Requirements for American Coton Club Code of Ethics Breeders
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Introduction The American Coton Club (ACC), The Coton de Tulear Club of the Americas, is an independent advocate for Cotons. It was established in the year 2000 as an educational and informative service organization. It offers Coton owners and breeders a voice and a choice. The ACC stands behind its breeders and mediates the best resolution of issues between breeder and puppy buyer if conflicts arise and when called upon. In return ACC COE breeders support the goals of the ACC to get its message out to puppy buyers and the general public. For example, ACC COE breeders distribute ACC brochures to their puppy buyers and encourage them to participate in club activities. ACC COE breeders recognize and agree that it is not important (a) to sell as many puppies as possible as breedable Cotons, (b) or to sell breedable puppies to novice owners who want to “try breeding” or to have a litter of puppies in order to recoup their investment. ACC COE breeders continually work to enhance their ability to judge breed standard qualities through a variety of activities including (a) attending conformation shows, (b) participating in discussion groups, (c) asking other breeders for advice and to examine/evaluate their dogs. Additionally, ACC COE novice breeders develop and maintain a Mentor relationship with another more experienced ACC COE breeder. More experienced ACC COE breeders actively participate as a Mentor to novice ACC COE breeders in order to develop highly qualified, knowledgeable ACC COE breeders. ACC COE breeders are open and honest about genetic problems in their breeding lines for the sake of preserving the Coton de Tulear breed. They are willing to share their problems as well as their successes. ACC is working toward an open health registry for Cotons and expects COE breeders to contribute to the open health registry. Please familiarize yourself with the entire ACC web site, particularly the Ethical Code of Behavior which can also be accessed from the Breeders Page. Read the application in its entirety and respond to the questions in a thoughtful manner. COE Breeder status is only considered if you are a member of ACC in good standing, your breedable Cotons have fulfilled the minimum health test requirements outlined in the ACC Health Program, and are fully registered by ACC.
Information and Application Process for Becoming an ACC Code of Ethics Breeder
The primary purpose of the ACC COE Breeders List is not to help breeders sell puppies, although it is a valuable tool for that purpose, but to bring puppy buyers in contact with ACC-approved COE breeders who may live nearby. The benefits to the puppy buyer include: (a) buyers may visit the breeder's kennel and get to know the adults and the puppies, (b) see how the dogs are cared for, and (c) get to know the breeder and their breeding program. The benefits to the breeder include: (a) getting to know the buyer, (b) answering the buyer's questions, and (c) providing vital information so that the buyer is fully prepared to make a lifetime commitment to the puppy.
American
Coton Club
Code of Ethics breeders are committed to:
The optimum number of Cotons an ACC COE breeder owns is not set by ACC; however, before acquiring additional Cotons, each COE breeder must be able to successfully determine if: · He or she personally has sufficient time and commitment to the breeding program; · He or she has enough help to ensure that all the above guidelines are followed; · Each Coton has a personal relationship with the breeder as a companion; and · The health and well being of each Coton owned by the COE breeder is a priority and is maintained at all times. ACC COE BREEDER REQUIREMENTS
1. Register adult dogs with ACC. Application Read first "Steps for Applying to be an ACC Coe Breeder" This application is available here to preview, but go to online submission to fill out and submit online or to the Forms Page to print out a PDF version to fill out and mail. Please familiarize yourself with the entire ACC web site, read the application in its entirety and respond to the questions in a thoughtful manner. COE status is only considered if you are a member of ACC in good standing and your breedable Cotons are fully registered by ACC. Please review and answer the following questions in as much depth as you can to determine so that both you and the ACC Board can determine if the ACC Breeders Program is a good fit for you. For your convenience, the application is available as an online submisstion.
1.
Why do you want to be an ACC
breeder?
2. What is your breeding
philosophy?
3. How would your
breeding program benefit the breed and ACC?
4. Do you currently have
a Mentor and if so, who is it and how frequently are you in contact with
your Mentor. The Board may contact your Mentor and you are
expected to work closely with your Mentor and ACC.
5.
How do you participate in Coton
Rescue?
6.
What are your sources of information
to help you make wise breeding decisions?
7.
Are you willing to share genetic
health information about your dogs and your lines, both good and bad?
8.
Are you amenable to a home visit and
kennel inspection by a qualified inspector specified by ACC?
9.
Please state what constitutes your
breeding program; for example, number of dogs owned, certification of
the required health tests of all dogs, approximate numbers of litters
do you anticipate within the next 12 months. where dogs are kept during the day/night, how socialized, do they
have daily exercise -how, how dogs are cared for when owners are away,
how long are dogs left 'alone' each day, etc. Will you submit pictures
if asked of where dogs are kept during day/night - and their
environment?
10.
Are you amenable
to solicitation of feedback from your puppy buyers by ACC?
11.
If you are a
novice breeder, are you working with an ACC mentor or are you amenable
to accepting a mutually agreeable mentor to help initially with your
breeding program?
12.
Are you amenable to answering questions that may arise in the future
about your particular breeding situation and responding to constructive
criticism without rancor?
13.
If
circumstances change in the future and it appears that ACC is not the
best fit for you as a breeder, are you amenable to leaving the ACC
breeders list upon the recommendation of ACC?
14. New breeders may sell
potentially breedable puppies from their first litter only upon the
advice of their Mentor.
15. What would
you do if you sold a puppy which was diagnosed at one year old with Chondrodysplasia and required surgery in excess of $3000?
16. Have you been a breeder of
other breeds of dogs in the past? 17.
How many breeding Cotons
do you anticipate incorporating into your breeding program in the next
two to five years? 18. Do you currently breed any other breed (or breeds) of dogs? How long have you bred this other breed or breeds?
Please supply the names of two sponsors and the $100 fee with this application. If you don't have two sponsors you may contact a Board Member to get acquainted. The references and this application may be mailed or emailed to the Health Committee. You may expect a follow on phone call from a Board Member to further explore your interest. Then the Board will meet to consider your application as expeditiously as possible. If you are not accepted your fee will be promptly refunded along with the reason why. If accepted, a novice breeder may be assigned an experienced ACC breeder as a mentor if they do not have an approved ACC Mentor listed.
I have read and understood this application and I agree to abide by the standards set forth therein for ACC COE breeders. My signature indicates that I understand that ACC is not a good fit for everyone and that I will abide by the decision of the Board regarding my application. If rejected, I will accept the Board's decisions, reasons and possible suggestions for future success in reapplying. I agree that I may be removed at any time for cause at the discretion of the Board and will accept the Board's decision.
Printed Name: Signature: Kennel Name: Web Site: Email: Date: Date Received by Health Committee: Send by mail to: ACC
Health Committee
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