IPBA Code of Ethics

As a member of the International Patterdale Breeders Association Inc., I promise to

uphold the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws, and pledge the following:

BREEDING

1.  Any IPBA member who offers dogs for stud, or produces one or more litters   

     of  puppies per year, will be considered a breeder.  As a breeder, you are responsible

     for everything associated with the breeding and any resulting offspring,  and must

     comply with all IPBA rules and regulations. To breed only dogs which are free from

     known genetic defect, in order to avoid the introduction of detrimental factors.

2.  Both sire and dam must be registered with the IPBA prior to whelping, in order to

     register a litter of puppies with the IPBA.

3.  To breed only those dogs which are highly representative of the breed standard. To

     refuse to sell any dog which does not meet Breed Standards for breeding purposes.

     To sell the dog as a pet, only after the dog is neutered or spayed, or with a contract

     stating that the dog will be spayed or neutered at the earliest possible opportunity.

4.  Breed only healthy, mature bitches. Bitches should not be bred before the third heat,

     and no dog should be bred within two heats after whelping a litter. Bitches over the

     age of seven (7) years should not be bred without prior examination, consultation, and

     approval by a licensed veterinarian.

5.  In the event a dog or bitch of your breeding, or which you own, is found to have or

     carry a serious genetic defect, it is your ethical responsibility to notify all owners of

     dogs that have been  bred to or by said terrier, or have offspring or relatives of said 

     terrier, tested for the genetic defect as soon as possible. Breeders will openly and honestly

     discuss the genetic and physical problems or defects that they have encountered with       

     prospective buyers. Breeders should do everything possible to minimize the spread of

     genetic or temperamental defects to the breed as a whole.

6.  Do not breed any bitch to more than one stud dog during a single heat period. Should

     a second breeding by another stud dog occur unintentionally, the resulting litter  

     should be sold as pets only with a signed spay/neuter contract,  and no pedigree

     or stud / bitch information provided to prevent fraudulent  registry in other

     applicable Patterdale registries.

 STUD SERVICES

1.  As the owner of a stud dog, you are responsible for all actions associated with your

     stud dog. When offering stud service to outside bitches, you are considered one party

     to the breeding, and you are therefore responsible for insuring the fitness of said bitch    

     for breeding, but not for resulting offspring.  However, it is your responsibility to the

     breed, to help ensure that the prospective litter will be free of genetic defects, and

     meet the standard of IPBA health and conformation standards.

2.  To only offer for stud, healthy mature dogs with no known genetic defects, over 1 year

     of age, or more preferably 18 months of age.

3.  Stud dogs and prospective breeding bitches should have brucellosis testing at least 6

     weeks prior to any breeding, or prior to freezing semen for artificial insemination.

4.  Disclosure of any information of known genetic traits or conditions in the terriers

     ancestry, should be made to the owners of any prospective dog buyer .

HEALTH CARE

1.  To maintain all terriers in clean and sanitary conditions, free from infectious   

     diseases, parasites, and possible hazardous materials or chemicals.

2.  To provide suitable housing and run areas of adequate size, with safety features

     to ensure positive containment of  your terriers. To never kennel Patterdale Terriers

     on wire flooring, with the exception of portable pens used for short duration during

     show or trial events.

3.  Provide maximum health protection through regular inoculations, worming, and

     preventative medications provided or recommended by a veterinarian , and by periodic  

     examination by a licensed veterinarian.

4.  To maintain the mental health and well-being of your Patterdale(s) through human

     and other canine contact,  and vigorous regular exercise offering mental challenge or

     problem solving tasks. ( Patterdales are smart dogs and need challenging play.)

 SALES

1.  All potential buyers should be carefully screened, educating them on all aspects of the

     unique nature of the Patterdale Terrier.  Sell only to individuals that can give adequate

     evidence that they have a satisfactory understanding of the needs and environment a

     Patterdale needs, and will give the terrier the proper care, attention, and exercise

     required for a Patterdale Terrier. 

2.  The breeder must accurately and honestly represent the qualities of his or her terriers

     to the purchaser. Knowingly using misleading or false statements in selling or

     advertising, knowingly falsifying a pedigree, or failure to disclose to prospective

     buyers any information about genetic conditions previously produced by the sire or

     dam, or known genetic conditions in the terrier’s ancestry, are reasons for expulsion

     from the IPBA, and refusal to register any offspring from said dog.

3.  Puppies must be at a minimum of eight (8) weeks of age, prior to leaving the breeder’s

     possession. This includes shipping, or any other type of delivery, or buyer pickup,

     under any circumstances. No Exceptions !

4.  Never to supply dogs to or for any commercial enterprise.  This includes pet stores,

     puppy mills, medical laboratory’s, brokers, nor supply terriers for raffles, prizes, or

     similar projects. To never place any terrier into shelters, pounds, or to abandon any  

     terrier in a boarding facility, or lost during a hunt in familiar or unfamiliar territory.

5.  Clear and concise written contracts or agreements, signed and dated by both parties,

     are required to document the sale or transfer of ownership of all terriers. It is also

     recommended that all contracts be notarized for the protection of both parties.

     It is IPBA  policy, that all contracts include a clause that any time the owner cannot

     keep the dog, the breeder has first right of return, or may offer information for

     placement in another home, or be sold with the breeder’s approval of  the new owner.

     It is also required that contracts require spay/neuter where the terrier is known to

     possess or carry any gene responsible for genetic defects.

6.  The forms required for IPBA registration, must be provided with all puppies sold.

     Registration requirements include a minimum four generation pedigree, signed by the

     breeder. The pedigree should include as much information as possible, such as coat

     type,  coat color, registration numbers if any, and other pertinent information known   

     of the lineage of said dog. The pedigree should also include:

      a)  The name, description, and birth date of the terrier.

      b)  The name, address, phone number and signature of the breeder.

7.  If a puppy is considered non registerable or of non breeding quality, the breeder must

     provide a written, signed and dated contract or agreement stating the same to the

     buyer. The contract or agreement must require spay or neuter at the earliest possible   

     date, and no pedigree will be provided, to prevent fraudulent  registry in other

     applicable Patterdale registries.

8.  It is mandatory that buyers be provided with a written health certificate signed by a

     licensed veterinarian, all records of  worming and inoculations, and general care

     information at the time of the sale. Including but not limited to, feeding and

     general care instructions. Several days supply of the puppy’s current food is also

     recommended to prevent dysentery from dietary change . 

9.  To  spay or neuter any mature dog or bitch with a known genetic defect prior

     to selling or placing for adoption, or to have a spay/neuter contract clause in

     place to ensure spay or neuter at the earliest possible date.

10. If a terrier which you have bred is located in a shelter or other rescue, be prepared to

      take possession of the terrier, or to make arrangements for its placement in an

      appropriate home. Breeders found to be in violation of this requirement will be

      prohibited from exhibiting in or at any IPBA sanctioned event, and may be subject to

      further sanctions by the Board of Directors. Placing an IPBA registered dog in a

      shelter will result in expulsion from the IPBA.

11. IPBA policy on co-ownerships.

      Co-Ownership of IPBA registered dogs is prohibited. The IPBA will recognize only

      one owner for any registered dog. This leaves no question of who's dog is who's.

      Leasing of dogs is prohibited under IPBA regulation. Limited time transfer of ownership

      for breeding purposes is also prohibited under IPBA policy, and anyone found to be

      in violation of this policy is subject to expulsion from the IPBA.

      ______________________________________              _______________

                            Signature of Member                                            Date