Breeder Member Guidelines and Code of Ethics for the
Danish Swedish Farmdog Club of America

The Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America acknowledges that Danish Swedish Farmdog breeders are in the unique position of working with a breed that has been developed in two countries that have historically supported a variety of philosophies and guidelines regarding best breeding practices. DSFCA also recognizes that breeding guidelines are not static. As new discoveries are made, new tests and treatments developed and some long-established methods no longer hold sway, breeders must continually learn and adapt.

In order to promote and preserve this breed as true to its diverse European foundations and to foster genetic diversity within our gene pool, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America is structured to be flexible and inclusive of breeding strategies that are ethical, transparent, and informed by current scientific developments and a robust breeder education program.

The Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America serves not to dictate methodology but is a community that supports education as a foundation for the decisions that breeders make for their breeding programs. All breeder members are encouraged to commit to maintaining a robust continuing education practice.

Breeding Guidelines

Breeders should familiarize themselves with the breed standard and endeavor to select breeding partners that complement each other and are good representatives of DSF type, temperament, health, and structure.

Minimize Inbreeding & Maintain Genetic Variation.

Ethical breeders:

• Ensure that breeding stock is selected so that inbreeding of the offspring will be as low as possible. It is recommended that the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) not exceed 6.25%. In calculating the COI, all known generations should be considered.
  
  
• Ensure that breeding stock is selected so that loss of genetic variation is minimal. Healthy older males who have not yet reproduced should be given priority when choosing a stud dog. Females that have not yet reproduced should be prioritized. Repeat breedings do not enhance diversity within the breed and are discouraged.
  
  
• Ensuresthat no single male or female produce more that 30 – 35 puppies. Females should not produce more than five litters in their lifetime. Dedicated breeding pairs should not produce more than 10 offspring together.
  
  
• Only breed to other purebred Danish-Swedish Farmdogs. The crossbreeding of a DSF with another breed for the purposes of obtaining a mixed breed for any purpose other than a program designed to enhance the health of a deteriorating breed, shall be in direct violation of the DSFCA Breeder Guidelines and Code of Ethics

Health Considerations:

• Danish Swedish Farmdogs, while generally healthy, can be afflicted with all the same diseases and issues any dog can be, but there are several that are of particular concern in small, predominantly white breeds.
  
  
• Gathering information through gene testing and veterinary consultation, can aid in reducing the following disease occurrence:
  • Deafness - BAER testing of breeding stock identifies unilaterally and bilaterally deaf dogs.
  • Primary Lens Luxation - gene testing allows identification of unaffected, recessive carriers and allows careful use of heterozygous genetically valuable individuals.
  • Patellar Luxation - veterinary examination reveals loose knees.
  • Legg Perthes - X-ray evaluation in young adults before breeding.
  • CDDY - Chondrodystrophy contributes to small size and causes abnormal intervertebral discs. Gene testing allows careful use of affected heterozygous, genetically valuable individuals.

Avoid breeding:

• Any dog who is affected by heritable disease or needs surgery to correct a heritable disease.
  
  
• Any dog that displays a behavioral disorder in the form of excessive fear reactions or aggressive behavior in unprovoked or ordinary situations for the dog.

Breed only with careful consideration:

• Dogs who do not have a scissor or level bite
  
  
• Breeding stock may have a maximum of three missing teeth. If one breeding partner lacks 1 to 3 teeth, the other should have full dentition
  
  
• Breeding partners that are both natural bobtails. Only one can be a natural bobtail when choosing breeding partners.
  
  
• Males with one or two undescended testicles, genetically monorchid dogs
  
  
• Dogs who have been established as carriers of an allele (heterozygous) for a serious disease with established recessive heredity shall only be used for mating with another dog who has been declared free of genetic/ hereditary disease.

NOTE: Exceptions to the above recommendations may be made when the genetic benefit” of using a dog is considered very high and it outweighs the risk of the spread of what might be considered undesirable genes.

A DSFCA Breeder Member...

• Does not sell, consign or donate any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers, laboratories or raffles. Nor does he or she directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind.
  
  
• Removes unhealthy and temperamentally unsound dogs from the breeding program.
  
  
• Keeps only the number of dogs he or she can comfortably provide with the highest level of care, including quality food, clean water, proper shelter from heat or cold, exercise, socialization, and professional veterinary care. Dogs are well exercised, well fed, and well groomed.
  
  
• Keeps dogs in numbers that allow them freedom to express normal behavior, form attachments to humans, and be appropriately socialized to the world they will live in.
  
  
• Keeps premises neat, clean, and in good repair. If kennels are used, the runs are roomy and comfortable. Appropriately sized exercise areas are available to the dogs on a daily basis, and evidence of dog waste and odor is minimal.
  
  
• Has a robust working knowledge of canine husbandry, health, behavior, and genetics.
  
  
• Makes informed decisions re: screening breeding stock for heritable diseases and is transparent about those decisions with peers and clients
  
  
• Ensures puppies are weaned before placement.
  
  
• Keeps accurate breeding records, registration papers, pedigrees, and contracts
  
  
• Provides an adoption/purchase contract in plain English that spells out the breeder’s responsibilities, the buyer’s responsibilities, the health guarantees, and the return policy.
  
  
• Provides accurate and reliable health information to peers and clients
  
  
• Will take back any dog he or she has bred, at any time and for any reason.
  
  
• Offers guidance and continuing support to owners.

SALES

• All Danish-Swedish Farmdogs shall be sold in good condition and health at the time of release.
• Each puppy/dog sold will be, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, free of parasites and will have adequate immunizations for its age.
  
  
• It is strongly advised that written instructions be provided to the buyer on the proper feeding, health, training, and grooming needs.
  
  
• All advertising shall be of an honest and forthright nature and will not in any way be misleading.
  
  
• Members agree to give each buyer a pedigree of at least four generations.
  
  
• A signed statement showing the terms of sale must be held by both parties.
  
  
• Members will not release puppies from their litter until they reach a minimum age of 8 weeks.
  
  
• It is strongly encouraged that breeders register the puppies with the AKC at the time of the sale to ensure 100% of puppies are registered.

Enforcement and Discipline:

• Breach of these provisions may result in revocation of DSFCA membership and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
  
  
• It is the responsibility of each member to make an inquiry concerning suspected violation of this Code of Ethics. Should such a violation appear to exist, the Board of Directors should be notified and action may be taken in accordance with Article Vl, Section 2 of the Constitution and By-laws of the Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America.
  

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