The membership form can be downloaded here: 146K PDF

Code Of Ethics

As a member of The Tasmanian Golden Retriever Club Inc and being dedicated to following the interests and objectives of the Club, I will endeavour to comply with the guidelines as set out below in keeping with the Code of Ethics.

                ALL MEMBERS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO UPHOLD THE HONOUR AND FURTHER THE AIMS OF THIS CLUB.

1. STANDARD OF THE BREED

The Breed Standard is a written criteria developed by the Golden Retriever Club of the United Kingdom and accepted by the Australian National Kennel Council which best describes the perfect Golden Retriever. With this in mind Members should breed to conform with this standard and strive to produce a better dog.

2. TASMANIAN CANINE ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION

Every dog to be shown, bred from or worked should be correctly registered with the TCA..  All breeders must conform to the Rules and Regulations  and  the Code of Ethics of the TCA and  ensure  when  selling  a dog  with a  Certificate of  Registration  and Pedigree or transferring a dog to another person that documents as required by the TCA will be provided to the purchaser or transferee.

3. BREEDING

Members shall not breed from a bitch before she is 18 months of age and not on the first season.  Bitches should not have a litter within 12 months of a previous litter unless it is deemed necessary through extenuating circumstances and only when in good health and if free from Hereditary defects such as Hip Dysplasia, eye disorders (which  include  cataracts, PRA, Distichiasis  and  Entropian), structural defects and bad temperament.  Pure bred registered dogs are not to be mated to dogs of another breed, cross breed or to any unregistered dog of the same breed. Stud dog owners should be selective in the bitches they accept for mating in terms of soundness and hereditary defects. They also  have  an  obligation to assist  the breeder if needed  or requested. Likewise  breeders shall  not use a stud dog  that is known  to be suffering from any defects.  Members should  breed for the purpose of improving the breed and not for the "pet market" or as a money making exercise.  Members should have all dogs and bitches in breeding programmes Hip X-Rayed and scored under the BVA/AVA Scheme and have eyes checked annually by a Veterinary Ophthalmic Specialist.  The Tasmanian Golden Retriever Club will only accept referrals for litters where both parents have acceptable hip scores and current eye clearance certificates.

4. SELLING OF PUPPIES

Only puppies (or adult dogs) of sound health and temperament should be sold. Members should refuse to sell dealers, pet shops or any buyer  where there is reason to believe the  dog will not be properly  cared for, nor allow the puppy to be a prize in any contest, raffle or auction  of  any kind. Breeders should place their puppies in good homes and not be afraid to carefully "vet" prospective owners. Puppy buyers should be encouraged to contact the breeder  if  they  have  any problems  and  breeders  should  maintain  regular contact where possible. 

                Only bona fide breeding and the sale of puppies can be condoned by this club.  Members shall not sell or otherwise transfer from their care any puppy under eight (8) weeks of age and then not until an initial temporary vaccination has been given.  It should be ensured that all persons acquiring puppies or dogs from any member clearly understands their responsibility for the care and welfare of the animal and that they have the time and  facilities such  as fencing, space, shelter etc. to  adequately look  after the  dog. The  new  owners  must receive information on dietary requirements for the first twelve (12) months, immunisation  records, official  TCA  Registration papers and advice on such topics as suitable reading material, housing, exercise, breeding, worming, grooming, obedience training etc.

5. GENERAL HEALTH AND CARE

Members must at all times maintain in the best possible health all dogs and bitches in their care and have them vaccinated annually and checked regularly be the vet. Ensure that at all times dogs under  your care and control are properly housed, fed, watered and exercised. Do not knowingly allow dogs under your care to roam or be a nuisance to neighbours or the community in general. Enhance the reputation of dog breeders and owners alike by endeavoring to ensure that your dogs are properly supervised and controlled at all times. They should be registered with their local municipal council. Do not keep more dogs than you can properly care for and maintain. Accept that dogs, like people, grow old and may need special care and attention, so be prepared to love and care for a dog all of its life.  Members shall oppose all activities involving cruelty to dogs or in which dogs inflict damage or injury to other dogs or animals. 

6. SPORTSMANSHIP AND CONDUCT OF MEMBERS

Remembering  that the  welfare of our lovely breed  comes before personal benefit  members should not denigrate other owners or breeders, or the dogs or bitches of others. Members should show and promote good fellowship and sportsmanship whether winning or losing at any event sanctioned by the TCA or this Club. Your dogs and bitches should be represented as honestly as possible without the use of misleading or untruthful statements.