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 Standard For Ethical Conduct
Approved March 13, 2005
The following standard of conduct should govern the members of the Xoloitzcuintle Club USA in all actions concerned with breeding, selling, exhibiting, owning and protecting this breed. As one cannot cover all situations, members should follow THE INTENT of this standard even when specific areas are not covered.
The protection of any breed is in the hands of its owners. Adherence to the Breed Standard insures that this ancient breed will continue to be bred using only dogs that conform to the standard through type and mental qualities. This Standard for Ethical Conduct is designed to guide and educate those people who desire to protect their dogs from those who would damage the breed through lack of understanding or interest.
The Club's main objectives are:
• To preserve and protect the purebred Xoloitzcuintle.
• To urge members to accept the Standard of the breed as approved by the Xoloitzcuintle Club USA as the only standard of excellence by which the Xoloitzcuintle is to be judged
• To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the Xoloitzcuintle.
• To promote responsible ownership.
• To encourage sportsmanlike competition at competitive events.
• To encourage and assist rescue operations which involve Xoloitzcuintle.
Responsible Ownership
The owner should put the welfare of each of his dogs above personal gain, profit and/or personal convenience. We, as the human advocates of each creature in our care, have a responsibility to remember that each is an individual with needs, hopes and desires, and that as their advocates, we are responsible for their welfare. They are, above all, our pets and friends.
General Conduct of Members
Members will:
1. Provide the best possible care by providing for the physical and mental well being of their dog(s). This includes but is not limited to appropriate food, shelter, sanitation, immunizations, regular health checks, medical care as needed, and attention, exercise and affection. Members will not maintain more dogs than those for which they have facilities.
2. Control their dogs at all times, both on and off one's premises, in the form of fencing, leashes, or the appropriate training to affect this control. When your dog is with you in public, you are an ambassador for the breed and as such, you are to curb your dog where required and clean up after your dog in public places.
3. Protect their dog(s)' safety through identification by using collars with tags, tattooing, or microchip implants.
4. Serve as an ambassador for the breed by making every effort to educate any new owner or interested person, in a positive, instructive and constructive manner.
5. Demonstrate good sportsmanship both inside and outside any competitive event at all times.
6. Always behave in a manner that will be conducive to the advancement of our breed and our Club.
7. Conform to all the items regarding placement and sales listed under this Standard of Conduct if it becomes necessary to sell, give away or otherwise place a dog.
8. In all questions of ethics not covered by the Standard of Conduct, act in the best interest of the breed and treat others as they would wish to be treated.
9. If the need to have a dog euthanized arises, it is to be performed in the most humane manner by a licensed veterinarian.
No member will:
1. Fail to protect the dogs in their ownership by providing the attention and care outlined in this Standard for Ethical Conduct.
2. Knowingly falsify pedigree or breeding information.
3. Sell puppies to pet stores or brokers, either on consignment or outright.
4. Supply puppies for raffles or other such enterprises, including donations for fund raisers, shelters, etc.
5. Sell to unethical breeders or persons whose intention to resell the dog is known or suspected.
6. Maliciously degrade another member's Xoloitzcuintle or kennel.
7. Sell entire litters, either to a private party or for commercial resale.
8. Buy or sell bitches in whelp.
9. No dogs will be left at any of these places for any reason: dog pound, humane society or experimental labs.
 Breeding
The purpose of breeding the Xoloitzcuintle is to bring the dog's natural qualities to perfection, as outlined by the Breed Standard ratified by XCUSA members.
In order to do this, one must:
1. Have a clear understanding and complete comprehension of the Breed Standard for the Xoloitzcuintle as set by Xoloitzcuintle Club USA.
