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PUGET SOUND LABRADOR RETRIEVER ASSOCIATION
CODE OF ETHICS
The Puget Sound Labrador Retriever Association, recognizing our responsibility to the Labrador Retriever and the retriever breed enthusiast, sets forth this Code of Ethics, to reflect the desire of the membership to:
• Keep the Labrador Retriever sound, healthy and free of hereditary diseases.
• Maintain the working ability of the Labrador Retriever.
• Conform to the American Kennel Club's published Standard of the Breed.
• Be honest in the evaluation of animals used for breeding and/or offered for sale.
• Exercise truth in advertising.
As an aid to evaluating the suitability of stud dogs and brood bitches, we recommend that members breed only stud dogs and brood bitches that have met the following requirements:
• Labrador Retrievers that are registered with the AKC or a recognized foreign registry.
• Eyes are examined annually by a veterinarian ophthalmologist and are certified free of hereditary eye diseases.(ACVO/CERF) After the dog's examination at age 10, annual examinations are no longer necessary.
• In the event frozen semen is used to produce a litter, the dog whose semen is used is required to have a current eye clearance. If, however, that dog is dead, the last clearance within 12 months of the dog's death or a clearance at age 10 will be accepted.
• Hips and elbows are certified free of dysplasia by at least one of the following methods:
• Certification by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for dogs/bitches 24 months of age or older,
• A Wind-Morgan report certifying that dogs/bitches 12 months of age or older are free of degenerative joint disease,
• A PennHip score in the 50 th percentile or higher for dogs/bitches 12 months of age or older,
• Certification by the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) of Canada for dogs/bitches 18 months of age or older,
• Female Labradors (bitches) with a Wind-Morgan, Penn Hip, or OVC clearance must not be bred before the age of 20 months, or 24 months with an OFA clearance.
• Male Labradors (dogs) with a Wind-Morgan, or Penn Hip clearance must not be bred before the age of 12 months, or 18 months with an OVC clearance, or 24 months with an OFA clearance.
• Are of sound temperament and free from disqualifications as described in the breed standard.
Members should guarantee the general health of their breeding stock and their puppies at time of sale. Only those litters whose sire and dam have met the above requirements and either sire or dam are owned by members in good standing of PSLRA will be allowed to advertise in the Club's newsletter or be listed with the PSLRA Puppy Referral Chairperson.
Only stud dogs that have met the above requirements and are owned by members in good standing of PSLRA may be listed in the PSLRA Stud Dog Referral List.
• Copies of certifications must be furnished to the stud dog referral chairperson.
• Further, PSLRA urges all members to adopt a spay/neuter program, to sell companion animals on a limited registration, and to take back any dogs of any age if buyers can no longer keep them for any reason.
A member should not supply puppies for auction or for resale to pet stores, laboratories or other wholesale outlets, in accordance with AKC guidelines.
PSLRA also recommends that its members obtain at least one of the following on their stud dogs and brood bitches before using them in their breeding program:
• A qualifying score in AKC Novice Obedience, Junior Hunter, or Novice Agility
• An AKC tracking title or certification as a Therapy Dog.
• A Bench Championship point in an AKC licensed dog show.
• A judges Award of Merit (JAM) or a placement in an AKC licensed field trial.
• A Retriever Club Working Certificate.
• The equivalent of any of the above by a recognized American or foreign registry/organization.
PSLRA strongly urges its members to exercise good sportsmanship at all dog related events.
May 17, 1992; revised August 2, 1996, February 23, 2000, November 20, 2002, January 22, 2003.
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