Southern California Bouvier des Flandres Club, Inc.
Est. 1972
Guidelines for Responsible Ownership
I.
General
Every member
of the Southern California Bouvier des Flandres Club is charged
with the responsibility to uphold, promote and practice the
principles set forth in this Guideline.
When
involved with breeding, exhibiting, selling and advertising of
the Bouvier des Flandres, every member shall promote the
advancement of the breed and refrain from actions which would
not be in the best interest of the Breed and/or the Club.
It being the
determination of the Club that OFA Certification can lead to the
betterment of the breed, it is recommended that members certify
breeding stock through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA). Companion dogs not being used as breeding stock should
also be certified for the general information it can provide for
the betterment of the breed. (Orthopedic Foundation of Animals
(OFA), 2300 Nifong Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201.
www.offa.org)
II.
Responsibilities of the
Breeder
Section 2
Every breeding
undertaken shall be done from the standpoint of bettering the
breed; therefore, all unworthy dogs and bitches must not be
considered. Great care should be exercised in evaluating a dog
or bitch for breeding purposes. The breeder shall be familiar
with the current AKC standard for conformation and temperament,
and with various diseases and disabilities including canine
brucella and hip/elbow dysplasia.
Section 3
The breeder shall be
familiar with AKC rules governing registration, sales and
transfers of dogs, and abide by these rules and regulations.
III.
Stud Owner and Bitch
Owner Responsibilities
Section 1
Those dogs offered for stud and those bitches offered for
service shall be in good health, free of debilitating defects,
of the breed type as set forth in the standard for the Bouvier
des Flandres, and of sound temperament.
Section 2
The stud owner shall accept for servicing, and the bitch
owner solicit for breeding, only those animals that are in good
health, free of debilitating defects, of the breed type as set
forth in the AKC Standard for the Bouvier des Flandres, and of
sound temperament.
Section 3
Appropriate attention shall be given to pre-mating health
inspection including - for the stud: a sperm count, current DHLP
vaccination and a canine brucella check; for the bitch owner: a
current SHLP vaccination, worming, a vaginal infection check
(smear), and a canine brucella check.
Section 4
In selecting a suitable stud or bitch, one must know the
pedigree for at least three generations and personally
scrutinize the proposed mates' virtues and faults in a
conscientious effort to effect the betterment of the breed.
Section 5
The stud agreement or contract must always be stated
clearly in writing. A sample agreement can be obtained by
contacting the Club Secretary.
IV.
Responsibilities Of The
Seller
Section 1
The seller shall share in the responsibility for
betterment of the breed and not be motivated merely by profit.
The seller agrees to sell animals only of sound body, good
health and temperament.
It is suggested that a health certificate should be
issued by a veterinarian certifying, that at the time of sale,
each animal is in sound condition.
Section 2
The seller must agree to replace or refund money on
dogs/bitches sold if said dog/ bitch has congenital defects or
diseases which were undetected at the time of sale. No member
shall misrepresent a Pet Quality dog/bitch as a Show Quality
Prospect as this would be unethical. It is recommended that all
sales contracts be in writing.
In the absence of a sales contract conforming to that
recommended in these Guidelines, neither the Board members of
any committee on behalf of it shall be precluded from
arbitrating any dispute arising from any transaction.
Section 3
In order to protect the seller, the buyer, and the
Standard of the Breed, the seller must make a notation on the
Bill of Sale if the dog/bitch is sold as Show Prospect or Pet
Quality. It is suggested that the seller also attach a notation
on the registration papers if the dog/bitch is sold as Pet
Quality and not a show Prospect. This action would insure
protection to the seller if in the future a buyer decided to
show Quality.
V.
Responsibilities Of The Exhibitor
Section 1
Members shall encourage and aid in the exhibiting of
worthwhile specimens of Bouviers in conformation, obedience,
working dog trials, and other competitions in an effort to
better the breed.
Section 2
For
conformation
purposes, only
specimens of
the breed
that conform
to the
current AKC Standard for the Bouvier des Flandres shall
be shown in the breed ring as a true representative of the
breed.
Section 3
Members must, at all times, conduct themselves in a
sportsmanlike manner when exhibiting or when viewing dogs in the
ring, for as members of the Southern California Bouvier des
Flandres Club we are the public representatives of the
principles and ideals our Club was instituted to uphold.
VI.
Recommendations when
Advertising
Section 1
All advertising must be factual and be free from
misleading statements and misrepresentation.
Animals advertised as available for breeding must conform
to the AKC Standard. For all advertising in the Club
Bulletin or related publications, a copy of the OFA
certificate for both the sire and dam must be supplied for any
dog advertised for stud; the OFA numbers are to be noted in the
advertisement.
Section 2
Members shall not make willfully untrue statements about
the stock of other members, with the intent to maliciously
destroy or harm the reputation of a member/breeder
seller/exhibitor.
VII.
Infractions
Members are responsible for encouraging compliance with the guidelines. Violations or infractions of the guidelines are to be brought to the Boards attention and dealt with in the manner prescribed by the Club's Constitution and By-laws.