2. Have a basic knowledge of genetics.
3. Be informed about the pedigrees of both dog and bitch - understanding faults and strengths on both sides, including physical mental, and health issues. In addition, a member who undertakes to breed or bitch or use their stud dog must:
a. Never breed for the pet market and understand that the purpose of breeding is to preserve the breed and improve on one's breeding program.
b. Breed only those animals free from hereditary defects including physical, mental, and health.
c. Be prepared to provide the proper care for both the bitch and the litter and be prepared to retain the puppies for as long as is necessary to find the proper homes. No puppies will go to new homes prior to eight weeks of age.
d. When using one's stud dog, the owner must be prepared to take responsibility for placement of the puppies, referring prospective purchasers to the bitch owner and helping with screening of homes, if necessary. Both stud and bitch owner are responsible for the welfare of the puppies.
e. Breed only dogs that hold XCUSA registration.
Both bitch and dog owners should:
1. Have some homes available prior to the breeding.
2. Have a contract covering policies for welfare of the puppy, and explanation of the agreement between buyer and seller.
3. Not split the litter in lieu of a stud fee for the primary purpose of resale, as this is considered unethical.
In General:
1. One should never breed for personal profit or commercial exploitation of the breed. The only justifiable reason to breed is to preserve the breed and improve one's dogs.
2. While it is expected that breeders will sell their most promising puppies to other serious guardians of the breed, breeders should sell all others on a non-breeding contract and require spaying and neutering of these animals. These animals are to be registered as "Listed," therefore if bred none of their progeny will be eligible for registration . It is preferable that pets be spayed/neutered prior to placement.
3. Breed only those bitches between the onset of second heat and 10 years of age. In breeding a bitch, the minimum age of two years is preferred, but the miniature Xolo matures much earlier that the larger sizes. Breed only those miniature bitches between onset of 2nd heat and 10 years of age. Preferred breeding age for both Intermediate and Standard bitches is between two years and 10 years.
4. Breed an individual bitch no more than two out of three consecutive seasons, and this only under exceptional circumstances, and not produce more than four litters in her lifetime.
5. Breeders will act responsibly towards all puppies produced by their bitch for the lifetime of the puppies.
Care and Sale of a Litter
1. All puppies shall be provided with proper veterinary care and a clean and safe home environment. They should have dewclaws removed, be parasite free, have a good diet, and the necessary immunizations.
2. Any puppy that is deformed, or irreversibly ill, shall be humanely euthanized.
3. Bearing in mind that all puppies and dogs should only be sold to loving homes, the litter may be graded as to quality but do not term them show quality as it is difficult to ascertain this prior to 10-12 weeks. Grading them as "promising", "better than average" or "pet quality" is preferable.
4. Any pet quality puppies should be sold on a non-breeding/neuter contract and issued breeding restrictive registration. As purebred puppies with XCUSA registered parents, pet quality puppies will be issued "Listed" registration, meaning if bred, their progeny cannot be registered.
5. Only the most promising puppies should be sold without the non-breeding contract, and then only to homes after the breeder has carefully investigated the new owners' qualifications for becoming future breeders.
6. Prospective buyers should be screened on their desire and ultimate intent for each Xolo. Their interest and ability to provide a safe, adequate and loving home should be determined. Fenced yards and crates should be required.
7. Prospective buyers should be given an honest appraisal of cost management, as well as the physical, mental and nutritional needs peculiar to the breed.
8. No puppy should be released to its new home prior to 8 weeks.
9. Every puppy at the time of sale should be accompanied by the following:
a) Feeding instructions.
b) Medical records that include number and type of vaccines, dates of vaccinations, date of dewormings.
c) A pedigree and registration certificate.
d) An XCUSA membership application.
e) A copy of this Standard for Ethical Conduct.
f) A contract which describes the transaction with all information regarding agreements and payments.
g) A copy of the FCI Standard no.23.4/22.05.1955/E Breed Standard.
h) XCUSA registration specifying Breeding or Non-Breeding.
