What is the BCOE?

The Breeder's Code of Ethics (BCOE) is a program facilitated by the Breed Committee to provide breeder iinformation and support, and to promote quality breeding practices to preserve the health and breed standard of the Entlebucher.

To become a BCOE breeder, a breeder must adhere to the NEMDA Code of Ethics (COE) and also to all requirements set forth in the BCOE. Breeders submit specific documentation that supports their adherence to the BCOE standards to the Breed Committee. This information is submitted as part of their initial application and then updated annually thereafter.

The Chair of the Breed Committee makes referrals to BCOE breeders and is often aware of possible upcoming puppy availability. Contact Kathleen Kinney with questions about the BCOE or to request breeding information.

#1 — Purpose
1 – 1
The members of the National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association (NEMDA) share a deep concern for the welfare and future of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (EMD). This code is established in accordance with the objectives set out in the club Constitution as the standard of practice for the responsible and ethical ownership and breeding of the EMD. Violations of the NEMDA breeders� Code of Ethics (COE) will be subject to NEMDA disciplinary procedures, and may be grounds for expulsion.

#2 — Breeding
2 – 1
Breeders bear great responsibility to the future of the EMD breed and shall plan each breeding with the paramount intention of advancing and protecting the breed. Breeder includes both owners of brood bitches and stud dogs.
2 – 2
Each breeding should take place with the understanding that genetic diversity is a major key to the health and welfare of our breed. Genetic diversity is encouraged whenever possible.
2 – 3
Breeders shall strive for perfection of the EMD in accordance with the official standard set forth by the Federation Cynologic Internationale (FCI), and shall breed only physically and temperamentally sound stock, shall learn the good and bad points of their own stock and shall never double up on a known serious fault that will effect the health and/or standard of the breed nor shall they repeat a breeding which produces potentially fatal heritable defects.

#3 — Breeding Standards
3 – 1
EMDs must be registered with an FCI recognized registry or NEMDA�s parent breed club registry prior to breeding. All breeding stock must have permanent identification with a nationally recognized microchip or a tattoo from a registered tattoo series. All breeding stock shall be included in a DNA identification database currently maintained along with the NEMDA Registry.
3 – 2
Only those individuals free from hereditary defects such as mon-orchidism or crypt-orchidism, ectopic ureters/ hydronephrosis, hip or elbow dysplasia, heart defects, etc., shall be used for breeding. See following sections for specific certification requirements which must be submitted to the Breeding Committee prior to breeding and/or with the annual report to that Committee.
3 – 3
Breeding stock must have hips rated and certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). All stock entered into a breeding program between 18-24 months of age MUST have OFA preliminary results of fair, good or excellent after 12 months of age. All stock MUST have final OFA certification after 24 months of age even if preliminary rating were submitted. Dogs rated as fair may only breed to dogs rated good or excellent. Breeders are encouraged to utilize both OFA and PennHIP to broaden the breed database and provide more specific information for breeding decisions. Breeders should bear in mind that hip conformation is improved by breeding to tighter hips.
3 – 4
Breeding stock must have their eyes certified free from inherited eye disease annually by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation, (CERF) prior to breeding. EMDs that develop posterior polar cataracts or retinal folds shall be allowed to breed to EMDs free from congenital cataracts or free from retinal folds. It is suggested that, when possible, an EMD with posterior polar cataracts be bred with an older animal free of cataracts.
3 – 5
Breeding stock must have the OptiGen prcd-PRA test performed prior to breeding. Stock may only be bred to animals that have also been tested and the breeding pair must meet the requirements listed below. This requirement also applies if breeding with EMD stock owned by persons who are not NEMDA approved COE breeders, and copies of the prcd-PRA test reports of this stock must be submitted with the annual report.

EMDs testing Clear (Pattern A) may be bred with any suitable EMD: Clear (Pattern A), Carrier (Pattern B), or Affected (Pattern C).
EMDs testing as Carrier (Pattern B) may only be bred to suitable Clear (Pattern A).
EMDs testing as Affected (Pattern C) may only be bred to Clear (Pattern A).

3 – 6
Annual CERF exams MUST be obtained on all breeding EMDs. Although CERF numbers will not be issued to dogs with posterior polar cataracts, retinal folds or PRA, the CERF exam report must still be submitted to the Breeding Committee.
It is recommended that retired stock continue to be tested as there are other genetic eye diseases such as glaucoma that, although not common, may occur in the EMD. When retired stock receives CERF exams, results are to be provided to the Breeding Committee as part of the Breeder�s Annual Report.
3 – 7
When breeding to a foreign (other than US or Canadian) owned EMD, COE breeders may accept the hip, eye and other health certification used by that country�s breed club, but must require no less than the minimum standard described herein.
3 – 8
Breeders shall exercise great care in breeding an individual who, although free from hereditary defects, produces afflicted offspring. Breeders shall monitor the progress of dogs of their breeding to track any genetic defects and improve their breeding program. If any hereditary defects occur in the lines of the individuals used for breeding, breeders shall make every effort to disclose this information to owners of all dogs they have sold for breeding and any dogs sold as pets that may be at risk for developing the defect. Breeders shall inform all potential buyers of genetic defects known to occur in EMDs.
3 – 9
A bitch will only be covered by one male during a heat cycle.
3 – 10
Breeders must inform the Health and Genetics Committee of any known or suspected genetic defect in their breeding stock, or in pups produced, in a timely manner.

