Love and respect for dogs is inherent in membership in the Elmira Kennel Club. Therefore, all members agree to foster the goals set forth in the Code of Ethics.

I.        Responsibilities of Members:

A.     To provide for all dogs in their keeping

1.      Physical requirements of

a.      Appropriate food, water, and shelter.

b.      Protection from bodily harm.

c.      Proper health care, including sanitation, immunizations, and veterinary attention as needed.

2.      Emotional requirements of

a.      Attention and affection.

b.      Appropriate training as needed.

B.     To abide by AKC rules applicable to activities in which they engage.

C.     To refuse to sell dogs to any pet shop, or any wholesale dealer in dogs, or knowingly to sell or aid or abet the sale of any dog to a person or agent who will sell the animal through a pet shop.  To not knowingly supply dogs for raffles, auctions, giveaways, prizes, or other such projects.

D.     To always ensure that their actions are directed toward the best interests of their breed(s), the Elmira Kennel Club, and the American Kennel Club.

II.      Responsibilities of Breeders:

A.     To be familiar with the breed Standard and to be aware that the purpose of breeding is to maintain or improve the quality of the breed in accordance with the Standard.

B.     To be familiar with AKC rules applicable to litter registration and individual registration.

C.     To register all breeding stock with the American Kennel Club, and to keep complete, true and accurate records of all matings, litters, and pedigrees.

D.     To use for breeding only bitches in good health.  To ensure that bitches used for breeding have been screened for hereditary or genetic health problems inherent in the breed.

E.     To accept for stud service only dogs who appear to be in good health and who have been screened for hereditary or genetic health problems inherent in the breed.

F.     To represent accurately the health history and breeding records of the bitch when negotiating for stud service.

G.    To negotiate all terms of a breeding agreement prior to a breeding.  A written contract is recommended.

H.     To produce puppies only when he/she has the time, facilities, and resources to provide attention to proper physical and emotional development.

I.        To refrain from breeding unless there is strong assurance that a sufficient number of homes are available for the resulting puppies, and to be willing to accept the return of unwanted dogs produced by my brood bitch.

III.     Responsibilities of Stud Dog Owners:

A.     To be familiar with the Standard and to be aware that the purpose of breeding is to maintain or improve the quality of the breed in accordance with the Standard.

B.     To be familiar with AKC rules applicable to litter registration.

C.     To register all breeding stock with the American Kennel Club, and to keep complete, true and accurate records of all matings and pedigrees.

D.     To use for breeding only dogs in good health.  To ensure that dogs used for breeding have been screened for hereditary or genetic health problems inherent in the breed.

E.     To accept for servicing only bitches who appear to be in good health and who have been screened for hereditary or genetic health problems inherent in the breed.

F.     To represent accurately the health history and breeding records of the dog.

G.    To negotiate all terms of a breeding agreement prior to a breeding.  A written contract is recommended.

H.     To complete the chain of registration by signing and returning the stud service certification promptly on satisfaction of the terms of the contract.

I.        To accept for breeding bitches only where there is strong assurance that at sufficient number of homes are available for the resulting puppies, and to be willing to accept the return of unwanted dogs produced by my stud dog.

IV.             Responsibilities of Sellers:

A.     To ascertain that the prospective buyer is aware of the needs of dogs and has the knowledge and facilities to care properly for a growing or grown dog.

B.     To transfer registration papers to the buyer at the time of sale, or to withhold papers only in accordance with AKC rules applying to individual registration, or by written agreement with the buyer.

C.     To advise a buyer, or prospective buyer, of any probable delay or difficulty in registration.

D.     To provide the buyer with a written Bill of Sale, to include a description of the dog, the whelping date, the names and registration numbers of the sire and dam, and the litter or individual registration number, if available.

E.     To advise the buyer of any known health defects.

F.     To advise the buyer in writing of any or all health guarantees and compensation offered by the seller.

V.     Advertising:

A.     It should be borne in mind that advertising may be read by persons having little or no knowledge of dogs.  Each Club member is responsible to see that all advertising in his/her name does not promote his/her dogs through misleading or exaggerated statements or distortion of facts, or through stated or implied deprecation of the dogs of others.

VI.   Discipline:

A.     The following are “prima facie” grounds for disciplinary action:

1.     Neglect or abuse of any dog in the care of a member, documented by the affidavits of three witnesses or by investigation of an authorized humane organization.

2.     Suspension of privileges by the AKC for violation of its rules.

3.     Advertising found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics.

4.     Knowingly to sell, or to aid or abet the sale, of a dog to or through a pet shop or its agents.

5.     To knowingly assist with the breeding practices, by supplying stud dog services or bitches to be used for breeding, by individuals who sell dogs to or through a pet shop or its agents.

6.     Refusal to comply with the terms of a written contract involving a dog without showing just cause.

7.     Refusal to complete the chain of AKC registration without showing just cause.

8.     Refusal to transfer registration papers to a buyer without showing just cause.

9.     Refusal to honor guarantees and agreements made in writing without showing just cause.

VII.  Enforcement:

Enforcement of the Discipline section of the Code of Ethics will be handled in accordance with the disciplinary procedures outlined in Article VII of the By-Laws.  In case of any business transaction involving a Club member, the Club will refuse to entertain any grievances brought against a member unless a written contract or other documentation signed by both parties is submitted with the grievance.

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