Boxer Club of Canada - Code of Ethics

GENERAL - all members will:

Provide their Boxers with appropriate housing, food and health care.

Endeavour to enhance the role of the Boxer in society as an essential member of its communities where it functions primarily as a companion and a guardian and above all, ‘A person’s best friend.

Participate, whether they be exhibitors, handlers, judges or assistants, in dog shows, trials and other events with honesty, fairness and integrity ever mindful of the practice of good sportsmanship.

Undertake the task of educating and encouraging all newcomers to the world of purebred Boxers no matter their interest: pet-owner, exhibitor, trialer, or breeder.

Include in their programs, only Canadian Kennel Club registered (or registerable) stock, which will strengthen the genetic pool and thus, guarantee further progression towards the ideals of the standard, keeping authentic records of their activities.

BREEDING - all members will breed:

With the main criterion to improve the breed.

Only for sound and valid reasons and not solely as a commercial venture.

Only healthy and sound Boxers, who display good temperament.

Only Boxers, who are free of the following disqualifying faults: monorchids and/or having a white background or entirely white or any other colour other than fawn or two types of brindle and Boxers with white markings that exceed one-third of the ground colour (hereinafter referred to a "White Boxer").

Only bitches between the ages of eighteen months and six years and not more than once a year.

STUD DOGS - all members will:

Ensure their stud dog is free from Canine Brucellosis and any other communicable diseases.

Not knowingly offer at stud a Boxer, who has a disqualifying or genetic fault.

Be selective in the bitches which are bred to the stud dog.

Not breed their stud dogs to a White Boxer bitch.

Complete a stud dog contract to be signed by both parties before the mating takes place. The contract shall include the following special conditions: if the breeding produces White boxers, the stud dog owner will only sign the litter registration if the White Boxers are identified by a tattoo or microchip and they are spayed or neutered as evidenced by a certificate duly completed by a D.V.M.

Not breed their stud dog to a bitch owned by a pet store, chain or commercial kennel.

SALES - all members will:

Arrange to identify each Boxer by a tattoo or microchip.

Ensure that tail docking and ear cropping (latter is optional), is done under the most humane circumstances (The exhibit of Boxer with cropped ears is not given preference solely by virtue of being ear cropped).

Only sell White boxer if they are identified by a tattoo or microchip and if they are spayed or neutered as evidenced by a certificate duly completed by a D.V.M.

Screen buyers on their desire and ultimate intent for each Boxer. Their interest and ability to provide a safe adequate and loving home should be determined. Fenced yards and crates should be recommended.

Ensure that all relevant Canadian Kennel Club registration papers are provided to the new owner within a reasonable period of time.

Provide the new owner with a health record, including shots given, diet and care information.

Strive to be accurate and honest to the best of their ability in appraising the quality of Boxers being offered for sale or placement with reference to the standard of the breed.

Recommend to the new owners to spay or neuter all pets.

Endeavour to help the new owners in every reasonable way.

Help educate the public on the standard of the breed and care of the Boxer in areas where they are qualified.

Not participate in any act or acts, which may bring the name of the Club or any of its members into disrepute.

Not sell Boxers to a pet store, chain or commercial kennel.

Supplementary notes :

THIS CODE OF ETHICS CONSTITUTES THE REQUIRED STANDARD OF BEHAVIOUR EXPECTED OF MEMBERS. ANY MEMBER FOUND IN BREACH OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS COULD BE CALLED UPON TO EXPLAIN THEIR ACTIONS TO THE BOXER CLUB OF CANADA. REFER ARTICLE IV DISCIPLINE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BOXER CLUB OF CANADA.

Explanatory note regarding disqualification for "White Boxers"

Approximately twenty-five percent of all Boxer puppies born are either white or almost all white, making white puppies neither "rare" nor "unusual". White puppies come from a recessive gene. Throughout the Global Boxer World it is common practice not to use "White Boxers" in breeding programs for the following reasons:

"White Boxers" will not strengthen the genetic pool.

"White Boxers" may develop skin problems, when exposed to the sun.

"White Boxers" may become deaf in either one or both ears. Deafness in white pups of several breeds results when the cells of the skin lining of the ear canal lack pigment.

"White Boxers" may become blind.