PREAMBLE

This Code of Ethics is established to set a standard of acceptable behavioral limits for Harrier Club of America members. The code is designed to protect the interest of the club, its members, and primarily the breed.

The Harrier Club of America expects adherence to the code and blatant disregard for the standards set out in this code will not be condoned. Members who violate the code will be subject to discipline as outlined in Section V herein.

This is a living document, and as such, may be revised and updated with input of the Membership, by ballot, as outlined in Article VII of the HCA Bylaws.

Members shall:

Read and familiarize themselves with the Harrier Club of America Breed Standard for the Harrier which is approved by the American Kennel Club; support and abide by this Code of Ethics, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Harrier Club of America and the rules of the American Kennel Club.

Make every attempt to insure that any agent, employee, or other person acting for the Member comply with this Code of Ethics, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Harrier Club of America and the rules of the American Kennel Club.

Strive to maintain the unique characteristics the Harrier has inherited through selective breeding (intelligence, scenting ability, genial nature, natural athleticism and melodious voice).

Put the welfare of each of their dogs above personal gain, profit and/or personal convenience.

Keep their dogs safe and under control at all times, keeping in mind the local leash laws and those pertaining to dog ownership.

Assume the responsibility for proper feeding, maintenance, health care, socialization, exercise and training of all dogs in their care; retain or house only the dogs for which they have adequate time, facilities and finances.

Carefully socialize their dogs and any dog exhibiting an obvious and continual temperament problem (extreme sharpness or shyness), will not be bred or exhibited in public.

Accept an obligation to protect the interest of their breed by observing the highest standards of sportsmanship; conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect positively on themselves, their dogs, the Harrier Club of America, dog ownership and the sport of dogs, regardless of location or circumstance.

Accept the responsibility for cleaning up after their own dog(s) at all times.

Permanently identify their dog(s) by tattooing or microchip implants.

Keep accurate records of all dogs and litters as required by the American Kennel Club.

Not engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of their dogs, nor shall they malign their competition by making false statements regarding their competitors' dogs, breeding practices or person.

Never, knowingly, place or sell a Harrier, for any purpose, with unethical persons, those who would not provide proper and humane care to the dog, nor any person who has violated any of the principles set forth in this Code of Ethics.

Refuse to sell or give any Harrier to any pet shop, commercial breeder ("puppy mill"), wholesale dealer, auction, research facility, humane society, animal shelter nor as a prize in any contest or raffle.

Should you become aware of the mistreatment, abuse, or need for relocation of any Harrier, make every effort to be of assistance by notifying the breeder of the dog involved, the local authorities, HCA Harrier Rescue, and helping in any other way in which you are able.

Exhibitors/Handlers shall:

Never have surgery performed on any Harrier to alter cosmetic features (as detailed in AKC Rules and Regulations) to serve the purposes of exhibition.

Present for competition or exhibition, only Harriers which are in good health; showing veterans only if they are in good physical condition.

Exhibitors/Handlers shall further see to it that all dogs are properly attended to before, during and following the event.

Show, and encourage the showing, of high quality dogs only.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF BREEDERS

The term "Breeder" used in this document refers to both the owner of record of the bitch and the stud dog owner.

No one shall be included on the Breeder Referral List who has not been a member in good standing for at least 24 months, consecutively.

Owners of stud dog and brood bitch shall sign a written agreement clearly stating the conditions and terms of service (ie. price, how many puppies is a "live litter", type of service; natural, AI, chilled, etc.)

Breeders shall:

Accept responsibility, physically and financially for every Harrier produced by him/her for their lifetime, including those produced as the result of stud service.

Not breed, nor breed to, Harriers, which are not registered by the American Kennel Club or by kennel clubs recognized by the AKC.

Not breed any animal for the purpose of winning in the show ring, by means of deviating from the breed standard; showing will always be secondary to the preservation of the breed for its original purpose.

Breed only those Harriers which exhibit proper breed character, conform to the written standard as recognized by the America Kennel Club, are physically sound, and possess stable, tractable and trainable temperaments. Make a quality contribution to maintaining and improving the breed by undertaking a breeding only with the intent of keeping at least one puppy.

Not use any dog or bitch for breeding purposes which shows a serious inherited defect such as, but not limited to, hip and/or elbow dysplasia, eye disorders affecting vision, epilepsy, malocclusion, and undescended testicles. Nor should any dog or bitch which has produced offspring with poor temperament, or inherited defects and produces like results with a different mating partner be used for any further breeding.

Breed only healthy dogs and bitches two years of age or older who have had the following:

Hips: appropriate certification from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, PennHip, Ontario Veterinary College, or BVA/KC Hip Score (Great Britain); 3 generations preferred.

Eyes: examination by a Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist and CERF certified within the previous 12 months or report from a BVA/KC approved ophthalmologist (Great Britain).

Other pre-breeding tests such as Brucellosis, thyroid, smears etc., should also be considered.

