SHCA Breeding
Code of Ethics

Guidelines for Ethical Breeding Practices

Guidelines for the Sale of Puppies & Adult Dogs

In order to promote the highest ideals among Siberian Husky owners and breeders, and to aim for the continuous improvement of the breed within the framework of the American Kennel Club-approved breed standard, I pledge that:
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1. I will follow the rules of good sportsmanship in all Siberian Husky competition and activities.
2. I will fully explain to all prospective Siberian Husky purchasers the disadvantages as well as the advantages of owing a Siberian Husky.
3. I will attempt to help and befriend novice exhibitors, racers, and breeders.
4. I will keep well-informed in the field of genetics and will work persistently to eliminate hereditary defects from the breed.
5. I will, before entering into any breeding agreement, carefully analyze the conformations and the pedigrees of the prospective sire and dam, and, in keeping the breed standard clearly in mind, refuse the mating if in my opinion it will not be in the best interest of the breed. If I deny stud service, I will fully explain my reasons to the owner of the bitch.
6. I will refuse to deal with dog wholesalers or to sell puppies or dogs to pet shops, and will include in all stud contracts an agreement to be signed by the owner of the bitch that no puppies resulting from the mating will be wholesaled or sold to pet shops.

The Board of Directors feel that the following are those basic precepts that an overwhelming majority of the fancy accept as proper, honest, and fair as regards conduct between breeders. Our example, as breeders who voluntarily establish and subscribe to such guidelines, will have a beneficial effect.
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The Stud Dog

1. The stud dog should be OFA certified free of radiological evidence of hip dysplasia.
2. Eyes should be diagnosed as free from genetic disorders by a canine ophthalmologist once yearly.
3. The stud dog owner should require of the brood bitch -- OFA certification and current proof of unaffected eyes from a canine ophthalmologist.
4. The stud dog should be free of hereditary, incapacitating faults, not be oversize or undersize, should be a good specimen of the breed, and possess proper disposition. In addition, the dog must have two normally descended testicles.
5. The stud dog should be in good health, free from any disease, as well as internal and external parasites at the time of mating.
6. A male can be offered at stud by passive advertising only. Stud service should never be actively solicited by the stud owner or agent. Solicitations should be initiated only by the owner or agent of the bitch.
7. The owner of the stud dog, when approached, is obligated to discuss the merits and disadvantages of the proposed breeding with candor.
8. The stud fee is actually for the act of breeding which is consummated by a "tie." The fee itself is a matter between the parties involved and subject only by mutual agreement as to amount. A stud dog owner/agent may make the practice of offering a return service at another breeding season if a mating does not produce a litter. The normal arrangement is for the full fee to be paid at the time of service.
9. If a stud dog has not been proved by producing a litter (listed in the AKC Stud Dog Register), the burden of proof of fertility is with the stud dog owner.
10. No substitution of stud dogs will take place unless agreed to by the owner or agent of the bitch.

The Brood Bitch

1. The brood bitch should be OFA certified free of radiological evidence of hip dysplasia.
2. Eyes should be diagnosed as free from genetic disorders by a canine ophthalmologist once yearly.
3. The brood bitch owner should require of the stud dog -- OFA certification and current proof of unaffected eyes from a canine ophthalmologist.
4. The brood bitch should be free of hereditary, incapacitating faults, not be oversize or undersize, should be a good specimen of the breed, and possess proper disposition.
5. The bitch should be in good health, free from any disease, as well as internal and external parasites at the time of mating.
6. Under ordinary circumstances, the brood bitch should not be bred before the age of two years.
7. Under ordinary circumstances, the brood bitch should not have puppies on successive seasons.

The Breeding

1. A breeding should never be undertaken unless it is specifically for the purpose of producing a better dog. Under no circumstances should a breeding be made to satisfy sales demand or for the sole purpose of supporting a kennel.
2. A breeding should never be made unless the owner of the bitch can properly care for the litter. There must be adequate yard space and housing. There must be adequate funds to cover health care, unexpected medical bills, and for general care over an extended time when proper homes have not been found for them.
3. All breedings should be personally supervised to ensure the dogs' safety.
4. All arrangements should be in writing. These should cover fee, boarding, travel, and other circumstances pertinent to that particular mating, and should be signed by both parties.
5. One puppy, full term, dead or alive, constitutes a litter.
6. The breeder of the litter should allot proper time for socialization and play with the puppies.

