Northern Newfoundland Club
Good Practice Guidelines for Breeding
You can download a copy of the Good Practice Guide (Word) Here
You can download a copy of the Good Practice Guide (PDF) Here
1. Breeding a litter of Newfoundlands is not a task to be entered
into lightly. It is more than a commitment to looking after puppies
for almost 3 months; it is a commitment to provide the necessary
support to those puppies for the rest of their lives.
2. Breeding should only take place between two Newfoundlands registered
with the Kennel Club.
3. Owners should only breed a litter if they have the time and
facilities to devote proper care and attention to the rearing of
the puppies, including socialisation, and the well-being of the
dam. Breeders are responsible for the stock they have bred and should
be prepared to take back and either keep or re-house dogs of their
own breeding, no matter how old, and only use the Welfare Scheme
as a last resort.
4. The purpose of breeding is to maintain or improve the quality
of the Newfoundland in accordance with the Breed Standard. Careful
selection of the sire and dam with an eye to conformation and temperament
is essential. Only after careful study of the Breed Standard, the
health of the individuals and near relatives, the pedigrees and
basic principles of genetics should the mating proceed.
5. All animals to be bred shall have sound and typical structure
and conformation, shall be of sound temperament, free from crippling
or disabling hereditary defects and in good physical condition.
6. Only a Newfoundland (dog or bitch) which consistently produces
offspring free from such hereditary defects from different mates
should be used for breeding.
7. All dogs and bitches to be used for breeding shall have their
hips scored under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme and only Newfoundlands
with as low a score as possible used for breeding. Breeders are
expected to take every reasonable step to contribute to the lowering
of the Breed Average in accordance with the best Veterinary and
Genetic Advice currently available at the time of breeding.
8. All dogs and bitches to be used for breeding shall have their
hearts tested and graded by a veterinary cardiologist. This should
be by means of a colour flow Echo Doppler and only dogs/bitches
passed as free from abnormalities to be bred from. All dogs and
bitches should have a colour flow echo Doppler examination performed
by a veterinary surgeon with a diploma in veterinary cardiology
every two years.
9. The cystinuria status of all dogs and bitches to be used for
breeding be determined by DNA testing and mating carried out with
the objective of eliminating this genetic fault from the breed.
10. A bitch should only be mated whilst between the ages of 2 (two)
years and 7 (seven) years. A first litter should only be produced
when under the age of 5 (five) years. There must be at least 12
(twelve) months between litters.
11. A litter should be bred only when suitable homes will be found
for all the puppies.
12. It is the individual and joint responsibilities of the
owners of the stud dog and brood bitch to ensure that the proposed
mating complies with the above requirements.
13. Prospective owners of puppies should be screened for
suitability by means of a home visit; they should be advised of
breed characteristics, the need for grooming, exercise and specialised
feeding as a puppy as well as the advantages and disadvantages of
raising a Newfoundland. Insurance is another matter that needs to
be thought about.
14. Puppies should have a health check by a veterinary
surgeon before going to their new homes. Transfers should only be
made of healthy stock and only after they are 7 (seven) weeks of
age. Transfers should only be made to the final owner and not to
any intermediary.
15. Newfoundlands should only
be sold in this country or to countries which have a reciprocal
agreement with the Kennel Club and not to those countries, which
by reason of climate or philosophy, are unsuitable.
16. Kennel Club Registration
should be obtained as soon as possible and provided to the new owner
preferably at the time of collection but certainly within 3 (three)
months. The endorsements 'Progeny not eligible for Registration
(R)' and 'Not eligible for the issue of an Export Pedigree (X)'
should be placed on KC record and on the Registration Certificate.
These restrictions can subsequently be raised by the breeder if
they think appropriate. It is advisable to give the purchaser advanced
written notice of this and all other condition of transfer
before any sale is completed.
17. As well as providing the
Registration Certificate with the change of ownership section duly
completed, the breeder should provide at collection the following:-
- A five generation pedigree, showing any known relevant colours
as well as any health screening - hip, elbow, heart scores and
cystinuria status.
- Written information on any veterinary treatment - inoculation,
worming, etc., - that has been provided.
- A dietary requirements sheet from puppy to adulthood, together
with possible sources as well as enough of the dog's current
diet for at least 4 days.
- Information on responsible dog ownership and training.
- A copy of the Kennel Club General Code of Ethics.
- A Northern Newfoundland Club membership application form (unless
they are already a member).
- New owners should be advised to have their puppy checked by
their own veterinarian within 48 hours of arriving home.
18. Breeders should be willing
to provide advice and assistance to owners of their stock. However,
this is a two way process and thus owners should keep their dog's
breeder informed of it's health and progress and contact the breeder
at the first sign of any problems.
19. Advertising may be read by persons having little or no
knowledge of dogs. Thus all advertising should not promote
any particular breeding through misleading or exaggerated statements
or distortion of fact, or through stated or implied deprecation
of the Newfoundlands of others.
THE KENNEL CLUB GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
Members should note:- The registered owners of all Kennel Club
registered dogs accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake
to abide by this General
Code Of Ethics:
Members are recommended to obtain a copy of the current
edition of this booklet direct from the Kennel Club and they should
also take note of all the current Statutory Legislation and Kennel
Club Regulations with regards Dog Breeders, Breeding and applications
to register a litter and/or a single puppy.
You can download a copy of the Good Practice Guide (Word) Here
You can download a copy of the Good Practice Guide (PDF) Here
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