USA Breeding
Regulations
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1. GENERAL
The
United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USA) is a German Shepherd Dog
breed organization guided by the rules of the founding organization of
German Shepherd Dogs, the Verein fόr Deutsche Schδferhunde (SV) in
Germany.
The
USA Breeding Regulations serve in the promotion and planned breeding
activities of the German Shepherd Dog, and govern all breeding areas.
They are binding for members who wish to register their litters with
USA.
2. BREEDER
2.1.
Breeders Rights
Dog
owners and caretakers who want to have USA Breed Book privileges
(owners of male and female dogs and caretakers respectively) must be
members of USA. The breeder of a litter is the owner or lessee of the
dam at the time of breeding. Transfer of breeding rights is possible
when a pregnant female is sold. In this case, the following must be
presented to the USA Breed Book Office:
Proof of change of ownership by submission of the pedigree
Stud certificate or report of breeding card
Application for transfer of breeding rights/Antrag (available
from USA Breed Book Office)
A
transfer of breeding rights is not required if the female has more
than one owner, and the signature-authorized owner uses her for
breeding. If one of the owners who is not signature authorized wants
to use the female for breeding, the signature-authorized owner must
give his/her written consent.
2.2.
Breeding Leases
Leasing
(or leasing out) of a female for breeding is possible, but
documentation must be submitted to USA. The lessee becomes the breeder
of the litter after meeting the requirements listed below. The
following documents must be presented to the USA Breed Book Office:
Lease contract/Vertrag (available from
USA Breed Book Office)
Stud certificate
Application for transfer of breeding rights/Antrag (available
from USA Breed Book Office)
A
lease contract/transfer of breeding rights is not required if the
owner of the female lives in the same household as the person who
wants to use the female for breeding and they are related in one of
the following manners:
Parents/grandparents
Parents-in-law
Spouses
Siblings
Children/grandchildren
In
this case the owner has to only give his/her written consent and the
agreement must list in which way owner and breeder are related.
2.2.1.
Duties
The
lessee must meet the obligations set forth in the breeding contract.
2.2.2.
Frequency of Breeding Leases
A
breeder is limited to five breeding leases per calendar year.
2.2.3.
Breeding Leases With Foreign Countries
Breeding
leases with parties who reside outside the United States of America
are not permitted. Exceptions can be made if the USA Breed Book Office
gives permission. The breed wardens of the appropriate region and
local club must approve exceptions.
2.2.4.
Breeding Leases Involving Breed Book Ban
A
person subject to breed book ban may not transfer the breeding rights
of a pregnant female to another person. When the breed book ban takes
effect, it automatically also affects any male and/or female owned by
this person. Breeding announcements for dogs owned by a person under
breed book ban may not be published in the USA magazine. Male dogs
owned by persons under breed book ban may not be placed with a
caretaker and accepted by any person for breeding purposes.
2.3.
Kennel Name and Protection of Kennel Name
An
application for a kennel name must be made with USA and the kennel
name must be protected by USA. The kennel name lapses on the death of
the breeder unless his/her heir applies to have it transferred to
him/herself, or 30 years after the last entry under the kennel name.
Kennel names are not assigned to other breeders for 30 years after the
death of the previous kennel name's owner.
Puppies
bred under breeding lease conditions are entered under the kennel
name of the lessee.
3. BREEDING
CONSULTATION AND SUPERVISION
3.1.
Club Breed Wardens
The
club breed wardens have jurisdiction over consulting in and
supervising of the breeding activities of their local clubs.
3.1.1.
Jurisdiction of Club Breed Wardens
The
region assigns the breed warden's territory and has two choices:
Jurisdiction according to the breeder's domicile
Jurisdiction according to the breeder's local club membership
If
the breeder belongs to several clubs in the same region, the breed
warden of the club closest to the breeder's domicile has jurisdiction.
If the breeder belongs to several clubs belonging to different
regions, the breed warden of the region where the breeder lives has
jurisdiction.
3.1.2.
Duties of Club Breed Wardens
The
club breed warden is required (within the framework of his/her local
club) to answer questions and advise club members with respect to
breeding activities and breed-related events. Therefore, the club
breed warden is required to participate regularly in breed warden
training courses held by the region. The club breed warden is
especially responsible for the care and formal inspection of litters
in his/her club. The breed warden must inspect litters born in his/her
club within five days of the date of birth and again around the time
of tattooing. The tattoo number of the dam must be checked during
these visits. The breeder must see to it that the breed warden has
access to the litter. The litter inspections must also include
evaluation of rearing conditions.
The
club breed warden must supervise breeding activities in accordance
with breeding regulations. The club breed warden must report
violations against the breeding regulations as well as unreported
breedings to the regional breed warden who has jurisdiction over that
club.
3.1.3.
