Code of Ethics & Conduct

PREFACE
As a member of The Doodle.Me COOP, I
agree to uphold the principles of the COOP’s Constitution,
Bylaws, Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct and will protect
the interests of the Doodle in the manner reflecting
credit to myself, the Breed, and the COOP.

While understanding that the circumstances facing each
individual member are different, the Codes set forth a
standard of canine husbandry all COOP members should
strive to achieve.

The code is intended to provide each member with fundamental
behavior principles which will guide the COOP, the Yorkshire
Terrier breed and each member well in nearly all situations.

Code of Ethics
1) A breeder-member shall strive to conform to the Doodle Standard to improve progeny and to reduce faults to a minimum.
2) Members shall refer potential puppy purchasers to other reputable breeders and be helpful and courteous to those who request information about the breed.
3) A breeder-member selling puppies or offering stud services shall fully disclose to potential clients any serious or disabling hereditary defects, including the reasonable possibility of such defects.
4) A member shall not defame another member or the COOP nor seek to impair a member’s or the COOP’s reputation, provided however, a member shall report any serious situation, created by another member, that is detrimental to the breed or is inconsistent with these principles. This report should be in writing and sent to the Compliance Committee.
5) A member’s advertising: -shall be professional in appearance and location; -may refer to COOP membership but may not misuse COOP membership to attempt to enhance integrity or the quality of stock; -shall not contain any misleading photograph or other graphic materials; -shall not use terms such as “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, “doll faced”, or
similar terminology.
6) Members shall sponsor an applicant for membership only if the member has personally known the applicant for a minimum of two years. At least one of the sponsoring members must have visited the applicant’s facility one or more times during the two years immediately preceding the application date. Sponsorship is not to be taken lightly. Each sponsor must understand The Doodle.Me COOP and the Doodle are represented by each and every member individually, and careful consideration should be given to each candidate.

CODE OF CONDUCT
1) Assistance and encouragement shall be willingly offered by members to Show Novices and others needing advice and guidance. The welfare of the breed will be in their hands in the future.
2) All dogs will be kept under safe and sanitary conditions, be given proper nutrition, protection, and maximum health care including regular inoculations as advised by the member’s veterinarian.
3) Healthy spacing between litters will be a priority and unspayed bitches will be protected from unplanned matings. Bitches will in no case be bred before their second heat or before they are at least eighteen (18) months of age, whichever comes first, nor be placed at risk by an unreasonable number of cesarean sections and then only with the concurrence of a veterinarian.
4) Puppies will not be sold or consigned to pet stores, agents, or other commercial enterprises nor sold to disreputable breeders, and neither puppies, adult dogs, nor stud services will be offered as prizes or for raffles.
5) Prospective buyers will be screened as thoroughly as possible to determine their intent, as well as their ability and interest in providing a safe, adequate, loving environment and a long term relationship with a puppy or adult dog.
6) All puppies and dogs offered for sale will be sold with written Return to Breeder agreements and will request that the breeder be contacted in the event that at any time the owner is unable to keep the dog, it will be the obligation of the Breeder to assist in the placement of the dog in question.
7) Purchasers will be required to neuter/spay all puppies sold as pets. If specified in the written sales contract, the seller will promptly release limited registration forms upon receipt of a veterinarian’s certification of such spaying or neutering.
8) All puppies leaving the breeders possession will be a minimum of twelve (8) weeks of age to facilitate adequate socialization as well as appropriate emotional and temperament development through interaction with siblings, dam and other dogs.
9) Breeders will provide puppy buyers with details of feeding, general care, date and types of a minimum of 1 inoculations, as well as dates of wormings, grooming instructions, etc. and be available to offer future advice as needed.