Code of Ethics for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Canada

Ethical owners of RR's will make a conscious effort to represent the breed in a positive manner. Owners will not engage in the misrepresentation of the breed nor intentionally make misleading or false comments against a fellow owner, breeder, exhibitor, or against RRCC or its members. RR owners are obligated to maintain the health and well-being of their dog(s), which includes but is not limited to; the provision of regular veterinary visits, adequate food and water, proper housing/shelter, appropriate age/health related exercise, training and socialization. When it has been deemed necessary to end their dog's life, owners will ensure that this is performed in a humane fashion by a veterinarian. As education is a core value to the RRCC, ethical owners and breeders are encouraged to provide prospective owners (and the public at large) with information about the pros and cons of this breed. Provision of such honest and unbiased information about Rhodesian Ridgebacks will help to ensure that prospective owners can make informed decisions as to the appropriateness of including a ridgeback into their family. Ethical breeders will register all of their puppies with the CKC (or recognized equivalent). All puppies will be permanently identified (by microchip or tattoo) prior to leaving the breeders premises. Breeders' should provide a written guarantee for every ridgeback they sell or place, and should provide ongoing support to their puppy owners. Ethical breeders are responsible for all of their progeny. Should the situation arise that a ridgeback enters rescue or is in need of rehoming, the breeder of that dog maintains primary responsibility to aid (be it morally, physically or financially) in the care and placement of that dog. Should the breeder be unable or unwilling to assist in the care and placement of the dog, the owner of the stud dog is urged to assist in any manner possible. Breeders will not sell their puppies to a commercial distributor (e.g., pet store or dog broker), nor allow a dog or puppy to be given away as a prize. They will not engage in overbreeding for profit, nor will they engage in or encourage breeding merely as a source of income. An ethical breeder will encourage its' puppy buyers to spay or neuter their pets by educating owners about the health benefits of sterilization and will sell pet quality puppies with a non-breeding registration and contract. An ethical breeder will breed purebred Rhodesian Ridgebacks and will not breed nor sell a dog that cannot be registered by the CKC. Breeders will only use animals that are healthy and are certified free of heritable diseases including but not limited to, hip dysplasia. It is highly recommended that at least one of the breeding pair have their Champion designation, and that all breeding stock be tested and certified free of other heritable diseases including (but not limited to); elbow dysplasia, thyroid disease, and entropium. Breeders who claim that their dogs are free of certain diseases, must (when requested) provide written proof showing the disease free certification. An ethical breeder is an active member of their breeds' club(s), as well as a promoter of their breed through conformation, obedience and other canine sports. An ethical breeder will not breed a dog or a bitch before the age of 24 months, and prior to it being certified healthy and free of hip dysplasia. Bitches will not be bred on their first heat cycle and it is recommended that a bitch not have two litters within a twelve month period (with a litter consisting of 2 or more puppies). When breeding a bitch over seven years old, additional precautions should be taken including (but not limited to) veterinary consultation. An ethical breeder will have a sound understanding of inheritable traits/diseases and will only breed animals that are free of disease and which have sound temperaments. Breeders will not breed dogs with defects that may cause pain and suffering to the dogs or their offspring, and will not breed a dog that is a gross disregard to the breed standard (including but not limited to; hip dysplasia, over/undershot jaws, dermoid sinus). An ethical stud dog/bitch owner will not breed their dog/bitch out to pet bitches/dogs that do not comply with this COE. An ethical breeder will not will not misrepresent a puppy's potential nor place any puppy prior to 8 weeks of age. All puppies must be examined by a veterinarian prior to placement and a record of that vet check (along with its worming and inoculation record) must accompany the puppy at placement. Any puppy that is found to have a Dermoid Sinus (DS) should either be humanely euthanised at birth by a veterinarian, or have the DS surgically removed at the expense of the breeder. The breeder maintains financial responsibility for removal of the DS regardless of when it is discovered (i.e., pre or post placement). Ethical breeders will plan their breeding program with the intention to improve the quality whilst maintaining the standard of the breed.