Selecting a Breeder - DOE Breeder Guide - Breeders Code of Ethics

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Understanding WHY
these are the Breeders Code of Ethics

The Breeder will have the welfare of their breeding dogs and their Labradoodles and/or Goldendoodles foremost in mind and never knowingly or willingly do anything that compromises their well being.

Why: As a potential doodle owner you do not want to support any breeder who is willing to do anything that is unsafe, unhealthy are unkind to their animals. A breeders’ failure to do this could potentially influence the quality of life and temperament the dog that you obtain. 

The Breeder will ensure that they have the necessary time, facilities and resources to properly care for the all the dogs on their property.

Why: As a potential doodle owner you do not want to support any breeder who is unable to spend the time and effort it takes to raise happy and well-adjusted dogs. All the dogs on their property should be well cared for and protected.

The Breeder will provide quality shelter, nourishment, grooming, exercise, proper socialization, health protection and veterinary care for all the dogs.

Why: As a potential doodle owner you do not want to support any breeder who is unable to provide the necessary health care. All the dogs on their property should be medically well cared for. You will want the doodle you bring home to come from the best possible situation anad be as healthy as possible. 

The Breeder will never sell, give or trade their breeding dogs. Labradoodles or Goldendoodles to a research laboratory, pet shop, broker, and dealer or to anyone known to sell to such enterprises.

Why: As a potential doodle owner you do not want to support any breeder who is willing to sell or hand over any of their dogs that could be put at risk. The breeder should want to know exactly where and whom their dogs are being given to and that the dogs will be safe and well cared for. Dogs given or sold to laboratories are often used in research and can be subjected to serious, often painful and fatal experiments. Pet stores, brokers and dealers promote irresponsible breeding and sell to people who are often purchasing a dog on a whim. These dogs are often the dogs that get dumped at pounds and shelters. 

The Breeder will never abandon or place their breeding dogs, Labradoodles
or Goldendoodles
(dogs or puppies) in a shelter, pound, SPCA, Humane Society
or similar facility.

Why: As a potential doodle owner you do not want to support any breeder who is willing to turn over any of their animals to a shelter. This puts the dogs at high risk of being killed or placed into unsuitable homes. 

The Breeder will perform due diligence in selecting and pairing their breeding dogs, and will perform at a minimum, hip testing on medium and standard size breeding dogs. Hip testing is optional for miniature breeding dogs. They will provide a breeding dogs’ medical history, medical test results and pedigrees upon the request of a prospective purchaser.

Why: Hip testing on the parents of a doodle is a minimum requirement. This hip test can reduce the chances of hip problems with your doodle. It cannot eliminate, but can reduce the risks. There are several other medical tests and screenings that a breeder may elect to do. Each breeder determines which of those tests they feel are important
to their breeding program.
(Be sure to download the Breeder Questionaire to see what many of those tests are.)

The Breeder will not knowingly breed any dog that has been diagnosed
with any significant medical condition that affects the health of the dog or puppies.
Nor shall the Breeder knowingly breed any dog that has received poor test scores
for condition(s) that can potentially affects the health and long term quality of life
of the puppies.

Why: You do not want to support any breeder who is willing to continue to breed dogs (or combinations) that are creating unhealthy puppies or is putting their breeding dogs at risk.

The Breeder will not dock healthy tails of the Labradoodles or Goldendoodles.

Why: The doodle tail is a natural feature of the dog. Some countries have outlawed this practice as well deeming it inhumane and unnecessary. As long as there is no medical reason the dogs should not be subjected to this.

The Breeder will only breed dogs with balanced temperaments. (Extreme shyness or aggressiveness will not be bred.)

Why: An extremely shy or aggressive parent can influence the temperament of the puppies. Families are looking for balanced temperament dogs that can live a lifetime with them. Extremely shy or aggressive dogs tend to be unsuitable for the typical family.

The Breeder's facility shall, at some point in the purchase of a puppy, be available for viewing by the buyer. The Breeder can restrict the conditions, area and time available for such viewing in order to protect the health of their dogs.

Why: It is reasonable that a breeder will have precautions to protect their dogs and puppies. However, they must be able to strike a balance. One of the best ways to assure that a potential owner is locating the right breeder for them is to be able to meet with them face to face and also see the environment, which their puppy may come from.

The Breeder will provide a minimum of a 2-year written Health Warranty, which will be provided for each puppy sold. 

Why:  A breeder can do everything right but sometimes even Mother Nature can throw a curve ball. Even a breeder who tests their dogs cannot reduce all risks. This Health Warranty is what will help the puppy owner and the breeder determine how those problems will be handled. This piece of paper will be very important if your puppy has a serious medical problem.

The Breeder will provide the Health Warranty (either electronic or paper) to any person considering one of their dogs. A deposit or commitment is not required for this information. 

Why: Prior to getting a puppy it is important to read the Health Warranty carefully. Make sure you completely understand how things will be handled in the event that you have a seriously sick puppy. Do not accept any Health Warranty that requires you to return your dog. Reason: if you have had your dog for a year and then find out he has a life altering medical issue you do not want to have to return you family member to the breeder. 

The Breeder will carefully screen prospective purchasers to find the most suitable homes. The Breeder will not place a puppy in a new home before the age of eight weeks.

Why: You want to support breeders who really care about where their dogs end up. The failure to make good decisions on placement of their dogs can put the dog at great risk. A puppy younger than eight weeks has the potential of having behavioral issues if taken away from his mother too soon. He has not had an opportunity to learn from his mother proper "dog manners."

The Breeder will provide each dog purchaser with at least the following:
1. A written contract and/or agreement explaining the terms of sale
2. A minimum of a two-year Health Warranty
3. Complete and accurate medical records of the puppy
4. Details on proper care and feeding 

The Breeder will encourage (or require) doodle purchaser to:
1. Spay or Neuter their puppy
2. Provide indoor shelter
3. Properly train and socialize
4. Provide proper vet care, nutrition and exercise
5. Contact them in the event that they can no longer keep the doodle

Why: Having a clear understanding of these things can only benefit the potential owner, the breeder and the puppy. Just good practices to help a puppy family adjust. 

The Breeder may permit guardianships, stud services and lease studs or bitches, but only to individuals who give satisfactory evidence they will give them proper care and attention and are in accord with this Code of Ethics.

Why: This goes back to breeders assuring that their animals are treated well and properly. 

The Breeder will strive to be easy to talk to, eager to answer questions, responsive in returning calls or e-mails in a timely manner.

Why: If you are uncomfortable or you don’t feel like you and breeder understand each other you should find another breeder. This breeder needs to be someone that you can talk to in the event that you have any problems or questions after you have brought your puppy home. You don’t need to be best friends but you do need to know that you have a healthy relationship.

The Breeder will refrain from any deceptive advertising and will be honest and professional when dealing with other breeders, potential doodle owners and doodle owners.

Why: You should not support any breeder who is willing to deceive, be less than honest and professional. They are offering their professional services you should demand professional practices. Don’t reward anyone (by giving them your money) for anything less than honest, fair and nice.

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All Breeders listed on the Doodle Owners Endorsed guide have agreed to either meet or exceed the Breeders Code of Ethics
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