STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this Breeders’ Code shall be to serve as a guideline for a
minimum standard of excellence in the ownership, breeding and sales of the
German Shepherd Dog. To that end, I hereby pledge to:
HEALTH
I. Maintain the highest possible standards of health, cleanliness and care in
my kennel. This includes, but is not limited to proper veterinary care,
regular
contact with people and exposure to the outside world for proper socialization of all my dogs.
II. Urge all buyers to have a puppy or adult dog sold by me, examined by a
licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of receipt. The buyer will pay for the
examination.
III. Deliver or ship only puppies or adult dogs of sound health and
temperament.
Where the buyer or his authorized representative did not personally
see and choose said dog,
a period of 48 hours is granted to advise of the final decision and an
additional 48 hours is provided if the dog is to be returned.
BREEDING
I. Encourage bitch owners to breed only if they have facilities, time and
resources to adequately care for a litter and upon strong evidence of the
possibility of finding suitable homes for the resultant litter.
II. Refuse stud service to any bitch I consider in poor health, physically or
mentally unsound, or lacking the necessary breed characteristics as set forth in
the German Shepherd Dog standard.
Before or at the time of breeding, an exchange of pedigrees and hip and elbow
X-ray information must be made.
III. Allow one repeat service where a bitch has failed to conceive after
being bred to one of my studs, if the stud is still in good health and
available, and at such time and place as
mutually agreed upon by the owner of the bitch and myself.
IV. Breed my own bitches only when I have a definite goal for improvement of
the breed in mind, never permitting them to produce three consecutive litters
unless breeding
consecutive litters is recommended by a veterinarian.
I fully understand that I am responsible for keeping and/or finding suitable
homes for the resultant puppies.
SALES
I. Use a sales contract or written agreement in any sale or purchase
involving a dog. The sales contract offered by the German Shepherd Dog Club of
America, or one similar to it,
which covers guarantees and agreements must be used with a signed copy to
each party involved.
II. Refuse to sell or recommend breeders who do not conform to the ideals and
obligations expressed in this Code and refuse all sales to dog wholesalers and
retailers.
III. Provide buyers of my German Shepherd Dogs with a four-generation
pedigree, complete health records, accurate breeding, OFA and registration
records, except that
registration papers my be withheld or limited in the case of a dog who the
parties have agreed in writing will not be bred, until it has been
spayed/neutered as
evidenced by veterinary confirmation.
IV. Provide a copy of the German Shepherd Dog Standard to accompany any puppy
or adult dog sold by me.
V. To encourage and invite the new owners of any dog sold by me to attend
some type of training class and to join in becoming guardians of the Breed by
participating in local dog club activities,
educational programs, a regional German Shepherd Dog club and/or the German
Shepherd Dog Club of America.
VI. assure puppy buyers that if at any time the buyer has to place the dog,
the breeder must be notified and
given the opportunity to assist the buyer in placing the dog.
Date:_______________ Signed:___________________________________________
Also signed by spouse (if member)________________________________________
Please PRINT:
Name:________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________
Phone Number:________________________________________________
E-mail address:_______________________________
NOTE TO MEMBERS: Only GSDCA members in good standing may be official signers
of the Breeders’ Code. Membership termination also voids your status as a signer
of the code.
You must re-sign the Breeders’ Code when you rejoin the GSDCA. Return the
signed form to:
Jamie Walker, Rte. 9, Box 845, Albuquerque, NM 87105, (505-873-3322) which
will insure your being placed on the Breeders’ Code roster and
your receiving a printed Breeders’ Code certificate for your records and/or
display.