Inspection of Litters
Only
USA breed wardens are authorized to inspect litters. In case of an
emergency, however, a licensed veterinarian can act as breed warden
upon receiving instructions from the regional breed warden and signing
a veterinary instruction form stating he/she is familiar with the
duties of the breed warden. It is the responsibility of the regional
breed warden to forward this form to the USA Office. Forms are
available from the regional breed warden or the USA Breed Book Office.
In
cases where the breed warden cannot carry out the first inspection of
the litter within five days of the date of birth, a breed warden from
the same club or a breed warden from an adjacent club must be used.
3.2.
Tattooers
For
identification purposes, the puppies are tattooed under the guidance
of USA. Tattooing is a prerequisite to registration in the USA Breed
Book Office. To carry out the tattooing, USA has established tattoo
districts within the regions.
3.2.1.
Jurisdiction of Tattooers
The
tattooer (or his/her representative) designated for the breeder's
(caretaker's) residence has jurisdiction over tattooing activities.
3.2.2.
Duties of Tattooers
The
tattooer must check the jurisdiction of the club breed warden; and,
after making an appointment with the breed warden and the breeder,
must tattoo the puppies not before the 50th day after
birth. All puppies in the litter, including those being raised by a
foster mother, must be presented for tattooing. After the 12th
week of age, tattooing may only be done if the puppies are
anesthetized. The tattooer must also check data on the litter
registration application that has been signed by the club breed warden
for completeness and correctness.
If the tattoo number is later illegible, the USA Breed Book
Office must be notified. The cost of follow-up tattooing falls to the
breeder. Claims for reimbursement on follow-up tattooing expenses may
not be made.
3.2.3.
Tattooing of Litters
Only
USA tattooers and USA regional breed wardens are authorized to tattoo
litters. In case of an emergency, however, a licensed veterinarian can
act as tattooer upon receiving instructions from the regional breed
warden and signing a veterinary instruction form stating he/she is
familiar with the tattooing procedure. It is the responsibility of the
regional breed warden to forward this form to the USA Office. Forms
are available from the regional breed warden or the USA Breed Book
Office.
4. BREED
WORTH AND PREREQUISITES FOR BREEDING
4.1.
Breed Worth
The
following classifications apply:
4.1.1.
Eligible for Breeding
Eligible for breeding are all dogs entered in the USA
Breed Book (if the owner resides in the United States), who on the day
of breeding have at least one performance title (SchH1-3, VPG1-3,
IP1-3, or HGH) obtained under a USA-recognized performance judge, a
breed show rating of at least good obtained under a
USA-recognized breed judge in the youth, young dog, or working
dog class if not already breed surveyed under USA or SV regulations, and a
USA-recognized hip certification.
4.1.2.
Recommended for Breeding
Dogs
recommended for breeding are those breed surveyed in Breed Survey
Class 1 (KKL1) at a USA-recognized breed survey.
4.1.3.
Suitable for Breeding
Dogs
suitable for breeding are those breed surveyed in Breed Survey Class 2
(KKL2) at a USA-recognized breed survey.
4.1.4.
Not Suitable for Breeding
Progeny
of dogs classified as not suitable for breeding cannot be entered in
the USA Breed Book. The dog owner is informed of this decision by
certified mail. Appeals against this decision must be made within 14
days of the decision date. The person responsible for the USA Breed
Book will decide appeals. The National Breed Warden will decide
further appeals. The following faults preclude breeding:
4.1.4.1.
Do not meet requirements set forth under 4.1.1. to 4.1.3.
4.1.4.2.
Dogs registered in the Performance Register.
4.1.4.3.
Dogs with the following faults:
Faulty temperament, aggressive or nervous biters, or weak
nerves
Documented hip dysplasia
Monorchids or cryptorchids
Disfiguring ear and/or tail faults
Considerable anatomical faults
Long coat or long stock coat
Considerable pigment deficiencies, including blues
Dentition faults as follows:
Missing one premolar #3 and one additional tooth
Missing one canine tooth
Missing one premolar #4
Missing one molar #1
Missing one molar #2
Missing three or more teeth
Missing molar #3 is not counted
Dogs having proof that the missing tooth or teeth had
originally been in place are exempt from this rule. Proof must be
entered on the pedigree, the Kφrschein,
or a dental status form.
Faulty jawbones:
Overshot more than 2 mm
Undershot
Level bite
Oversized or undersized more than 1 cm, measured at the withers
(maximum is males 66 cm/bitches 61 cm and minimum is males 59
cm/bitches 54 cm)
Females that have whelped three times by cesarean section
Severed musculus pectineus
4.1.4.4.
Surgical interventions for the purpose of correcting,
obtaining, or improving a breed show rating (i.e., ears, tails, teeth,
testicles, skeleton) entail a breeding ban and initiate disciplinary
proceedings against the owner and/or all co-owners.
