Code of Ethics

1. We, the members of the Great Pyrenees Club of Western Pennsylvania, in order to protect and promote the advancement and proper breeding of Great Pyrenees, as well as ethical kennel practices, do hereby set forth this Code of Ethics, which shall be strictly adhered to by all members, both present and future.
   
   In the performance of these objectives, we subscribe to the Constitution of the Great Pyrenees Club of western Pennsylvania and further pledge ourselves:
   1. To speak well of the Great Pyrenees breed, the great Pyrenees Club of Western Pennsylvania, our fellow members, and their Great Pyrenees; to respect the opinion of other breeders; and to avoid damaging statements about other members or their Great Pyrenees to third parties.
   2. To strive continually in our breeding efforts for the ideal Great Pyrenees as described in the Great Pyrenees standard by educating ourselves to the maximum possible extent on what comprises a good Great Pyrenees, by using the best of our knowledge and experience in breeding, and by encouraging the breeding of dogs with outstanding characteristics.
   3. To devote conscientious efforts in helping to educate and inform newcomers to the breed, to encourage their efforts, and thus to help attract more qualified persons to the fancy.
   4. To subscribe to reasonable and ethical standards in any advertising we may undertake in newspapers, magazines, or the club newsletter:
      1. Breeders should guarantee all dogs against congenital birth defects.
         1. It should be at the discretion of the breeder to either replace the pup with another of comparable quality or refund the purchase price.
         2. The breeder shall have the option of reclaiming the dog or its papers.
            
            
2. In breeding and selling Great Pyrenees puppies, we pledge ourselves:
   1. Having exercised the full extent of our knowledge and experience in selecting the sire and dam, to sell as registered Great Pyrenees puppies only those which can be recognized as being representative of the Great Pyrenees breed; to obtain advice and counsel from recognized breeders in questionable cases; either to sell without registration papers or destroy those specimens which have obvious serious faults or defects, with proper notification to the American Kennel Club as well as the buyer that the dog in question is not representative of the breed.
      1. Discourage the deliberate breeding of Great Pyrenees with other breeds.
      2. In the event of a cross-breeding, a serious effort should be made to abort the litter.
   2. To provide complete instructions, guidance, and counsel to novice buyers as to care and training of the puppy, recommended veterinarian examinations, inoculations, breeding advice and registration information. Buyers should be advised to protect their bitches from contact with other breeds during their seasons.
   3. All Great Pyrenees shall be guaranteed in good condition and health at time of sale and for seven days thereafter with the condition that the Great Pyrenees has been examined by a veterinarian during this time.
      1. In regards to hip dysplasia; all dogs used for breeding purposes shall have a written statement from a qualified radiologist stating that the dog's hips are within normal limits. This examination is to be given after one year of age.
      2. The Club Secretary shall keep a written record of all dogs that have been x-rayed and are within normal limits. Individuals may request verification on any pair of dogs upon written request to the secretary.
   4. To provide each buyer of a registered Great Pyrenees puppy with a correct pedigree of at least four (4) generations, along with litter registration papers.
   5. To attempt to place puppies in the best possible homes and to refrain from selling puppies from roadside stands or transient headquarters. In no case, should puppies be sold to laboratories or pet shops.
   
   
3. In providing a dog at public stud, we pledge ourselves:
   1. To adhere to at least the minimum suggested fee in the Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio areas for a champion or non-champion dog.
   2. While it probably would be useless to turn down a breeding of a poor quality bitch, since the owner would likely resort to some lesser stud and thus, do even more damage to the breed, it is the duty of the stud owner to counsel the prospective breeder on the Great Pyrenees standard and how to breed for it.
   3. To provide at least two (2) stud services during the bitch’s season, should the breeder so request, and at least one (1) return service at no charge in the event that no puppies are produced. Further, it is the responsibility of the stud owner top properly provide for visiting bitches and to breed them only with the stud specified by the owner. A change of stud dog is only permitted with the expressed consent of the owner of the bitch. Any breeding must be witnessed by at least the owner of the stud dog or by one (1) qualified person. All mating must conform to AKC regulations.
   
   
4. In exhibiting Great Pyrenees in the show ring, we pledge ourselves:
   1. To exhibit only representative specimens of the breed, both physically and temperamentally.
   2. To avoid altering our dogs surgically in any way, or administering drugs that would radically alter disposition.
   3. To accept victory or defeat in the show ring with equal sportsmanship, without boasting or recriminations.

When confronted by a situation not covered in this agreement, you shall conduct yourself as you would expect to be treated under similar circumstances in accordance with the Club Constitution and American Kennel Club regulations. Violators of this Code of Ethcs shall be called to the attention of the Board of Directors and action shall be taken as outlined under Article VI, Section 3, of the Constitution of the Great Pyrenees Club of Western Pennsylvania.