CODE OF ETHICS

I. OWNERSHIP

Environment - I shall provide my Cirneco with clean, dry housing and ample opportunity for proper exercise.

Food - I shall feed my Cirneco a properly balanced diet, commensurate with the requirements of the breed.

Veterinary Care - I shall be certain that my Cirneco is protected by all necessary immunizations as recommended by my veterinarian. I shall consult with my veterinarian regarding parasite control and prevention and follow the worming program he/she suggests. I shall seek prompt medical attention for my Cirneco for situations outside of routine medical care, as needed.

Love and Attention - I shall ensure that my Cirneco has the socialization necessary to develop and support his/her natural love and acceptance of human companionship. I shall further endeavor to properly socialize my Cirneco with other animals.

Ownership of a Potential Sire/Dam - I shall refuse to work with any potential breeder who does not appear to meet or to have applied the criteria outlined below. I shall refuse stud service: to any bitch that is unregistered, in poor health, immature, exhibiting unsound temperament, or that has known hereditary faults; to any owner who is unwilling to cooperate in efforts to protect the welfare of the breed or who lacks the ability and/or facilities to properly care for the litter; or in any case in which I have reason to believe that the litter will be disposed of in litter lot sales, through retail outlets, or in any other fashion potentially detrimental to the breed. I shall share my Cirneco's health information with prospective breeders.

Sportsmanship - I shall always conduct myself in a sportsmanlike manner.

II. BREEDING - HEALTH AND HUSBANDRY

Breed Awareness - I shall breed only to produce dogs that preserve and advance the breed in conformity with the standards of the Cirneco dell'Etna Club of America. I shall breed conservatively and selectively, not merely for the sake of producing puppies.

Selecting Sire and Dam - I shall study the breed standard, functions, and history; canine anatomy; and general principles of breeding. It is critical to the future of the breed that the selection of sire and dam be made to maintain these attributes and historical function. Poor breeding for several generations can have substantial negative impact by reversing more than 3000 years of natural and man-made selection processes. I shall thoroughly research the pedigrees of prospective parents, including genetic, physical, and temperamental problems that may have occurred in their lines. I shall ensure that any dog used for breeding has been screened for any genetic defects that may affect its offspring. I shall carefully analyze its temperament. I shall use for breeding only dogs that are genetically, physically, and temperamentally free from defects. I shall not use dogs I consider of pet quality for breeding.

Health - I shall assure that a potential dam/sire is examined by a veterinarian to ensure that he/she is healthy and mature enough to be bred. I shall not breed a bitch in her first season or less than two years old. I shall not breed a bitch more than once per year.

Puppy Care - Prior to breeding my bitch, I shall ensure that I have adequate facilities to properly care for the litter. I shall provide adequate socialization for all puppies. I shall accept a lifelong responsibility to protect the well-being of every Cirneco puppy I breed.

III. BREEDING - ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTS

Breeding Arrangements - I shall ensure that breeding arrangements are agreed upon in advance, written, and signed by both parties.

Puppy Placement - I shall offer for sale only dogs that are physically and mentally sound. I shall make every effort to place each puppy properly for its temperament and personality. I shall not consign, sell, or donate a cirneco to retailers, pet stores, wholesalers, animal brokers, commercial kennels, in litter lot sales, or for raffles. I shall not knowingly deal with unethical persons. I shall not sell to, nor aid in procuring a Cirneco for, any person I have reason to believe will not provide proper care and environment for the dog, or who may use it in any fashion detrimental to the breed.

Pet Quality Puppies - I shall offer a pet quality dog for sale only if it has been neutered/spayed or if the buyer signs a Non-Breeding Contract. I shall file Non-Breeding Contracts with the Cirneco dell'Etna Club of America. (Non-Breeding Contracts may be rescinded with the signatures of both breeder and owner.)

Puppy Health - I shall not release a puppy to its new home until it is at least eight weeks old. I shall ensure that, prior to being released to its new home, every puppy receives vaccinations as recommended by a veterinarian. I shall supply a written health guarantee allowing the buyer a specified period of time within which to have a puppy examined by the buyer's veterinarian. This guarantee shall address conditions for replacement or reimbursement.

Record Keeping - I shall maintain health and breeding records for each dog as would be required by the American Kennel Club. I shall provide the new owners: the dog's registration information; health records, including inoculations and booster due dates; and the name and address of my veterinarian.

Representations to Buyers - I shall educate prospective buyers regarding the Cirneco dell'Etna, including: breed health problems; physical, mental, and nutritional needs; owners' responsibilities to the breed and to the puppies resulting from any breeding; and the importance of membership in the Cirneco dell'Etna Club of America, in which I shall encourage participation. I shall represent my dogs truthfully, forthrightly noting all defects. I shall invite buyers to contact me at any time with questions.

Resale of Dogs - I shall not sell any dog without a written agreement that it will not be resold and will be returned to me if its buyer cannot keep it.

Lifetime Responsibility - I shall take back, rehabilitate when possible, and place in a suitable home any dog I have bred and sold whenever the original buyer is unable to keep the dog. If a dog is beyond rehabilitation, I shall either advise euthanasia or be responsible for euthanasia if the owner is unable or unwilling to be so.

I herby accept and agree to abide by the foregoing Code of Ethics of the Cirneco dell'Etna Club of America.

Signature(s):________________________________________________________________________________________

Date:_________________________

Printed Name(s):________________________________________________________________________________________

Please sign and return with your dues and membership application to:

Anne Mitchell, Corresponding Secretary
Cirneco dell'Etna Club of America
12006 Aintree Lane
Reston, VA 20191

(703) 860-6727
E-mail:

Make Check payable to: CdECA