeshond breed in particular.

Keeshonden are outstanding in temperament – outgoing, and uncommonly loyal and devoted.  KCA members should reflect these qualities in return and be known as uncommonly good to their dogs and considerate of each other.

KCA members shall at all times when communicating in electronic non-private forums, including,  but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo user groups, e-mail group lists and similar social electronic media, refrain from making derogatory, disparaging, or inflammatory comments regarding other KCA members, whether by direct reference or innuendo.  This provision is not intended to, nor shall it be invoked or applied by any KCA member in such a manner as to, discourage or limit open and honest fact based discussion of relevant topics, including controversial topics, in such electronic forums.

KCA members who breed Keeshonden conscientiously plan and conduct each breeding considering, and in conformance with, at a minimum, the following factors, guidelines, and requirements;

The qualities and traits of the parents in relation to the breed’s AKC approved official standard.

The appropriate temperament of the parents.

The health of the parents, including, but not limited to, being free from congenital and hereditary defects, for example, PHPT.

The obligations of properly placing or providing for all the puppies prior to deciding to have, or having, a litter.

Breeds or allows to be bred only healthy mature Keeshonden over one and one-half years of age, that have been health-tested in accordance with the breed specific CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) requirements, except that the hips and elbow x-rays can be preliminary OFA evaluated

Ensures that both parents, age two years or older, have been health-tested in accordance with breed specific CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) requirements.

Ensures that bitches have no more than two litters in any 18–month period unless medically cleared and documented by a veterinarian.

Ensures that no bitch is bred after the age of eight years unless medically cleared and documented by a veterinarian.  

Ensures all breeding stock is registered and accurate records kept of matings and pedigrees in accordance with American Kennel Club requirements.

Ensures that whelping and puppy rearing occurs under sanitary and humane conditions.

Volume breeding is not in the best interest of the breed.  KCA members plan the spacing of litters so that puppies under the age of six months, bred by him or her, are not consistently available.

KCA members conduct themselves, at a minimum, in conformance with the following guidelines and requirements when selling Keeshonden or Keeshonden breeding related services:

Requires adherence to this Code of Ethics in all transactions.

Sells dogs, 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.

Requires written contracts, signed by all parties, to all sales and other transactions prior to physical transfer of the dog(s) or breeding services or materials.

These contracts, in addition to other contractual matters, will specify how the seller will honor a refund or replacement, which may be necessary because of unforeseen health problems or other circumstances.

The contract shall specify that the breeder has reasonable responsibilities and rights to take back or otherwise provide for a dog’s welfare in the event the buyer cannot properly provide for the dog, and identify in generality the circumstances under which the breeder would exercise those rights.  

Ensures breeding arrangements NEVER involve the breeding a poor quality male or bitch.

Ensures all puppies leaving the breeder’s/owner’s possession are at least eight weeks of age.

Provides all new owners with written details on feeding, general care, dates of de-worming, and inoculations, and a four-generation pedigree.

Requires all Keeshonden purchased as pets to be sold under a non-breeding contract requiring sterilization and with AKC limited registration.

Does not, under any circumstances, sell, consign, or lease puppies or adults to pet shops or any commercial establishment, broker, distributor or wholesaler, and includes a contractual prohibition on any such actions by purchasers or lessees.

Does not supply Keeshonden for auctions, raffles, “giveaway” prizes or other such projects or consignments even in non-commercial instances.

Ensures all advertising is factual, advertisements neither offer Keeshonden at cheap prices, nor are worded so as to attract undesirable buyers, or to encourage producing Keeshonden as a moneymaking enterprise;  advertisements relating to show wins or breeding accomplishments must be precise and factual and should not imply achievements that are not accurate.

Sets a reasonable price for young puppies and adult dogs.  In setting a sale price the breeder/owner considers that adults and puppies have been, and must continue to be, given first class care and therefore cannot be sold at an unreasonably low price.

Special Contracts:

Contracts that require puppies back as part of the purchase price of a 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 definition of a normal litter 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 Cub rules (Chapter 3, Section 6) all such forms MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUPPLIED by/to all parties to transactions, unless they have agreed otherwise in writing.

Terms for co-ownership for either dogs or bitches between breeders and buyers must be clearly stated in the contract and must be mutually favorable to both parties.

As used in this document the words “dog” or Keeshond(en) means both male and female animals.   Where a distinction in sex is intended, the word male(s) is used to refer to males and the word bitch(es) is used to refer to females.  

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