CODE OF ETHICS

In consideration of the Australian Labradoodle Association Inc (ALA) electing me to its Accredited Breeders membership and approval of that renewal, I pledge to the Australian Labradoodle Association Inc that:

1.1 I shall promote and protect the Australian Labradoodle Breed in all my actions both written and oral and abide by the current Rule and Regulations as well the current Code of Ethics.

1.2. I shall at all times ensure all dogs under my control are properly housed, fed, watered, exercised and receive appropriate veterinary care when required.  1-5

1.3. I acknowledge that I have never had any membership revoked or suspended by a Canine Association or if so, have provided details relating to such an incident, with my breeders application and will notify the ALA if this were to occur.  1-5

1.4. I acknowledge that I have not been convicted of any cruelty to animal act, or if so, have provided details relating to such an incident, with my breeders application, and will notify the ALA if this were to occur.  3-5

1.5. I agree to an ALA kennel inspection and audit if requested by the ALA Executive Committee and if I am found to be in breach of the current Rules and Regulations or the current Code of Ethics, may be suspended and/or fined.  3-5

1.6. I shall take all necessary precautions to ensure that no bitch is ever bred or in whelp prior to 12 months of age. 1-4

1.7. I shall not sell/trade/raffle any dogs or their offspring to any commercial animal wholesalers or retail pet dealers/traders. 2-4

1.8. I shall seek veterinary and or animal behaviorist/dog trainer advice and recommendations before euthanizing any puppy or dog, due to its inability to lead a normal life.  1-2

1.9. I shall not have puppies leaving my premises before 8 weeks of age.  1-2

1.10. I shall de-sex all pet quality puppies before they leave my premises, except in instances where this surgery is not advisable, in which case I will use a spay/neuter contract or other stipulations that prevent the mating of this dog.  2-5

1.11. I shall wean, give appropriate worming and vaccinations to all puppies while in my care.  1-4

1.12. I shall ensure to the best of my ability that all persons acquiring dogs from me clearly understand their responsibility for the care and welfare of the animal and have made the necessary preparations for the keeping of the dog.  1-2

1.13. I shall provide to all purchasers written details of the dietary, training and veterinary care required and/or an alternative appropriate publication detailing same.  1-2

1.14. I shall offer to take back or assist in re-homing any puppy or dog sold by me if unwanted for any reason at any time by the purchaser.  1-2

1.15. I shall not expressly nor implied, misrepresent the qualities of either the Labradoodle Origin nor the Australian Labradoodle including but not limited to a guarantee of allergy friendliness or non-shedding.  1-5

1.16 I shall fulfill the conditions of my guarantee in a timely and professional manner. When a refund or replacement is in order, as per the conditions of my warranty, it will be done within 30 days, except in instance where replacement puppy is not yet available.  1-5

1.17. I will respond to instances of disputes with customers or other breeders in a timely and professional manner, within 7 days.  1-3

1.18. I shall act professionally and be truthful in my actions regarding fellow breeders and their animals. I shall be truthful in my actions both written and oral and act honorably in my actions with the general public and other breeders.  1-5

1.19. I shall provide all persons purchasing a dog bred by me ‘prior to their purchase and or deposit’, a copy of my guarantee against life inhibiting genetic defects, which outlines my undertaking to either replace or refund all or part of the initial purchase price and provide moral support.  1-5

1.20. I shall not participate as an executive committee member of the ALA, if I am a member of any other Labradoodle Association that is not condoned and/or associated with the ALA, but realize that I am welcome to be a general voting member of any organization that I choose.  2-5

2.1. I agree to adhere to the terms of any disciplinary action including fines and/or suspension if I am found to be in breach of the ALA’s Current Code of Ethics and/or Rules and Regulations. 

2.2. I shall provide the ALA New Breeder Coordinator, a copy of my written details of the dietary, training and veterinary care required and/or an alternative appropriate publication detailing same that is given to purchasers.  1-2

2.3. I shall provide to the ALA New Breeder Coordinator, a copy of my guarantee against any life inhibiting genetic defects, which outlines my undertaking to either replace or refund all, or part of the initial purchase price and provide moral support. While the ALA accepts that the extent of each breeders guarantee will vary, the guarantee shall cover a minimum period of 2 years from the date of birth of the dog. My guarantee shall not require the return of dogs diagnosed with a life altering genetic condition covered by guarantee, to be returned, as the only option for the guarantee to be honored. My guarantee cannot require unverifiable conditions to be met, as a requirement for the guarantee to be honored. If I alter my guarantee, I will forward my new guarantee, to the Breeder Coordinator within 30 days.  1-4

2.4. I shall provide required paperwork and signatures or agreed payments to other breeders in a timely and satisfactory manner. 7 days is considered a timely manner, except in instances where payment has not been received or other arrangements are written into a signed contract.  1-3

2.5. I shall permanently identify all breeding stock and their offspring by way of either microchip or tattoo.  1-4

2.6. I shall supply correct permanent identification number on all documentation, health tests, litter registrations etc; along with payment receipt for all litter/dog registrations/transfers, fees and/or fines that I submit to the ALA. 1-5

2.7. I shall breed with the soundness of the Labradoodle Origin or Australian Labradoodle in mind and agree to test all breeding stock for Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia before they are bred/mated. I will not breed with any dog diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and/or Elbow Dysplasia.  1-5

