The membership of the Inland Northwest Bernese Mountain Dog Club (INWBMDC) is dedicated to supporting the integrity and purpose of this club, protecting the interests of the breed and individual dogs, promoting quality and integrity in breeding programs, and promoting the standard of the breed.

INWBMDC members realize that our practices of sportsmanship, husbandry, and ethics directly affect the welfare of the breed. We also realize no code can cover all instances and that we must protect our breed with our own personal integrity and ethics and true concern of the breed.

In supporting the integrity and purpose of this club, INWBMDC members agree to:
~adhere to all AKC rules, regulations and requirements pertaining to the sport of dogs, the constitution and bylaws of the INWBMDC, and this code of conduct (COC).
~display good sportsmanship and conduct themselves in a manner that is positive to the club and to the breed.
~encourage and promote public awareness of responsible pet ownership.
~share knowledge and be truthful and constructive when sharing information about Bernese Mountain Dog(s) (BMD(s), their pedigrees, their health, and speak of other members and kennels with respect.
~put the breed and individual dog’s welfare above profit or personal gain.

In protecting the interests of the breed and individual dogs, INWBMDC members agree to:
~ inform breeders of their dogs, and individuals with whom their dogs are placed, of any health issues in their dogs or their dogs’ families which may be helpful to the owners in caring for their dogs and to breeders in assessing their breeding programs.
~fulfill the requirements of any dog-related contact they sign.
~keep individuals, from whom they obtained a dog, informed as to any changes in the dog’s residence or ownership.
~utilize organizations such as OFA, PennHIP, CERF, and VetGEN for evaluations of individual traits in their dogs. Submit all evaluations (affected, carrier, unaffected) to Berner-Garde database in order to help eliminate heritable disease in the breed.
~assure that any dog placed, which is not suitable for breeding, will be spayed/neutered and placed with an AKC limited registration.
~keep only the number of dogs for which they can provide a high standard of health care, shelter, nutrition, attention, affection, socialization and overall care.
~provide training and supervision so their dogs are well-mannered, kept in safe conditions, and not abuse or neglected.
~never allow their dogs to roam at large unsupervised, nor to become a public nuisance or a public burden.
~ensure that all dogs placed are not brokered, wholesaled, or consigned through a pet shop, auction, or other commercial establishment, and are not offered as prizes in contests, raffles or fundraising events. Ensure that no stud dog or brood bitch they own is bred to an animal owned by a person who directly or indirectly is involved with a puppy broker, puppy mill, pet shop, auction, litter lot sales, or any other commercial enterprise whose business is involved in these activities.
~ensure that all dogs receiving the veterinary care appropriate for their age and needs.
~provide prospective owners of BMD’s information about health care and behavior management needs of the dog, and provide a health history with recommendations for general care.
~guarantee the health of the dog subject to a veterinarian’s examination within 72 hours of placement.

In promoting quality and integrity in breeding programs, INWBMDC breeders agree to:
~understand the breed standard, evaluate traits present in a breeding dog’s extended pedigree, and have practical knowledge of mating, care of a bitch in whelp, and raising a litter, as well as the time, effort, and resources required to engage in this activity. ~assess whether potential breeding stock is affected with or carriers of hereditary disease for which diagnostic testing exists (hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases). Assess heart diseases, thyroid disease, and von Willebrand’s disease at breeders’ discretion. ~preferably use animals for breeding that are at least two years old, have sound temperament, structure, conformation, and type, and are not affected with any known hereditary disease or disabling defects.
~refrain from pairing in a breeding two dogs known to have the same physical or temperament defect, disease, or fault.
~refunding deposits if your current litter does not have a puppy available and buyers request the return of their deposit (does not apply if buyers change their mind about a current puppy which is available).
~provide and use a written contract detailing all guarantees, obligations, and expectations of buyers and sellers.
~adhere to AKC rules applying to litter and individual registrations.
~females will not bear puppies more than two out of three seasons, depending on the size of the litter whelped and her condition. A one-year lapse between litters is desirable. ~males and females will be bred only following completion of hip and elbow evaluations by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or other recognized orthopedic registry. This evaluation must not occur earlier than 18 months of age.
~provide new owners with the following documentation: this COC, an AKC registration application or registration certificate for the individual dog, a health and veterinary care history, evidence of the sire’s and dam’s health evaluations, a four-generation pedigree, and recommendations for general care and training.
~to transfer puppies to new owners in accordance with the laws of their state and the minimum federal standard for transporting puppies (8 weeks old).
~remain available for advice, when sought, for the lifetime of their dogs’ offspring. ~to provide assistance to the dogs of their breeding in need of rehoming, whether through a shelter, a rescue organization, or a private placement.

In promoting the standard of the breed, INWBMDC members agree to:
~use the current American Kennel Club (AKC) standard for the Bernese Mountain Dog to assess the suitability of the dogs’ temperament and type for exhibition in AKC and club conformation events and for breeding.
~exhibit/attend/support at dog events or attend where feasible.