All breeders who register their puppies, and new owners who register ownership of their dogs with the Kennel Club, accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

Breeders/Owners:

1.         Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate             veterinary attention if and when required.

2.         Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their             dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, may report such operation to the Kennel             Club.

3.         Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed       Standard should be placed in suitable homes. 

4.         Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.

5.         Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.

6.         Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the             breed.

7.         Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those       carrying out official duties.

8.         Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective             control when away from home.

9.         Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.

10.       Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help             with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.

11.       Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible               ownership when placing dogs in a new home.

12.       Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or             transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest             opportunity, if not immediately available.

13.       Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow             dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. 

14.       Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not             accompanying a dog).

15.       Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor      mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.

16.       Will abide by the Constitution and Rules of the DBC  Member Clubs and the Kennel Club.       

17.       Will keep accurate breeding records, registration papers and pedigrees.

18.       Breeding agreements: All stud services and sales arrangements shall be mutually agreed upon, stated        in writing and signed by all parties concerned.

19.       All advertising shall be honest and not in any way misrepresentive or fraudulent.

20.       Will encourage all breeding stock to be tested for Hip Displasia, PHPV and vWD under KC/BVA             recognized schemes.

21.       Will encourage permanent identification, tattoo, micro chipping and/or DNA profiling

22.       Only Kennel Club registered Dobermanns to be used for breeding.

23.       All dogs offered at stud to be in good health and free from communicable diseases and serious faults      as listed in the breed standard and will not mate a bitch in contravention of item 24.

24.       No bitch shall be bred from more often than once per 12 (twelve) calendar months period or mated             before 2 (two) years of age, and shall be in good health and free from communicable diseases and             serious faults as listed in the breed standard. No bitch to have more than 4 litters and must not                 whelp after her 7^th birthday.

25.       Will honestly evaluate the quality of all Dobermanns and fairly represent that evaluation.  For any             puppies that appear to be sub-standard, the breeder/s have the following options available to them: 

            a)         No breeding contract signed and endorsed by the KC or papers withheld.                                      b)            An agreement in writing by both parties to spay or castrate at an appropriate age.

26.       No puppy shall leave the breeder/s under 8 (eight) weeks of age.

27.       Breeders should maintain an interest in the welfare of all puppies that they breed.

28.       Will furnish records to each buyer of all inoculations and worming, pedigree and Kennel Club      registration             or transfer documents, unless written agreement is made at the time of the sale that the     KC      registration papers are withheld.

29.       All members shall conduct themselves  at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the       ownership of the Dobermann and membership of the Breed Club.

30.       Members are encouraged to train and socialise their Dobermanns.  Breeders should encourage all             new puppy owners to do the same.

31.       Member Clubs of the DBC do not condone or promote the breeding of White Dobermanns or any             other colours not specified in the Breed Standard.

32.       All breeding stock should closely follow the official Kennel Club Standard in all aspects, with     particular attention being paid to the temperament of the dogs.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.

 To be reviewed annually.