2.8. I will test with GTG/GSS, all breeding dogs used in my program, whose date of birth is June 1 , 2006 or later, using the
DNA prcd-PRA eye test, before they are bred/mated, if they have not been proven to be clear by parentage. We recommend that you do a heredity eye disease screening on all breeding dogs. [ Dogs whose date of birth is before June 1, 2006 are still required to meet the prior health screening requirements of DNA profile, BVA Hip and Elbow scores and either a Ophthalmic Specialist heredity eye disease Screening Examination or the DNA prcd-PRA test. These dogs are required to repeat the Ophthalmic Specialist heredity eye disease Screening Examination every 2 years, if they have not had the DNA prcd-PRA test.] It is highly recommended that all breeding dogs have the DNA prcd-PRA test.  1-5

2.9. I will not breed any dog that has been DNA tested prcd-PRA Affected or Carrier; to any dog other than those that have been tested prcd-PRA clear.  3-5

2.10. I will test, via the prcd-PRA test, any dogs in my breeding program, within 30 days of becoming aware that their sire or dam has tested as affected or carrier via the prcd_PRA eye test.  2-5

2.11. I will provide accurate and true copies of Hip, Elbow and Eye testing/screening results to the ALA for all breeding dogs used in my program, as one of the required inclusions with my registration application.  1-5

2.12. I am aware of the current BVA Hip score average for the Australian Labradoodle/Labradoodle and will keep abreast of any changes. I am aware that it is considered a high risk to breed with a dog who has a score of 4 or more on either the left or right hip, in any of the 9 areas evaluated within a hip score. I am aware that all dogs hip scores submitted for registration, will be listed on an open database for viewing. I recognize that it is the recommendation of the ALA to breed below the breed average, in order to lower the breed average, to improve the current genetic health of the Australian Labradoodle breed. 

2.13. I will obtain from GSS/GTG Melbourne and provide to the ALA; a DNA profile for all breeding dogs used in my program and a parentage report when available, as one of the required inclusions with my registration application.  1-5

2.14. I will supply to the ALA, unedited photo/s and true and accurate pedigrees, as required; when submitting applications for ALA dog registration, as one of the required inclusions with my registration application and will not falsify pedigrees.  1-5

2.15. I shall submit for registration, to the ALA, all dog/s and/or bitch/s in my breeding program including any Labradoodle Origin, Australian Labradoodle and Parent Breeds, before they produce any offspring.  1-5

2.16. I shall meet at a minimum and preferably exceed the living condition requirements of my state or territory in regard to the housing and care of my dogs and puppies.  1-5

2.17. I shall display the ALA’s Accredited Breeders logo on any promotional publications including my website and will add a link to the ALA home page. 1-3

2.18. I shall provide accurate information, and identify all dogs in my breeding program by generation, by name of breed, registered name and registered colour on any pedigree, and promotional publications including my website.  1-5

2.19. I shall not provide promotional publication written, verbal or video representing the opinions of the ALA membership without written permission from the ALA Executive Committee.  1-5

2.20. I shall lodge with the ALA details of all litters bred by me no later than 12 weeks from the litter’s date of birth.  1-5

2.21. I shall supply to the ALA along with my Labradoodle Origin or Australian Labradoodle litter registrations a complete and true  pedigree and copies of the de-sexing certificates or a signed letter from my veterinarian detailing those puppies that have been desexed.  All puppies at the time of de-sex are to be identified either by microchip or tattoo.  1-5

2.22. I shall breed the Labradoodle Origin, Australian Labradoodle and approved Parent Breed dogs responsibly and keep proper records of the offspring, noting any genetic defects that I become aware of, in my records.  1-5

2.23. When I become aware of producing a puppy/dog with life inhibiting genetic defect, I will rearrange my breeding program so as not to repeat the same mating that produced the life inhibiting genetic defect.  1-5

2.24. I shall notify the ALA of any puppies that I have produced that have been diagnosed with any life inhibiting genetic diseases, noting the name of the sire and dam and their registration numbers for the ALA’s records on the genetic health in the breed.  1-5

2.25. I warrant that I will not use the ALA’s logos until I have been notified that my accredited breeders Membership has been accepted by the ALA, and furthermore I will immediately remove the ALA accredited breeders logo and the ALA logo from all marketing material, websites etc in the event that my accredited breeders membership is cancelled or suspended and I shall cease to make any representations as to any affiliation with the ALA.  1-5

2.26. I shall return all ALA registrations, if I am lifetime suspended.

2.27. I shall obtain written approval of the ALA executive committee, for any variation to the code of ethics or rules and regulations, specific to my program.  1-5

2.28. I shall not lease any dogs that belong to another ALA breeder who is under suspension or deactivation.  1-5

2.29.Grading can be altered by the registrar, within the first 6 months of issuance or with the written permission of the breeder of the dog whose grading is in question, or by signed statement of 3 private parties who can provide valid proof of reason to alter. 

2.30. I will use Australian Labradoodles, Origin Labradoodles, Parent Breeds and Parent Breed Infusions consistent with the current membership approved ALA Breed Infusion Guidelines and ALA Grading Schemes of LO, ALF and Pure.  1-5

2.31. I am aware that the term “dog”, when used, refers to either a female or male.

2.32. I shall not make known to anyone, my password to the ALA database.  1-4

2.33 I am aware that if any bitch in my program is covered by more than one dog, be it intentional or accidental, that I will GTG/GSS DNA profile the ENTIRE litter for parentage verification, and furthermore will not release pedigrees for the litter in question, without receipt of correct parentage verification. 1-5

My signature on my ALA membership application/renewal indicates that I have read both the ALA’s Code of Ethics and Rules and Regulations and agree to abide by them and thus be subject to fines and/or suspension if I a found in breach of either.