KUVASZ CLUB OF AMERICA, INC. Parent Club of the American Kennel Club Application for Membership Note: Please Type or Print Clearly There shall be three types of membership which shall be open to all persons who are in good standing with the America n Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club. The Application fees are listed per each type of membership. (Two persons may utilize one Application if they share a common address as Joint members) If this is a breeder sponsored application - membership fee waived. Just mark as Single or Joint and $0. Regular Membership: All persons who are residents of the USA and are 18 years of age or older: $45.00 for Single or $50.00 for Joint TOTAL: $_ Associate Membership: Open to non-residents of the USA, who are 18 years of age of older: $50.00 TOTAL: $ Junior Membership: Open to all persons who are at least 10 and less than 18 years of age: $12.00 (Parent/Guardian must endorse Application) TOTAL: $_ Subscription Only: Open to any resident/business in the USA (Non-voting): $53.00 TOTAL: $ TOTAL FEES: $ US funds via check or money order drawn on a US bank, PAYABLE TO KCA is required with Application. Applicant MUST obtain the signatures of two (2) sponsors who are KCA members in good standing. If the Application is accepted, deposit will apply to dues and postage for the year of the Applicant s approval. If not accepted, a like amount will be refunded. Applicant: Co-Applicant:_ Email:_ Email:_ Mailing Address:_ City State/Prov._ Country Zip Code Home Phone: Cell Phone: If you are younger than 18 years of age, please provide date of birth:_ Occupation(s):_ I / We would like to join the KCA because:_ Interested in Kuvasz for: (Circle ALL that apply) Companion Conformation Performance Working Breeding How long have you owned Kuvasz? How many have you owned? I / We now own the following Kuvaszok: (if more space is needed, use separate sheet) 1. Registered Name: 2. Registered Name: 3. Registered Name: 4. Registered Name:
BREEDING HISTORY: Kennel Name: Have you bred any Kuvasz? (Circle One) Yes No How many Kuvaszok litters produced? How many Kuvaszok puppies produced? Please list any other Breeds with which you are involved:_ Have you bred any other breeds? If Yes, which breeds? Please give your permission for your contact information to be included in the annual list of members Yes_ No Please list any other dog clubs or organizations in which you are a member:_ Have you held an office, served on the board, or served on a committee in these organizations? If yes, please list:_ KCA Constitution, Article 1, Section 2 states: The purpose of the club shall be: (a) To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Kuvasz. (b) To encourage the organization of regional Kuvasz Clubs in localities which meet the requirements of the American Kennel Club. (c) To encourage acceptance of the Kuvasz Standard as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard by which the Kuvasz shall be judged. (d) To protect and advance the interests of the breed and encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and obedience trials. (e) To conduct sanctioned matches, specialty shows, and obedience trials, tracking tests and any other events permitted under the rules of the American Kennel Club. I / We, the applicants, agree to support the purposes of the Kuvasz Club of America, Inc. as stated above. Applicant s Signature:_ Co-Applicant s Signature: Date Date Signature & Printed Name of KCA Sponsor: Signature & Printed Name of KCA Sponsor: Please mail completed Membership Application to: Ḋoreen MacPherson-Hardt, Treasurer 3132 Snoblin Road North Branch, MI 48461 Email: treasurer@kuvasz.com Please find enclosed the Member s Code of Conduct.
MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT All members of the Kuvasz Club of America shall abide by this Code of Conduct. Members shall bear in mind that the Code of Conduct is more than a set of rules; it is a commitment to a high standard of practice in owning and breeding Kuvasz. Adherence to the spirit of the Code is as important as adherence to the letter of the code. In order to promote and foster the highest standards among Kuvasz owners and breeders, and to aim for the continuous improvement of the breed within the framework of the American Kennel Club-approved breed standard, I pledge to follow the code in all areas set forth below: Education: I will educate myself about the Kuvasz and its unique history, temperament, needs and health issues. I will endeavor to share my knowledge with those genuinely interested in seeking to better understand this breed. I will accept and support the current AKC recognized Kuvasz breed standard and will not mislead the public in any way that the current standard is not consistent with or undermines the breed's Hungarian origins. Good Sportsmanship: I will abide by the AKC Code of Sportsmanship* I will conduct myself at all times in a manner that is a credit to the Kuvasz Club of America. As such, I will not publicly engage in false, misleading or maligning statements (written or verbal) regarding judges, officials, KCA officers, exhibitors, fellow members, another dog, or misrepresentation of my own dogs. Treatment: All Kuvasz in my care will be provided a safe and healthy environment, proper nutrition and appropriate veterinary care at all times. I recognize my responsibility to protect the name and reputation of the Kuvasz breed and will not allow my dogs to become a nuisance. Breeding: As a breeder, I recognize I am responsible for the protection, well being and improvement of the breed and agree to the following: I will breed to the American Kennel Club recognized Kuvasz Breed Standard. I will consider only the betterment of the breed when breeding a bitch or allowing a breeding with my stud dog. I will keep well informed regarding hereditary defects in the Kuvasz breed and will diligently strive to