4.2.
Breeding Requirements
In
addition to the conditions listed under paragraph 4.1.1, the following
requirements must be met:
4.2.1.
Minimum Age for Breeding
At
the time of breeding, males must be at least 24 months of age and
females must be at least 20 months of age.
Unplanned
breedings occurring prior to minimum age must immediately be reported
to the club breed warden, the
regional breed warden, and the USA Breed Book
Office. The USA Breed Book Office, together with the National Breed
Warden, decides on the eligibility for registration of such litters.
4.2.2.
Breeding Frequency
Males
Males
who meet breeding regulations may be bred up to 90 times per year.
These breedings must be evenly distributed over time; with 50% each
for the first and second half of the year, and then evenly spaced over
the months of each half-year. Frequent breedings in close succession
are detrimental to the constitution of the dog and jeopardize
fertilization, and must therefore be avoided. Breeding to the same
female more than once within 28 days is counted as one breeding.
If
the male reaches the two-year age requirement during the calendar
year, only the proportional number of breedings, calculated from the
day the dog reaches the two-year age requirement, is permitted. This
rule applies for breedings with domestic and foreign females.
Females
Healthy
females may be bred twice per year.
4.2.3.
Breeding Act
The
selection of the stud dog is left to the breeder. The owner of the
stud dog approves the females for his/her dog. The stud dog owner
shall verify the completion of the breeding act by signing the stud
certificate/report of breeding card. Owners of stud dogs may not issue
blank report of breeding cards. The owner of the female must submit
the stud certificate/report of breeding card to the USA Breed Book
Office and must also notify the club breed warden of the breeding.
In
cases where males or females have several co-owners, one person must
be designated to represent the owners at the USA Breed Book Office and
a written agreement covering this designation must be submitted.
Signature authorization forms are available from the USA Breed Book
Office.
After
completion of the breeding act, the stud dog's obligation is
considered fulfilled and the prerequisites for payment of the agreed
upon stud fee have been met. One free breeding must be granted if the
female does not conceive. Miscarriage or failure to conceive must be
reported to the stud dog owner without delay. If the stud dog is no
longer available (death or sale), half of the stud dog fee must be
reimbursed. Stud dog owners are required to reimburse the entire stud
fee if, through a fault of their own (fraudulent or other reasons),
the stud dog should have been partially or completely banned from
breeding.
If
it is established that the stud dog is not fertile, or only partially
fertile, the dog may lose breed survey status and a progeny
registration ban may be instituted. The owners of females who did not
conceive because the male is not able to reproduce have the right to
ask for a full refund of the stud fee.
A
litter having two different sires cannot be entered into the USA Breed
Book.
4.2.4.
Number of Puppies in Litter
The
dam may rear all puppies whelped.
4.2.5.
Litter Announcement
The
breeder informs the club breed warden immediately after the whelping
of a litter.
Prior
to tattooing, the litter registration application must be completed,
with copies for the club breed warden, tattooer, and breeder.
The
person applying for USA litter registration must be a USA member.
The litter registration application must be received
at the USA Office within six months after the littler is whelped. If
the application is received later than six months after the litter is
whelped, the litter registration can still be processed; however, a
penalty fee of $10 per puppy will be charged in addition to the
registration fee.
The
litter registration application must include the following (if not
previously submitted):
Pedigree of the female (in cases of ownership change)
Stud certificate/report of breeding card
Litter registration application
Tattoo book slip (original)
Tattoo control strip
Certificate of foster raising, if applicable (available from
the USA Breed Book Office)
4.2.6.
Pedigrees
Pedigrees
are proof of ancestry. The USA Breed Book Office confirms identity by
entering the animals into the USA Breed Book.
USA
pedigrees are only an addition to the AKC registration papers. Litters
whelped in the United States must be registered with the American
Kennel Club (AKC) to have internationally-recognized registration
papers, since AKC is the only FCI-recognized breed registry in the
United States.
Pedigrees
are owned by USA. The dog's owner has the right to physical possession
of the pedigree. Physical possession of the pedigree can also be
transferred to the lessee of a bitch for breeding and remains there
for the time the lease contract is in effect. The same applies for
caretakers of male dogs placed with them for stud service purposes.
After
receipt of the pedigrees, the breeder must verify that they are
correct and confirm this by signing on page 1 of the pedigrees. The
pedigrees may only be mailed directly to the breeder.
Ownership
changes must be entered in the transfer of ownership section on the
back of the pedigree by entering the date of sale in the first column
and the name and complete address of the owner in the second column on
the appropriate line. The seller must verify the transfer by signing
in the third column; and the buyer must sign in the fourth column on
the same line. The pedigree or a transfer of ownership form available
from the USA Breed Book Office must be submitted to the USA Breed Book
Office without delay.
