cca breeder ethics

Cockapoo Club of America
Breeder Code of Ethics
(supportive documents referenced herein are either currently available or forthcoming shortly)

GENERAL:

1. These policies set forth Breeding Standards and outline the ethical behavior expected from all member breeders.
2. Breeder(s) signatures at the bottom of this statement reflect their agreement to abide by the Code of Ethics set forth herein and to welcome site visits and inspection of the premises and records.
3. All breeding stock must be registered in the CCA registry.and database.

BREEDERS AGREE TO:
1. Truthfully represent the quality of their dogs and to refrain from any deceptive advertising and/or maligning of their competition by making false or misleading statements about person's or their dogs.
2, Be fluent with and breed with the Standards in mind.
3, Refrain from selling puppies to pet stores, commercial brokers or dealers, puppy mills, or to offer any as door or raffle prizes.
4. Be willing to take back any dog they have bred, for any reason, in their lifetime (or make suitable arrangements) rather than see it placed in a shelter.
5. Keep all dogs under clean and sanitary conditions, including housing appropriate for the climate, adequately sized run areas and encourage temperamental soundness and well being through regular daily personal contact.
6. Provide a system of identifying each dog (if over 10 dogs) by collar and tags, tattooing or microchipping. Males must be kept separate from the females so that there is no chance of breeding errors. Meticulous records must be kept. Dogs and business should be properly licensed in accordance with the laws of the community. See "Record Keeping Details."
7. Provide a high quality diet, and promote optimal health through regular worming, inoculations and periodic veterinary checks.
8. Maintain a minimum standard of yearly eye checks by a veterinary Ophthalmologist (CERF) as required to prevent the host of heritable eye disease so common in the parent breeds. Breeders who, in addition, elect to have vet checks done for hips, elbows and patellar abnormalities demonstrate that they have made every effort to assure that their dogs are healthy and have special recognition from the CCA.
9. Breed only a limited number (less than 5) of Breeds at one time.
10. Be a mentor and help breeders with less experience, remembering that once, we were all novices also.
11. Breed only non related pairs of the healthiest, best tempered dogs.
12. Breed only dogs who have reached at least the age of 1 year and until they are 8 years. Over 8, veterinary health checks are strongly recommended prior to breeding.
13. Breed only one stud dog to one female during a season. Should a second stud breed unintentionally, the pups must be sold without registration papers.
14. Consider a semiannual test for Brucella on their breeding stock.
15. Breed only dogs who are CCA registered.
16. Have a written, dated and signed contract for outside stud services between the owner(s) of the male and the female which details type of remuneration expected. (see CCA sample stud agreement)

SALES AND MARKETING:

1. Carefully screen all potential buyers, educating them and making sure that they can provide suitable homes for a Cockapoo and that they know about the lifetime commitment of love, caring and funds necessary to properly have a dog as part of their family.
2. Be clear about and truthfully represent the qualities and deficits of the breed.
3. Provide the new owner with a copy of the sales and warrantee contract (CCA sample available) before pickup if possible.
4. Spay or neuter any dog with a known genetic defect. Sell only as young pups with a spay/neuter agreement by withholding registration papers until the owner presents evidence that this has been done. Spay or neuter retirees before placing them in homes.
5. Refrain from letting puppies go to new homes before 6 weeks of age, preferably 7. Only ship pups who are at least 10 weeks old because of the fear period between 8 and 10 weeks.
5. Give the new owners written instructions (see sample CCA puppy instructions) on the care of the pup, along with a sample of the food if needed, and a record of worming and shots.
6. Provide the buyers with the application and information on CCA registration except as noted in item 3 above.
7. Use sales or special contracts to cover any other agreements made between breeder and owner.
8. Actively encourage owners to contact the breeder for questions, comments or problems. A formalized system of litter followup is encouraged, such as the owner survey. (Available through CCA)

I have read and agree to abide by and comply with the CCA code of breeder ethics:

Signed:_____________________________
Date:_____________