The Great Dane Club of America Inc. has established this code of ethics in order to protect
and promote the advancement of the Great Dane, proper breeding practices and ethics in
advertising and the show ring. ACCEPTANCE OF IT IS A CONDITION OF MEMBERSHIP.
We shall not breed Great Danes which are known to carry congenital faults, nor shall we
correct such faults surgically if the dog is to be shown. We shall only breed dogs which are
temperamentally sound and shall refrain from the use of timid, vicious or nervous animals.
All males offered at stud shall be in sound health, in good physical condition and free from
any disqualifying faults. A written Stud Contract shall be used which specifies all conditions
of the breeding and a color marked pedigree will be provided. The owner of the stud dog
shall properly provide for all visiting bitches unaccompanied by an owner or agent. It shall
be his responsibility to see that the bitch is bred only to the specified stud dog. Any
change of stud dog must have the express consent of the owner of the bitch BEFORE
breeding.
All bitches used for breeding shall be in good health, in good physical condition and free
of vaginal infections. A health certificate and color marked pedigree shall be provided to
the owner of the stud dog.
We will not participate in a cross color breeding (either as the owner of the stud dog or
bitch). We shall endeavor to clear our lines and provide color marked pedigrees which are
in accordance with the Breeders' Color code.
All Great Danes shall be sold in good condition and health at the time of delivery and
shall display sound temperament. They shall be free of internal parasites and will have
received the necessary innoculations; a record will be furnished of the dates and types
of immunization given and a health certificate will be provided. We shall offer written
instructions on the feeding, health care and training and will be available after the
sale to assist the new owner.
We shall guarantee our dogs against the possibility of congenital defects and diseases
for up to one year of age and will not sell a dog with any cogenital faults or diseases
without making the prospective buyer aware of them in writing. We shall provide a written
Bill of Sale which fully identifies the Great Dane and lists all guarantees and conditions
of sale. We will stand behind our guarantees.
We will provide an accurate color marked pedigree of the Great Dane sold and will provide
the registration papers for all dogs. No registration papers may be sold for an additional
amount of money or independently of the dog. If registration papers are withheld, the
reasons must be stated on the Bill of Sale and agreed to by buyer and seller in writing.
We will not wholesale litters of Great Danes, sell to brokers or pet shops, provide any
animals for prize or raffle purposes, nor deliver puppies in violation of state dog laws.
Advertising shall be honest and forthright and shall not be misleading; all claims shall be
verified easily. Photographs shall not be retouched to change the appearance of the dog.
We shall exhibit only dogs which are clean and prepared for the show ring; we will not solicit
entries for the purpose of gaining champoinship points. We shall exhibit good sportsmanship
in the show ring, in our breeding practices and in our conduct as members of the Great Dane
Club of America.
