Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Members Code Of Conduct

In order to foster the well-being and improvement of the breed, the members of the Mid-Atlantic Leonberger Club of Virginia strive for the highest standards of conduct and civility in the areas of:

Education.
Members educate themselves about the Leonberger’s unique history, temperament, needs, and health concerns, and will share their knowledge with those seeking to better understand the breed. Recognizing that the knowledge of experienced breeder members is an invaluable advantage of membership, members will provide or seek such mentorship, as circumstances may warrant.

Sportsmanship.
Members abide the AKC Code of Sportsmanship* and conduct themselves in a civil, honest, courteous, and constructive manner.

Treatment.
Members provide any Leonberger in their possession a safe and healthy environment, proper nutrition, and appropriate veterinary care. Members are committed to preventing their Leos from becoming a nuisance. Members will do their best to prevent accidental breeding of an unwanted litter.

Breeding.
Members understand that breeding a Leonberger entails a special responsibility for the health and improvement of the breed, and will:

• Breed to the AKC recognized Breed Standard with the objective of improving the breed.

• Stay abreast of hereditary defects and strive to eliminate them from the breed.

• Understand the particular importance of sound hips, elbows, eyes, cardiac function, thyroid function, and the implications of genetic markers for inherited disease.

• Carefully evaluate and judiciously exclude from breeding programs those Leonbergers with health exceptions outweighing potential merits.

• Not breed any bitch before the age of 24 months.

• Health test dogs involved in any accidental breeding as soon as prudent and feasible.

• Be responsible for Leonbergers produced, giving guidance to new owners and providing reasonable aid or assistance for the life of the dog.Assume responsibility, if needed, for any dog relinquished by the owner. 
  
  

Misconduct.
Documented misconduct should be presented to the Board or to the AKC as appropriate. Education and communication are the preferred methods of obtaining compliance; however, flagrant, serious, and/or repeated misconduct may result in disciplinary action under the Club Bylaws.

*AKC Code of Good Sportsmanship

Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity of the sport of purebred dogs. Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace. Sportsmen refuse to compromise their commitment and obligation to the sport of purebred dogs by injecting personal advantage or consideration into their decisions or behavior. The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs and considers no other factors. The sportsman judge or exhibitor accepts constructive criticism. The sportsman exhibitor declines to enter or exhibit under a judge where it might reasonably appear that the judge's placements could be based on something other than the merits of the dogs. The sportsman exhibitor refuses to compromise the impartiality of a judge. The sportsman respects the AKC bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the sport of purebred dogs. Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merit of their competition and the effort of competitors. Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to the sport. Sportsmen will deal fairly with all those who trade with them. Sportsmen are willing to share honest and open appraisals of both the strengths and weaknesses of their breeding stock. Sportsmen spurn any opportunity to take personal advantage of positions offered or bestowed upon them. Sportsmen always consider as paramount the welfare of their dog. Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport, the American Kennel Club, or themselves while taking part in the sport.