PCA Breeder/Owner/Exhibitor Guidelines

The Puli Club of America, Inc. in accordance with the objectives of its Constitution, expects its members to use these guidelines in establishing a standard of conduct for themselves as owners, breeders, sellers and exhibitors of Pulik. Every person who owns a Puli has an inherent responsibility to protect our breed.

A. A PULI OWNER WILL PROVIDE ALL DOGS WITHIN THEIR KEEPING WITH:

Appropriate food, water, health care and shelter.
Emotional requirements of attention, affection and appropriate training.

B. A PULI BREEDER WILL:

Be well-informed about the Standard of our breed.
Be aware that the purpose of breeding is to maintain or improve the quality of the breed in accordance with the standard.
Use all available means such as knowledge of ancestors, and CHIC testing to determine that breeding stock is free of inheritable disease. PCA required CHIC testing includes:

OFA or Penn Hip for hips
OFA for patella
OFA Degenerative Myelopathy (DNA test)
CERF (Canine Eye Registry) to be updated every 3 years

Additional tests that can be performed but are not required includes:

OFA for elbows
OFA for cardiac
OFA for thyroid
BAER (hearing) test

Obtain radiologically normal OFA/Penn Hip evaluation on all breeding stock before breeding.
Use only stock which is itself sound in body and temperament.
Breed only when in a position to properly care for the bitch and litter, recognizing that offspring might need housing for a considerable length of time.
Not breed a bitch at her first season, before the age of 2, nor breed her more than 2 out of 3 consecutive heat periods, taking the health of the bitch into consideration at all times.
Enter into all breeding arrangements with written contracts.
Keep accurate and thorough breeding records in full accordance with AKC requirements.
Prevent all breedings that are not carefully planned and provide adequate kenneling to prevent accidental or unplanned matings.
Insist that a visiting bitch be in the stud owner’s care and/or supervision before, through and until completion of estrus, so that accidental mating to another stud not occur.
Not substitute one stud for another without the knowledge and agreement of all parties.
Pay careful attention to physical and emotional needs of puppies produced.
Keep all puppies in the litter until they are a minimum of eight (8) weeks of age.
Be aware at all times that producing puppies is a commitment and they remain responsible for puppies they produce throughout the lifetime of those dogs.
Breeders are required to provide assistance to dogs of their breeding in need of re-homing, including taking the dogs back and fostering them until they can relocate them to a new home.

C. PERSON SELLING A PULI WILL:

Maintain a reasonable price within one’s locale, which price should also be compatible with national prices.
Intelligently and honestly classify stock as show prospect, breeding prospect or pet.
Provide AKC papers with limited registration if the dog is a potential detriment to the breed.
Ascertain that the prospective owner has the knowledge, ability and facilities to properly care for a Puli.
Give the buyer an honest appraisal of coat management, physical, mental and nutritional needs peculiar to the breed.
Provide a pedigree of at least 3 generations, typed or written legibly.
Supply records to the buyer regarding immunization, feeding and instructions for future care.
Release only puppies which are in good health and guarantee the health of the puppy for a reasonable length of time.
Only release puppies after 8 weeks of age which is in keeping with most animal welfare laws.
Provide written contractual proof of sale and guarantees. If registration papers are not yet available, a bill of sale, giving names and registration numbers of sire and dam and date of birth are required.
Avoid false and misleading advertising, including internet and websites.
Not sell or provide stock to pet shops or commercial kennels.
Not donate dogs, puppies or adults, for contests, raffles, or fund raising events.

D. A PERSON SHOWING A PULI WILL:

Show and encourage the showing of high quality stock.
Exhibit only the most creditable ring deportment and accept the services of only those professional handlers whose behavior is exemplary.
Help the novice exhibitor and breeder. Use kind, constructive and honest criticism.
Display good sportsmanship and conduct themselves, whether at home, traveling, at shows, or in hotels, in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the Puli Club of America, themselves and the Puli as a breed.
Exhibit dogs that are clean, in good physical condition and under control.

Updated March, 2012