COE - Code of Ethics
 

This Code of Ethics is presented as an informative guide for breeders, potential breeders, owners and exhibitors of Samoyeds, whose foremost aims should be the welfare and improvement of the breed.  The Constitution of the Samoyed Club of Austin states that "The Club shall encourage and promote the quality breeding of pure-bred Samoyeds by presenting knowledge regarding the breed and to do everything possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection".  In applying for membership, applicants agree to further the club's objectives and conduct all their activities in connection with the breed in accordance with this Code of Ethics.  A member of the Samoyed Club of Austin conducts his activities as follows:

     Breeding - He conscientiously plans each litter based on the parents' appropriate temperament and qualities in relation to the breed's official standard and before deciding to produce a litter, considers the possibilities of properly placing puppies he cannot keep himself.  He only uses for breeding, Samoyed adults which are of sound temperament, are free from congenital defects, hereditary orchidism (i.e., males whose testicles are not both normally descended), blindness, deafness, viciousness and unprovoked aggressiveness, etc., progressive retinal atrophy, and whose hips have been x-rayed with proper positioning and pronounced normal by a radiologist certified by the American Board of Veterinary Radiology or its foreign equivalent or the (1) healthy mature Samoyed bitches at least one year of age and after the first season and allows proper healthful spacing between litters, (2) healthy mature Samoyed dogs at least one of age and allows proper healthful spacing between stud services and (3) Samoyeds that are free from any disqualifying faults as stated in the official standard of the breed.  He will knowingly and purposefully breed his Samoyeds to other Samoyeds only.  He urges purchasers to spay or neuter those Samoyeds which for any reason will not be used for breeding and tries himself to properly safeguard unspayed bitches and unneutered dogs from unplanned matings.  All stud services are performed under written agreement signed by bitch owner and stud owner prior to service which states conditions of repeat service if necessary, method of payment for services, and any other pertinent conditions of stud service.

     Health - All of his stock is kept under sanitary conditions and is given maximum protection through worming and inoculations under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.  He provides his Samoyeds with quarters which give adequate room for exercise and elimination, adequate ventilation, fresh water and nutritious diet sufficient to induce maximum health.  His Samoyeds are given personalized attention at least once a day.  He does not allow any of his Samoyeds to either gain or lose weight to the point that this deviance affects the dog's health.  Each Samoyed receives a thorough combing and brushing at least once a week to insure good coat and skin health.  Feet, nails, teeth and eyes are given attention at regular intervals to avoid any health hazards.  He conscientiously attempts to maintain each Samoyed in the best condition practicable.  If, to his knowledge, a Samoyed has been exposed to a communicable disease, he will not release, exhibit or expose the Samoyed until the end of the incubation period for that disease, such determined by a licensed veterinarian, and he prevents any further conveyance of the exposure to any other of his Samoyeds.  He treat his Samoyeds with respect and proper discipline, recognizing the Samoyed's right to the healthy life, comfort and companionship his heritage indicates.  He gives his Samoyeds sufficient training discipline to insure that his Samoyeds are well-behaved in public and are not in jeopardy.  He maintains a humane and healthful effort to contain his Samoyeds within safe restrictions when he cannot personally supervise their safety.

     Registration - He accurately registers his Samoyeds with the American Kennel Club and abides by the rules and regulations of the AKC.  He keeps accurate records of matings, pedigrees and sales (or transfers) and passes on only accurate records to purchasers of his stock or services.  He will not under any circumstances knowingly be a part of or contribute to false registration.  He also informs all purchasers of his stock, and all other Samoyed owners, of the existence and benefits of The Samoyed Club of Austin membership.

     Sales - He does not sell, cosign or transfer puppies or adults to pet shops, wholesale dealers, contest sponsors, or anyone who is known to degrade the Samoyed breed or purebred dogs, or to individuals contemplating breeding and/or sale to the aforementioned.  He sells Samoyeds, permits stud services and leases studs or bitches to only those individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they will give them proper care and attention and are in accord with the Code of Ethics.  All Samoyeds leaving his possession are at least six weeks old.  At the time of sale he provides buyers with written details on feeding and general care, accurate data on worming and results of the latest stool samples, and inoculation against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, rabies, etc., and at least a four-generation pedigree.  He provides and requires written agreements signed by all parities prior to all transactions, sales, leases and services, and accordingly completes and delivers the forms necessary for registration.  NOTE:  Under American Kennel Club rules (Ch. 3, Sec. 6) all such forms must be complete and supplied to all parties to transactions unless they have agreed otherwise in written, signed agreements.  All his advertising is complete, hones and factual.  It does not offer Samoyeds or their services in such a way as to degrade the breed, nor is it so worded as to attract undesirable buyers or to encourage raising Samoyeds merely as a money-making scheme.  He will not sell his Samoyeds or their services for an amount significantly low as to downgrade the breed.  He does not sell his Samoyed in litter lots or in groups so as to fail to differentiate quality in his Samoyeds.  He gives his Samoyed first-class care and cannot afford to sell at a low price.  If unusual circumstances indicate an unusual transaction, such transaction is a private matter, so long as is does not tend to downgrade the breed.

     Exhibition - In all activities with his Samoyeds, he exhibits his Samoyeds in a manner that reflects a high regard for good sportsmanship, integrity of the breed and respect for other exhibitors.  He avidly supports conformation judging according to the breed standard as the only standard for conformation judging.  In conformation and obedience competition, he will not show Samoyeds or be a party to showing Samoyeds which are not clean and groomed for the show ring.  He handles himself and his Samoyeds in a manner reflecting credit on the breed and its fancy.  When confronted by a situation not covered by this Code of Ethics, he conducts himself as he would like others to conduct themselves in similar circumstances.

*   This Code of Ethics is the Code of Ethics of the Samoyed Club of America, and was adopted by the Samoyed Club of Austin in 1988.