Refer to the Club Constitution and
Bylaws, Article 1.
Preamble
The Code of Ethics is established and agreed to by the
membership to ensure the good name and reputation of our
Club and its members is maintained. This can only be
accomplished by every member taking personal
responsibility for maintaining and abiding by this Code
of Ethics as included in these Bylaws. Members shall
bear in mind that a code of ethics is more than a set of
rules; it is a commitment to a high standard of practice
in owning and breeding and that adherence to the spirit
of the code is as important as adherence to its law.
It is important, therefore, that the Code of Ethics be
reviewed periodically to ensure that it is relevant in
today's environment. It should, above all, reinforce our
dedication to the Labrador Retriever and demonstrate
that our practices and behaviours result in a positive
public perception of the Labrador Owners Club and its
members.
This Code of Ethics will be in effect from November 25,
2006 and will cover breeding stock, breeders and buyers
until such future revisions are made.
Section 1:
We must breed the best Labrador Retrievers that we can.
This means:
1. Type, function and temperament characteristics as
established by the CKC Breed Standards
2. Breeding Stock must have:
- Certified clear radiographs by a certified radiologist (e.g. OFA, OVC)
for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia
- Current (within the last twelve months) by a Board
Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist certified normal or
breeder option.
3. It is recommended that all breeding stock be shown to
be Brucellosis free.
4. Breeding bitches and dogs must not be bred before 18
months of age.
5. All dogs and bitches owned must receive routine
health checks by a veterinarian.
6. Breeding stock that is being used or serviced by LOC
members should meet the standards outlined in 1 through
5 above.
Section 2 :
All LOC club members will provide their dogs with
appropriate facilities housing, food, and heath care
(mental and physical)
Breeders are encouraged to be available to their buyers
for the life of the dog for reasonable aid and knowledge
direction in the welfare of the animal
Members who sell puppies to pet homes will do so on CKC
or personal non breeding contracts and encourage the
spaying or neutering of puppies and adults.
Breeders should consider the market and breed only if
one is able to place the pups in appropriate homes or
accept the responsibility for the care of any unsold
dogs.
LOC members will not intentionally engage in the
breeding or selling of non-purebred or mixed- breed
dogs.
Section 3 :
Members should warranty their puppies for the hereditary
or genetic defects outlined in section 1 above.
Warranties should also cover any other defected that are
deemed by an accredited veterinarian to be hereditary or
genetic in origin and which alters the quality of the
pup's life or prevents the attainment of the purpose for
which the pup was placed. Solutions to such issues shall
be set out in the Breeders Sale Agreement and may
include:
- Return of the animal and replacement, OR
Refund of the purchasers money, OR
- Other solutions to which the breeder and the purchaser
mutually agree
The Breeder is responsible for any and all Labrador
Retriever(s) that they have sold for the life of that
dog. If at any time the owner is unable to care for the
dog, the breeder will take the dog back and decide what
is the best course of action to take with the dog. The
same will apply if a rescue organization notifies the
breeder that one of their dogs has come into rescue. If
the breeder is unable to take the dog back, the breeder
will assist in the cost of care and upkeep for the dog
until it is re-homed and will work to find a replacement
home
Section 4 :
Breeders are encouraged to provide written guidelines
outlining the responsibilities of both the breeder and
the purchaser.
Puppies will not be placed prior to the age of 7 weeks
and only after a veterinarian or Animal Health
Technician has deemed the puppy able to be placed.
Breeders are obligated to provide written instructions
regarding the care of the dog, health needs, dates and
types of immunizations administered as well as the
status of the worming program.
Purchasers will be instructed to immediately place the
dog under the care of a veterinarian on a life long
basis.
Section 5:
Dogs are not to be placed with a dealer or broker or pet
shop or to be given as prizes in contests, lotteries,
auctions, be knowingly sold for animal research or sold
to persons who will donate the puppy to an organization
which will use it for fund raising.
Section 6:
Prior to accepting any bitch
for stud service, it is the obligation of the stud owner
to meet the standards outlined in Section 1 and to
advise breeders of the responsibilities, problems,
obligations and expenses involved in breeding a litter.
Current documentation regarding certification of heath
clearances should be made available to and by both
parties.
Section 7:
Members should support and
represent the Club's purposes in all canine activities,
observe a high standard of sportsmanship, goodwill and
friendship at shows, trials and meetings and treat their
dogs with the respect that is their due.
Members will refrain from harsh training methods or
abuse and promote positive re enforcement when working
with their dogs in any field of endeavour.
Section 8 :
Members shall be aware at all
times that the Club has a major interest in protecting
the breed. This should be kept uppermost in the minds of
club members in all of their activities.
Members should strive to keep abreast of current issues
relating to the breed.
