Mile High Breeder Referral Program

Mile High Breeder Referral Program Mile High Golden Retriever Club has many good and responsible breeders and stud dog owners. Our Breeder Referral Program is a maintained list of breeders who are club members in good standing. Our breeders may be contacted to for information of upcoming litters, or current puppies for sale. Responsible Breeder: AKC defines a breeder as the bitch/dam owner (not the stud dog owner). A responsible breeder, is one that is committed to not only adhering to the Breed Standard and the Golden Retriever Club of America s Code of Ethics, but breeds with a long-term purpose. They are involved in the dog fancier or local K9 community. They participate in dog related community, public education and/or club events. They contribute back to the breed, for the good of the breed, in a proactive way. Their ultimate purpose is to better the breed through careful consideration of pedigree, structure, faults and have breeding stock that is screened for genetic health issues acknowledged as prevalent in the breed. Member in Good Standing: This is a Mile Hi GRC member that has paid their yearly dues, that is in good standing with the American Kennel Club, and (if applicable) is a member in good standing with the Golden Retriever Club of America (if applicable). This member shall have had no action taken against them due to complaints in the past year. Disclaimer: Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club (MHGRC) provides the Breeder Program as a service to its members and to the public at large. MHGRC requires breeders to sign a contract saying they will abide by the GRCA Code of Ethics, but neither MHGRC, the Breeder Referral Committee nor the MH Board of Directors are to be held responsible for total enforcement. It is the Prospective Puppy Buyer s responsibility to insure that all paperwork with regard to clearances and pedigree, contracts etc. are in order. MHGRC in no way warrants any contracts or agreements as these remain solely between the Breeder and Prospective Puppy Buyer. MHGRC CANNOT

GRCA Code of Ethics Following you will find the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board of Directors on April 20, 1997. This text was adopted after many revisions, long discussions, review of other national breed clubs Codes and consideration of input from the membership. The Code s nature is not punitive, but rather a guideline that is informational and states the accepted norm in Golden Retrievers. This Code will appear in the GRCA booklet Acquiring a Golden Retriever and in new member packets. New members, by their application, agree to abide by and follow the guidelines outlined in the Code of Ethics. The reaffirmation statement on the annual dues renewal also will note members agreement to follow the guidelines of this Code. The Golden Retriever Club of America endorses the following Code of Ethics for its members. It is the purpose of GRCA to encourage its members to perfect through selection, breeding and training the type of dog most suitable in all respects for work as a companionable gun dog, and to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of Golden Retrievers in every endeavor. RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DOG OWNER: Members must ensure that their dogs are kept safe and under control at all times. Members should properly train their dogs so that they are an asset to their community and not a nuisance. Dogs must be maintained with their safety and good health in mind at all times, including adequate and appropriate attention and socialization, grooming, feeding, veterinary attention, housing, routine care, exercise and training. RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF GRCA: Members responsibilities include educating the public about the breed, keeping in mind that they and their dogs represent the breed, the GRCA and the sport of purebred dogs in general. Members are urged to accept the written breed standard as approved by the American Kennel Club (or the other applicable governing body of the country in which they reside or exhibit) as the standard description of physical and temperamental qualities by which the Golden Retriever is to be judged. Members are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all events and competitions, abiding by the applicable rules and regulations set forth by the governing bodies for such events and competitions. Members conduct should always be in accord with the purposes and intent of the GRCA Constitution and By-Laws. RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BREEDER: GRCA members who breed Golden Retrievers are encouraged to maintain the purpose of the breed and are expected to demonstrate honesty and fairness in dealing with other owners and breeders, purchasers of dogs and the general public. Owners of breeding animals shall provide appropriate documentation to all concerned regarding the health of dogs involved in a breeding or sale, including reports of examinations such as those applying to hips and eyes. If any such examinations have not been performed on a dog, this should be stated. Breeders should understand and acknowledge that they may need to take back, or assist in finding a new home for, any dog they produce at any time in its life, if requested to do so. Members who breed should sell puppies, permit stud service, and/or lease any stud dogs or brood bitches only to individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they will give proper care and attention to the animals concerned, and who may be expected generally to act within the intent of the statements of this Code of Ethics. Members are encouraged to use clear, concise written contracts to document the sale of animals, use of stud dogs, and lease arrangements, including the use, when appropriate, of non-breeding agreements and/or Limited Registration. Members should not sell dogs at auction, or to brokers or commercial dealers. ADVISORY GUIDELINES: Breeding stock should be selected with the objectives of GRCA in mind; that is: Recognizing that the Golden Retriever breed was developed as a useful gun dog, to encourage the perfection by careful and selective breeding of Golden Retrievers that possess the appearance, structure, soundness, temperament, natural ability and personality that are characterized in the standard of the breed, and to do all possible to advance and

