Members of The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Canada (the “Club”) have an obligation to the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed to preserve and improve the breed without exploiting it. Members also owe an obligation to current and future Club members, and others interested in the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed, to supply factual information without misrepresentation. 

     1.  An ethical owner is an active member of their breed club(s), as well as a promoter of their breed through activities such as conformation, obedience and other canine sports.

      2. All members of the RRCC will make a conscious effort to represent the breed in a positive manner.  They will not engage in the misrepresentation of the breed nor intentionally make misleading or false comments against fellow owners, breeders, exhibitors, or against the RRCC, the CKC or its members.

      3. All members of the RRCC are obligated to maintain the health and well-being of their dog(s), including but not limited to; the provision of regular veterinary visits, adequate food and water, proper housing/shelter, appropriate age/health related exercise, training and socialization.  When it has been deemed necessary to end their dog's life, owners will ensure that this is performed in a humane fashion by a veterinarian.

     4. As education is a core value to the RRCC, members of RRCC are expected to provide prospective owners (and the public at large) with information about the pros and cons of this breed.  Provision of such honest and unbiased information about Rhodesian Ridgebacks (RR) will help to ensure that prospective owners can make informed decisions as to the appropriateness of including a RR in their family.

     5. Anyone breeding a RR (bitch or stud dog owner) will ensure that all the puppies are registered with the CKC (or recognized equivalent in their country of residence).  Per CKC regulations, all puppies must be permanently identified (by microchip or tattoo) prior to leaving the breeders premises.  Breeders shall provide a written contract that outlines the expectations and responsibilities of all parties involved, and the breeder will provide ongoing support to owners.

    6. Anyone breeding a RR (bitch or stud dog owner) is responsible for all of the progeny for the lifetime of every animal.  Should the situation arise that a RR enters rescue or is in need of re-homing, the breeder of that dog must either take the dog back or assist the owner in rehoming the dog.  Should the breeder be unable or unwilling to take the dog back or is unable to assist in the care and placement of the dog, the owner of the stud dog is expected to assume responsibility.  If a RR bred by any RRCC member enters rescue due to the fact that the breeder is unwilling or unable to take the dog back, the breeder should reimburse rescue for all costs incurred during the rehoming of the dog.

     7. No ethical breeder will put puppies on generic web classifieds for the sole purpose of immediate sale or knowingly sell their puppies to a commercial distributor (e.g., pet store or dog broker), nor allow a dog or puppy to be given away as a prize.  They will not engage in overbreeding, nor will they engage in or encourage breeding merely as a source of income or profit.  An ethical breeder will encourage puppy buyers to spay or neuter their pets by educating owners about the health benefits of sterilization and will sell pet quality puppies with a non-breeding registration.  All puppies shall be sold under a contract that stipulates the breeder’s expectations regarding the care and rearing of the puppy and which includes a return to breeder clause.

    8.  Anyone breeding RRs (bitch or stud dog owner) will use purebred Rhodesian Ridgebacks only and will neither breed nor sell a Rhodesian Ridgeback that cannot be registered with the CKC.  They will only use animals that are healthy and are certified free of the following heritable diseases: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disease (only valid for 1 year from date of test), cardiac disease and degenerative myelopathy (DM). It is highly recommended that all dogs and bitches that will be bred be tested for the presence of eye diseases- CERF (when available). Breeders should only breed a known DM carrier to a DM certified clear dog or bitch. Anyone who claims that their dogs are free of certain diseases, must (when requested) provide written proof showing the up to date/current disease free certification.

   9. An ethical person will not breed a dog or a bitch before the age of 24 months, and prior to it being certified healthy and free of the heritable diseases identified in section 8.  Bitches must not be bred on their first heat cycle.  While it is recommended that a bitch not have two litters within a rolling twelve month calendar period, such back-to-back litters may be undertaken only with the approval of the breeder’s veterinarian.   If such a breeding is undertaken and a bitch has litters from successive heat cycles, she must not be bred on the next heat cycle.  When breeding a bitch that is seven years old or older, additional precautions should be taken  including (but not limited to) a written veterinary consultation.

   10. Anyone breeding a RR will select breeding stock that conforms to the approved CKC breed standard to the highest possible degree, will have a sound understanding of inheritable traits/diseases and will only breed animals that are free of disease and which have sound temperaments.  They will not breed animals with defects that may cause pain and suffering to them or their offspring (e.g., over/undershot jaw, dermoid sinus, DM), and will not breed a dog that is in gross disregard of the Canadian breed standard (e.g., single descended testicle in dog, ridgeless). It is recommended strongly that both of the breeding pair should have their Champion designation.   An ethical stud dog/bitch owner will not breed their dog/bitch to bitches/dogs that do not comply with this COE.

    11. Breeders will not knowingly misrepresent their puppy's potential nor place any puppy prior to 8 weeks of age.  All puppies must be examined by a veterinarian prior to placement and a record of that vet check (along with its worming and inoculation record) must accompany the puppy at placement.  Any puppy that is found to have a dermoid sinus (DS) should either have the DS surgically removed at the expense of the breeder or, if the DS represents a significant health risk to the puppy, be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian.  The breeder maintains financial responsibility for removal of the DS regardless of when it is discovered (i.e., pre or post placement). .

Code of Conduct (COC) for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Canada (RRCC) (2012)