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CODE OF ETHICS
A.
GENERAL
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Provide appropriate housing, food and health
care.
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Endeavor to enhance the role of the Leonberger
in society, through training, education, and good neighbour practice.
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Exhibit good sportsmanship, integrity, and
honesty when taking part in any activity.
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Undertake the task of educating and
encouraging all newcomers to the world of purebred Leonbergers, no
matter what their field of interest.
B.
BREEDING
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All breedings should be planned and aimed at
improvement of the breed.
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Before considering the breeding of any
Leonberger, the breeder should have a full and thorough, comprehensive
understanding of the breed, its approved standard, and its original
purpose.
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Before breeding either a male or female, the
owner of both should have a thorough understanding of the genetics of
his or her dog, with special attention given to genetic diseases which
may exist in the individual dog.
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The owner of the stud is just as responsible
for any breeding as the owner of the female.
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In consideration of the aim of the overall
improvement of the breed, the breeder must decline any breeding when
the presence of any undesirable or potentially debilitating genetic or
behavioral trait is known or suspected in either the sire or the dam.
The owner of the stud should refuse service to any bitch he sincerely
feels is not worthy of breeding.
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As a MINIMUM requirement, all breeding stock
must hold:
a) a certificate of examination from the Ontario
Veterinary College (OVC) or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA) indicating no evidence of hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia.
This certification must be done no younger than 2 years of age.
b) a certificate of examination from an accredited
Ophthalmology institute (Canine Eye Registration Foundation –
C.E.R.F.), indicating no evidence of inherited eye disease or
functional abnormalities of the eye.
c) a certificate of examination from an accredited
Cardiologist indicating no physical signs of cardiovascular disease.
d) veterinary certificate that the dog has been tested
and found to be clear of any abnormalities for Von Willebrands Disease
and Hypothyroidism (Full Panel – T4, T3, FT4, FT3, T4AA, T3AA, TSH,
TgAA).
e) veterinary certificate that the dog has been tested
and found to be clear of brucellosis.
f) no dog should be bred under the age of two years.
g) any dog used for breeding should have a temperament
consistent for the breed.
h) proof of socialization for every dog bred, i.e.,
Canine Good Citizen Test and/or Canine Good Neighbour Test, Obedience
Trials, Conformation Shows, etc.
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Complete a stud dog contract to be signed by
both parties before the mating takes place. Stud or Breeding
Contracts should be used to clearly set out the agreed upon conditions
in regards to reservicing, number of puppies constituting a litter,
stud fee, substituting either mate for future return services.
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No owner of a stud will allow his dog to
service a bitch owned by a pet store, chain or commercial kennel.
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No bitch will be bred on consecutive heat
sessions. In the case of a female producing only one or two
puppies, she may be bred on her following heat if she is in good
condition.
C.
ADVERTISING
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All advertising is factual. It is not so
worded as to be misleading or misrepresentative, to attract
undesirable buyers or to encourage the raising of Leonbergers merely
as a money-making scheme.
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The Club will not accept any advertising or
information to be printed in a Club publication regarding future
breedings, upcoming or existing litters, stud services, that indicates
the existence of a certificate of examination for hip/elbow dysplasia,
eye, heart, blood, or other conditions, unless a copy of the
certificate of examination, indicated in the advertisement or
information, is provided at the time of submission.
D.
SALES
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Each puppy will be identified by means of a
tattoo or microchip in accordance with the rules of the Canadian
Kennel Club. This MUST be done prior to the puppy leaving the
breeder.
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The breeder will not supply puppies or adult
dogs to pet stores, commercial dealers, flea-market-type operations
for raffles, give-away prizes or other such projects.
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The breeder should screen all buyers on their
desire and ultimate intent for each Leonberger. Their interest
and ability to provide a safe adequate and loving home should be
determined. Fenced yards and the use of crates should be
recommended.
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The breeder will provide the purchaser with a
written agreement of sale in which is specified the category of the
dog being purchased and the agreed upon purchase price.
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Provide the new owner with complete health
records which states dates of de-worming, shots, and any other
pertinent information.
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Provide the buyer with at least a four
generation pedigree and the results of any hip, elbow, eye, heart and
blood examination carried out on the dog or puppy being purchased and
on its sire and dam.
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Provide a written health guarantee, specifying
length of guarantee, and to what degree. All guarantees should
at least provide for replacement of the puppy with another, within a
reasonable length of time after the return of the puppy originally
purchased.
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All puppies leaving the breeder’s possession
are at least seven (7) weeks old, with the exception of puppies
shipped as potential guides for the blind, which may be released
between six (6) and seven (7) weeks of age.
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Non-Breeding Agreement:
a) All Leonbergers sold in Canada must be sold on the
Canadian Kennel Club Non-Breeding Agreement. The agreement must
not be canceled unless the adult dog obtains the minimum requirements
for breeding stock as defined in section “B. BREEDING”, and in
the opinion of a knowledgeable, independent third party, the dog is
worthy of being bred, or unless the breeder has proof the dog has been
spayed or neutered.
b) Exceptions to this clause may be made only in cases
where breeders are selling Leonbergers to foreign countries or to
individuals wishing to exhibit in a foreign country such as the United
States. In such cases, a private purchase agreement must be
executed between the breeder and purchaser which is in keeping with
the principles of the use of the Canadian Kennel Club Non-Breeding
Agreement and this Code of Ethics.
c) The breeder shall not charge the buyer a fee to
cancel the CKC Non-Breeding Agreement, except for reimbursement of the
applicable CKC fees, or as per the terms specified in the Agreement of
Sale provided to the purchaser.
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Strive to be accurate and honest to the best
of their ability in appraising the quality of the Leonberger being
offered for sale or placement with reference to the standard of the
breed.
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Recommend to the new owners to spay or neuter
all pets.
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Recommend basic obedience training for the
puppy/dog.
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Ensure that all relevant CKC registration
papers are provided to
the new owner within a six (6) month period from the date of sale.
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Provide written instructions on feeding,
care, and training.
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Endeavour to help the new owners in every
reasonable way.
E.
CONDUCT
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No member will participate in any act(s) which
may bring the name of the Club or any of its members into disrepute.
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This Code of Ethics constitutes the required
standard of behavior expected of members. Any member(s) found in
breach of this Code could be called upon to explain their actions to
the Club. (Refer to articles “10. DISCIPLINE; 10.1
Canadian Kennel Club Suspension; 10.2 Complaints; 10.3 Hearing; and
10.4 Expulsion” of the By-Laws of the Leonberger Club of Ontario.)
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