Code of Ethics

Members of the Canadian National Australian Shepherd Association  (CNASA), when engaged in caring for, breeding, selling, or judging  Australian Shepherds, shall abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the  CNASA, The Canadian Kennel Club and the Animal Pedigree Act. In all  questions of ethics, covered or not covered by this code, the individual  member shall act solely in the best interests of the breed, and the  membership as a whole shall willingly aid any Australian Shepherd owner  in upholding these interests.

Members agree to protect and advance the natural qualities of the  Australian Shepherd. In so doing the members agree to the following  principles:

HEALTH:

A. Members shall maintain a high standard of care and cleanliness for their dogs.

B. Members shall provide health protection for them through worming, inoculations and veterinarian care.

C. Members shall make every effort to learn about the structure,  anatomy, behavior, temperament and other inheritable traits of their  Australian Shepherd.

BREEDING:

A. Members will not breed a dog or bitch which has  hereditary defects or serious or disqualifying faults listed in the  adopted CKC breed standard that adversely affect the overall soundness  or working ability.

B. Members shall not use any dog or bitch for breeding until it is  certified by a board-certified veterinary radiologists/ board -certified  ophthalmologist to be free of both hip/elbow dysplasia and hereditary  eye defects.

C. Members shall use only dogs for breeding which are temperamentally  sound, refraining from the use of animals which display vicious  propensities and/or extreme shyness.

D. Members shall not use bitches for breeding until they are at least  24 months of age. A normal bitch (i.e. having a six-month cycle) should  not be bred more than 2 out of 3 consecutive seasons unless so directed  by a licensed veterinarian.

E. It is strongly advised that a written agreement be established  between the owners of the stud dog and the brood bitch, stating the  exact conditions of the breeding.

F. Members will not agree to or purposefully breed any Australian  Shepherd to non-registered Australian Shepherds, dogs of other breeds or  mixed breeds.

SALES:

A. All Australian Shepherds shall be sold in good condition and health at the time of release.

B. Each puppy/dog sold will be, to the best of the seller’s  knowledge, free of parasites and will have had adequate immunizations  for its age. A record will be furnished with each dog sold which states  the dates and types of immunizations given and information on further  necessary immunizations, as well as including the dates of fecal checks  and worming medications. It is strongly advised that written  instructions be provided to the buyer on the feeding, health, training,  and grooming needs for the proper care of the puppy/ dog.

C. Members will not sell or consign or donate dogs to commercial dog wholesalers, retailers (pet shops) laboratories or raffles.

D. All advertising shall be of an honest and forthright nature and will not in any way be misleading.

E. The price of a puppy/dog should be reasonable and dependent on the quality of the animal.

F. Members agree to give each buyer a pedigree of at least four generations.

G. Members will not release puppies from their litter until they reach at least eight weeks of age.

H. Members will comply with the CKC by-laws with respect to litter  registration, individual registration, and transfer of ownership*. (see  note below)I. Members will use a Non-Breeding Agreement, a Co-ownership  Agreement and/or a Sales Agreement when selling or placing un-spayed  bitches or intact males and strongly urge the spaying or neutering of  animals not intended for breeding by the purchaser.

GENERAL CONDUCT OF MEMBERS:

A. Members shall be aware at all times the Canadian  National Australian Shepherd Association exists to improve and protect  the breed and that these aims are to be uppermost in the minds of the  members in all of their activities within the breed.

B. No member shall:
1. Knowingly falsify pedigree or breeding information.
 

2. Sell to unethical breeders or persons whose intention to resell the dog is known or suspected.

3. Maliciously degrade another member’s Australian Shepherd or Kennel.

C. Members shall:

1. Make every effort to educate any new owner or  interested person, and to be both instructive and constructive in their  comments.

2. Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

3. Always behave in a manner that will be conducive to the  advancement of our breed and the Canadian National Australian Shepherd  Association.

4. Whether in competition or a working situation, the welfare of the dog must be foremost.
 

*Note: The Animal Pedigree Act, a Canadian federal Statute,  requires that when a person sells a dog as “purebred”, he/she must  furnish a certificate of registration together with a fully recorded  transfer of ownership to the buyer. The CKC by-laws direct that this  shall occur at the sellers expense and therefore at no extra cost to the  buyer.