AMCUK Code of Ethics

Breed Standard
All breeding stock should closely follow the official Kennel Club Standard in all aspects, with particular attention being paid to temperament of the dogs. Dogs, which manifestly depart from the Breed Standard, are not suitable for breeding.

Breeding Purposes
All breeding should include the objective of improving the overall standard of Malamutes. Equal weight should be given to type, temperament, health and soundness. Nervous or aggressive dogs are not satisfactory as breeding stock or pets.

Registration
All dogs used for breeding should be registered with the Kennel Club and full details of their pedigree should be known.

Planning of Litters
No one should breed a litter unless he/she has the right facilities for dam and litter, and the time to devote proper care and attention to rearing the puppies and the well being of the dam. There should be some demand for the puppies before the bitches are mated.

Breeding Age
Bitches should not be mated before two years of age and not before the third season; and no later than her fifth year for the first time.

Welfare of the Bitch
No bitch should be mated at every season. Bitches should not have litters on consecutive seasons. No bitch should have more than 3 or 4 litter and a bitch should not be bred from beyond her seventh birthday.

Stud Dogs
Only entire dogs with two fully descended testicles should be used at stud and not before eighteen months of age. Members who own stud dogs should be aware of the needs to improve the breed and enhance the reputation of the sires. They should refuse stud services to inferior specimens of the breed and to owners who have neither the time or the facilities to rear litters.

Puppy Sales
Prospective buyers of puppies should be screened for suitability and ability to provide long term homes. They should be advised of the characteristics and problems of the breed. These include the need for grooming, exercise, family contact and the need to socialise as soon as possible, as the breed has a tendency to dislike other dogs.

Puppy Information
No puppy should leave the breeder before 7 weeks of age. Each purchaser of a Malamute puppy should be provided, at the time of sale, with an accurate pedigree, a Kennel Club transfer form and a registration certificate. He/she should also receive a diet sheet and information about training, worming and vaccination. Advice should be given about suitable books and membership of the breed club.

Puppy Variations
No puppy, which has a physical defect or shows a clear departure from the Standard, should be sold without the buyer being made fully aware of the defect or departure from the Standard. Breeders should replace any puppy which develops a defect to such a degree, that, on the advice of two independent veterinary surgeons, the puppy has to be put down, or they should refund the purchase price. The breeder is to be properly notified before any such action is taken. It is advisable for breeders to take out insurance cover on any puppy they breed, for the first six weeks in its new home.

Unwelcome Sales
No Malamute should knowingly be sold to laboratories, pet shops or dealers in dogs, or to persons known to sell puppies to any of the above. Owners of stud dogs should not provide stud services for such persons. No puppy should be sold or offered as a prize in any raffle or competition. No puppies should be sold to countries where anti-cruelty laws do not protect them, and/or where there are known social and ownership problems with dogs.

After Sales
It should be impressed on buyers, that they should contact the breeder in the event of problems with puppies. Breeders should make every effort to assist in these circumstances. Breeders should be prepared to take puppies back and rehome, if it becomes necessary. They should co-operate with the Breed Rescue.

Hereditary Defects
Breeders should not knowingly breed from any stock that has known and proven hereditary diseases. It is advised that all breeding stock be x-rayed for hip dysplasia and eyes tested after the age of twelve months for hereditary cataracts by a qualified veterinary surgeon. It is strongly advised that all x-ray plates are submitted to the B.V.A. for scoring, even if the hips are poor, so that a true picture of H.D. in the breed can be assessed.

Advertising
Advertisements for stock should always be honest, factual and without exaggeration or distortion.