Club Info & F.A.Q.

What is the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association of Orange County Inc?
We are a non profit all-breed dog club, licensed by the American Kennel Club,

What does Shoreline DFA do?
We hold AKC sanctioned shows, matches, conformation classes and other events.

MEMBERSHIP: 
Eligibility. There shall be one type of membership open to all persons both eighteen years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and is approved by Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association of Orange County Inc.  Election to Membership. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the constitution and bylaws and the rules of shoreline and AKC. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year.

CODE OF ETHICS
(note: information below must yet be approved/edited
by shoreline, but provides a general example of Ethics.)

Shoreline endorses the following Code of Ethics for its members.  It is the purpose of shoreline to encourage its members to perfect through selection, breeding and training the type of dog most suitable in all respects for work as a companionable gun dog, and to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of any breed in every endeavor.

RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DOG OWNER:

• Members must ensure that their dogs are kept safe and under control at all times.  Members should properly train their dogs so that they are an asset to their community and not a nuisance.  Dogs must be maintained with their safety and good health in mind at all times, including adequate and appropriate attention and socialization, grooming, feeding, veterinary attention, housing, routine care, exercise and training.

RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF SHORELINE

• Members' responsibilities include educating the public about their breed, keeping in mind that they and their dogs represent their breed, Shoreline and the sport of all pure bred dogs in general. Members are urged to accept the written Breed Standards as approved by the American Kennel Club (or the other applicable governing body of the country in which they reside or exhibit) as the standard description of physical and temperamental qualities by which the every breed is to be judged. Members are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all events and competitions, abiding by the applicable rules and regulations set forth by the governing bodies for such events and competitions.  Members' conduct should always be in accord with the purposes and intent of Shoreline Constitution and By-Laws.

RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BREEDER:

• Shoreline members who breed are encouraged to maintain the purpose of their breed and are expected to demonstrate honesty and fairness in dealing with other owners and breeders, purchasers of dogs and the general public.  Owners of breeding animals shall provide appropriate documentation to all concerned regarding the health of dogs involved in a breeding or sale, including reports of examinations such as those applying to hips and eyes.  If any such examinations have not been performed on a dog, this should be stated. Breeders should understand and acknowledge that they may need to take back, or assist in finding a new home for, any dog they produce at any time in its life, if requested to do so.
• Members who breed should sell puppies, permit stud service and/or lease any stud dogs or brood bitches only to individuals who give satisfactory evidence that they will give proper care and attention to the animals concerned, and who may be expected generally to act within the intent of the statements of this Code of Ethics.  Members are encouraged to use clear, concise written contracts to document the sale of animals, use of stud dogs, and lease arrangements, including the use, when appropriate, of non-breeding agreements and/or Limited Registration.  Members should not sell dogs at auction, or to brokers or commercial dealers.
   
• Members are expected to follow AKC requirements for record-keeping, identification of animals and registration procedures.  Animals selected for breeding should:
  1. Be of temperament typical of the specific type of breed.
  2. be in good health, including freedom from communicable disease;
  3. possess the following examination reports in order to verify status concerning possible hip
     dysplasia, hereditary eye or cardiovascular disease, and elbow dysplasia:

  Hips--appropriate report from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; PennHip; Ontario Veterinary College; BVA/KC Hip Score (Great Britain) or at least a written report from a board-certified veterinary radiologist (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists).

  Eyes--appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO), or from a BVA/KC approved ophthalmologist (Great Britain).

  Hearts--appropriate report from a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Medicine, Cardiology Specialty.

  Elbows--appropriate report from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; Institute for Genetic Disease Controlin Animals; or at minimum a written report from a board-certified veterinary radiologist (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists).

  Consideration should be given also to other disorders that may have a genetic component, including, but not limited to epilepsy, hypothyroidism, skin disorders (allergies), and orthopedic disorders such as osteochondritis.

   

  1. Assuming all health and examination reports are favorable, the age of the breeding pair also is of consideration. Generally,  most breeds is not physically and mentally mature until the age of 2 years; an individual dog's suitability as a breeding animal is difficult to assess until that time.

Example information above  for code of ethics for shoreline must still be approved/edited by Board of Directors.

Adopted: date to be added once approved, by Shoreline Board of Directors.