CODE OF ETHICS
In the service of achieving the objectives of the National
Brussels Griffon Club, this Code of Ethics is established as a model of behavior
for the membership. It is our aim to provide guidelines that will facilitate responsible
breeding and selling of Brussels Griffons, further conscientious and enlightened
ownership of the breed, and foster cordial, mutually supportive relations between
Club members and between the Club and the public with regards to the Brussels
Griffon breed. Circumstances do arise that call for flexible, innovative behavior
and matters of judgment. Therefore, in all questions of ethics, covered or not
covered by this Code, the member shall act solely in the best interests of the
breed, in good conscience and motivated by good intentions.
- A primary consideration in all breeding will be the
improvement of the breed.
- If planning a breeding program, members will conscientiously
strive to use the very best dogs (sires and dams), free from known physical and
mental defects, including breed disqualifications. We recommend that breeding
stock be screened using all applicable genetic testing and be certified free from
hereditary eye defects, patella luxation and hip dysplasia.
- Owners of stud dogs will give thoughtful consideration
and use discretion when accepting bitches for breeding, breeding their stud dogs
only to quality bitches free from known hereditary defects, serious faults, and
breed disqualifications. The owner of the sire is as responsible as the owner
of the dam in all matters of the welfare of the offspring.
- No bitch shall be bred before her second season or before
she is 18 months old nor shall she be bred after her eighth birthday.
- No member will sell a dog or supply stud service to
a pet shop, broker, any person buying the dog for resale, any person having a
USDA number or to any known volume breeder. No member shall have a USDA number.
- No member will malign competitors or fellow Club members
by making libelous, slanderous or malicious statements regarding another's dog(s).
All actions in regard to the dogs, fellow members and the general public must
consider the best interests of the breed.
- No member will make statements about his/her dog(s)
which are false or misleading nor will he/she misrepresent stock to prospective
buyers.
- The seller will put all guarantees in writing. The seller
will provide the buyer with printed instructions concerning the care of the dog
including vaccination records and all pertinent facts concerning the dog. The
seller will provide the buyer and a copy of the Code of Ethics.
- Each puppy will be at least twelve weeks old before
it is sold or released to a new home and will have had proper inoculations for
his/her age.
- The seller will furnish the buyer with a three generation
pedigree and American Kennel Club registration application or certificate unless
there is a written agreement stating the buyer is not to receive papers.
- Each member will be responsible for the welfare of every
dog he/she breeds, sells or places. This means following up on each dog to be
sure the new owners are happy with the dog, and the dog has adjusted well to the
new home. This also means having an understanding with the new owner that any
time in the future the owner is unable to keep the dog, the owner is to contact
the seller and the seller will have the responsibility to either take the dog
back or find it a new home.
- Each member owning a Brussels Griffon pledges to provide
lifelong quality care for their animal(s), to give proper immunizations as recommended
by their veterinarian, to carry out all terms of contracts signed by breeders,
and, if one cannot keep a dog, return it to the breeder. If this is not possible,
then the dog shall be neutered/spayed and placed in a loving home.
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