Recommended Practices for Owners, Handlers and Breeders
Introduction and Purpose
These guidelines are presented with a full realization that ethics cannot be legislated and that most individuals desire and intend to do what is right. The purpose of these guidelines is to set forth principles of practice for all club members.
Top Ten Best Practices
- To ensure all dogs in my care are provided adequate food, water, shelter, human companionship and medical care.
- To become educated in the fundamental of owning, breeding and exhibiting dogs.
- To understand the basic laws of genetics and the standards of the breed.
- To adhere to rules of AKC while exhibiting; practice principles of good sportsmanship; and consider competitors as a challenge, not a threat. Treat all club members and other exhibitors with kindness and respect.
- To register all breeding stock with the American Kennel Club and to keep true and accurate records of all matings, litters and pedigrees.
- To recognize the careful follow-up of all genetic defects is the responsibility of the owners of both the sire and dam.
- To follow good business practices and ethics in sales and breeding.
- To ensure that no females are bred before reaching 24 months of age and no male is bred before the age of 12 months or before health testing is completed for: Eye Cerf, BAER, Hips & Patellas checked.
- To ensure that puppies and adults are never knowingly sold or consigned to pet stores, wholesalers or commercial dealers. To not knowingly supply dogs for raffles, auctions, giveaways, prizes or other such projects. To only transfer puppies after they reach a minimum of 8 weeks old; and they will be provided to a safe, select, quality, loving home.
- To always ensure that my actions are directed toward the best interest of the Havanese Breed.
