Breeders Code of Ethics

This document defines the ethical standards to which we ascribe as a condition of membership in the American Association of the Coton de Tulear, Inc. (AACDT, Inc.). Membership is a privilege conferred by the Board of Directors, acting for the Membership, upon those individuals who meet the high standards set forth in the Club Constitution and Bylaws and this Code. As members, we are individually charged with complying with this code and demanding similar compliance of all other members. We must hold the interest of the Coton de Tulear superior to our own in exercising the responsibilities that accompany the privileges of membership.

I: Responsibilities Of a Member

Members of the AACDT, Inc., as Stewards to the breed, have the obligation to protect and serve the best interests of the Coton de Tulear at all times. A member's every action should reflect credit on themselves, the AACDT, Inc., and, above all, the Coton de Tulear. The approved standard for the breed is the fundamental imperative guiding our actions. Members have the obligation to protect and serve these standards as a condition of membership. Members must be familiar with and comply with the rules of the Constitution and By-laws of the AACDT, Inc. Members will observe the highest standards of conduct and sportsmanship at all times. Whether as a breeder, exhibitor, or spectator, they shall conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the Coton de Tulear, dogs in general, and the sport of showing dogs. Members shall maintain the highest standards of health and sanitation for their own Coton de Tulear, as well as for any others in their possession or entrusted to their care. They shall demand the same high standards of others, members and non-members alike.
Provide a “working link” to the American Association of the Coton de Tulear on their kennel’s web site.

II: Responsibilities of a Breeder

As a Code of Ethics Breeder I acknowledge that I understand and agree to the requirements listed in all of the following paragraphs, and that I shall:

Be guided at all times by the approved FCI Standard for the Coton de Tulear and shall consider breeding only those specimens that, as closely as possible, conform to the standard.

Strive toward maintaining breed type and producing dogs of exceptional quality, temperament, and condition. Breeding or supporting breeding to a lesser standard is not acceptable.

Use for breeding, only those dogs that are deemed healthy by a Board Certified Veterinarian and show no clinical signs of serious congenital or hereditary defects.

Refrain from further use, any bitch or stud dog that has developed a serious health problem or has produced any serious inherited defects detrimental to the offspring and the overall well being of the breed.

Consider the growing problems related to excess dogs being found in animal shelters and should exercise sound judgment and prudent restraint in their breeding programs. Litters should be limited to numbers that are consistent with achieving a sound breeding program and the best interests of the Coton de Tulear.

Make careful placements of all Coton de Tulear I have bred, acquired or rescued.

Not allow any Coton de Tulear to mate with any other breed of dog.

Not engage in false or misleading advertising or other misrepresentations with respect to their own breeding. They shall not malign others by making false or misleading statements regarding another member's dogs, breeding practices, or person. Advertising should not be worded to attract undesirable buyers nor encourage raising dogs for profit. If promoting the Coton de Tulear through advertisements, breeders shall list the AACDT, Inc. as their parent breed club, by stating, AACDT, Inc., Code of Ethics Breeder.

Any and all referrals for the purchase of a Coton de Tulear are to be made to code of ethics breeders, regardless of club affiliation.

III: Health and Age Requirements

Not use a bitch for breeding prior to reaching eighteen (18) months of age, or at reaching her second heat cycle.(preferably 24 months of age). Recognizing the variations in heat cycles and sizes of litters, valid exceptions may exist, however it is incumbent on the breeder to exercise good judgment in considering such exceptions.

Not use a male for breeding prior to reaching twelve (12) months of age, realizing also, that valid exceptions exist and will exercise good judgment in considering those exceptions.

Register all my litters with the AACDT, Inc. by meeting the following requirements:

Perform, at least three of the following tests on my breeding stock prior to their first breeding, I will submit those tests to OFA,CERF or any other appropriate reporting agency,  for their written certification. Proof of passing grades will be taken from the reporting agency’s web site.
Optional mandatory health  tests, for breeders choice, are as follows:

CERF: MUST BE CURRENT WITHIN 2 YEARS
HEART
PATELLA
OFA HIP evaluation
OFA elbow evaluations

OFA thyroid screening/Michigan State

Blood Chemistry Panel Analysis

von Willebrand's Disease screening (Vet Gen)

CMR screening (Optigen)

Valid exceptions may occur on rare occasion. If these exceptions, regarding passing grades, can be proven to have significant viability in their breeding programs, these exceptions can be presented to the Board of the AACDT, via the President, for consideration. The Board reserves the right to make the sole determination of the issuance of a waiver. This will be done with the highest level of confidentiality.


In order to receive designation of "FIVE STAR LITTER", I will perform the following mandatory tests:

CERF
Patella
Heart

OFA Hip Clearance

and any of the FOLLOWING OPTIONAL clearances, for a total of five (5) health clearances, on both the sire and dam, in order to qualify the litter for inclusion in the "FIVE-STAR LITTER" listings on the AACDT, Inc. web site.

OFA elbow evaluations

OFA thyroid screening/Michigan State

Blood Chemistry Panel Analysis

von Willebrand's Disease screening (Vet Gen)

CMR screening (Optigen)

Provide the AACDT, Inc. designated registrar and /or health committee chairman with copies any health testing certification, as required by the paragraphs above and below. All of the health tests and clearances, including those listed below for 5 Star Litter requirements, must be of a designation, made by the appropriate agencies involved with each test, that the dog has passed these tests. Failure to perform the required three health tests and/or failure to provide the proper passing grade certifications, as appropriate, to the AACDT, Inc. will be considered a violation of the Code of Ethics and will result in denial of registration of that litter.

