American Dutch Shepherd Association Code of Ethics.
Preamble
As a member of American Dutch Shepherd Association, I recognize that I am faced with decisions about
courses of action that can impact the health and well being of my own dogs and the preservation of the
Dutch Shepherd breed as a whole.
As members of the ADSA, we share a deep concern for the welfare and future of the Dutch Shepherd.
This Code of Ethics has been developed in accordance with the purpose of the Club and the ADSA
constitution to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of the purebred Dutch Shepherd.
The Code of Ethics is designed to promote sound ownership and breeding practices that preserve the
health of the Dutch Shepherd and adhere to the Breed Standard.
In accordance with the ADSA by-laws, prospective members are asked to sign the ADSA Code of Ethics
as part of the membership application.
1
AKC/ADSA
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2
I will abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club.
I will record my Dutch Shepherds with AKC/ADSA.
I will keep accurate records in compliance with the AKC/ADSA.
I will abide by the By-Laws and Constitution of the ADSA.
Personal and Peer Conduct
2.1 I will maintain sportsmanlike behavior in all canine endeavors and will work toward the betterment
of the Dutch Shepherd breed.
2.2 I pledge to help educate the public in the standard and the care of the Dutch Shepherd.
2.3 I will educate myself about the conformation of my Dutch Shepherds, looking to their structure,
health, and temperament.
2.4 If necessary, I will consult with other breeders and knowledgeable, experienced members of the
ADSA, regional clubs, or local kennel club to broaden my understanding and knowledge of the
history of the breed BEFORE beginning a breeding program.
2.5 I will never engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of my dogs.
2.6 I will treat fellow club members, exhibitors, judges and spectators with respect and courtesy,
whether at home, traveling or at shows.
2.7 I will not degrade any fancier/breeder, his dogs or kennel operation.
2.8 I will notify the ADSA Board of Directors of breeders whose actions do not appear to be in the
best interest of the breed.
2.9 I accept responsibility for the behavior of my Dutch Shepherd(s) at all times, including keeping
them under control and cleaning up after them, especially at shows, hotels and other public
places.
3
General Dog Care
I will maintain high standards in the care of my dogs. Each dog I own or co-own will be, to the
best of my knowledge and ability, provided with proper living quarters, nutrition, exercise,
socialization individual attention and health care and I will strive to bring each dog to its full
potential.
4
Breeding
4.1 I will only breed dogs possessing sound temperament, structure, good health and who exemplify
the AKC/FCI Dutch Shepherd breed standard as I interpret it.
4.2 I will not breed any bitch under 18 months of age.
4.3 I will not breed any dog under 18 months of age. A onetime exemption may be allowed by the
board of the ADSA as the result of a specific appeal to the board by a member in good standing
of the ADSA.
4.4 I will not breed a bitch after 96 months of age, without her veterinarian's approval.
4.5 Periodicity of litters: the bitch shall not have more than 2 (two) litters in a period of 24 months.
The 24 month period will start on the day the first of the two covers takes place. The time
between 2 (two) litters shall be at least 10 months (Counted from mating/breeding to
mating/breeding).
4.6 In no event may a bitch produce more than 4 litters in her lifetime.
4.7 I will not permit a fellow breeder to use one of my stud dogs younger than 18 months with one of
his/her bitches.
4.8 I will provide written agreements for all stud services.
4.9 If I breed a litter, I will be prepared to maintain the puppies myself or arrange safe
accommodations for them until suitable homes are found for each one.
4.10 My puppies will be at least 8 weeks old before being transferred to their new owner.
4.11 I will breed only dogs with minimum four-generation pedigrees.
4.12 I will only breed, or offer at stud, dogs which have been tested for hip and elbow dysplasia by
the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Penn Hip, Genetic Disease Control (GDC) or
recognized foreign registry. Note that European registries will only allow for ISO 9001 compliant
DNA testing. Breeding should be done by preference with HD negative dogs.
4.13 I will only use Roughhair dogs & bitches which have been tested for GD eye disease by the
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (C.E.R.F.) GD Carriers are not allowed to be bred to other
GD Carriers. (So far, there has been no evidence of GD in Shorthairs and Longhairs.)
4.14 I will disclose the test results of my dog or bitch to the owner of the dog that is chosen to be
bred to my bitch or dog.
