This Code of Ethics is presented as Standards of Conduct for members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United
States of America, Inc. (RRCUS) whose foremost aims should be the welfare and improvement of the Breed. The purpose
of the Code of Ethics is to set forth standards to which the (RRCUS) would have its members adhere, in order to further
the goals and purposes set forth in the constitution and bylaws of the RRCUS. This Code of Ethics is established to aid
them in that pursuit. These Standards of Conduct are presented with the realization that ethics are difficult to regulate
and that most individuals desire and intend to do what is right.
I. HEALTH
1. All dogs shall be kept in a clean, healthy, and safe environment.
2. Dogs will be provided with all nutrition, exercise, socialization, vaccinations, deworming, and external parasite control
and appropriate veterinary treatment necessary to provide maximum mental and physical well-being.
3. When a Rhodesian Ridgeback (neonate through adult) must be euthanized, the procedure should be humanely
performed.
II. BREEDING: A breeder’s aim and foremost responsibility shall be to produce the healthiest and best representatives
of the breed possible.
1. Each litter shall be the result of conscientious planning, including consideration of physical and genetic health,
soundness, temperament and conformity to the official standard of the breed as established by the RRCUS and
approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
a. In order to protect the health and safety of the stud dog and brood bitch (as well as resulting puppies) it is
recommended that both dog and bitch have pre-breeding veterinary screenings to certify that they are in good breeding
condition. Tests may include, but are not limited to: brucella test, urinalysis (dog), vaginal exam, and vaginal culture.
b. Dogs and bitches bred under the age of 24 months, must have preliminary screenings certified clear of hip and elbow
dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Pennhip or comparable foreign registry and then they must
have final screenings done when the dog or bitch is bred over the age of 24 months. Dogs and bitches bred over the age
of 24 months, must have final screenings certified clear of hip and elbow dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals (OFA), Pennhip or comparable foreign registry.
c. RRCUS has identified other strongly recommended screenings that are outlined in the Canine Information Center
(CHIC), such as a complete thyroid panel from an OFA approved laboratory or ACVIM Board certified Internal Medical
specialist, cardiac certification (OFA or cardiologist evaluation), CERF* EOAD, DNA and/or BAER testing, and
degenerative myelopathy DNA testing. RRCUS strongly recommends the testing be performed on all breeding stock,
recognizing that a CHIC certification does not require a passing grade. If there is a reason to believe that screening
results are not accurate, repeat evaluations are recommended. Breeders shall endeavor to stay current in their
knowledge of all known heritable diseases present in the breed and demonstrate reasonable care in eliminating those
diseases. Full disclosure of all health screening results shall been made available to all involved in a potential breeding,
prior to that breeding taking place. (*indicates annual re-test requirement)
d. Only mature adult dogs shall be used in a breeding program. Additional precautions, including a veterinarian
consultation, should be taken when breeding a bitch over seven (7) years and under 18 months of age. Dogs and bitches
under 24 months of age may only be bred if preliminary genetic clearances have been obtained (see “B” and “C above)
e. Dogs born after 2000 whose semen has been collected and frozen must meet the standards published in this current
Code of Ethics. Dogs born prior to 2000 whose semen has been collected and frozen shall only be required to be
certified free of hip dysplasia by OFA or a comparable foreign registry.
2. Only purebred, American Kennel Club (AKC) [or equivalent] registered Rhodesian Ridgebacks shall be used for
breeding.
3. A litter should only be bred with the intention of producing conformation and performance candidates and not for the
pet market alone.
4. When entering into a breeding agreement a written contract shall be signed and dated by all owners and co-owners
of the sire and dam. Full disclosure of all test results for inheritable disease shall be made available to all parties.5.
Breeders are responsible for the progeny of their dogs. They are required to assist in the placement and care of any dog
in rescue that was bred by them. For the purposes of this document “Breeder” is defined as the owner, co-owner or
lessee of the broodbitch at the time of breeding, whelping, selling and/or placing of the puppies. Stud dog owners
should be responsible for the progeny of their dogs, and are encouraged to assist in the placement and care of any dog
in rescue that was sired by their dog. For the purposes of this document “Stud dog owner” is defined as the owner, co-
owner or lessee of the stud dog at the time of the breeding.”
