BREEDERS CODE OF ETHICS – PROVISIONAL 06/02/2021

• Cattle Dog Connection (CDC) Breeder Members undertake to register and maintain Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) membership.
• By means of the CDC Information Form and in-depth communication, CDC breeders agree to establish the compatibility of prospective purchasers and ACDs and if appropriate, recommend a different breed to the prospective purchaser.
• We agree to breed only with KUSA registered stud dogs and brood bitches, either on the Pedigree Register or the Development Register.
• We undertake to uphold The KUSA Code of Ethics, promoting a positive public image of dogdom: https://www.kusa.co.za/index.php/kusa-members/fees-forms/code-of-ethics

(Link by kind permission of KUSA Management).

• We agree, in the interests of CDC breeders, to submit information in respect of our dogs physical, mental and genetic health including conformation, to the planned CDC Audit Record Keeper. All CDC breeders will have access to this record, which would be invaluable for planning combinations of bloodlines.

The Purchase Agreement

• CDC Breeder Members acknowledge and understand that exclusive interest in and ownership of the intellectual property relating to The Agreement, whether developed prior to the Agreement or developed outside the scope of the Agreement, is retained by the author of the Agreement, Anja Finnern. Furthermore, neither the Agreement nor any part thereof may be utilised by a third party without the express and written consent of the author thereof, Anja Finnern.

Anja Finnern has agreed CDC Breeders may have the use of The Agreement for a relatively small, once off fee, of which a small percentage will accrue to CDC funds. The terms in paragraph 1 above will apply.

The Purchase Agreement contains the fundamental ethics, breeding practises, homing of puppies and/or adult dogs, reflected in this Breeders Code of Ethics:

• We undertake to abide by the terms of the CDC Purchase Agreement in respect of homing puppies and adult dogs and bitches.
• Definitions and explanations of hereditary diseases and tests are described briefly in The Purchase Agreement and should be explained to the Purchaser at handover of puppies and/or adults.
• CDC breeders agree the minimum tests required are PRA-prcd; Primary Lens Luxation; BAER (hearing) and Hip&Elbow grading.
• In the interests of document security, as KUSA pedigree documents include a Health Annex which records health test results, breeders and owners should rely on the KUSA pedigree documents for proof of test results.
• All breed restrictions applied must be clearly explained by The Seller to The Purchaser, and signed confirmation thereof must be included relative to the Purchase Agreement, on or before the date at which the puppy/dog is handed over.
• All puppies must be irrevocably microchipped upon transfer to new owners.
• The Seller agrees to provide records of deworming and early vaccinations done.
• A hard copy of the completed Purchase Agreement, duly signed and dated, is to be kept and filed by the Seller and a digital or hard copy, furnished to the purchaser.

Breed only with Dogs Healthy in Mind and Body

In the interests of establishing a data base that reflects the general health of our breed in our Southern Africa subcontinent, CDC Breeders support the need for a common standard in respect of health tests and agree that forthwith all our dogs will be assessed by licensed South African Veterinarians registered with KUSA.

Dogs healthy in Mind

• CDC breeders agree to avoid breeding with dogs considered to have unsuitable temperaments, i.e. breed dogs healthy in mind!
• CDC breeders agree to only breed bitches and dogs no younger than 12 months.

Dogs healthy in Body

Hip dysplasia

Not only are there are no DNA markers or tests for hip and elbow dysplasia, but we are seldom able to distinguish between injury and hereditary dysplasia.

Some clues for breeders may be a disparity between left and right hips and elbows, as it is likely that hereditary dysplasia would affect both left and right joints similarly.

When both parents have good hips and elbows, there is evidence that the offspring are likely to have similar joints, however this is not always the case and two parents with good hips sometimes produce pups with less than desired gradings.

According to a study done by the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), there is a distinct relationship between the hip status of canine parents and their offspring.

Prior to breeding, CDC breeders agree to have our breeding dogs/bitches assessed by qualified Southern African specialists for the following physical examinations and gradings, and to be transparent in respect of the test results.

1. Hip Dysplasia (HD): We agree prior to breeding, our dogs will be submitted for X-rays and official grading, no earlier than twelve (12) months of age. If done at twenty four (24) months, the dogs spines may be simultaneously screened for DISH. (DISH – a spinal disease that requires an X-ray of the spine, done simultaneously during HD X-ray process for a small extra fee. This test is not considered essential at this stage. However, it is relatively inexpensive and the BEST way to limit hereditary diseases from escalating, is conscientious prevention).

2. We agree dogs graded with C and D hips should be bred to an opposite dog with A “Always Breed to Improve!”

Elbow Dysplasia (ED)

3. CDC breeders agree to follow the new standards set in the United Kingdom where grading from o – 3 has been defined with the recommendation not to breed dogs with ED grade 2 and 3: “always breed to improve!”.