Exercise good judgment when using a stud dog with frequency, realizing that producing a large number of Coton de Tulear from a single sire will make an extreme impact, in both negative and positive aspects, on the overall health of the breed. In view of these circumstances, the AACDT, Inc. does not encourage the use of "Matadors". AACDT, Inc. recommends that those who choose to frequent their stud dogs , must do repeated health clearances on all available testing pertaining to the breed, including brucellosis, prostate exams, sperm count and evaluation as well as DNA Identification and Parentage Certification. These test results should be kept up to date during the breeding years of the sire and be made available to clients of both the receiving bitches and those purchasing breeding potential prospects.

IV: Contract Requirements

Sell any companion/non-breeding, limited registration puppies under a spay/neuter contract. In addition, any stud services agreements must require that any companion or non-breeding or limited registration puppies resulting from the breeding will be sold under a spay/neuter contract.

Not sell puppies to pet shops either outright or on consignment; supply puppies for auctions, raffles, or other such activities; refrain from selling to persons whose intention (either known or suspected) is to resell or use the puppy in a breeding program not complying with this Code of Ethics. Brokering of Coton de Tulear puppies is strictly prohibited. The breeder shall ensure that the prospective buyer is prepared to provide the same degree of care required of members of the AACDT, Inc. The Code of Ethics should be provided and discussed with potential buyers as part of a thorough screening process. All buyers should be provided an application for membership to the AACDT, Inc. with the breeder as the sponsor.

I will further assume lifetime responsibility for any Coton that I have bred, and will require that their owners contact me in the event that they should decide to relinquish ownership of their dog. I will then approve the new placement they have chosen or assist them in finding a new home, or take the Coton back into my possession.

I will strongly consider, at the recommendation of the AACDT, Inc., assisting the Coton Rescue Organization, in the transportation and fostering of Coton rescue whenever possible, and whenever possible, contribute a donation to Coton rescue to assist in their efforts to provide the best care possible for any and all Coton de Tulear that they rescue.

V: Registration Requirements

As an AACDT, Inc. Code of Ethics Breeder, I shall,

Provide all health clearances on both sire and dam of the litter, as explained in Paragraph III.

Apply for AACDT, Inc. registration of ALL litters within three (3) months from the date of birth of the litter.

Register all of my Coton de Tulear and their litters with the AACDT, Inc. Puppies should not be placed prior to reaching eight (8) weeks of age.

Use and require a written agreement contract to accompany all sales and stud service arrangements.

Provide with each sale, a record of dated and types of immunization given, immunizations required and veterinary health records.

Give instructions, preferably in writing, on diseases and hereditary factors related to the breed, proper medical care, feeding, and grooming. No puppy should be sold without either temporary or permanent protection against parvovirus and distemper. Puppies should have a veterinary examination, and worming, if required, before sale.

Maintain accurate and complete records of all breeding stock, matings, pedigrees, show records, and transfers. Breeders are responsible for conducting research on their pedigrees to ensure correct ancestry, accurate spelling of names, and correct registration numbers.

Provide the buyer with a 3 generation pedigree when the dog receives full registration or when the buyer provides a spay/neuter certificate in the case of limited registration.

VI: Responsibilities as an Exhibitor or Handler

An Exhibitor or Handler shall:

Participate in conformation events, agility, obedience, therapy work or any event in the dog fancy that involves the positive promotion of the assets of the Coton de Tulear. Proof of this activity will be requested by the Board upon request to be included as an AACDT, Inc. Code of Ethics breeder.

Act professionally at all times in caring for and exhibiting any dog in my charge.

Not engage in any questionable conduct with judges prior to exhibiting under them.

Exhibit or handle in conformation events, only those dogs that conform as closely as possible to the approved standard.

Provide proper care at all times when in an out of exhibition.

Handle the dog in a humane manner, demonstrating the highest level of treatment and care for the dog that suggests priority of the welfare of the dog over any desires of wins or awards.

VII: Enforcement

The AACDT, Inc. expects adherence to this Code and blatant disregard of these standards will not be condoned. Violations of the standards are not in the best interests of the Club or the breed. Such behavior can serve as a cause of imposing discipline or terminating membership.

The Board of Directors, working in conjunction with the Registrar and Health Committee Chairperson, maintains the right to exercise the appropriate discipline if the above requirements are not met.

Charges may also be brought to the Board of Directory, by any member of the AACDT, Inc. relative to Code of Ethics violations.. These charges are brought before the Board of Directors in accordance with the procedures as defined in Article VI (Discipline) of the AACDT, Inc. Constitution and Bylaws.

Article VI addresses the specific procedures for proffering charges; the hearing process; and the rights of the parties involved. Each member is expected to be fully familiar with this very important provision of the By-laws. In the event a breeder is terminated from the Code of Ethics, that Breeder will receive a refund of their code of ethics membership due, prorated from the day of termination.

DISCLAIMER

AACDT assumes no responsibility for the quality, health, or temperament of any dog, nor the warranty, guarantee, integrity, honesty or reliability, expressed or implied, by any person who appears on our COE list.. All such warranties, guarantees and promises are between buyer(s) and seller(s) as individuals.

All buyers are strongly encouraged to carefully document, in writing, all representations, promises, statements, warranties and guarantees made by sellers of puppies for sale and older dogs for sale. Such documentation should be signed by the seller. AACDT cannot and does not become involved in resolving conflicts and disagreements between buyers and sellers. AACDT’s responsibility is limited to requesting assurance from listed breeders that they abide by terms of the AACDT Code of Ethics.



Updated : June 24, 2009