#4 — Breeding Age
4 – 1
Dogs and bitches may be bred after 18 months of age. All certifications and requirements listed above MUST be completed and submitted to the Breeding Committee prior to breeding. OFA rating MUST be repeated after 24 months of age.
4 – 2
Bitches with typical six month cycles may be bred on back-to-back heats only two times in their breeding career. The timing for the two back to back breedings is left entirely to the discretion�of the owner; however at least nine months must elapse between the second breeding of any back to back group and the next planned breeding.
Owners bear the responsibility of evaluating if their bitch is recovering sufficiently to permit a back-to-back breeding.
Bitches shall be limited to a total of six litters in their breeding career
Acceptable breeding options are as follows

Breeding on alternate heat cycles
Breeding back to back and skipping a heat cycle before resuming a breeding schedule
Breeding back to back and using a hormone therapy such as Mibolerone to hold back a heat cycle until the bitch has had at minimum a nine month break heat to heat
Breeding a bitch with a nine month plus heat cycle every heat if desired

#5 — Breeders Responsibilities
5 – 1
Breeders of both�bitches and stud dogs�shall breed only when in a position to�assure proper care to both bitch and puppies; and when reasonably certain that there are a sufficient number of good homes available for the puppies.
5 – 2
Breeders shall make every effort to learn basic genetics and as much as possible about health, structure, movement, behavior, and other inheritable traits of the EMD and shall use this knowledge to produce sound, healthy dogs that adhere to the breed standard. In the event an EMD dies of an unknown cause, breeder shall make every attempt to have a necropsy performed. Copy of results shall be provided to the Health and Genetics Committee.
5 – 3
Breeders shall be available to their buyers for whatever advice and reasonable aid and assistance they may need for the life of the dog. NEMDA Breeders shall help and support their fellow breeders in fulfilling this obligation and shall supply a copy of this Code of Ethics to all buyers, explain to them its provisions, and provide them with the name and address of the NEMDA Membership Chair.
5 – 4
Breeders bear a lifetime responsibility for the well being of their own EMDs, as well as those they have produced. This applies to owners of brood bitches and stud dogs, living and deceased. If a Buyer/Owner cannot keep a dog, the Breeder will assist with re-homing. If necessary, the Breeder may involve the NEMDA Rescue Committee.

#6 — Breeding Arrangements
6 – 1
Terms and conditions of the mating must be clear to all parties prior to mating. A written contract is strongly recommended. Stud services should be clearly outlined as to cost and conditions to repeat service.
6 – 2
Breeders shall verify that any dog or bitch they use for breeding possesses the physical qualities they desire and is as their owner represented them to be. Breeding stock must be healthy and meet age, hip and eye certification requirements detailed within this COE document. Breeders shall obtain copies of all certifications and an acceptable pedigree prior to breeding.

#7 — Sales
7 – 1
Breeders will be discriminating in the sale of their puppies and concerned with the type of homes in which they are placed. Breeders shall not sell to those who may, either due to character or situation, not be suited to the unique responsibility of owning an EMD.
7 – 2
Breeders shall not knowingly sell to dog wholesalers, retailers or pet stores, known or suspected puppy mills, or commercial breeders. Breeders shall not donate dogs or puppies as prizes nor knowingly allow any dogs of their breeding to fall into public trust. All advertisement of puppies and dogs, written or oral shall be factual and as forthright and honest as possible in both substance and implication.
7 – 3
A written sales agreement including both Breeder and Buyers� mutually agreed upon responsibilities is recommended. Breeders who sell a puppy with the express or implied possibility of future breeding must fully explain to the Buyer the responsibilities and risks involved in ethical breeding. Puppies should be protected from breeding activities until they have met health and age requirements, and spaying or neutering of animals not desirable for breeding encouraged through one or more of the following: withholding papers, NEMDA or Canadian Kennel Club non-breeding registration, or a written contract. Any health or temperament condition, which requires monitoring by the new owner and/or a veterinarian, must be clearly explained and agreed upon at the time of sale or transfer.
7 – 4
Breeders shall discuss with all prospective buyers their expectations in a puppy or dog, disclosing any faults the dog may have or which are known in its lineage. Breeders shall emphasize the necessity of the buyer's lifetime commitment to their dog first and foremost as a companion animal.
7 – 5
Breeders shall not broker EMDs, foreign or domestic, or purchase EMDs for resale purposes.

#8 — Records
8 – 1
Breeders shall keep and pass on to buyers, accurate health, breeding, registration, and pedigree records. Breeders are encouraged to keep accurate records of all litters produced, all dogs/puppies sold, pedigrees, and stud service contracts.
8 – 2
Breeders� Litter registrations must be signed and submitted to the NEMDA Registry or the Canadian Kennel Club Registry within four months after the litter is born. Breeders are encouraged to submit all updated CERF, OFA or performance titles to the NEMDA Registry for inclusion in the database and for use on future pedigrees.

#9 — Annual BCOE requirements
9 – 1
All breeders MUST complete and submit the required annual report of certifications, litters, and stud activity to the Breeding Committee, within the required time frame.

#10 — Conduct
10 – 1
Breeders shall resolve to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws and standards of the Club, and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be beneficial to the club, the breed and the reputations of both. Breeders shall not defame other club members, breeders, exhibitors or those persons� dogs.
10 – 2
When confronted by a situation not covered by this Code of Ethics, the Breeder�s conduct shall exemplify the way he/she would like to be treated under the same circumstances, and reflect the highest ethical and professional standards.

#11 — Exceptions
11 – 1
A Breeder may request a variance to the Code of Ethics in writing to the Board. The Board, in consultation with the chair of the Breeding Committee, will decide whether to approve, modify, or deny the request. The Board will balance the circumstances of the request against its obligation to protect the reputation of the Association, the well-being of any involved dogs and their offspring, and the fitness of the breed as a whole. Within 60 days, the Board will notify the breeder in writing with the decision and its rationale. A copy of this letter shall be kept in the permanent records of the Club.

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