Western Reserve Poodle Club Ethical Guidelines (approved 01/11/04):
The Western Reserve Poodle Club has adopted the following CODE OF ETHICS in order to create, foster,
and promote interest in Poodles by encouraging their breeding in accordance with the Standard set by
The Poodle Club of America, Inc., and to maintain among its members the highest spirit of cooperation
and devotion to the principles of good sportsmanship.
1. Abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Western Reserve Poodle Club, PCA, and the rules of the American Kennel Club and applicable State and Federal Laws.
2. Act at all times so your conduct reflects credit upon the sport of showing purebred dogs and on WRPC. Use good manners and be courteous to others.
3. All breeding stock should have appropriate registry certification numbers and should have all testing necessary for heritable defect screening. The buyers of your puppies should be encouraged to keep up these screening procedures throughout their new pet’s lives.
4. Be truthful about heritable defects in your own canine family.
5. Be truthful in your advertising. Do not mislead prospective buyers or misrepresent your dogs.
6. Do not spread rumors about other dogs or other people.
7. Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, care, and canine health.
8. The Poodle needs socialization and a great deal of human contact- it is his nature. If you don’t have time to spend with your dogs, don’t breed more dogs.
9. Keep accurate records, registrations, and pedigrees.
10. Conduct any business dealings concerning your dogs in an ethical manner.
A. All service and sales arrangements should be mutually agreed upon, stated in writing, and signed by all parties involved. In the event circumstances arise that prevent the new owner from keeping a dog, the owner is encouraged to contact the breeder before the dog is sold, given away, or placed in rescue. The breeder will be responsible for acting in the best interests of the animal.
B. Furnish copies to each buyer of all veterinary procedures, pedigree, and AKC registration or transfer documents, unless written agreement is made at the time of the sale that papers should be withheld. Explain limited registration if that is the way the dog is to be registered.
C. Honestly evaluate the quality of your Poodles to potential buyers. Define faults and virtues in the puppy.
D. Prices of Poodles should represent individual quality. You should maintain prices so as not to be injurious to the breed. Substandard or inferior quality animals should be sold with limited registration and written agreements to have the animals neutered or spayed.
E. All breeding should be done to improve the breed, not for commercial purposes, including puppy brokers, puppy mills, pet shops, litter lots sales, or any other business involved with the wholesaling of dogs. Providing dogs for raffles and lotteries is also prohibited.
F. No dog or bitch should be used for breeding without first having preliminary heritable defect screening.
11. Whenever possible, encourage new owners to bring puppy back for a free clip, pedicure and ear check in about 4 weeks; this gives you a chance to see how things are going.