4.15 I will have each of my dogs micro-chipped for permanent identification.
4.16 All of my breeding stock will have their DNA registered at AKC prior to breeding.
4.17 I will not breed purebred Dutch Shepherds with other breeds. (e.g. Malinois, Tervuerens,
Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds etc.)
4.18 I will report all hereditary or congenital health problems to the ADSA's health database
coordinator. I will not knowingly breed any dog that has a hereditary disease or defect.
4.19 When breeding to a foreign stud dog, using imported frozen semen, importing a stud dog or
importing a bitch in whelp:
 Foreign stud dogs used for breeding will have been tested for health certifications
customary for his homeland.
 Imported frozen semen will come from a male whose hips were tested for
hip dysplasia in his homeland.
 An imported stud dog will have tested for health certifications customary for
his homeland. In the event his country of origin tests hips only, he will have his
elbows and eyes tested according to ADSA regulations before being used for breeding.
If he is under 18 months of age, he will not be used for breeding until his health checks
(hips, elbows, eyes in Roughhairs) have been performed.
 A foreign bitch imported into the United States in whelp will arrive with an
export pedigree and proof of a hip exam in her homeland if over 18 months of age. If
she is under 18 months of age, she will not be used for breeding until her health checks
(hips, elbows, and in case of Roughhair, the eyes) have been performed.
5.
Transfer of Ownership /Paperwork
5.1 When transferring ownership, I will provide an AKC/ADSA 3 generation pedigree unless I am
deliberately withholding it pending an action, such as spaying/neutering, required of the new
owner in a contract.
5.2 I will also provide a written sales agreement and any other information such as medical records
and puppy care information. I will also supply a written health guarantee detailing conditions for
replacement or reimbursement.
5.3 When transferring ownership, I will ensure that the dog is up to date on necessary vaccinations
and is transferred with written records indicating this. A current health certificate will be
provided to any new owner who requests it.
5.4 When transferring ownership, I will actively encourage the new owner to become a member of the
ADSA.
5.5 When transferring ownership of a dog with hereditary defects or disqualifying faults, I will make
full disclosure of the condition to the buyer.
5.6 I will educate prospective owners about the temperament and likely traits of the dog, and the
investment of time, money and energy that will be required to properly house, train and
maintain a Dutch Shepherd.
5.7 I will remain available to the new owner for ongoing support.
5.8 I will ensure that each puppy's microchip number is registered and traceable back to me.
5.9 I will screen each puppy buyer and strive to place each dog in a permanent home.
5.10 Under no circumstances will I engage in wholesaling litters nor will I knowingly sell to puppy
mills, pet dealers, retailers, catalog houses, commercial breeding operations, buyers /brokers or
supply puppies or dogs for raffles, lotteries, auctions or laboratories.
5.11 I am aware that there is a surplus of dogs in today's society and will undertake breeding with a
lasting commitment to the dogs I produce. I will help the purchaser in every reasonable way for
the life of the dog. In the event the purchaser must give up the dog, I am prepared to take the
dog back and to be responsible for placing the dog in another suitable home.
6
Notes
6.1 If I voluntarily remove myself from the Breeder Referral List (due to a breeding which would
violate any portion of the ADSA Breeders' Code of Ethics) I understand I must wait 2 years to
re-sign the Code of Ethics and be listed on the Breeder Referral List.
6.2 As co-owner of a stud dog that does not reside with me, I will not be held accountable if said dog
is used against my will in a manner that is in violation of the Code of Ethics.
6.3 Important information when considering a co-ownership, excerpt from the AKC Procedures for
Registration Matters: "Co-ownership arrangements, in far too many cases, lead to problems. While AKC
registration application forms provide for more than one owner, we recommend that co-ownerships be
avoided. It has been our experience that purchasing a dog outright is preferable. We would like to point
out that if a co-owner is suspended of all AKC privileges, then for the term of the suspension, recording of
a transfer of the dog that is co-owned is barred and registrations of litters sired by or whelped by the dog
in question are barred. Wins taken by the dog in AKC-licensed or member events are subject to
disallowment."
I have carefully read and agree to follow the above outlined guidelines and I completely understand the
penalties for violating the ABMC's Breeders' Code of Ethics.
Signed:
Date: