Standard Schnauzer Club of America Code of Ethics
PDF Version of the Code of Ethics
The mission of the Standard Schnauzer Club of America, Inc. (SSCA) is to advocate for the
preservation of the Standard Schnauzer as a multipurpose dog, bred for type, health, form and
function. The SSCA encourages members to promote the Standard Schnauzer as a companion dog
that excels as a family member and who actively participates in a wide range of companion,
performance and service venues, as well as the conformation ring. All members are expected to act in
ways that lead to the preservation and continued improvement of the breed and the well-being of
individual dogs.
Members
Members of the SSCA are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that positively impacts
Standard Schnauzers and demonstrates the Club’s mission.
Members are responsible to:
- Advance the well-being of the breed by always having health and welfare as the highest priority
- Respect the history and traditions of the breed and the breed standard
- Commit to the values of fair play, honesty, courtesy and competing with grace
- Respect the bylaws, rules, regulations and policies of the SSCA and the American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Welcome and support all dog owners, especially new Standard Schnauzer owners
- Encourage responsible dog ownership by training their dogs and assisting other owners with
training so that they and their dogs are good neighbors and ambassadors for the breed
- Work to protect the rights of all dog owners
Breeders
Breeders of Standard Schnauzers have an elevated level of responsibility and are expected to hold
themselves and their dogs to a high standard, striving to protect the breed standard, prevent healthrelated issues, and preserve the future of the Standard Schnauzer as a healthy, active, long-lived,
working family dog.
Breeders are responsible to:
- Promote quality in the breeding of Standard Schnauzers so that each succeeding generation
strives to attain the vision in the AKC Breed Standard
- Abide by requirements adopted by the SSCA as Best Practices with regard to health testing
and other breeding practices, as well as care and condition standards as outlined by the AKC
- Incorporate the SSCA’s Guidelines for Interaction between a Prospective Puppy Buyer and a
Responsible Breeder into their practices
- Educate and mentor all owners of Standard Schnauzers, especially new owners, with regard to
appropriate care and conditions, opportunities to engage other owners and participate in the
range of activities that enhance the interaction with their dog and in which our dogs excel
- Encourage owners to adopt best practices that allow dogs to have long, healthy and active
lives
- Make every effort to rescue, or at least assist in the rescue, of a dog bred by Breeder’s kennel