Code of Ethics
Adopted February 1992
This Code is designed to establish a standard of conduct to be followed by all members of the Bouvier des Flandres Club of Southeastern Michigan in the course of breeding, selling, exhibiting and advertising Bouviers.
I. General
Each member of the Club will consider the welfare of the breed when engaged in any activities involving the breeding, exhibiting and selling of Bouviers, and will refrain from any actions which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the breed and the Club.
II. Breeding
a.) All breeding stock shall be in good health and free from communicable disease.
b.) While x-raying of breeding stock is not mandatory, it is highly recommended and individuals whose dog or bitch is to be bred to another’s are urged to furnish and request such x-rays for the stud and bitch.
c.) A bitch shall be bred only to one stud dog during any one estrus cycle.
d.) No bitch shall be bred more often than two out of three heat seasons (and then only if in excellent health) and never at the time of her first season unless this occurs after 12 months of age.
e.) Full disclosure, when requested by either party to a proposed breeding, of what the dog or bitch has previously produced and background details as known.
f.) To breed carefully and with discrimination for the purpose of improving the breed, not just for profit.
g.) It is recommended that, to protect all parties, stud service contracts be made in writing, executed by both parties.
h.) A Bouvier without registration papers shall not be used for breeding.
III. Sales
a.) No member of the Club shall engage in wholesaling of litters of Bouviers or individual sales of puppies or adults to pet shops, per dealers, catalog houses or other commercial establishments, nor shall they be given as prizes in contests not
b.) All Bouviers sold shall be in good health and condition, free from communicable disease. No adult or puppy shall be sold without adequate disease in terms of its age.
c.) Prices of puppies and adults shall be based on individual quality. Pet quality stock shall not be misrepresented as show
d.) Any puppy sold as a show prospect which subsequently develops a congenital or disqualifying fault defect shall be:(1) replaced by the breeder with another show prospect puppy,
(2) the money refunded and the dog returned to the breeder, or
(3) the buyer’s money refunded to the extent of the difference between the price paid and the price of pet puppies sold from the same or similar litters, the buyer retaining the dog.e.) A puppy or adult showing serious deviation from the standard, rendering it unsuitable for breeding, shall be sold only with a statement to that effect signed by both breeder and buyer. Papers may or may not be withheld, at the breeder’s discretion, bearing in mind that the buyer may wish to use the dog for obedience training and exhibition. It is recommended that if papers are given under such circumstances, that the breeder require sterilization, especially in the case of a bitch. All other puppies or adults shall be registered, or shall be eligible for registration, with AKC and the buyer shall be provided with accurate
IV. Exhibiting
All members if the club shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner which will reflect credit upon themselves and upon the breed, regardless of the location or circumstances, but especially when attending dog club meetings or shows, whether as an exhibitor or a spectator.
V. Advertising
All advertising shall be truthful and ethical. Any claims made must be provable. Fraudulent advertising, misrepresentations or misleading statements shall constitute prima-facto evidence of violation of the intents of this Code.
In the case of untruthful or unethical advertising, the censured member must, at his expense, have a retraction printed in the same publication and in the same size as that of the advertising for which he was censured.
VI. Infractions
Violations or infractions to the Code are to be brought to the Board’s attention and dealt with in the manner prescribed by the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws.
* By vote of its membership the BDFC of SEM has agreed to abide by this Code of the AbdFC.