SAVA Eye Examination

4. SAVA Eye Exam: The South African Veterinary Association scheme certifies the eye health of breeding dogs. These tests allow breeders to reduce the incidence of hereditary eye conditions for which DNA tests are not available. The Animal Eye Hospital situated in Fourways, Johannesburg and Panorama, Cape Town is affiliated to the SAVA eye certification scheme.

South City Veterinary Clinic, Walmer, PE offers Eye tests done by visiting Eye Specialists. Where possible, CDC Breeders agree to present their breeding dogs for SAVA tests not more than one year prior to mating.

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER - hearing test)

5. CDC Breeders agree we will breed only with dogs tested as full, normal hearing.
6. We agree all puppies will be presented for BAER tests at age seven to eight (7-8) weeks of age.

Genetic testing for hereditary Diseases and dogs born Clear by Parentage

Except where our adult dogs have been imported or tested prior to joining, CDC breeders agree to breed only with dogs and bitches, DNA tested at local SA laboratory Inqaba, and to be transparent in respect of the test results for the following hereditary genetic diseases:

1. PRA-prcd, (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
2. PLL, (Primary Lens Luxation)
3. DM, (Degenerative Myelopathy)

Optional, recommended tests:

(Consider the value of well-bred dogs and make a wise decision!)

4. NCL (Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) a fatal neurodegenerative disease.
5. Late onset PRCD (progressive retinal atrophy) known as RCD4
6. MDR1 – Multiple Drug Resistance – this disease is considered unnecessary for ACDs by most scientists, however there is a small chance of the influence of ‘cross breeding’, therefore it is recommended for dogs on the development register.

“Dogs born clear by parentage”

Puppies born to two parents clear of any of the genetic diseases are classed “clear by parentage”. In this case the KUSA Annex to pedigree of the individual puppies, will provide proof of DNA status of the pups and health status of the parents.

Recommended ethics:

• All health tests to be done before breeding.
• Bitches and dogs should not be bred under the age of twelve (12) months. It is recommended that bitches be mated for the first time only upon reaching full maturity and development.
• Thereafter bitches should only be bred every alternate season but no more than twice within an 18 month period (exceptions to be approved by KUSA).
• With each puppy sold, the relevant KUSA Registration Certificate, either hard copies or digital, must be forwarded to the new owner within in one (1) month of receiving the documents from KUSA.
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Puppies: Health and Homing

We agree our pups should be homed at fully eight (8) weeks old, specifically. 56 days or older, however in their best interests by 10 weeks if possible.

Breeders who do an early learning program with their pups, usually home them at nine (9) or ten (10) weeks.

Microchips (do we prefer all our dogs to be recorded by the same supplier eg virbac?)

We agree to microchip all pups. (The Ideal time for this painful procedure, is while they are sedated for their BAER tests)

Vaccinations

• We agree to do early baby puppy vaccinations to prevent the dreaded Parvo Virus and the first vaccinations at eight (8) weeks of age.
• We agree to deworm pups three (3) weekly from three (3) weeks of age.
• Puppies should be socialised prior to hand over to new owners and written advice on how to continue socialisation and how to exercise and train the puppy, should be provided. CDC will provide a digital package to their breeders!
• Provide written advice on feeding and records of breeder deworming programs, which should be continued by purchasers.
• Provide a vaccination certificate signed by a veterinarian and details of the vaccination program to be continued.
• Prior to hand over we recommend breeders arrange with their veterinarian for a medical check and record the following: date, weight, heart-beat, lungs, abdominal palpitation, spine and tail, paws, teeth and bite.
• In Breeders’ best interests, your veterinarian should record the results or provide a certificate declaring each pup in good general health. (CDC to provide a template???)

General

CDC breeders agree we will do our utmost to breed to the health standard set out above. It must be kept in mind that we have no control over deafness.

However as some of the hereditary problems found in our breed are not always evident, due to late onset and other reasons, allowance should be made for this.

Human beings can and do slip up, in the event of a mistake, an individual breeder’s record will be considered.

As the goal of Cattle Dog Connection SA is the promotion of Dogs healthy in Body and Mind, it is essential that we can say with confidence:

All breeding dogs on this site have been tested in accordance with the above Code of Ethics.

Should any CDC breeders deliberately and negligently disregard the intention of our Code of Ethics, they will be irrevocably removed from the site.

This is a site for owners and breeders of Australian Cattle Dogs. We all agree to respect the Breeders and Owners Code of Ethics:

• Be polite and constructive, ALWAYS!.
• Promote friendship and social get togethers in your local region and further afield.
• Be active with your dogs.
• Actively support your club.
• Send us your ideas, articles, stories/introductions