ARRF Code of Ethics

This code of ethics (COE) was developed for the good of the dog and the good of the breed.

Our mandate is to ensure the welfare and improvement of our breed.  We should do everything in our power to protect our breed, in all aspects of keeping, breeding, exhibiting, selling and disposing of our Rhodesian Ridgebacks (RhR).

 

OWNERS (for the purpose of this document, owner includes all who currently own, or are planning to own a RhR)

  1. Every ethical owner will maintain general health and well-being of their dog(s), which includes (but not limited to) proper housing/shelter, adequate food and water, regular veterinary visits, proper and appropriate exercise, including non-strenuous exercise for puppies under the age of one.

  2. Ethical owners should enhance the role of RhR in society as an essential part of the community, where it is seen as a companion, guardian, and a "person's best friend".

  3. Ethical owners will not leave or tether their dog(s) unattended, where there may be a threat to the dogs health and well-being, or be a disturbance to the community (i.e., excessive barking).

  4. Ethical owners will not misrepresent the characteristics of the breed by any means, nor intentionally make misleading or disparaging remarks against the ARRF club, other ARRF breeders/members or owners of RhR in a public forum.

  5. No ARRF member will use their RhR for illegal activities such as dog fighting.

  6. Ethical owners, when participating in events such as dog shows, obedience trials or other  events, such as lure coursing, agility, tracking, herding, will conduct themselves accordingly with honesty, integrity and good sportsmanship, and owners will ensure the safety and well being of their dog(s) before, during and after any event(s).

  7. Ethical owners will provide, when it is necessary for the life of a RhR to end, a licensed veterinarian to euthananize the dog in a humane and timely fashion.

BREEDERS (for the purpose of this document refers to those currently breeding, or planning to breed in the future, and refers to both the owner/lessor of the brood bitch or stud dog.  Breeders are owners too).

  1. Ethical breeders, when considering breeding, will ensure the health and well-being of the bitch/stud dog.  The breeder will ensure they will use CKC (or recognized equivalent) registered RhR which adhere to the CKC breed standard, and ensure that both bitch/stud dog are physically and mentally sound.  Nor breed dogs with genetic defects which may cause pain or suffering or impair the health of the litter.  Nor breed a bitch/stud dog that is in gross disregard of the standard (including, but not limited to, dysplastic hips, dermoid sinus, ridgeless, bad temperament, overshot/undershot jaw).

  2. Ethical breeders will plan each breeding with the intent of improving the quality while maintaining the standard of the breed.

  3. Ethical breeders will ensure that all their bitches/stud dogs will have hips x-rayed and be certified clear and free of hip dysplasia prior to breeding.  **Breeders are encouraged to test for appropriate genetic disorders such as elbow dysplasia, thyroid and eyes**

  4. Ethical breeders will use only healthy mature bitches for breeding, additional precautions to be taken, including veterinary consultation, when breeding a bitch over seven years (meaning 6 years plus 364 days). With a recommendation of 3-4 litters within the bitches breeding years, and a bitch should not have more than one litter in a twelve month period (with a litter constituting 2 live pups).

  5. Ethical breeders and stud dog owners are responsible for the progeny of their dogs.  Both are required to assist (both financially and physically) in the placement and care of any dog in rescue that is either bred by them or sired by a dog that is owned, co-owned or leased by them.

  6. Ethical breeders will not breed a dog/bitch with a temperament problem, including but not limited to, dog aggression/biting, human aggression/biting.

  7. Ethical breeders will not wholesale litters nor sell to petstores, or to anyone they believe is involved in the commercial distribution of dogs.  They will not overbreed for the purpose of making money.  Dogs will not be given away for prizes.

  8. Ethical breeders will register puppies with the CKC.  All puppies will be permanently identified with either a microchip or tattoo, before they leave the breeders premises.

  9. Ethical breeders will place non-breeding agreements on all pet quality RhR and advise owners of these puppies to have their dogs spayed or neutered at the appropriate age.  When puppies are sold with serious defects, such as dermoid sinus or ridgelessness, the breeder must take extra responsibility and follow-up to ensure these dogs are spayed or neutered.  An exception would be when a puppy is sold to the United States since according to AKC rules a dog/bitch cannot be registered with a non-breeding agreement in place.

  10. Ethical breeders will not place their puppies in their new homes until 8 weeks of age.

  11. Ethical breeders will supply puppy owners with accurate records that include records that include. but not limited to, record of puppy vaccinations, deworming, feeding and general care of the dog, as well as any other pertinent papers relating to the puppy.  Owners will be given all registration papers as per the CKC regulations.

  12. Ethical breeders are available to their puppy owners for consultation, advice and assistance after placement as well as the new owner will advise the breeder of any concerns/questions.

  13. Ethical breeders will supply proper transfer of ownership papers in accordance with the CKC, when selling a dog to a new owner.