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1) I have the right to expect that
Breeders recognized by the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program are doing everything they can to minimize the risk of
purchasing a puppy. Breeder in the WC Program is defined as the
owner of the bitch as well as the owner of the stud. Stud owners
have the ethical and moral responsibility to be as discriminating
about what bitch they breed their dog to as bitch owners do
regarding males used in their breeding programs.
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2) I have the right to expect that
Breeders recognized by the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will not knowingly breed any dog with a genetic
defect/disease.
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3) I have the right to expect that
breeders involved in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will do the following testing before breeding any Shiloh:
• Hip X-rays:
PennHIP (at 8 months or older with scores of .45 or lower) or OFA
Certification of Excellent or Good.
(Any dog still being bred after age 5 who is OFA Good or PennHIP
greater than .30 (either side) is required to have hips re-Xrayed to
check for signs of osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease and/or
remodeling as determined by a radiologist, orthopedic surgeon, or
vet very experienced in reading hip X-rays in order to meet WC
litter status.)
• Elbow X-rays: OFA Certification.
• Eyes: CERF Certification
(current).
• Cardiac: OFA Certification
(every two years while of breeding age).
• Thyroid: OFA Certification
(every two years while of breeding age).
• TLI: Done after a 12-hour fast,
if 10 or below; second test in 2 to 3 months to
determine if level is dropping; conducted before
each breeding if EPI is documented in the line.
• Temperament Test: Puppy litter
evaluation at or around 8 weeks; adult TT at 24
months preferably through the American
Temperament Test Society (ATTS) or similar testing process.
• Brucellosis Test
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4) I have the right to expect that no breeder
will breed a dog before the age of 24 months with the
following exception: a first generation OTX male at 18 months with
the following testing:
• Hip X-rays: PennHIP with scores
of .45 or lower (OFA prelims not acceptable).
• Elbow X-rays: OFA Prelims.
• Eyes: CERF Certification
(current).
• Cardiac: OFA Certification.
• Thyroid: OFA Certification.
• TLI: Done after a 12-hour fast,
if 10 or below; second test in 2 to 3 months to determine if level
is dropping. (The exception is granted with the knowledge that the
dog will not be bred more than 3 times and that littermate data will
be scrutinized carefully. In addition, the dog will be required to
complete OFA Certification for Elbows, Adult TT at 24 months, and
repeat the TLI test prior to breedings if EPI is documented in the
line).
A second exception
is granted to those breeders in other countries where standard
veterinary protocols prohibit or preclude a full range of testing
based on the perceived well-being of the breed. In this case, it is
expected that International WC Breeders will do as much health
testing and temperament testing as is feasibly possible and will
state what testing has been done on their web sites and on their
litter announcements on the WC web site. It is incumbent upon all
buyers to investigate the level of testing before purchasing any
puppy.
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5) I have the right to expect that
Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies Program
will conduct a Litter Evaluation using a recognized puppy test (for
e.g., Volhard Puppy Test or the ShilohZone’s Puppy Potential
Evaluation (PPE) and for those evaluating for working traits, the
PAWS test as well), and a conformation evaluation and that the
results will be made available to this group as well as the
individual buyers.
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6) I have the right to expect that
Breeders involved in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
program will openly and honestly share their data to protect and
improve their breeds and that if there is an approved associated
breed list, this data will be shared with it and visa versa. For
example, data collected on the ShilohZone is shared with the WC
program and data reports from the WC will be shared with members of
the ShilohZone.
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7) I have the right to expect that
Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies Program
will make the hard decisions necessary to protect: the gene pool,
the breed’s reputation, and future buyers.
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8) I have the right to expect that
Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies Program
will implement a puppy-raising program
preferably using concepts from
the Super Puppy Program (also known as Early Neuro Stimulation for
High Achievers) and Dr. Ian Dunbar’s advice for breeders. At a
minimum, some type of brain stimulation exercises, noise
desensitization, crate training, etc.
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9) I have the right to expect
Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies Program to
develop and adhere to a formal follow-up process. Elements of which
should include but are not limited to:
· Formal Puppy Package to contain at a minimum the information
mandated by the WC but not limited to: A copy of Dunbar’s Before and
After Puppy, a downloaded copy of Before Puppy with a recommendation
to purchase the book or any respected book or tape on puppy raising
of the Breeder’s choice. Copies of sire and dam’s registration
papers; pictures of sire and dam, shot records and recommended
schedule, copies of LE results, some food (unless puppy is being
shipped, then follow shipping instructions), T-shirt or blanket with
dam’s scent, Microchip information; information on health issues in
the breed and what to look for in puppies, name and contact info for
Breeder’s vet, nutrition recommendations, general care and
well-being instructions, catalogs if available, a toy, registration
requirements, health testing required and how to obtain it,
information about show/performance opportunities and information
about the WC Puppy Buyer’s List on Yahoo.
· Timely response to questions posed by buyers (timely defined as
within 48 hours during the first 12 months and within one week after
that unless the breeder is indisposed, then buyer inquiries are
expected to be answered as soon as possible).
· Timely turn around of registration paperwork (timely defined as
blue puppy papers delivered to the respective registry within 30
days following the 8th week birthday of the litter).
· Role modeling of socialization and enrichment practices for
puppies kept by Breeders.
· Formal follow-up checks by the Breeder—once a week for the first
month, then once a month after that until the puppies turn six
months old. Thereafter spot checks at the Breeder’s discretion but
hopefully every couple of months to maintain good customer
relations. Can be done by phone or email, whichever works best for
the buyers.
· Participate in formal group reviews (After Action Reports) to be
conducted following the LE, when a litter turns 12 months and again
at 24 months old to collect information and data to be used to
improve all future WC litters.
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10) I have the right to expect
that Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will honor their contracts faithfully when all conditions
have been met.
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11) I have the right to expect
that Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will work together to help all puppies bred in the program
find good homes.
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12) I have the right to expect
that Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will work together to help all retired breeding dogs or dogs
that did not meet the standards outlined above who started out in
the program but are now going to be spayed or neutered find good
homes.
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13) I have the right to expect
that Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will value and respect each other’s differences and treat
each other professionally and courteously.
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14) I have the right to expect
that Breeders in the World Class Breeders—World Class Puppies
Program will honor the trust and appreciate the candor expressed on
the list and will safeguard the integrity of the program and list at
all times.
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15) I have the responsibility to
understand and acknowledge that breeding dogs carries an inherent
level of risk and no matter how hard Breeders try to avoid it,
genetic health and/or temperament disorders are possible in all
breeds of dog.
What sets apart Breeders recognized by the World
Class Breeders—World Class Puppies Program is how they handle
problems in their lines.
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16) As signified by my membership
in this list, I agree to the terms and conditions outlined above
regarding World Class Litter or Litter of Merit designations.
Failing to comply with any of the stated terms, conditions, and
policies; defaulting on contractual obligations; falsifying or
misrepresenting data; or conduct conflicting with the spirit of the
World Class Program as determined by its membership will result in
my immediate termination from the SZ World Class Program. This also
includes removal from all promotional activities and will require me
to cease any advertising that affiliates me with the SZ World Class
Breeders Program.
Note: Requirements are subject to
change as data becomes available and analyses prove changes are in
the best interests of the Breeds. |
