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American Rottweiler Club Mandatory Practices

These MANDATORY PRACTICES are established in accordance with the objectives of The AMERICAN ROTTWEILER CLUB. Adherence to these MANDATORY PRACTICES is required of all members.

INTRODUCTION: The Rottweiler is above all a working dog and must exhibit the temperament, intelligence and structure of a working companion. The physical appearance should be as described in the Rottweiler Standard approved by the American Kennel Club May 8, 1990.

AS AN ARC MEMBER, I SHALL ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY PRACTICES:

  1. Study and strive to conserve and improve the breed in structure, temperament and working ability, never sacrificing one for the others.
  2. Breed only AKC registered dogs and bitches which have OFA certified hips (or HD-free hips as certified by foreign counterparts of the OFA). Imported Rottweilers must have OFA hip certification within six months after arrival in U.S.A. If frozen semen is used from an imported Rottweiler, the dog must be x-rayed and certified by the OFA or foreign counterpart at no less than 24 months of age. Breed only dogs and bitches of stable temperament with no disqualifying physical faults according to the AKC Rottweiler Standard (i.e., entropion, ectropion, overshot, undershot, wry mouth, two or more missing teeth, unilateral cryptorchid or cryptorchid males, long coat, any base color other than black, absence of all markings.)
  3. Offer at stud, with a signed, written contract, only mature (two years of age or older) healthy dogs with OFA certified normal hips, free of communicable diseases, having none of the faults listed in Section 2 above. Refuse stud service to any bitch not meeting the same requirements.
  4. Breed only bitches two years of age or older with OFA certified normal hips, in good health, free of communicable diseases, having none of the faults listed above in Section 2, to not more than one stud dog at any one season, and not more than two out of three consecutive seasons. Plan all litters with the goal of improving the breed.
  5. Maintain the highest possible standards of health, cleanliness and care of all dogs. Dogs shall be contained within safe restrictions when the breeder/owner cannot personally supervise their safety.
  6. Choose names for AKC registration which do not use prefixes or kennel names associated with other recognized breeders of Rottweilers in the U.S., Canada, Germany or any other foreign country, unless written permission is obtained from the original user of the name.
  7. Sell all dogs with a signed, written contract. All dogs/puppies sold must be guaranteed to be in healthy condition, including adequate protection against known diseases. Keep and pass on to buyers accurate health, breeding and registration records and pedigree records of at least three generations. Registration papers may be withheld or breeder's rights retained only by mutual agreement in writing, signed by both parties. Require that all Rottweilers not purchased as show and breeding stock be made incapable of reproducing, and require that limited registration "blue slips" be provided, or that registration papers be withheld until a veterinarian's certificate is received as proof of sterilization. Release puppies to their new home only after they reach seven weeks of age.
  8. Evaluate honestly according to the AKC Rottweiler Standard, and state clearly to the Buyer the quality of any Rottweiler sold. All advertising shall be honest and informative and shall in no way misrepresent the stock offered. Prices shall be based on individual merit and shall not be included in any advertising.
  9. Sell only to responsible persons and not knowingly sell to anyone or any entity who engages in any activity which might exploit the breed. Rottweilers shall not be given as prizes, offered in raffles, or sold at auctions, nor shall Rottweilers be exploited in any detrimental manner.
  10. Breeders recognize that they have a lifetime responsibility for puppies produced by their brood bitch or stud dog. Breeders and stud dog owners recognize the inherent obligation to provide a stable environment that protects each puppy's physical and emotional well being. This includes helping to relocate to a new home a puppy (or adult dog) with which the owner is dissatisfied, or taking that puppy (or adult) back. Any provisions for refunds or reimbursement of expenses shall be handled in the contract between breeder and owner. No puppy or adult dog bred or owned by an ARC member shall be disposed of in an animal shelter or pound unless required to do so by law.
  11. Observe the highest standards of sportsmanship and good will at shows, obedience and herding trials, and at any other event involving Rottweilers. Assist all newcomers to the breed so that they may be guided in the ways that can best conserve and improve the Rottweiler.

AS AN ARC MEMBER, I SHALL ENCOURAGE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED PRACTICES:

  1. Encourage working titles to retain the breed's correct working temperament. Encourage the showing of future breeding animals in the conformation ring, keeping in mind that the purpose of such shows is to improve the breed by objective evaluation of the animals in competition according to the Breed Standard.
  2. Encourage the recommendation that all dogs should be tattooed or microchipped in an individual and identifiable manner before having hips x-rayed. Also encourage the recommendation that all dogs have their eyes checked yearly by a veterinary ophthalmologist and that the presence of other hereditary diseases such as elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease, subaortic stenosis and hypothyroidism be checked for prior to breeding.
As a member of the American Rottweiler Club, I have read and understand that I shall be required to abide by the above Mandatory Practices in all ways. I understand that these Mandatory Practices are applicable to all dogs owned, co-owned or leased by or from me. I further agree to abide by the above Recommended Practices to the best of my ability.

I understand and agree that upon receipt of sufficient written proof of violations of these Mandatory Practices, the Board of Directors will proceed according to the Constitution of the American Rottweiler Club, Article VI. I further understand and agree that should I, through no fault of my own, be in violation of any of the aforementioned provisions, I shall have recourse to the Board of Directors.

Revised 5/99
© 1999 American Rottweiler Club

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