The Puppies

1. Each puppy sold should be accompanied by an AKC registration form and a correct, signed pedigree. A health record of immunization and parasite control, as well as the feeding regimen should be written out and also verbally explained to the buyer.
2. The breeder should develop and have in mind a profile of an acceptable potential Siberian Husky owner The advantages and disadvantages of owning this puppy should be fully explained.
3. The breeder should be aware of the facilities available at the purchaser's home for the puppy. Questions such as . . . Who is going to be responsible for its care? . . . Will it be properly confined? . . . Do all members of the family want the dog? . . . etc., should be asked and answered in the affirmative before the puppy is sold.
4. If, in the breeder's judgment, the puppy is pet quality only, strong consideration should be given to limited registration or to withholding the registration papers by mutual agreement with the purchaser, using the outline in Chapter 3, Section 4A and Section 6, respectively, in the AKC Rules, Registrations, and Dog Shows.
5. The price of the puppies is properly the business of the seller and purchaser. Any agreements, arrangement, and guarantees should be in writing, and signed by all parties involved.
6. The breeder should follow up on puppies placed for at least the first year, and should be willing to help place the puppy in another home if the original buyer is unable to keep it.
7. The breeder should be willing to answer questions as long as the buyer needs advice.

These guidelines are intended to encourage and preserve the highest ethical standards in the advertising and selling of adult dogs and puppies.
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Advertising

1. The terms "pedigreed" and "champion blood lines" are subject to misinterpretation, and should not be used in advertising.
2. The term "AKC registrable" does not imply quality, but merely indicates that the animal may be registered with the American Kennel Club.
3. All animals should be truthfully described with no exaggerated claims as to quality or working ability.
4. Where possible, the OFA and SHOR or CERF numbers of the adult or parents of puppies should be listed.

Seller

1. Each puppy or adult sold should be accompanied by an AKC registration form (unless buyer and seller have both signed an agreement that AKC registration should be withheld), a correct, signed pedigree, and a complete health record. If the seller has not received the registration application for the puppy, he shall provide written identification to include the breed, the names and registration numbers of the sire and dam, breeder, and date of birth of the puppy. Also, a statement that the registration will be forwarded as soon as possible, but in no event should it be later than 90 days from the sale unless this is agreed upon, in writing, by both buyer and seller.
2. Each puppy or adult sold should also be accompanied by the following:a. A written contract of sale, listing the conditions of sale, health guarantees, and clauses for possible or replacement or remuneration in exchange for the animal.
   b. Written proof that both parents were x-rayed and certified clear of hip dysplasia and that both parents were checked and found to be clear of hereditary eye diseases by a veterinary ophthalmologist within one year prior to the breeding producing the offspring in question.
   c. Publications from the Siberian Husky Club of America:
   Eye and Hip Brochure
   So . . . You Want a Siberian Husky?
   Guidelines for Ethical Breeding Practices
   The Siberian Husky
   AKC Approved Standard for Siberian Huskies
3. The health record should list the dates of vaccinations for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvo Virus. No puppy should be sold without having received at least one vaccination for DHL & Parvo Virus -- a veterinarian's certificate will provide proof of this. Also listed on the health record should be dates of worming and any other pertinent information regarding dates of seasons, rabies vaccinations, heartworm check, medications, and complete medical history.
4. The guarantee included in the contract of sale normally requires that the animal be examined by a veterinarian within 48 hours of the sale for condition of general health. On written request from the vet, the guarantee should be extended an additional five days. If during this period, the vet deems the animal unsuitable for reasons of health, it should be exchangeable for a second animal or a total refund.

Buyer

1. The buyer should make his needs clear and precise to the seller. Do not request a pet quality puppy if one has any intentions of breeding the animal.
2. The buyer should not purchase any animal without a written sales agreement specifying conditions of sale and guarantees. If paying the price of a show potential/breeding quality animal, one should obtain a written statement that a refund or replacement animal will be given in the event of hereditary diseases or disqualifying faults in exchange for the afflicted animal.
3. Each puppy or adult sold should be accompanied by an AKC registration form (unless buyer and seller have both signed an agreement that AKC registration should be withheld), a correct, signed pedigree, and a complete health record. If the seller has not received the registration for the puppy, he shall provide written identification to include breed, the names and registration numbers of the sire and dam, breeder, and date of birth of the puppy. Also, a statement that the registration will be forwarded as soon as possible, but in no event should it be later than 90 days from the sale unless this is agreed upon, in writing, by both buyer and seller.
4. No puppy should be sold without having received at lease one vaccination for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvo Virus -- a veterinarian's certificate will provide proof of this.
5. Due to incidence of hereditary eye diseases and hip dysplasia in Siberian Huskies, the buyer should require written proof that both parents were x-rayed and certified clear of hip dysplasia, and that both parents were checked and found clear of hereditary eye diseases by a veterinary ophthalmologist within one year prior to the breeding producing the offspring in question.