GREATER HICKORY KENNEL CLUB

CODE OF ETHICS

1.     Abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Greater Hickory Kennel Club (GHKC) and the AKC.

2.     Members are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all events and competitions, abiding by the applicable rules and regulations set forth by the governing bodies for such events and competitions.  Members’ conduct should always be in accord with the purposes and intent of the GHKC Constitution and Bylaws.

3.     Keep accurate breeding, registration and pedigree records.

4.     Familiarize themselves with the AKC Standard of their breed and strive to breed only dogs of characteristic type, sound structure and temperament, free of genetic defects proven by clearances endorsed by your parent club, directing their breeding efforts to produce quality dogs conforming to the AKC Standard

5.     Use no dog or bitch in your breeding program before a time recommended by your parent club.  If your parent club provides no recommendation then no dog or bitch shall be bred prior to the dog’s mental and physical maturity.  Member must provide healthful spacing between stud services / litters of dogs and bitches used in breeding program.

6.     Member does not breed solely for money or income and breeds only when (s)he has the time to find suitable permanent homes so as not to contribute to pet over-population.  Stud dog owners should request similar assurances from the owner of the bitch.

7.     Member must maintain a safe, humane, sanitary environment for all their dogs, and provide them with proper exercise and socialization, grooming routine, vaccinations and dewormings, fresh water and a nutritious diet.

8.     Member shall never engage in wholesaling or distribution of litters or the selling of dogs or puppies to pet dealers or any source of commercial distributions, including lotteries, raffles, laboratory experimentation, auctions or brokers, or deal with any persons known to sell to such establishments.

9.     To sell all non-breeding dogs on a limited registration and/or hold AKC papers with the transferee’s consent until the animal is spayed or neutered, at which time papers may be furnished.

10.   All members will sell puppies by contract.  Purchasers to be supplied with a 3 generation pedigree, any applicable clearances, a statement if a guarantee is involved, together with complete medical records and instructions on care and feeding.

11.   Breeders should understand and acknowledge that they may need to take back, or assist in finding a new home for any dog they produce at any time in its life, if requested to do so.