eliminate these defects from the breed. I will breed dogs only following completion of the required KCA CHIC testing protocol in effect at the time of the breeding. I will have the required KCA CHIC preliminary testing done on dogs under 24 months of age used in breeding and redo the testing when the dog is eligible for a CHIC number. When using a foreign dog I will make every effort to see that the CHIC protocol is adhered to, if possible. Exceptions may be made if frozen semen is used from a deceased stud dog, elderly dog, or when using frozen semen from a dog in another country. I understand that CHIC only indicates that testing has been performed, not that the tests have indicated that the dog is free from that disorder, therefore I will record all tests openly with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). While I understand that breeding accidents may occasionally occur, I will make every effort to protect my dogs from accidental breedings. If dogs involved in an accidental breeding are under the age of 24 months I will make every effort to have CHIC testing requirements met after the dog is 24 months of age. I will be available to buyers for whatever advice, reasonable aid or assistance they may need for the life of the dog. I will make every effort to educate prospective Kuvasz owners of the advantages, disadvantages and responsibilities of owning a Kuvasz. I will assume responsibility for any dog of my breeding if the owner must relinquish their dog, or for any dog of my breeding which comes into the possession of a rescue network or shelter. I understand that this responsibility also applies to me if I am the co-breeder of a dog. New breeders are encouraged to engage with experienced mentors. Conversely, experienced breeders are encouraged to share their knowledge with other breeders, new breeders in particular.
As a stud dog owner I understand my obligation to share in the responsibility for the offspring sired by him. Therefore, if the owner of the bitch (breeder of the litter) is unable or unwilling to take responsibility for the puppies produced from breeding with my stud dog, I will assist the breeder or assume the responsibility in care and placement of the offspring. Documented misconduct or violation of this Code of Conduct should be presented to the KCA Board or the AKC when appropriate. Education and communication are the preferred methods of obtaining compliance to the Members Code of Conduct; however, flagrant, serious and/or repeated disregard of the code may result in formal charges brought before the KCA Board of Directors by a KCA member(s). Questions and Answers Q. Why a code of conduct at all? A. Several past Boards requested a code of conduct, but for various reasons one was not completed. Along with the ideas mentioned earlier in the letter, this Board wishes to set a level and fair playing field for all Kuvasz owners, to codify the spirit and requirements of owning Kuvasz, breeding Kuvasz and caring for Kuvasz. We feel the code is an affirmation of the best of a dog club and a document that will help educate all to the seriousness of sound dog ownership. 3 Q. AKC gives this advice to new clubs: Code of Ethics. The AKC does not require a specific code of ethics, but does expect all clubs and members to behave ethically at all times. If your club adopts a code of ethics, it should be used as an educational tool and should not be tied to the disciplinary section of the bylaws. It is our experience that when bylaws and codes of ethics are linked, clubs become needlessly involved in disputes that have nothing whatsoever to do with the welfare of the club or the sport. A. The MCOC is not tied to the bylaws but is club policy, primarily an educational policy to guide members now and in the future in their care of the Kuvasz and in their care of the Kuvasz community. However, flagrant serious and/or repeated disregard of the code may result in formal charges filed before the KCA Board of Directors (as outlined in our By-laws) by a KCA member(s). Article 1, Section 3 of the KCA Bylaws says any person who is a member agrees to abide by this Constitution, By-Laws and POLICIES of the Kuvasz Club of America and the rules of the American Kennel Club. A new policy or procedure would be approved by the Board or the membership and become a formal policy of the KCA covered in Article 1 Section 3. *AKC Code of Good Sportsmanship Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity of the sport of purebred dogs. Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace. Sportsmen refuse to compromise their commitment and obligation to the sport of purebred dogs by injecting personal advantage or consideration into their decisions or behavior. The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs and considers no other factors. The sportsman judge or exhibitor accepts constructive criticism. The sportsman exhibitor declines to enter or exhibit under a judge where it might reasonably appear that the judge's placements could be based on something other than the merits of the dogs. The sportsman exhibitor refuses to compromise the impartiality of a judge. The sportsman respects the AKC bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the sport of purebred dogs.
Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merit of their competition and the effort of competitors. Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to the sport. Sportsmen will deal fairly with all those who trade with them. Sportsmen are willing to share honest and open appraisals of both the strengths and weaknesses of their breeding stock. Sportsmen spurn any opportunity to take personal advantage of positions offered or bestowed upon them. Sportsmen always consider as paramount the welfare of their dog. Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport, the American Kennel Club, or themselves while taking part in the sport.