Legal & Ethical Standards to be upheld by Members

The PPDBA Code of Ethics are the standards of practice to be adhered to by PPDBA members. By complying with the Code of Ethics, PPDBA members are ensuring the general public are purchasing a puppy that has been bred responsibly with a focus on physical health and wellbeing. PPDBA members breed with the intent to breed the highest quality of dog. If a member is determined to not be adhering to the PPDBA Code of Ethics membership will be terminated.

Professional Pet Dog Breeders Australia (PPDBA)

Code of Ethics

  1. The fundamental focus of PPDBA members is to breed responsibly, healthy progeny in a safe, secure and responsive environment that caters for the dog’s physical and emotional needs. Members have a primary duty of care to the dogs in their care.
    1. PPDBA members must comply with PPDBA Code of Ethics and are subject to each State or Territory legislation. In the event that these regulations differ, the legislation that caters to the higher quality needs of the dog will apply. PPDBA members must read and agree to abide by these regulations.

    2. Before becoming a member you are required to allow a qualified veterinary practitioner access to the property that houses your dogs to perform a vet audit to assess your practices and the facility to verify whether they align with PPDBA regulations.

    3. Members shall not support any activity that involves cruelty to animals, in compliance with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1979). All registered members agree to be subject to internal investigation if a legitimate complaint is made. Should you feel any PPDBA member is breaching the PPDBA Code of Ethics please contact us.

    4. Members strive to improve their knowledge of their chosen breed/s for the betterment of dogs. PPDBA members shall ensure dogs owned by members are not a danger or nuisance to the community.

    5. Members are responsible for ensuring the provisions required to care for the dogs/progeny are provided. These include: nutritionally balanced diet, clean water supply, protection from injury, clean and hygienic environment, appropriate housing, grooming, exercise, socialisation and infection control measures. PPDBA members practice responsible dog ownership.

  2. Record Keeping/Documentation
    1. The facility is required to record detailed information pertaining to each dog/pup housed or bred in their facility. Records are required to be kept on the premises for at least 3 years.

    2. Details included for each litter born: name, microchip of sire and dam, date of mating, date of whelping, identity of each member of litter, abnormalities or deaths.

    3. Members must have an internal reporting system that details all business transactions. Members are responsible for the accuracy of your records. Accurate information is essential to meet legal and regulatory obligations.

  3. Housing/Environment
    1. Accommodation for dogs/puppies at the facility must be constructed, designed, maintained and serviced to prevent: transmission of infectious diseases, animals escaping, and injury to dog. Facility provides dogs with continuous water supply.

    2. Housing allows dogs to escape weather conditions – sunlight, rain, wind – and each dog is provided with clean, dry sleeping area that insulates them from the floor. Bedding is appropriate for the size and breed of dog.

    3. The following are not permitted as permanent housing facilities for dogs: portable crates, caravans, crawl space under house and vehicles.

    4. Lighting is as close to normal lighting. Ventilation is sufficient to maintain health of the dog.

    5. The facility is secure and prevents: dogs from escaping, unauthorised people entering the facility, poisons and harmful substances being ingested by dogs. Firefighting equipment is available for use.

  4. Animal management
    1. During housing and transportation the health, safety and wellbeing of dogs is the main concern. Dogs are safeguarded against becoming distressed, injured and ill. Dogs are protected from injury from humans and other animals. Suitable water and quality diet is provided.

    2. Single housing for dogs in season (who is not being used to breed), sick/injured, about to give birth or with dependant young. Socialised housing is recommended for all other dogs.

    3. Dogs are required to be given 20 minutes minimal risk, supervised exercise daily.

    4. Good physiological health is linked to environmental enrichment and recognition of the needs of dogs of differing ages, stages and breeds.

    5. A balanced and complete diet responsive to the age and stage of the dog’s development is provided. Uneaten, stale or spoiled food is removed. Food is stored hygienically to avoid contamination and degradation. Clean water is provided on a continual basis.

    6. Daily cleaning of housing, bedding, exercise area and collection drains. Disinfecting of housing and bedding is required weekly. A thorough cleaning is required before a new dog arrives or prior to whelping. Food preparation, storage areas, utensils and containers are kept hygienically clean.

  5. Animal Health
    1. Dogs should be observed daily for signs of being unwell including: not eating, drinking, urinating, defecating; or there are changes in the coat, limited movement, abnormal behaviour; the dog is distressed or showing signs of illness; or the dog is having problems whelping. Appropriate treatment to be sought from qualified veterinary.

    2. Veterinary care provided is documented. Any dog displaying symptoms of disease must not be used for breeding purposes. Breeders use preventative measures to control heartworm, internal and external parasites.

    3. Humane destruction of animal to be completed by qualified veterinary when there is an inability to restore the mental or physical health of the dog.

  6. Transfer of Ownership/Sales
    1. Pups must be eight weeks of age to be sold and the buyer must be 18 years of age. Dogs must be fully vaccinated, microchipped and registered, treated to remove intestinal parasites and vet checked.

    2. Breeders are required to have completed a Sale of Contract/Terms and Conditions of Purchase with the new owner prior to exchange outlining the breeder and buyer obligations. Any health concerns are required to be disclosed to purchaser.

    3. A member shall ensure persons acquiring a dog understand requirements for the care, welfare and responsible ownership of the dog. A member takes reasonable care to ensure any dogs sold are in a state of good health. A breeder will offer continued advice and ongoing assistance to purchasers.

    4. PPDBA members are responsible for rehoming any dogs that are returned to them. PPDBA members shall not dispose of dogs they have bred to a pound or animal refuge.

  7. Breeding and Rearing
    1. Any breeding stock shall not be bred from unless in good health and have reached adequate maturity. Animals used for breeding are not known to be diseased, ill, injured, under stress or have behavioural issues. Breeding pairs are isolated from other dogs and monitored.

    2. PPDBA members are encouraged to conduct DNA screening to reduce hereditary diseases relevant to their particular breed. PPDBA believes in promoting ‘healthy pets’ in both pure breeds and cross breeds.

    3. Pregnant dogs will be isolated from other dogs during whelping, be provided with whelping box, clean bedding changed daily and closely supervised. Lactating dogs are provided with the opportunity to spend time away from their young.

    4. Dogs should have no more than two litters in a two year period. Female dogs are not be used for breeding after the age of eight years. PPDBA members will not breed dogs using father/daughter, mother/son matings.

    5. Pups leaving the breeder are happy, healthy, de-flead, wormed and of acceptable weight.