Be open and honest with all persons in discussing possible genetic, physical and temperament defects in his/her own stock and those in their genetic lines.

Be discouraged from producing back to back litters. However, no bitch should produce more than 2 litters in two years, nor 4 litters in her lifetime. After a bitch is 7 years old, her owner should seek the opinion of a veterinarian regarding her health prior to breeding.

Make every attempt to stay informed in the field of genetics and work diligently to prevent and/or eliminate hereditary problems from the breed.

Consider DNA fingerprinting for all dogs in your breeding program.

Breeders shall:

Adhere to all state and local laws regarding the sale of puppies.

Be encouraged to remove the dewclaws shortly after birth.

Provide adequate food, housing, exercise and socialization until such time as the puppies are transferred to their new owners.

Sell all puppies/dogs with written contracts which include conditions and guarantees. No agreement shall be made orally which is not put into writing prior to physical transfer of the dog. Said contract shall include an offer of at least partial refund or replacement for any puppy who develops a genetic defect which affects good health, quality of life and/or comfort of the dog.

Sell only quality dogs to foreign countries.

Carefully screen prospective buyers to assure that puppies/dogs will have a safe and loving environment.

Not place puppies in their new homes prior to 8 weeks of age (or the age dictated by local/state laws, whichever is greater).

Only place puppies which have had initial vaccinations and worming and are accompanied by:

Complete health and vaccination history

Care and feeding instructions

Written sales contract or co-ownership agreement

AKC papers or documentation as required by AKC,

Pedigree (at least 4 generations)

HCA Membership Application

Request that new owners take their puppy to a veterinarian of their choice upon receipt, and if the puppy is deemed unhealthy, or if the buyer is not satisfied that the puppy is as represented, allow the buyer a minimum of seven (7) days to return the pup for a full refund.

Encourage spay/neuter of pet/companion puppies, and shall utilize of the AKC "Limited" Registration option on all non-breeding stock.

Encourage puppy buyers to go to puppy and obedience classes to help them develop a working relationship in hopes of making their puppies better canine citizens and reducing the need for possible rescue/relocation services in the future.

Follow up on puppies/dogs after the sale to insure their continued well being and encourage participation in the HCA.

A responsible breeder should be willing to take back, rehabilitate, and relocate in a suitable home any dog he/she has bred in the event the original purchaser is unable or unwilling to keep the dog, at any time during the dog's lifetime. Contracts and written agreements should preclude the dog being resold or given away and require its return to the breeder in all cases. If the animal is beyond rehabilitation, the breeder should be willing to advise humane euthanasia or be responsible for such if the owner is unwilling or unable to do so.

V. COMPLAINTS AND ENFORCEMENT

All complaints and/or suspected infractions should be reported to the current President (or Vice-President should the complaint involve the President) in writing. All reports must be signed by the complaining party and accompanied by a $50.00 deposit which will be refunded if the complaint is upheld.

The President shall assign the report to the Board Member most geographically accessible to the accused party and shall immediately select 2 HCA non-Board Members to assist in the investigation. Any Member or Board Member who feels he/she is in a "conflict of interest" situation should so state and may disqualify themselves from the investigation.

Except in the case of suspension or expulsion, the committee shall have full authority to investigate, adjudicate and impose discipline.

The investigating committee will immediately contact the accused party and provide him/her with a photocopy of the complaint, including the name of the complaining party. The accused has the right to face the accuser on neutral grounds, and both parties shall refrain from harassment of the other during the investigation.

The member in question of violating this Code of Ethics shall have a maximum of two (2) weeks to respond to the charges, will provide the committee with requested information relating to the offense, and allow inspection of their kennel facilities, if the committee deems necessary.

Upon receipt of response, the committee shall have thirty (30) days in which to determine the truthfulness of the complaint and submit its findings to the President. Said report shall include an assessment of the severity of the violation and a recommendation as to the penalty and/or manner of rectifying the violation.

The President shall direct the Secretary to notify both parties to the complaint as to the results of the committee's investigation. If a violation has occurred, the violating party shall be appraised of the discipline.

In the case of repeated or flagrant violations, the committee may recommend the case be submitted to the Board for action on suspension or expulsion as detailed in the HCA bylaws on discipline.

In all cases in which a violation has occurred, the names of the Member, the nature of the violation, and the conditions of discipline shall be published in the HCA Newsletter.

Lack of compliance with the terms of discipline shall be considered a flagrant violation and submitted to the Board for action.

VI. CONCLUSION

As this Code was established to protect the interest of the breed, Members are urged to bring to the Board any problems which confront them in their efforts to comply with the Code. The President may appoint a committee, as is designated in Section V, to consult with and assist the Member and make a recommendation to the Board.

Nothing in this Code of Ethics shall be construed to be in violation of the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club or the Constitution and Bylaws of the Harrier Club of America. Any provision of this Code of Ethics which imposes a greater obligation and/or more stringent course of action shall apply.