The Code of Ethics for a breeder wanting to join the BCCS and register puppies is as follows:
Care of Stock
- Each dog should receive a regular amount of daily exercise.
- Each dog should have access to fresh water every day
- Each dog should be adequately fed
- Adequate hygiene of food preparation area and vessels
- Warm and dry sleeping quarters
- All dogs must receive adequate veterinary care
Breeding Practices
- All breeding stock should be hip scored – elbow scoring is strongly recommended
- Maximum age to breed from is 8 years old
- Minimum age to breed is from 2 years old.
- Minimum age for pups to leave the breeder is 8 weeks
- Clean and hygienic facilities around puppies
- Breeder must not knowingly breed from any dog with a serious genetic fault e.g. epilepsy, heart problems etc
- Breeder is to ensure the puppies are thoroughly socialized.
- Pups must have 1st vaccine before leaving breeder house
- All pups microchipped before leaving breeder premises and registered with BCCS
- If artificial insemination is used, proof of insemination must be shown
- Breeders must not breed from close relatives (sibling or parent)
- Breeders are discouraged from breeding dogs for the Christmas market
- When breeding each bith must skip a season before litters
- Breeders should show best efforts to assist with rescue
Customer Care
- Breeder should always show puppy’s parents’ hereditary screening certificates
- Each owner to receive adequate puppy pack
- All pups to be sold with a contract
- Reasonable post sales support from breeder to new owners
- Breeder must either take back dogs or make best efforts to rehome unwanted, returned dogs.
- The breeder must make best efforts at correct owner selection
- A recommendation is made to join the Friend of Cane Corso website
- Breeders must be able to explain their aims and reasons for breeding
- Full disclosure of any minor cosmetic faults the parents are carrying
- Puppies to be insured when they leave the breeders house