Revised 1993

The Seminole Rottweiler Club of Greater Tallahassee Constitution and By-Laws, Article I, Section 2, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) states:

        The objects of the Club shall be:

(a)  To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of pure-bred Rottweilers and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.

(b)  To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the Rottweiler shall be judged.

(c) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and obedience trials.

Adherence to the Constitutional statements, as well as to the following Code of Ethics, is expected of all members.

I.           Purpose

Because the Rottweiler is, above all, a working breed, emphasis shall be placed upon the conservation and improvement of the breed in structure, temperament, and working ability, never sacrificing one for the other.

I will encourage working titles, to retain the breeding stock’s correct temperament.  Breeding stock should be exhibited in the show ring.  I understand that the purpose of such shows is to maintain or improve the breed by objective evaluation of the animals in competition according to the Breed Standard.

In accord with the above, I will agree to breed discriminatingly and only with the strong possibility of finding responsible homes for the resulting puppies.  I will sell to responsible persons and not deal with unethical breeders or knowingly deal with pet shops, wholesales, catalogue houses or their commercial sources.

II.          Breeding

I agree that only those Rottweilers will be used for breeding, which has OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certification.  Foreign dogs/bitches must have OFA certification within six months of their arrival in the USA.  I will breed only dogs/bitches of stable temperament (avoiding excessive, consistent temperament exhibited such as shyness, nervousness, or viciousness towards humans) and with no disqualifying faults, according to the AKC Rottweiler Standard (undershot, overshot, missing teeth, long coats, and any base color other than black, or a total absence of markings).  I will not breed and dog/bitch with any of the following faults:  monorchidism, entropion, ectropoion.

I further agree that, should I breed from lines in which I am knowledgeable that any of the above occurs, I will disclose this to the buyer.

I will offer at stud, with a contract, healthy dogs only 24 months or older, with normal hips, free of communicable disease, having none of the above listed faults.  I will refuse stud service to any bitch not meeting the same requirements.  I will encourage bitch owners to breed only if they have the facilities, time, and resources to adequately care for a litter.

I will breed only bitches 24 months or older, with normal hips, in good health, free of communicable disease, having none of the above listed faults to not more than one stud at any one season, nor will I breed her more than two out of three consecutive season.

As a breeder, I will make a sincere effort to insure that every puppy or adult dog will have an adequate home and be properly cared for.

III.        Health

I will maintain the highest possible standards of health, cleanliness, and care of my dogs, including proper veterinary care.  All stock sold will be guaranteed to be in healthy condition, including not only adequate protection against known diseases, but to be in proper mental health, which includes regular contact with people and exposure to the outside world.

IV.        Sales

I will not give Rottweilers as prizes in contests, nor sell them in litter lots to wholesalers or retailers (such as pet shops).  I agree that the breed should not be exploited in any detrimental manner.

I will recommend to my puppy purchasers that they render incapable of reproduction any animal, which has developed disqualifying faults, thereby rendering the animal unsuitable for breeding. 

I will urge all buyers of puppies not purchased as show and breeding stock to render the animal incapable of reproduction, and urge that registration papers be withheld until a veterinarian’s certificate is received as proof of sterilization.

I will use either a sales contract or a written agreement with any sales involving a dog.  I will pass on to the buyers of puppies or adult dogs accurate health, breeding, and registration records and a four-generation pedigree.

I will not release puppies before they are eight (8) weeks or age; and then only if they are healthy and have had the required medical inoculations and care.

 I will urge my puppy purchasers to provide obedience training when the puppy is approximately six (6) months of age.

V.          Records

I will agree to keep accurate records of stock, matings, and pedigrees, and to register my breeding stock with the AKC if I breed my bitch or use my stud in service.

VI.        Sportsmanship

I will choose names for AKC registration that do not use prefixes or kennel names associated with other recognized breeders of Rottweilers in the US, Canada, Germany, or any other foreign country, unless written permission is obtained from the original user of the name.

I will observe the highest standard of sportsmanship and good will at breed shows, obedience and schutzhund trials, or any other event involving Rottweilers.

I will assist all newcomers to the breed, that they may be guided in the ways that can best conserve and improve the Rottweiler.

And I shall conduct myself, at all times, in a manner which will reflect credit upon me and the Rottweiler, regardless of circumstances.  This conduct will follow through at club meetings.