III. SALES: Members must be particularly concerned with the proper placement of adults as well as puppies, both pet
and show potential.
1. Rhodesian Ridgebacks should not be displayed in public places or on the internet for the sole purpose of immediate
sale.
2. Breeders shall require purchasers to spay or neuter any dog that is not considered breedable quality and make use of
limited registrations where appropriate. When puppies with serious defects or faults (Dermoid Sinus, ridgelessness) are
sold rather than culled, the breeder must take the extra responsibility to see that the dog is spayed or neutered.
Dermoid surgery should be performed prior to placing the pup in a new home.
3. Members will not knowingly furnish puppies or adult dogs for wholesale, pet shops, puppy brokers, commercial
facilities, guard dog businesses or agents thereof, or dispose of them as “Give away” prizes or auction items; neither will
they sell puppies to nor breed to dogs owned by those whom they have reason to believe may do so.
4. Members will not dispose of dogs or puppies by giving them to the local animal shelter, pound, humane society or any
organization of that type.
5. AKC (or equivalent) Registration papers or a bill of sale stating sire, dam, and date of birth shall accompany puppies as
they go to new homes.
6. Breeders shall furnish the buyer with written details on feeding, dates of inoculations, deworming, and general care of
the dog and the name and address of a licensed veterinarian who has examined the puppy after the age of six weeks.
Furthermore, full written disclosure of inheritable disease testing done on both sire and dam shall be enclosed in the
puppy packet when the puppy leaves the breeder’s home.
7. Responsibility of the breeder does not stop with the sale. The breeder should be available for consultation and to
assist in the recovery and placement of any dog sold by the breeder if such need arises at any time in the dogs’ life.
IV. REGISTRATION AND RECORDS
1. All members shall keep complete and accurate records of individual dogs, breedings, litters, pedigrees, and puppy
sales as required by the AKC, and abide by the AKC rules and regulations.
2. Whenever a dog changes in ownership all parties shall enter into a signed and dated written agreement.
V. CONDUCT: Members shall do all within their power to uphold, promote and protect the interests of the breed by
conducting themselves in a manner reflecting credit on the Club, its members, their dogs, and the dog world in
general.
1. Members shall abide by the rules and regulations of the AKC (or the rules under which an event is held), and exhibit in
the spirit of good sportsmanship, treating all present with respect and courtesy.
2. Hotels and show grounds shall be treated with respect and left in a clean condition.
3. Consideration of other guests in the hotel is imperative, dogs creating a disturbance are to be attended to
immediately, and precautions taken to see that it does not happen again.
4. A member does not engage in false or misleading statements regarding a judge, official, exhibitor, fellow member,
another dog, or misrepresentation of their own dogs through claims or advertising.
5. Cyber bullying or (using an electronic device or social networking sites to intimidate, harass or gossip by emailing,
texting, posting or sending messenger photos) is considered prejudicial to good sportsmanship. No member should
communicate in a false or misleading manner by means of the internet, telephone or email.
6. Documented misconduct or violation of this Code of Ethics should objectively and calmly be presented to the proper
representative of RRCUS or the AKC when appropriate.
7. It is the intent of open registry and exchange of information to encourage breeders to make knowledge breeding
decisions, therefore RRCUS Members shall not use information from open registries and/or full disclosure of health
screen results maliciously or to malign.
Education and communication are the preferred methods of obtaining compliance to this Code of Ethics; however,
flagrant, serious and/or repeated disregard of this code may result in formal charges brought before the RRCUS Board of
Directors by RRCUS members, nonmembers and/or the Ethics Committee. Contract violations as well as slanderous or
libelous allegations between members shall be adjudicated in the courts prior to presentation to the proper
representatives of the RRCUS.