GRCA Code Of Ethics
The Golden Retriever Club of America endorses the following Code of Ethics
for its members. It is the purpose of GRCA to encourage its members to
perfect through selection, breeding and training the type of dog most
suitable in all respects for work as a companionable gun dog, and to do all
in its power to protect and advance the interests of Golden Retrievers in
every endeavor.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DOG OWNER:
Members must ensure that their dogs are kept safe and under control at
all times. Members should properly train their dogs so that they are an
asset to their community and not a nuisance. Dogs must be maintained with
their safety and good health in mind at all times, including adequate and
appropriate attention and socialization, grooming, feeding, veterinary
attention, housing, routine care, exercise and training.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF GRCA:
Members' responsibilities include educating the public about the breed,
keeping in mind that they and their dogs represent the breed, GRCA and the
sport of pure bred dogs in general.
Members are urged to accept the written Breed Standard as approved by the
American Kennel Club (or the other applicable governing body of the country
in which they reside or exhibit) as the standard description of physical and
temperamental qualities by which the Golden Retriever is to be judged.
Members are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all events and
competitions, abiding by the applicable rules and regulations set forth by
the governing bodies for such events and competitions. Members' conduct
should always be in accord with the purposes and intent of the GRCA
Constitution and By-Laws.
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BREEDER:
GRCA members who breed Golden Retrievers are encouraged to maintain the
purpose of the breed and are expected to demonstrate honesty and fairness in
dealing with other owners and breeders, purchasers of dogs and the general
public. Owners of breeding animals shall provide appropriate documentation
to all concerned regarding the health of dogs involved in a breeding or sale,
including reports of examinations such as those applying to hips and eyes.
If any such examinations have not been performed on a dog, this should be
stated.
Breeders should understand and acknowledge that they may need to take
back, or assist in finding a new home for, any dog they produce at any time
in its life, if requested to do so.
Members who breed should sell puppies, permit stud service and/or lease
any stud dogs or brood bitches only to individuals who give satisfactory
evidence that they will give proper care and attention to the animals
concerned, and who may be expected generally to act within the intent of
the statements of this Code of Ethics. Members are encouraged to use clear,
concise written contracts to document the sale of animals, use of stud dogs,
and lease arrangements, including the use, when appropriate, of non-breeding
agreements and/or Limited Registration. Members should not sell dogs at
auction, or to brokers or commercial dealers.
ADVISORY GUIDELINES:
Breeding stock should be selected with the objects of GRCA in mind, that is:
Recognizing that the Golden Retriever breed was developed as a useful gun
dog, to encourage the perfection by careful and selective breeding of
Golden Retrievers that possess the appearance, structure, soundness,
temperament, natural ability and personality that are characterized in
the Standard of the breed, and to do all possible to advance and promote
the perfection of these qualities. (Paraphrased from Article I, Section 2,
of the GRCA By-Laws, as amended in 1995).
GRCA members are expected to follow AKC requirements for record-keeping,
identification of animals and registration procedures.
Animals selected for breeding should:
(i) be of temperament typical of the Golden Retriever breed; stable,
friendly, trainable, and willing to work. Temperament is of utmost
importance to the breed and must never be neglected;
(ii) be in good health, including freedom from communicable disease;
(iii) possess the following examination reports in order to verify
status concerning possible hip dysplasia, hereditary eye or cardiovascular
disease:
Hips: appropriate report from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals;
PennHip; Ontario Veterinary College; BVA/KC Hip Score (Great Britain) or
at least a written report from a board-certified veterinary radiologist
(Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists).
Eyes: appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College of
Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO), or from a BVA/KC approved ophthalmologist
(Great Britain).
Hearts: appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College
of Veterinary Medicine, Cardiology Specialty.
Consideration should be given also to other disorders that may have a
genetic component, including, but not limited to epilepsy, hypothyroidism,
skin disorders (allergies), and orthopedic disorders such as elbow dysplasia
and osteochondritis.
(iv) Assuming all health and examination reports are favorable, the age
of the breeding pair also is of consideration. Generally, a Golden
Retriever is not physically and mentally mature until the age of 2 years;
an individual dog's suitability as a breeding animal is difficult to
assess until that time.
Adopted: April 20, 1997, by GRCA Board of Directors.
© 1998-2002 GRCA All Rights Reserved.
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