North American Shepherd Association Code of EthicsThe purpose of the North American Shepherd Association Code of Ethics is to ensure that every member acts in the best interest of the future of the North American Shepherd breed.
1. All members of North American Shepherd Association have an obligation to protect the interests of the North American Shepherd and the North American Shepherd Association. Members will at all times conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively upon the breed and North American Shepherd Association.
2. No member shall engage in misleading or false advertising, nor malign nor give false statements regarding other owners’ or breeders’ dogs, breeding practices, or person.
Members shall show good sportsmanship at all times and in all matters relating to any canine event, the fancy and North American Shepherd in particular. Members shall at all times be honest and conduct themselves with integrity.
3. Members at all times shall maintain a high standard of health and care for their North American Shepherd. Members shall comply with all relevant UKC rules and regulations.
4. It is the obligation of those experienced in the breed to offer advice and assistance to less experienced fanciers in a helpful and courteous manner.
5. Members have an obligation to willingly and truthfully respond to all questions from the public on the standard and proper care of the North American Shepherd.
6. No North American Shepherd Association member shall engage in wholesaling litters or individual sales or consignments of puppies or adults to pet shops, catalogue houses, auctions of any kind, or other commercial establishments, or knowingly sell to others that may engage in these activities. No North American Shepherd Association member shall donate puppy or adult North American Shepherd or give them as prizes in contests, raffles, or any fund raising event, no matter how charitable.
ENFORCEMENT and DISCIPLINE
1. It is the obligation of any member observing an act that violates this North American Shepherd Association Code of Ethics to submit a written, signed complaint to the North American Shepherd Association Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of such observation. The Board will have full authority to act on this complaint.
2. The Board will review the written complaint and notify the accused in writing that a complaint has been filed. The accused will be given a copy of the written complaint.
3. The Board will appoint a Board member(s) or other North American Shepherd Association member(s) in good standing to investigate the complaint and to determine its validity and whether or not the evidence warrants further investigation. The investigator(s) must file a report with the Secretary of the North American Shepherd Association within thirty (30) days of receipt of the complaint.
4. Each written complaint will be investigated and considered on an individual basis. If the Board determines that the evidence warrants further investigation of the complaint, the accused will be given at least three written requests to respond to the Board. The accused must respond in writing to the Secretary of the North American Shepherd Association within 2 weeks of the final request. If the accused chooses not to respond or cooperate with the Board, the Board will consider the charges as made and will document these proceedings for the permanent record. If there is no response, the Board will no longer consider the accused “a member in good standing”. A member not in good standing will not be allowed to vote or hold office or serve on a North American Shepherd Association committee. Members not in good standing will not be allowed to advertise in the Bulletin or National Specialty catalogue and will be removed from the Breeder Referral list. The Board will have full authority to determine what action, if any, is necessary.
5. All individuals involved in a complaint, including the Board members, accused, and the person filing the complaint, will maintain confidentiality with respect to all matters involved in the inquiry.
6. Once a final decision is reached and the case is declared closed, the results will be published in the Bulletin. An accused who disagrees with the outcome of the Board’s decision may elect to appeal and bring the matter to an open hearing at the General Meeting of North American Shepherd Association at the National Specialty. Appeal must be made in writing to the Secretary of the North American Shepherd Association within 30 days prior to the immediately subsequent General Meeting of the North American Shepherd Association at the National Specialty.
GUIDELINES FOR BREEDERS AND OWNERS OF THE
NORTH AMERICAN SHEPHERD
Owners and Prospective Owners
1. The intention of owning a North American Shepherd must be in the best interest of the individual dog and the breed. It is strongly recommended all prospective owners interact with North American Shepherd in a home environment prior to the purchase.
2. It is important to stress the North American Shepherd thrives as a member of the family and should never be relegated to a living situation having minimal human companionship regardless of other venues in which the dog may participate or compete.
3. Prospective owners shall ensure that their North American Shepherd will be properly fed, housed and their veterinary needs will be met promptly. Routine veterinary care should be discussed with prospective breeders and should include annual wellness exams, recommended vaccinations, and any pertinent genetic testing such as eye exams, hip, patella and elbow x-rays, MDR1 testing etc.
4. The prospective owner should be in contact with the breeder and feel comfortable doing so. The breeder must accept responsibility for the dog throughout its lifetime. In the event the new owner is unable to keep the dog, a “right of refusal” should be in place and a written understanding between the buyer and the breeder established.
Breeders
General Guidelines
1. The seller should provide an adequate written contract that includes proof of sale and any guarantees. Any promises made orally should be memorialized and fully explained.
2. Upon releasing the puppy, the breeder should:
a. Supply a pedigree of no fewer than four generations.
b. Provide written information on the care of the puppy including food and supplements, feedings, exercise, required vaccinations, etc.
c. Supply records that detail all dates and types of medical care given to the puppy, including all vaccinations. Any known health problems of the puppy or its parents should be disclosed to the buyer without having to be requested. Any genetic disease, regardless of how minor, for which the puppy is a known or suspected carrier should be disclosed to the buyer.
d. Request that buyer take the puppy to a veterinarian upon receipt, and if the puppy is deemed unhealthy or if the buyer is not satisfied that the puppy is as represented by the breeder, allow the buyer an appropriate time to return the puppy (at the buyer’s expense) for a full refund of the purchase price.
e. Supply the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Breeders and Owners of North American Shepherd to each buyer and explain their provisions.
3. The breeder will screen all prospective buyers to determine their suitability and their motive in acquiring a North American Shepherd. A breeder shall never engage in wholesaling to pet shops, catalogue houses or other commercial establishments, or own, work for, endorse, or have any involvement with any persons associated with any commercial breeding enterprise, unless for rescue purposes with consent of North American Shepherd Association. North American Shepherd shall not be donated or given as prizes in contests, raffles, or fund-raising events, regardless of how charitable.
4. Breeders should accept responsibility for all puppies produced. Breeders should be available to buyers for whatever reasonable aid and assistance they may need and be willing to seek assistance from other knowledgeable members if needed. Such assistance shall be given willingly for the betterment of the breed. The breeder shall stress with the new owners that they need to be advised of any problems, health or otherwise, and be available to take the dog back and/or rehome if necessary.
5. If identified as the breeder of a North American Shepherd) in Rescue and Placement, the breeder will assist the Rescue and Placement Chairperson in the placement of said North American Shepherd.
6. Any North American Shepherd sold under the designation “pet/companion quality” should be sold either without registration papers and with mandatory spay/neuter provisions, or with a Limited Registration as provided by AKC and mandatory spay/neuter provisions. A breeder can supply registration papers upon proof of sterilization or upon reassessment of the dog as being show quality. If the North American Shepherd is neutered when sold, the breeder should transfer the registration papers.
7. It is the ethical obligation of breeders to guarantee that puppies produced and sold by them are as represented. It is recommended that a replacement or refund policy that is in the best interest of both parties be memorialized and signed. It is further recommended that breeders agree to assist buyers in whatever way possible with congenital, genetic or preexisting conditions that the dog may develop.
Guidelines for Bitch Owners:
1. Any breeder of North American Shepherd) takes on the responsibility for the future of the breed. A breeder should plan each litter with the intention of achieving the highest level of physical and temperamental soundness.
2. It is recommended that x-rays for hips and elbows, examination by certified ophthalmologist, and any other pertinent genetic testing be completed on the dam. The bitch owner should request results of these evaluations for the prospective sire. While dogs should pass these tests to be used for breeding, it is the obligation of the breeder to honestly inform those involved.
3. If the bitch has not previously been bred, has not produced a live litter, or has had breeding problems in the past, such information should be provided to the stud owner before the breeding takes place.
4. Recognizing the extended growth pattern of the breed, it is recommended a bitch should not be bred before her second season and approximately two years of age, nor be bred more frequently than two out of three consecutive seasons (that produce puppies). Before any breeding takes place, a veterinarian should be consulted regarding the health of the bitch. Breeders should limit the number of litters per bitch. Number of puppies per litter and number of C-sections and surgical inseminations, and the bitch’s age should be taken into account when deciding how many times to breed a bitch.
5. The breeder should be prepared, financially and otherwise, to provide proper care for both the bitch and her litter, and to retain the puppies for as long as necessary to ensure their placement in suitable homes. It is recommended that the breeder keep all puppies up to the age of eight weeks. It is recommended that each puppy be microchipped or tattooed and registered with the American Kennel Club (or appropriate foreign registry) before leaving the breeder.
6. Owners of the stud dog and bitch should sign a written agreement clearly stating the conditions and terms of service. This contract should cover such things as return services or refund, how many puppies constitute a litter, kennel name assigned to the resulting litter, etc.
Guidelines for Stud Owners
1. No member should offer at stud any dog that is unsound physically or temperamentally, or that does not reasonably conform to the AKC breed standard as endorsed by the North American Shepherd Association. Hip and elbow x-rays, eye examination by a certified ophthalmologist, and any other pertinent genetic tests should be completed and the results disclosed to the owner of the bitch. Genetic disease may be life-threatening or life-altering (hip dysplasia, PRA, cataracts, cardiomyopathy, epilepsy, etc.) or not (overshot or undershot jaw, entropion, cryptorchidism, hypothyroidism, umbilical hernia, etc.). Regardless of the degree of severity, any genetic disease for which the stud is a known or suspected carrier should be disclosed to the owner of the bitch.
2. If the dog has not previously been bred, has not produced a live litter, or has had breeding problems in the past, such information should be provided to the bitch owner before breeding takes place.
3. The owner of the stud dog should not accept a bitch for service if the owner of the stud dog is not in a position to maintain the bitch in a safe and healthy manner. Bitches should be bred only to the stud dog specified by her owner unless both parties in writing agree upon an acceptable substitution.
4. The owner of a stud dog shall not agree to provide stud service for any bitch owned, leased or held by any commercial enterprise or by any person who does not agree to support the North American Shepherd Association Guidelines for Breeders and Owners of North American Shepherd.
