BREEDING CODE OF CONDUCT
One of the main objectives of the S.G.R.S. is to encourage the breeding of sound Golden Retrievers which conform to the Kennel Club Standard. To facilitate this, the Committee of the S.G.R.S. have drawn up a Code of Conduct, which, if followed, ensures that all reasonable steps are taken to breed sound animals. As a Society we wish to encourage our members to take a responsible attitude and to follow the Code of Conduct and make themselves aware of the KC Rules related to the breeding of bitches. Of particular concern, is the stud dog owner, because without his/her consent the mating would not occur.
AS A STUD DOG OWNER, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
Have your dog examined under all relevant and current KC/BVA health schemes** with results/scores known/officially advised to the owner before the mating takes place and have certificates updated as prescribed. Have your certificates and Kennel Club registrations available for examination and provide copies for the owner of the Bitch.
Eye certification should be carried out annually (or as advised by the KC/BVA in the case of Gonioscopy) and must be current at the time of mating.
Know your dog’s antecedents; note what he produces to bitches of particular breeding and record adverse reactions. Remember, not all lines match and that this is no reflection on your dog, be prepared to advise if a certain tie up of sire and dam lines has a greater than normal risk of producing adverse genetic effects.
Insist on seeing the bitch’s pedigree, her K.C. registration, check her date of birth, if previously whelped and if so, when and ensure no breeding endorsements exist and certificates from all relevant and current KC/BVA health schemes**. Ask if there is any known record of other hereditary faults. Remember that in genetics, there are no guarantees (except where DNA testing has been undertaken), BUT also remember that to withhold information pertinent to hereditary problems or adverse characteristics could render you liable.
For the sake of potential puppies try to gauge how responsible the bitch’s owner is. Determine why the owner wishes to mate his/her bitch and have a litter. Impress upon them the responsibility they are taking on and that whelping and rearing a litter can be very traumatic and expensive. Above all, impress upon them their responsibility to secure good loving homes for the puppies for life. Refuse to allow the use of your dog if there is any doubt.
AS A BITCH OWNER YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
Before you consider breeding from your bitch, make sure that she is fit and healthy but will not produce a litter under 18 months or produce more than one litter in a 12 month period. Have her examined under all relevant and current KC/BVA health schemes** with results/scores known/officially advised to the owner before the mating takes place and have certificates updated as prescribed. Have your certificates and Kennel Club registration available for examination.
Insist on seeing the dog’s KC registration and ensure no breeding endorsements exist and obtain copies of certificates from all relevant and current KC/BVA health schemes**..
Eye certification should be carried out annually (or as advised by the KC/BVA in the case of Gonioscopy) and must be current at the time of mating.
You should discuss the tie up of the sire and dam lines, establish the sire’s background, his characteristics and whether or not he has produced puppies with hereditary defects, and if so, under what circumstances. Remember there are dominant and recessive genes so, therefore, knowledge of your bitch line is important to match to the stud dog’s background. However, it must be understood that in genetics there are no guarantees (except where DNA testing has been undertaken), you can only seek to reduce the risks.
Above all remember that your responsibilities go beyond those of the stud dog owner. You are responsible not only for rearing the puppies until they are mature enough to leave their dam but also you have to find them loving and caring homes and give advice on rearing, house training, and basic control and discipline of a puppy at an early age.
Remember to contact the stud dog owner long before the bitch is due in season, you both have much to discuss. Encourage puppy owners to report back to you and to the stud dog owner eye results, hip scores, elbow scores and any other genetic problems. You are expected to be able to refund the price of a puppy if necessary and to assist with the re-housing of a puppy if required.
Finally, you should offer to assist in the re-homing of adult dogs of your breeding and if needs be offer for the dogs to be returned to you if it would assist in the re-homing process.
** Whilst the Kennel Club has stipulated health testing standards which have been developed and agreed in conjunction with the BVA, there are now many alternative providers both in the UK and overseas able to deliver test results, other than the BVA.
Both stud dog and bitch should have:
- A current, “unaffected” eye certificate from either the BVA or ECVO including Glaucoma testing.
- Hip and Elbow scores
The following results may be available via ancestry results, but if testing is required, it should be undertaken in accordance with Kennel Club recommendations.
- DNA test results for PRA 1&2
- DNA test result for Ichthyosis (ICT)
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE GREATEST ASSET OF A GOLDEN RETRIEVER IS ITS DELIGHTFUL TEMPERAMENT.