Code of Ethics

As a member of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Canada (herein named “LRCC”), I:

1. consider the welfare of the breed and refrain from actions contrary to the best interests of the breed or the LRCC;
2. advertise factually and honestly about the Lagotto Romagnolo and agree to be open and honest in all matters regarding my Lagotto Romagnolo and the breed in general;
3. share knowledge truthfully, constructively and respectfully when conveying information about members and members’ breeding programs;
4. shall not use abusive or defamatory language when conveying information about the breed, the LRCC or other member breeders;
5. shall encourage the participation with the club and its activities with other Lagotto Romagnolo owners or prospective owners;
6. shall keep only as many dogs as legislated in my municipality and for which I can provide a high standard of overall care;
7. shall provide appropriate nutrition, veterinary care, grooming, training, exercise and supervision to ensure my dogs are well mannered, kept in safe conditions, and are not abused or neglected. I do not allow my dog(s) to roam at large unsupervised nor to become a public nuisance;
8. shall keep the best interests of the club in mind, be respectful towards all other club members and work in conjunction with the Code of Ethics of the CKC in this regard;
9. shall provide the LRCC with registration information of all Lagotto Romagnolo that I own for the purposes of CKC accreditation;
10. understand that any misrepresentation to the LRCC and its Board of Directors and respective committees may result in disciplinary action including but not limited to expulsion;
11. understand that violation of this Code of Ethics can subject me to the disciplinary processes provided by the LRCC and may subject me to reprimand, suspension or revocation of my membership to the LRCC.

As a breeder and/or owner/member who breeds and/or places Lagotto Romagnolo in new homes, I:

1. will promote the standard of the breed by:
• using the breed standard created by the FCI and adapted by the CKC for the Lagotto Romagnolo to assess the suitability of temperament and type for exhibition and breeding;
• breeding for the characteristics set forth in the CKC standard for the Lagotto Romagnolo;
• participating in and/or support events which promote the breed standard and reflect the breed’s history and heritage such as specialty shows and performance events when possible.
2. only breed dogs whose progeny are eligible for registration with the CKC.  I will not participate in the breeding of unregistered dogs nor will I sell dogs with the option of registration or alter the selling price based on registration;
3. will not breed my Lagotto Romagnolo to any other breed nor will I offer stud services to anyone intending to breed to any other breed;
4. only use breeding stock with sound temperament, in good health, with no known hereditary or congenital diseases and is free of parasites and communicable diseases;
5. will test all of my breeding stock for the benign familial juvenile epilepsy gene. I will ensure that at least one parent of any breeding has tested clear/free (-/-) of the gene mutation or is clear by parentage as certified by OFA. Carrier dogs should only be bred to partners who are free of the gene mutation. Affected dogs should be eliminated from breeding programs;
6. will test all of my breeding stock for the improper coat gene. I will ensure that at least one parent of any breeding has tested clear/free (-/-) of the gene mutation or is clear by parentage as certified by OFA.  Carrier dogs should only be bred to partners who are free of the gene mutation. Affected dogs should be eliminated from breeding programs;
7. will test my breeding stock for the lysosomal storage gene. I will ensure that at least one parent of any breeding has tested clear/free (-/-) of the gene mutation or is clear by parentage as certified by OFA. Carrier dogs should only be bred to partners who are free of the gene mutation. Affected dogs should be eliminated from breeding programs;
8. will endeavour to test my breeding stock for the neuroaxonal dystrophy gene. I will ensure that at least one parent of any breeding has tested clear/free (-/-) of the gene mutation or is clear by parentage as certified by OFA. Carrier dogs should only be bred to partners who are free of the gene mutation. Affected dogs should be eliminated from breeding programs;
9. will only use dogs with an OFA hip score of “Fair” or better (or equivalent of B or better using the International Hip Dysplasia Rating scale) or a PennHip score of 0.65 or better bilaterally for my breeding program;
10. will ensure that all of my breedings dogs that are 2 years of age or older have a permanent hip score. PennHip scores are equally acceptable if performed at 16 weeks of age or older. All hip evaluations, OFA or International equivalent (PennHip excluded), performed between the ages of 12-24 months are considered preliminary hip scores and hip evaluations performed before the age of 12 months are not considered valid for the purposes of breeding.
11. will only use dogs with an OFA patella score of “Normal” or “Grade 1” as certified by OFA at 12 months of age or older for my breeding program. Dogs with an OFA score of “Grade 2” or worse, either unilaterally or bilaterally, shall be eliminated from breeding programs;
12. in the event that a dog with an OFA patella score of “Grade 1”, either unilaterally or bilaterally, shall only be bred to a partner which received an OFA patella score of “Normal” bilaterally;
13. only breed bitches who are 18 months of age or older at time of mating;
14. only breed dogs (males) who are 12 months of age or older at the time of mating;
15. ensure that when breeding a dog/bitch that is under the age of two (2), the breeding partner must be two (2) years of age or older;
16. ensure that all dogs/bitches who are bred under the age of two (2) have a score or equivalent of A or better using the International Hip Dysplasia Rating scale or has a PennHip score better than a 0.65 bilaterally for my breeding program;
17. am knowledgeable about the genetic diseases affecting the Lagotto Romagnolo and work to reduce and eliminate the occurrence of these and other diseases;
18. ensure my breeding stock’s eyes are examined by a board certified ophthalmologist and certified by OFA prior to the first breeding and every year thereafter in which that dog is bred (annual exams are considered best practice and highly recommended);
19. keep accurate health records on my breeding stock and will submit the results of health testing as required within this code of ethics to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA.org) database;
20. keep accurate breeding records of all matings and all homes where puppies are placed;
21. use and abide by a written stud dog contract for each breeding when using a stud dog and pay all stud fees as required by the terms of the stud dog contract;
22. neither place Lagotto Romagnolo with nor provide stud dog service to:
• Pet dealers;
• Wholesalers;
• Brokers;
• Laboratories;
• Individuals conducting raffles, contests, auctions, or other types of giveaways, or;
• Anyone unethical in their dealings with the public or their dealings with or treatment of animals.
23. only place Lagotto Romagnolo puppies that are at least 8 weeks of age or older;
24. provide new owners at the time of placement with:
• applicable registration papers/applications; for non-breeding dogs, I provide either limited or non-breeding registrations;
• all pertinent medical information;
• a written contract detailing all guarantees, obligations and expectations of breeder/seller and buyer.
25. provide assistance to dogs I have bred in need of rehoming taking the dog back or finding a suitable home.  Stud dog owners should also assist with rehoming of dogs sired by their stud dogs;
26. will not be swayed by commercial interests.  The selling price of puppies is based solely on quality and fair market value.  I will not seek to undersell other breeders;

As an owner or handler of a Lagotto at any dog event, I:

1. am responsible for the dog’s well-being, conduct and appearance;
2. compete with dogs that reflect the best possible image of the Lagotto Romagnolo;
3. ensure my dog(s) conform as closely as possible to the breed Standard as approved in the country of exhibition for conformation events;
4. ensure my dog(s) are neat, clean and in appropriate condition for their sport for companion events;
5. conduct myself in a professional and sportsmanlike manner at dog events and at public facilities supporting those events, reflecting the best possible image of participants in the sport of purebred dogs;
6. assist newcomers interested in learning about or participating in events;
7. ensure that in all dog related activities, the dog’s welfare takes precedence over considerations of breeders, trainers, owners, organizations, sponsors, and officials.