10. Breeding arrangements should never be established which would encourage the average buyer to undertake a breeding program. If a Breeder does not have the time, facility or desire to manage the mating, whelping and aftercare of a particular potential matron, that bitch should not be passed to another person, just to produce puppies. THIS PRACTICE IS CONSIDERED TO BORDER ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A "PUPPY MILL" AND IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED.
11. All new owners should be told to have their puppies checked by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of delivery.
12. All new owners should be advised to keep the breeder informed about the development of the puppy and should be told to remain in contact with the breeder. The breeder is to be informed immediately concerning any health problems, physical abnormalities, and/or death of the dog.
13. The breeder should likewise keep in contact with the new owner for the life of the dog.
14. The contract of sale should include a stipulation whereby the breeder will be notified of any plan on the part of the owner to resell or otherwise dispose of the puppy. The buyer should be required to either return the dog to the breeder or place it with new owners who have been approved by the breeder. The breeder should be willing to take the dog back if the new owner is unable to keep it.
15. If a puppy is to be co-owned, a contract should be drawn covering all details of the co-ownership and signed by both owners.
16. Puppies under the age of 14 weeks should not be exported or imported, unless accompanied by a person.
17. If the puppy proves to have a structural defect, the problem should be confirmed by both the breeder’s and owner's veterinarians. Each breeder should be willing to replace the puppy or to refund all or a portion of the purchase price. This should be specified in the contract.
18. All advertising of puppies and adult dogs, written or oral, should be factual and honest in both substance and implication.
19. Advertising should indicate whether the dog is Hairless or Coated.
Records
Complete and accurate records shall be maintained as follows:
For dogs owned:
1. XCUSA registered name and number
2. Registration numbers for other registries
3. Sex
4. Sire
5. Dam
6. Date whelped
7. Breeder
8. Origin
9. Color
10. Owner's name and address
11. Any microchip or tattoo numbers
12. Puppies produced by this dog
a) Dog/bitch to whom bred
b) Number of puppies in the litter
c) Sex of puppies
d) Litter registration number
e) Owner of bitch to record names and addresses of new owner for each puppy
For the sire and dam of the litter:
1. XCUSA registered names and number and date of whelp
2. Breeder
3. Owners, with names and addresses of each
4. A pedigree of both parents
5. Dates bred
For the litter:
1. Date of whelp and XCUSA litter number.
2. Number and sex of puppies whelped alive.
3. Number and sex of puppies dead at birth. (While this is not required, this is important for breeder's records.)
4. Registered name, sex and sale date of each puppy.
5. Name and address of owner of each puppy.
6. When possible, follow through on cause and date of death of any dogs bred.
Showing
Members should:
1. Show and encourage the showing of high quality dogs only.
2. Exhibit only the most creditable ring decorum and accept the services of only those
professional handlers whose behavior is exemplary.
3. Help the novice exhibitor. Be kind, constructive and honest in your comments.
4. Exhibit only those dogs in good physical and mental condition.
5. Not exhibit under excessive weather conditions.
6. Show veterans only if they are in top physical condition.
Show Committees
Because XCUSA members are located throughout the U.S.A., a Show Chair may be appointed to coordinate specialties and work with the individuals chairing individual or show clusters throughout the country. This position serves as a resource for those club members helping to put on shows in their region.
Eligibility to show
Club members, officers, Board members, show chair, show committee, and show secretary
may show dogs (their own or those owned by others) at club sponsored shows. Individuals
who "hire" the judges, who are directly responsible for judges' hospitality (i.e. transporting
the judge prior to the show, housing the judge) may not exhibit dogs at that show.
XCUSA Champion Chairman
An individual will be appointed to receive and maintain records of dogs that are
shown. Points will be issued and championships awarded, according to XCUSA's
Championship Point System. Awards for Top Dog of the Year will also be
calculated. This individual may exhibit dogs (own dogs or those owned
by others) at XCUSA shows.
As guardians entrusted to love and maintain the Xoloitzcuintle, owners should respect, value and work to continue preservation of this ancient breed.
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