The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
Code of Best Practices Board Approved 11/3/11

The American Kennel Club encourages responsible dog ownership. This includes responsible breeding. Below is a guideline for encouraging responsible breeding and care of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America recommends the following:

1. Know the breed standard and strive to conserve and improve this breed in structure, temperament, health and movement- never sacrificing one for the others.
2. Offer for breeding, with a signed contract, only mature, healthy PBGVs, free of communicable diseases, being conscious of controlling and eliminating inherited diseases and disqualifying faults.
3. Breed only dogs and bitches of stable temperament.
4. Breeder will maintain the highest possible standards of health, cleanliness and care of all dogs.
5. Plan all litters with the goal of improving the breed.
6. Sell, transfer, or convey the ownership of all dogs/puppies with a written, signed contract.  All dogs/puppies sold must be guaranteed to be in healthy condition, including adequate protection against known diseases. Buyers will be given accurate health records at the time of sale/transfer and the health status of the dog must be accurately represented at the time of transfer. AKC registration papers (for full or limited registration) and pedigrees (of at least 3 generations) will also be provided at the time of sale.  Dogs not intended to for the breeding of puppies shall be sold with “limited registration” papers. 
7. Breeders are expected to provide the following information at the time of sale/transfer:
   1. Complete feed/care instructions
   2. Record of inoculations and worming with guidelines for continuing the schedule
   3. Provisions for contacting the breeder with questions
   4. A written health guarantee
   5. A return policy shall be specified - dog/puppy may be returned at any age, for any reason.
   6. The buyer shall be strongly encouraged to have their own vet check the puppy within a specified time to be assured of the dog/puppies’ health status.
8. All advertising shall be honest and informative and shall in no way misrepresent the stock offered.
9. Sell only to responsible persons. Thoroughly screen all buyers. Maintain thorough and appropriate records as required by the American Kennel Club.
10. Breeders must recognize that they have a lifetime responsibility for puppies produced by their brood bitch. Breeders and stud dog owners must recognize their inherent obligation to provide an environment that protects each puppy’s physical and emotional well-being.  This includes taking back the dog/puppy with which a buyer is dissatisfied, or can no longer keep, at any time in the dog’s life. Any provisions for refunds or reimbursement of expenses shall be stated in the sales contract between the owner and the breeder.  No puppy or adult dog owned by a PBGVCA member shall ever be disposed of in an animal shelter or pound.
11. Observe the highest standards of sportsmanship and good will.  Assist all newcomers to the breed so that they may be guided   in the ways that can best conserve and improve the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
12. Encourage earning titles on all breeding animals, keeping in mind that the purpose of such events is to validate structure, temperament, and performance.
13. Encourage all dogs to be micro chipped with the breeder and owner listed as the contact
14. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America recommends appropriate genetic testing be done on  breeding stock. At present CHIC certification for a PBGV would include OFA hip evaluation and CERF clearance of eyes.  Proof of same will be available via the OFA website and upon request. 
15. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America recommends appropriate genetic testing be done on breeding stock. Proof of same will be available upon request.
16. Before offering a dog at stud, all appropriate clearances and proof of same should be made available.
17. Breeders should stress to puppy buyers the need to train PBGV puppies in basic training and to provide necessary socialization.
18. All breeders should be expected to share all the findings regarding their breeding.
19. Spaying/neutering is required of all “pet” quality puppies/dogs.  Dogs sold on “Limited Registration” should be spay/neutered, unless the “Limited Registration” is lifted by the breeder.
20. PBGVCA recommends that all breeders educate potential buyers about health problems in the breed and inform puppy buyers of serious, heritable problems should they arise in the sire, dam or siblings of their puppies.
21. Each breeder is encouraged to maintain regular communication with the new owners.

As a member of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America, I have read and understand that it is recommended that I abide by the above Code of Best Practices. I understand that this Code of Best Practices is applicable to all dogs bred, owned, co-owned or leased by or from me.  Violation of the Code of Best Practices can be considered subject to the discipline sections of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America By-laws. I understand this is a minimal expectation of the members of the PBGVCA.  Any individual may choose to do more than the minimal expectations outlined above.