promote the perfection of these qualities. (Paraphrased from Article I, Section 2, of the GRCA By-Laws, as amended in 1995.) GRCA members are expected to follow AKC requirements for record keeping, identification of animals, and registration procedures. Animals selected for breeding should: (i) be of temperament typical of the Golden Retriever breed; stable, friendly, trainable, and willing to work. Temperament is of utmost importance to the breed and must never be neglected; (ii) be in good health, including freedom from communicable disease; (iii) possess the following examination reports in order to verify status concerning possible hip dysplasia, hereditary eye or cardiovascular disease, and elbow dysplasia: a. Hips appropriate report from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; PennHip; Ontario Veterinary College; BVA/KC Hip Score (Great Britain) or at least a written report from a board-certified veterinary radiologist (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists). b. Eyes appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO) or from a BVA/KC approved ophthalmologist (Great Britain). c. Hearts appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Medicine, Cardiology Specialty. d. Elbows appropriate report from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals; or at minimum a written report from a board-certified veterinary radiologist (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists). Consideration should be given also to other disorders that may have a genetic component, including, but not limited to, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, skin disorders (allergies), and orthopedic disorders such as osteochondritis. (iv) Assuming all health and examination reports are favorable, the age of the breeding pair also is of consideration. Generally, a Golden Retriever is not physically and mentally mature until the age of 2 years; an individual dog s suitability as a breeding animal is difficult to assess until that time. Adopted: April 20, 1997, by GRCA Board of Directors. (Rev. 5-01)

Mile High Golden Retriever Club Breeder Referral List Name: Address: Phone Number: E-mail: Web Site: Breeding Stock: (Names will be listed in random order, rotating monthly, conducted by the webmaster) To be included on the Breeder Referral List mail the completed form and fees of $75 to the current Vice President. You may pay a reduced fee of $25 if you have volunteered a minimum of 4 hours in the past 12 months at a MHGRC event. Please list volunteer service: Disclaimer: Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club (MHGRC) provides the Breeder Program as a service to its members and to the public at large. MHGRC requires breeders to sign a contract saying they will abide by the GRCA Code of Ethics, but neither MHGRC, the Breeder Referral Committee nor the MH Board of Directors are to be held responsible for total enforcement. It is the Prospective Puppy Buyer s responsibility to insure that all paperwork with regard to clearances and pedigree, contracts etc. are in order. MHGRC in no way warrants any contracts or agreements as these remain solely between the Breeder and Prospective Puppy Buyer. MHGRC CANNOT

Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club Breeder Referral Service Listing Contract I, (breeder s full name) have read the GRCA s Code of Ethics, and agree to adhere to it as a whole, and agree to adhere strictly to sect iii, or voluntarily remove my listing from breeder referral (while in violation) or risk being expelled from the Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club. I agree to submit copies of current heart, eye (with in the last 12 months) and hip and elbow clearances on all breeding stock I own or use to produce my litters. I agree to submit all required fees ($25.00 if volunteer requirement has been met or &75.00) prior to referrals being listed. I recognize that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to sell my puppies and it is NOT the duty of the Mile Hi GRC s Breeder Referral Program, as they are simply a listing service and a source of Public Education. I have read the Mile Hi GRC s Disclaimer and agree that the Mile Hi GRC, its Breeder Referral Committee members, nor its Board of Directors can be held responsible for the outcome of the sale of a puppy to a prospective puppy buyer. Any transactions are solely between the Breeder and the Puppy Buyer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (breeder s signature) (date) Disclaimer: Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club (MHGRC) provides the Breeder Program as a service to its members and to the public at large. MHGRC requires breeders to sign a contract saying they will abide by the GRCA Code of Ethics, but neither MHGRC, the Breeder Referral Committee nor the MH Board of Directors are to be held responsible for total enforcement. It is the Prospective Puppy Buyer s responsibility to insure that all paperwork with regard to clearances and pedigree, contracts etc. are in order. MHGRC in no way warrants any contracts or agreements as these remain solely between the Breeder and Prospective Puppy Buyer. MHGRC CANNOT Sportsmanlike & Professional Behavior It is necessary to remind listers that this service is provided by volunteers of the MHGRC and is offered at a nominal fee. Treatment of the coordinator, puppy buyers, &/or other representatives should at all times be courteous and respectful. If at any time, the referral coordinator or his/her representatives determines that they are being treated poorly or rudely, the MHGRC reserves the right to refuse additional referrals and suspend the lister from use of this referral service without refund of fees. Any complaints will be addressed by the current board and are subject to immediate action at their discretion up to and including termination of puppy referral privileges. Mile High Breeder/Stud Dog Referral Program Use Only Listing Approved / Listing Denied Date: