MEMPHIS KENNEL CLUB POSITION STATEMENTS

Memphis Kennel Club promotes the study, breeding and exhibition of purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership. As a member club of the American Kennel Club, we follow A.K.C. policies regarding dogs. Members are expected to adhere to the following AKC positions and policies:

MEMPHIS KENNEL CLUB ADVOCATES:

(1) The right to own, keep, breed, run, exhibit and enjoy dogs and use dogs in activities such as hunting, field trials, herding, tracking, pulling, dog shows, obedience trials, and other performance tests, in a responsible manner so long as the dogs are properly cared for and humanely trained and not pushed beyond reasonable limits; and, further, the training and use of dogs that provide assistance and service to humans (i.e. seeing eye dogs; hearing dogs, therapy dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, drug, bomb, arson detection dogs; dogs used for tracking and locating missing persons and fugitives, and the continuation and further development of the use of dogs for such purposes.

(2) Purebred dogs over mixed breed dogs because getting a purebred dog allows a prospective dog owner to select the size, appearance, disposition and instincts of a dog, as purebred dogs are true to type when mated and produce offspring more predictable in appearance, temperament and instinct; and, the breeding of purebred dogs by responsible breeders for the improvement of a breed and only when the produce of the breeding can be assured proper homes and care, and, further, that "pet" or "pet quality" dogs be spayed or neutered to prevent accidental breeding and unwanted puppies.

(3) The proper care and humane treatment of all dogs, to include adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, clean comfortable living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship, training in appropriate behavior, and limiting the number of dogs kept so that these needs can be met; and, the rescue of adoptable purebred dogs from animal shelters, owners who can no longer care for their dogs in a responsible manner, or strays found wandering at large. Further, we advocate, after exhausting all possible means to contact the owner or breeder of such animals, and that such animals be spayed or neutered prior to placing them with a responsible owner.

(4) Reasonable, constitutional, non-discriminatory laws on dog ownership which impose appropriate penalties for irresponsible behavior and establish a well-defined procedure for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous, so long as said laws do not single out specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs, encourage enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act regulating commercial breeders, dealers and caretakers of animals, and laws intended to protect the public. (Breeders and/or sellers are responsible for providing refunds, replacements or reimbursements, should a dog they sold become ill or die from a condition contracted prior to purchase. Breeders and/or sellers should provide puppy buyers with a written bill of sale spelling out the buyer's and seller's responsibilities for the quality and care of the newly purchased puppy.)

(5) If all alternatives are first explored and the value of the information obtained clearly merits the use of animals, and if standards of humane care and treatment are scrupulously observed, and if the users of such animals bear full responsibility for ascertaining the source of their animals and for assuring that suppliers comply with all federal, state and local regulations, the use of animals in research.

MEMPHIS KENNEL CLUB OPPOSES:

(1) Acts of violence, the destruction of property, or the "liberation" of dogs, against dogs, dog owners, kennels or research facilities by those who object to the keeping of animals, and, further oppose the definition of "exploitative" to relationships in which dogs provide services to humans.

(2) Breeding permits and other laws which place unreasonable limitations on pet ownership or which handicap breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously,

(3) The indiscriminate breeding of dogs without regard to the quality of dogs produced, the production of puppies by anyone unwilling to accept responsibility for placing puppies in homes with owners prepared to undertake a lifelong commitment to responsible dog ownership, and puppies (or livestock of any kind) being offered as prizes or giveaways in auctions, raffles, contests or promotional events, and/or the random, large scale breeding of dogs for commercial purposes and impulse marketing of puppies to unwitting buyers.

(4) Competitive events that test or encourage aggressive behavior of dogs toward persons or other dogs, such as dog-fighting and "protection" training.