I. Introduction and Purpose

These guidelines are presented with the full realization that ethics cannot be legislated, and that most individuals desire and intend to do what is right. The purpose of these guidelines, therefore, is to set forth principles of practice that the Dalmatian Club of America would have all its members and those associated with Dalmatians adhere to as they strive to accomplish the club's goals and purposes so clearly stated in the Bylaws. These guidelines present the minimum in ethical practices; how best to conform to these practices is better left to the educational efforts of individuals and regional clubs. 

II. Practices

 In keeping with my membership in the Dalmatian Club of America and my dedication to further its stated purposes, I hereby pledge to the following practices:

1. To ensure that all dogs in my care are provided adequate food, shelter, human companionship, and medical care. 

2. To become educated in the fundamentals of owning, breeding, and exhibiting dogs. 

3. To understand the basic laws of genetics, the standard of the breed, and the difference between the correct and the incorrect before attempting to breed. 

4. To register all breeding stock with the American Kennel Club, and to keep complete, true and accurate records of all matings, litters, and pedigrees. 

5. To follow good business practices and ethics in sales and breeding contracts and to honor all agreements. Written agreements are encouraged. 

6. To refrain from breeding unless there is strong assurance that a sufficient number of homes are available for the resulting puppies and to be willing to accept the return of unwanted dogs produced by my brood bitch or sired by my stud dog. 

7. To ensure that no female will be bred before reaching 18 months of age nor before her second season and that no female will be bred after she has reached 8 years of age. To ensure that no male will be bred before he has reached one year of age. 

8. To be extremely discriminating when considering the acceptance of bitches for breeding to my stud dog, especially those whose owners have not pledged to adhere to these guidelines. 

9. To ensure that the hearing status of all puppies and breeding candidates is known and taken into consideration in all breeding decisions. To ensure that all bilateraly deaf puppies produced by my brood bitch or sired by my stud dog are humanely euthanized as soon as the condition is detected and confirmed. 

10. To transfer puppies only after they have reached at least seven weeks of age, to provide at least a three generation pedigree, and to ensure that the buyer has the physical facilities to properly care for a Dalmatian. 

11. To appropriately use A.K.C. limited registration for puppies that are not of breeding quality. To avoid sales agreements which include "puppy back" clauses that may encourage unnecessary breeding. 

12. To ensure that puppies and adults produced by my brood bitch or stud dog are never knowingly sold or consigned to pet stores, wholesalers, or commercial dealers. To not knowingly supply dogs for raffles, auctions, giveaways, prizes, or other such projects. 

13. To recognize that careful follow-up of all genetic defects is the responsibility of the owners of both the sire and dam of every litter. 

14. To ensure that all advertising is factual and not misleading. To never engage in malicious criticism and to separate fact from fiction before repeating comments heard from others. 

15. To adhere to rules of the A.K.C. while exhibiting; to practice the principles of good sportsmanship; and to consider competitors as a challenge, not a threat. 

16. To ensure that while engaged in the art and science of judging, that I will be influenced only by the quality of the animals to be judged. 

17. To always ensure that my actions are directed toward the best interests of the Dalmatian breed, the Dalmatian Club of America and the American Kennel Club.