Breeder Referral

If you are interested in obtaining a sheltie, you may wish to contact our Club's breeder referral chairman:

The Shetland Sheepdog Club of Southeast Florida holds no responsibility for breeder referrals.  We strongly recommend that you do your own research when contacting a breeder.  Please read the recommendations in our Code of Ethics to aid in this very important decision.  Please click on "Finding a Reputable Breeder" for more helpful information.

Shetland Sheepdog Club of Southeast Florida, Inc.

Code of Ethics

These recommendations are meant as guidelines for what the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Southeast Florida, Inc. (SSCSEF) and the American Shetland Sheepdog Association (ASSA) consider ethical dog-related practices in the areas of breeding, selling, buying, and exhibiting the Shetland sheepdog.

Responsibilities of the Breeder-Seller

1. The ultimate goal of the responsible breeder should be to improve the breed by producing attractive, healthy puppies with good temperaments, whether for pet or show.
    

2. Breeders should have a basic knowledge of genetics, the breed, dog breeding in general, and the specific faults and virtues of their chosen genetic lines.  They should also be aware of potential health problems associated with both the breed itself and specific lines. This is to encourage improvement of the breed by using top-quality stock, along with extensive, researched knowledge.
    

3. A breeder should be discriminating in the placement of his stock. A breeder should not sell to, or aid in selling a sheltie to, any person who he or she has reason to believe will not provide proper care and environment, or who may use the dog in a fashion which is detrimental to the dog itself or the breed.
    

4. It is recommended that breeders not sell puppies under the age of eight (8) weeks and/or without proper documented immunization and health protection for their age.  This is the law in the State of Florida.
    

5. Breeders should be honest and forthright in answering questions pertaining to their shelties.
    

6. Breeders should recommend future immunization and worming schedules, as well as ways to deal with various health and/or behavioral problems that might occur.  Breeders should also inform new owners of any health clearances that have been performed on one or both of the parents.
    

7. The SSCSEF and the ASSA encourage all sheltie owners that breed shelties to assume responsibility for dogs produced throughout their lives rather than just until the first sale.
    

8. Breeders should maintain the best possible health, safety, cleanliness, and veterinary care for their animals, as well as proper nutrition and socialization, and should pass these recommended measures along to new owners.
    

9. All agreements should be in writing and be clearly understood by all parties.
    

10. Breeding arrangements should never be established which would encourage the pet buyer to undertake a breeding program.  If a "breeder" does not have the time, facility, or desire to themselves have a litter out of a particular brood matron, that dog should not be passed to a pet buyer just to produce puppies.
     

11. Responsible breeders should require the spaying/neutering of all non-breeding animals and follow-up should be done to ensure that this aspect of the contract has been fulfilled.
     

Breeding Animals

1. Shelties used for breeding should conform as closely as possible to the breed standard.

2. Breeding animals should be screened and clear of discoverable genetic defects prior to breeding.

3. The following is a partial list of possible screening recommendations: Eyes certified normal; Hips clear; Thyroid tested; Males should be entire (monorchids and/or cryptorchids should not be used); Dogs with questionable temperaments should not be used for breeding; Dogs on medication intended to alter the dog's physical or mental condition should not be used for breeding.

Non-Commercial Activity

1. A responsible breeder prohibits the sale of animals or the provision of stud services/brood matrons to commercial operations, including puppy mills, pet shops, brokers, laboratories, auctions, raffles or contest giveaways.

2. Motivation for breeding the Shetland Sheepdog should be the creation and improvement of the breed, rather than solely for financial gain.

AKC Rules Compliance

1. Complete and accurate records must be kept; and those necessary forwarded to new owners.

2. Breeders agree to abide by all AKC rules and regulations, whether pertaining to breeding, exhibiting, record-keeping or any aspect of purebred dog ownership.

3. Breeders will breed only AKC registered dogs.

Education

1. Sheltie owners should encourage public education, represent the breed honestly to prospective buyers and help people make informed canine-related decisions.

2. Breeders should make themselves available to the purchaser after the sale has been consummated to help with education counseling, grooming and other care questions as well as solving behavioral problems.

3. Breeders should make available to fellow breeders any information they have that might aid in that breeder's effort to improve the breed.

4. SSCSEF members should be an example of leadership and outreach to encourage proper ethical behavior.

Sportsmanship

1. Maligning of others or other's dogs is inappropriate.  Good sportsmanship is appropriate at all times.

In general, all dog owners have a responsibility to their canine companions to provide proper care and humane treatment at all times, whether in  multiple or single household.  Proper care and humane treatment includes adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, adequate exercise, clean, comfortable living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship and training for appropriate behavior.  Dogs should never be kept in circumstance or numbers where all these needs cannot be adequately fulfilled.