THE CODE ETHICS OF THE RRCF

The undersigned breeder of the code of ethics commits him/herself to:

Respect the wording governing breeding, the sale of dogs, the rules of the Kennel Club and to be up to date with the dues to the Breed Club.

-         Be in possession of a Kennel name (Affix)

-         Have a regular follow-up by Veterinarian, to avoid tiring the breeding bitches by breeding too often, to have but one litter a year per bitch, the latter being at least 18 months old when being mated for the 1^st time.

-         Provide the breeding dogs with a happy old age retirement.

-         Not acquire dogs or puppies in view of reselling them.

-         Not let the puppies leave before they are completely weaned, autonomous and socialised, free of internal and external parasites and have been given their shots at least 1 week before and at the time recommended by the laboratory producer of the vaccines and provided with a folder containing the Tattoo card, the Vaccination Certificate, the Sales Certificate, advice on rearing the puppy, a copy of the code of ethics and the Club, Membership request form.

-         Register with the LOF all the puppies an obligation that equally concerns the spouse and other family members.

-         Respect the breeding rules of the Club.

-         Inform the Club of any problems encountered.

-         Not sell puppies with visible Dermoïd Sinus.

-         Not to breed from any dogs suffering from or operated on Dermoïd Sinus.

-         Not to sell puppies with serious faults (not breeding selectable) without mentioning the fault in the sales certificate.

-         It is an obligation to promote the RRCF.

-         To regularly attend the “Nationale d’Elevage” with the breeding stock and or their descendants (with the exception of DOM TOM).

-         To X-ray their breeding stock and to use only studs and bitches free of HD

          (A or B) and to inform the Club of the results.

-     To present the breeding stock at the TAN

                              -     If at all possible to participate at Dog Shows and to encourage the puppy buyers              to do the same.

The breeder should sell puppies to individuals only after they have really attempted to

ascertain that they will be given proper care and will be part of the family.

The breeder commits himself to inform the Club of all matings and births and to send to the Club the names and addresses of his puppy buyers.

In the case of non respect of the Code of Ethics up on the complaint to exclude the accused breeder from the Code of Ethics.

The undersigned also commits him/herself to accept a litter check by representative of the committee or a person appointed by the committee within 8 days following the bird of the puppies.

The Club is committed to publishing in its New letter the list of people having signed and will give their Kennels priority when answering request for puppies. The Club takes no responsibility in case of problems arising from member of the Code of Ethics, it’s role being purely informative.

T.N.A (TEST OF NATURAL ABILITY)

OBJECT.

The regulations were established in order to select from within the French breeding, stock those dogs which meet with the minimal required qualities that every Rhodesian Ridgeback should possess.

The test intends to ensure the capacities of stability, sociability and specific instinct of the breed.

ORGANIZATION.

Organized by the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club, under its own responsibility, these tests are open to all dogs, one year old at least, with no maximum age limit holders either of a birth certificate or definitive pedigree, or registered at initial status (dogs without any official documents but waiting for approval of the breed club).

The dogs will be assessed by one two judges chosen by the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Committee, from among those Club members, on the one hand a very good knowledge of dogs, and on the other hand, a  specific knowledge of this breed.

TESTS:

STABILITY   (out of 40 points)

SOME ADVICE ON BUYING A PUPPY.

Before buying a puppy do make sure you’ve given it plenty of thought ; do make sure you’ve made the right choice concerning breed and sex ; do make sure you have plenty of spare time and room etc. Don’t give in to a « love  at first sight », a dog is a commitment for 12-15 years !

Our breed is so often a victim of it’s singularity « The Ridge » but it is also a dog bursting with energy, affection and particular needs you must be aware of.

Do contact the RRC. They will give you a maximum of information and direct you to the right breeders with puppies duly registered with the Kennel Club.Contact the breeders in good time, before the puppies are born. Don’t forget that good breeders always have long waiting lists.

Make sure the pupies are registered with the Kennel Club and that you shall be given a birth certificate with the complete origins of the puppy. The breeder must also give you a copy of the official HD Xrays certificate of both parents (only grades A or B are acceptable) and their Show and TAN résults etc.

The puppy must be lively, in good health and well socialized. Human contact is indispensable right from birth as is a loving family environment. The puppy will leave the kennel totally weaned, tattoed,  wormed and vaccinated generally not before 9-10 weeks of age. The breeder will give you the vaccination certificate, the identification form(tattoo or micro chip No) advice on feeding, rearing and educating the puppy, the sales contract that must contain the puppy’s precise identity and the Kennel Club birth registration file No.

It is highly advisable to visit the litter as many times as possible but at least once when the pups are approximately 5 weeks old. This enables you to get a good idea about the manner in wich the puppies are reared, their quality and the behaviour of the mother. A bicht with a well balanced character is an excellent model for the pups, an overly shy and anxious bicht transmits her anxiety to her offspring. The father is seldom visible ; most breeders prefer using a stud who has already proved his good genetic qualities or one liable to bring in new blood lines.

Don’t forget to mention « Dermoïd Sinus » and to ask whether the litter was checked by the breeder and his Vet. (explanation on Website).

If you are looking for Show and Breeding quality, do make sure that there are no faults, such as absence of one or both testicles, faulty bite, too much white, poor ridge, no crowns or multiple crowns. It is best to look at the RR Breed Standard (see website) and the points of « non confirmation ».

The purpose of these few recommendations is to enable you to acquired a good and sound puppy. Then it is up to you to raise and educate him properly he grows up to be a wonderful companion.