ALANA Code of Ethics for Responsible Breeding Practices

1. I shall breed dogs only with the intention of improving the breed and conforming to the breed standard as recognized by the American Lamalese Association of North America (ALANA).
2. I shall, before breeding, consider the full responsibilities of placing each puppy in a suitable, carefully screened, safe and loving home. As the breeder, I will accept full responsibility for every dog that I breed and will ask that I am contacted whenever the owner of a dog bred by me can no longer keep a dog at any time in the dog’s life. As the owner of the stud dog, I shall assist in the placement of any dog sired by my stud dog whose breeder of record has side-stepped his/her responsibility to the progeny.
3. I shall keep all dogs in a secure home environment and provide excellent facilities for prenatal and postnatal care of the dam and puppies with maximum care and attention toward appropriate socialization, health protection through veterinary checkups, regular inoculations, and proper nutrition.
4. I shall use only temperamentally and physically sound parent dogs which have been, at a minimum, genetically screened for heritable eye disease and patellar luxation resulting in eligibility for CERF and OFA certification, doing everything possible to prevent passing on devastating genetic defects.
5. I shall permit stud service only to registered, healthy, quality bitches owned by individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they will give the dogs proper care and attention and who are in agreement with this Code of Ethics. Before entering into any breeding agreement, I shall carefully analyze the conformations and the pedigrees of the prospective sire and dam and, in keeping the breed standard clearly in mind, refuse the mating if in my opinion it will not be in the best interest of the breed. If I deny stud service, I will explain my reasons to the owner of the bitch.
6. I shall preferably breed a bitch only once per year and in not more than two consecutive seasons, unless the interval between seasons is eight months or more apart. They will not be bred before or after such age is customary for their type of breed. Exceptions would be considered only if verified by a qualified veterinarian that such breeding would not be detrimental to the health, welfare and general well-being of the individual dog.
7. I shall take the time to educate buyers about the American Lamalese breed, the particular dog they are purchasing, and general care and training. I shall be available to answer questions and help with problem solving throughout the dog’s life.
8. I shall require puppy purchasers to spay or neuter all pet quality American Lamalese which for any reason, obvious to me as their breeder by the age of seven weeks or before delivery has been arranged with the new owner, may not be qualified to be used for breeding. The puppy will be registered with ALANA and “not for breeding purposes” will be indicated on the registration documentation.
9. I shall not sell or place a puppy in a new home until he or she is at least eight weeks old, except those being shipped unescorted which shall be at least ten weeks old.
10. I shall provide full disclosure to the buyer on all dogs and puppies sold. Full disclosure covers all medical records, a photocopy of the ALANA Litter Registration form and/or the Certificate of Registration Application (Record of Sale or Transfer of this Dog) for the buyer’s signature which is to be returned to me for submission to ALANA, a five-generation pedigree, and complete information on the history, temperament and health of the dog or puppy.
11. I shall, in the interest of improving the American Lamalese breed, maintain records on all puppies and dogs sold and stud services provided, and shall provide adequate written contractual proof of sale and guarantees.
12. I shall not place at auction , donate for raffle, or sell or consign puppies or adult dogs to pet stores, brokers or other commercial dealers.
13. I shall not degrade other breeders or other dogs. If I have reservations about them, my refusal to comment will be sufficient.
14. I shall ensure that my dogs are not a nuisance to my neighbors or my community and I shall abide by the laws governing responsible pet ownership.
15. I shall conduct myself at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit upon myself, the sport of purebred dogs, and the American Lamalese breed in particular.