BreedersClub.Net Responsible Member Breeder Code of Conduct

Pillar I: Breeding Purpose & Intentionality
  • Breeding with Clear Purpose: I pledge that every litter I produce is planned with a specific, positive goal in mind (such as improving health, achieving a stable family temperament, predictable coat types, or working/service capability). I will never breed solely to meet a fluctuating market trend or for pure financial gain.

  • Predictability and Selection:
    • For Purebreds: I will evaluate all breeding stock against the official breed standard to preserve the breed’s historical traits.
    • For Intentional Crosses (e.g., Goldendoodles, Maltipoos): I will carefully select parent dogs that complement each other’s genetics to achieve a specific, predictable outcome in the puppies regarding size, coat type, and drive. I will not pair dogs at random simply because they belong to popular breeds.

  • No “Kennel Blindness”: I will remain strictly objective regarding the flaws in my own dogs. I will not breed any dog that consistently produces puppies with serious hereditary defects, genetic diseases, or unstable temperaments, regardless of the dog’s personal achievements, pedigree, or the popularity of its mix.

  • Honest Representation: I will be completely transparent with buyers about what to expect from the litter. I will not make false or unprovable guarantees regarding “hypoallergenic” qualities, final sizing, or shedding levels, as genetics in mixed breeds can yield varying results.
  • Mandatory, Breed-Relevant Physical Screenings: I pledge to perform all recommended physical health screenings for my dogs before breeding them.
    • For Purebreds: I will follow the standard screening protocols established by the national parent club and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
    • For Intentional Crosses (e.g., Goldendoodles, Maltipoos): I will complete the physical health clearances required for both of the founding parent breeds (e.g., testing both hips and eyes for both the Poodle and the Golden Retriever/Maltese).

  • Comprehensive DNA & Genetic Panels: I will utilize modern DNA panels to screen my breeding stock for inheritable diseases. I will not breed two carriers of the same recessive genetic disease together, ensuring that no puppy I produce will be affected by a preventable genetic condition.

  • No “Hybrid Vigor” Assumptions: I acknowledge that crossing two different breeds does not automatically make the offspring healthier. I will not use the concept of “hybrid vigor” as an excuse to bypass orthopedic, cardiac, or genetic testing.

  • Transparency of Results: I will ensure all physical health clearances (such as hip and elbow evaluations, cardiac checks, and eye exams) are filed in a verifiable, publicly searchable database like the OFA. I will openly share these records and DNA reports with prospective puppy buyers.

  • Pre-Breeding Clears: I will ensure that both the sire and dam are cleared for transmissible reproductive diseases (such as Brucella canis) prior to any mating.
  • Standard of Living: All dogs in my care will be treated as companions and provided with high-quality nutrition, daily exercise, regular grooming, and a clean, safe, climate-controlled living environment.

  • Maternal Welfare: I will not breed a female on her first heat or before she is both physically and mentally mature. I will allow ample recovery time between litters and will not compromise a mother’s health for a litter.

  • Retirement and Longevity: I will limit the total number of litters a female has in her lifetime. Upon retirement, I will ensure she is spayed and either kept as a cherished lifelong pet or placed into a carefully vetted, permanent retirement home.
  • Standard Veterinary Inspections: I will have the litter examined by a licensed veterinarian at least twice: a post-natal check within 48 hours of birth and a comprehensive head-to-tail physical exam before leaving my care (typically at 6 to 8 weeks).

  • Preventative Protocols: I will ensure puppies are kept on a strict, vet-approved deworming schedule starting at 2 weeks of age and receive their first round of core vaccines.

  • Early Socialization: I will implement structured enrichment and socialization protocols (such as Puppy Culture or ENS) to ensure the puppies are adaptable and confident.

  • Minimum Release Age: I will never separate puppies from their mother and littermates before 8 weeks of age, allowing them vital time to learn bite inhibition and social boundaries.
  • Rigorous Buyer Screening: I will thoroughly interview all prospective buyers to ensure they have the time, resources, and environment suitable for the breed.

  • No Third-Party Sales: I will never sell puppies to pet stores, commercial brokers, wholesalers, or donate them to auctions or raffles.

  • Spay/Neuter and Limited Registration: Puppies placed in companion homes will be sold on limited registration with an agreement to spay or neuter the dog at an age-appropriate time advised by a veterinarian.

  • The Lifetime Safety Net (encouraged): I will include a clause in all puppy contracts stating that if a buyer can no longer keep the dog at any point in its life, the dog may be returned to me. I take full responsibility for ensuring no dog I breed ever enters a shelter.
    • If any puppies you breed are returned to you under this guideline, please contact BreedersClub.net support at hellp@breedersclub.net and we will provide you with a coupon code to post the returned dog for rehoming for free.
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