Dog
owners may not sign pedigrees where the ownership change has not been
documented.
4.3.
Breeding Procedures
There
is a differentiation between the following breeding procedures:
4.3.1.
Purebred Breeding
Breeding
of animals of the same breed. This method, without our intervention,
leads to the utilization of the available genetic material by the
interbreeding of family members and relatives or inbreeding.
4.3.2.
Inbreeding
Breeding
based on close blood relationships. One ancestor must be present in
the pedigree at least once on the sire's and dam's side. Inbreeding
also includes breeding between siblings. The term blood relationship
is limited to the first five generations (inbreeding). Inbreeding is
subdivided into:
4.3.2.1.
Incest Breeding: Breeding between parents and offspring,
grandparents and nieces and nephews, and also breeding between
relatives of the 1st and 2nd degree (nieces and
nephews or siblings and cousins). Inbreeding closer than 2-3 or 3-2,
and among siblings, is not permitted.
4.3.2.2.
Inbreeding: Breeding between relatives of the 3rd
and 4th degree.
4.3.2.3.
Linebreeding: Breeding between relatives of the 4th
and 5th degree.
4.3.3.
One-Time Outcross
The
one-time introduction of outcross blood into a bloodline that is
already well established.
4.3.4.
Outcrossing
Breeding
of animals of the same breed that are not related to one another.
As
almost all purebred breeds are based on a narrow genetic pool,
linebreeding is sufficient. The goal of linebreeding is to find a link
to ancestors that reproduced well. Bloodlines based on inbreeding must
repeatedly be renewed by the introduction of genes from a genetic pool
that is not too closely related. This process helps avoid the
introduction of undesirable genetic traits.
5. BREED
PRESERVATION AND ADVANCEMENT MEASURES
5.1.
USA Breed Book
The
USA Breed Book, maintained for the breeding activities of the German
Shepherd Dog, contains a listing of the progeny of all animals
available for breeding within the USA system. In order to obtain
comprehensive information regarding the hereditary characteristics of
the breed, all animals available for breeding under breeding
regulations must be entered into the breed book even if it is later
established that the dogs, for some reason or other, are not fit for
breeding. It is necessary to list the unqualified dogs because it
makes it possible to gain extensive information about positive and
negative genetic characteristics within the breed.
The
USA Breed Book forms the basis for the dog's pedigree, which not only
lists the name and lineage of ancestors, but also gives information
regarding their usefulness for service. It provides data regarding
color and markings and type of coat of the siblings; and color and
markings, type of coat, performance titles, breed show ratings, breed
survey results, and hip certifications of the parents and grandparents
and their siblings. The USA Breed Book and the pedigrees also make
special mention of progeny descending from the following breedings:
5.1.1.
Breed Survey Breeding
Offspring descending from two breed surveyed parents.
5.1.2.
Performance Breeding
Offspring descending from two parents and four
grandparents with recognized performance titles.
5.2.
USA Breed Survey Book
The
breed survey facilitates the selection of breeding animals that,
according to their temperament, performances, and anatomical
characteristics, are especially suitable for maintaining and advancing
the working capabilities of the breed. The USA Breed Survey Book is a
supplement to the USA Breed Book, and together with it and the breed
show and performance trial reports, serves as a reference for
goal-oriented breeding activities. The breed survey is carried out in
accordance with the USA Breed Survey Regulations.
5.3.
USA Breed Show Records
USA
maintains records of all dogs that have participated in a USA breed
show. In addition to the name of the dog and breed book/registration
number, the breed show records list the show ratings obtained in USA
breed shows.
5.4.
USA Performance Records
USA
maintains records of all dogs that have participated in a USA
performance trial. In addition to the name of the dog and breed
book/registration number, the performance records list the performance
titles, the total scores awarded at trials, and the scores for the
individual trial phases.
5.5.
USA Registry of Dogs Without Acceptable Proven Ancestry
The
registry is called the Performance Register, and it contains
dogs that have appropriate breed characteristics but do not have
acceptable proven ancestry. The breed characteristics must be verified
by a USA or SV judge (breed judge or performance judge), USA breed
warden, USA tattooer, or USA regional director. The German Shepherd
Dogs contained in this registry receive a PR registration number
for scorebook purposes only. All dogs must be tattooed. The necessary
forms are available from the USA Office.
Exceptions
to SV Regulations
:
1.
Breeding Frequency
SV Regulation: A female may be bred twice within twelve months
unless she is raising more than eight puppies in the litter. In this
case she may be bred again six months after the date of whelping.
USA Regulation: Healthy females may be bred twice per year.
2.
Number of Puppies in Litter
SV Regulation: The number of puppies that a female may nurse is
restricted to eight puppies per litter; the other puppies must be
raised by a foster dam.
USA Regulation: The dam may rear all puppies whelped.
Approved
February 2006
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