Dear Listers, Just recently got back from some much needed rest and recreation time out at the cottage and still catching up on my e-mails. Though I am not in any way a breeder, I thought I would jump into this most interesting discussion, not to stir trouble but rather to offer a "European" perspective. Hmmmm, Europe is a pretty diverse place, maybe I should more precisely call it a Scandinavian perspective.
Some of you may recall my translation of the Swedish Breeders' Code of Ethics which I posted last fall. Let's see if I can still find it..... Here is a copy of part of that post: " Firstly, the Swedish Sennenhundklubb (SShK) breeders' genetic committee (åvelsrådet), is a convening board that works actively to preserve and improve the health of the 4 Sennenhund breeds as well as to preserve and maintain the respective breeds' mental and exterior qualities as described in the 4 respective breed standards. The commitee has it foundation in the "Genetics & Breeders' Ethical Code" which was established in June 1984. It has since been audited and revised 8 times. The Code of Breeding Ethics includes general rules pertaining to any breeding practice of the 4 breeds as well as rules regarding breeding practice pertaining specifically to each of the 4 Sennenhund breeds. Sennenhund litters that are bred in violation of the Code of Ethics cannot be registered with the Swedish National Kennel Klubb (SKK, member of the FCI) as pure bred dogs. In regards to Berners, besides the expected HD, ED and (PNP) health clearances, all Berner dogs are subject to a breeding pause for evaluation after siring 30 offspring. A dog that sires a percentage of puppies with a incidence of HD or ED that exceeds the agreed upon accepted limit according to the Ethical Code is withdrawn from breeding practice. There is a national maximum limit for which a sire may be used in regards to offspring produced, which is 80 puppies in Sweden. A dog that has produced 80 offspring in Sweden with acceptable results according to the code and that has passed the age of 7 without developing any of the health problems as described in the code, may be used further until the litter in which the 95th puppy is produced. There are many other details that I will gladly share. Berner Bitches, besides health clearances regarding HD, ED and (PNP), must be 2 years of age or more at the whelping of their first litter and may only whelp one litter per year. A bitch producing her first litter after the age of 4.5 years, must first have a veterinary certificate of health before being bred. The Swedish National Kennel Klubb (SKK) has specific ethical rules and guidelines as to breeding bitches of all pure breeds, and these rules must be followed as well. " Upon looking at what our national organisation for pure bred dogs, the SKK, (highly respected and very competent) has to say, in their specific paragraph about breeding bitches of any breed, I found the following (my trans): 3. Breeder Ethics in Regards to Bitches The breeder must in their breeding endeavours observe good cynological custom and not let a bitch be bred at a too high or too low an age - i.e. earliest at the age recommended by the respective breeds ethical commitees, however never before the second season. The breeder must not tax a bitch with too many, too large or too frequent breedings, which specifically means: 3.1 a bitch may deliver a maximum of 5 litters 3.2 a bitch from her 7th year must always be given at least 10 months rest between whelping 3.3 a bitch that in 10 months has whelped 2 litters must be given at least 13 months rest before her next whelping 3.4 a bitch that is 7 yrs or older must be certified by a veternarian attesting that her health is in such a condition as that no hindrance for pregnancy is present. This certificate must be produced before a breeding occurs. That's how we do it over here. I think it's a well thought out system. Hugs to All, Cecilia Ståhl and Griffin Stockholm, Sweden
