Code of Ethics
KIRK’S DANE FARM BELIEVES IN THESE “CODE OF ETHICS”.
WHEN CHOOSING THE BEST BREEDER, PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
(Code of Ethics can be found on the AKC & CKC websites)
- Provide clean, adequate, safe housing and run areas specific to the nature and exercise requirements for the breed.
- Research the breed before breeding. Know the standard and only breed dogs that show proper breed type and temperament. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each potential pairing. Always breed to better the breed.
- Perform all customary health tests for your breed prior to breeding, and disclose all results to possible puppy buyers. If health tests were not performed, disclose that fact to any possible puppy buyers.
- Ensure that all breeding dogs are positively identifiable. Microchips, DNA, photo registration, and tattoos are all acceptable forms of identification.
- Breed dogs that are in good health, temperamentally sound, and free from genetic faults.
- Obtain a signed stud dog contract prior to breeding. The stud contract should, at minimum, designate the number of ties that will be allowed, designate the amount of time between ties, designate the stud fee or pick of the litter, address how a single puppy litter will be handled, and address what each party will do if no puppies are yielded.
- Only breed dogs that are physically and mentally mature enough to breed, and do not continue to breed any male or female that is unfit for breeding.
- Make every effort possible to ensure that puppies are in good health and free from genetic defects at the time of sale.
- Review each prospective buyer carefully and make every effort to ensure that each puppy is placed in a home that is in the best interests of the new owner and the puppy.
- Help to educate puppy buyers about the breed and what is required in terms of exercise, nutrition, training, and socialization.
- Make both parent dogs available for viewing to potential puppy buyers, along with proper registration papers of the parents.
- Provide each new puppy owner with the proper paperwork to register the new puppy at the time the puppy leaves the breeder’s premises. This should include, at a minimum: registration form for the puppy, health and shot information, and a signed contract.
- Include in each signed puppy contract a minimum of: a return policy and time limit, explanation of health guarantee and time limit, and spay/neuter requirements, if any.
- Any advertising, whether oral or written, shall be factual, not misleading, and not designed to attract undesirable buyers or to encourage the raising of dogs for any undesirable reason.
AKC GReat dane standard
General Appearance - The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body. It is one of the giant working breeds, but is unique in that its general conformation must be so well balanced that it never appears clumsy, and shall move with a long reach and powerful drive. It is always a unit-the Apollo of dogs. A Great Dane must be spirited, courageous, never timid; always friendly and dependable. This physical and mental combination is the characteristic, which gives the Great Dane the majesty possessed by no other breed. It is particularly true of this breed that there is an impression of great masculinity in dogs, as compared to an impression of femininity in bitches. Lack of true Dane breed type, as defined in this standard, is a serious fault.