BECOMING A BREEDER
Below is information regarding WSSDCA breeding requirements for your White Swiss Shepherd Dog. It is the breeders’ responsibility to be fully informed of the Club Rules and Bylaws pertaining to all facets of breeding. All breeding must be done ethically and responsibly and must comply with the WSSDCA Bylaws and the appropriate state laws that apply. The following steps apply to all WSSDCA registered dogs, if your dog is not registered with the WSSDCA then the dog will first have to be registered via the Single Dog Registration process (see below)
Be a financial member of the club
If you are an existing/previous member, ensure your membership fees for the current financial year have been paid. To become a new member of the club, you need to be nominated by a current financial member (or committee member if you do not know any members).
The online forms are the quickest and easiest way to complete and send forms. http://www.wssdca.org.au/members/forms/new-membership-form/
If completing the hard copy “New Member form” you will need the nominee signature and details completed before forwarding to the Treasurer and Secretary. The application for membership is presented to the committee for approval. Once this has been approved you will be notified in writing of your membership acceptance and provided bank account details to transfer funds.
All members are expected to have read all our Rules and Bylaws. This outlines what is expected of a member, and in particular a breeder. Copies of our Rules are available on our website for downloading or by request to the Club Secretary.
Once your membership has been confirmed and if your dog is a registered with the WSSDCA, you can then begin the upgrade for breeding process.
Upgrade for Breeding
For your dog to be upgraded to breeding status, the following criteria needs to be met. Once the results are approved by the Committee you will be issued upgraded papers stating that your dog is approved for breeding (if you have passed the requirements of the Club as listed in the Club Rules and Bylaws).
Hips and Elbows x-rayed and scored
You are required to get Hips and Elbows x-rayed and scored, Xrays can be performed at most veterinary clinics, however it is highly recommended to use a Vet that is experienced in taking xrays for the purpose of scoring hip dysplasia as incorrect positioning the dog can affect the scoring process. The x-rays need to be scored by an approved Australian Veterinary Association Radiologist. A list of Radiologists can be found on the Australian National Kennel Council website. It is recommended for x-rays to be taken at around 18 months to 2 years of age, however they should not be done before the age of 12 months of age until the dog has finished growing. Results may be delayed depending on the Radiologist and their workload therefore it is important that you start this process well before you plan to breed.
DNA Tests
All dogs must be DNA tested for Multi Drug Resistance Gene1 (MDR1) and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). Further genetic diseases and traits can be tested, however these are not a requirement of the Club. All swab tests for genetic testing and Breed ID are to follow the procedure listed as per the Club’s Bylaws:
DNA SAMPLES ARE NOT TO BE COLLECTED BY OWNERS, BREEDERS OR A PERSON WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THE MATING OR UPGRADING OF THE DOG/BITCH.
It is ONLY to be collected by an approved, independent, trained collector including a Veterinarian.
A) DNA COLLECTION METHOD:
DNA sample collection is usually via a non-intrusive buccal swab, if a blood sample is required, a registered veterinarian should perform the collection.
B) VERIFIED IDENTIFICATION:
Positive Identification by microchip must be sited and verified at the time of collection by a veterinarian or authorised collector and noted on the form.
C) PARENTAGE VERIFICATION/CLEAR BY PARENTAGE:
Parentage Testing – For verification of parentage, both Sire, Dam and Progeny must have DNA profiles for comparison.
D) Clear by Parentage (CBP) – for specific diseases.
Where both parents are clear of these diseases, their offspring may be assumed to be clear of the same diseases. Proof of parentage is required for this to be entered in the WSSDCA Registry.
ORIGINAL/COPY OF DOCUMENTS:
If a document is unclear as to its authentic origin, for example; Results from Genetic Laboratory or from Hip/Elbow scoring professional, the original document must be certified by a Justice of the Peace or equivalent to be accepted by the WSSDCA Registry.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF HEALTH RESULTS:
Confidential information relating to results of hip/elbow scores and the DNA genetic tests in bloodlines are NOT be disclosed to any other member without the written permission of the owner and breeder of the dog. *A Breeder is required to supply a copy of parent’s scores and test results prior to, or at the time of hand over of the pup to the puppy buyer.
Orivet currently offers a DNA test package to all WSSDCA members that includes a list of diseases and traits specific to White Swiss Shepherds at a discounted rate. Please contact Orivet for more information about DNA testing. Results take between 2 -3 weeks.
Upgrade for Breeding Form
Once you have your results for xrays and DNA, complete the Upgrade for Breeding form, attach copies of x-ray scores and DNA test results and submit the Upgrade for Breeding Form online from our website http://www.wssdca.org.au/members/forms/upgrade-for-breeding-2/
Kennel Name Application
If the dog you are breeding is female, you would need to apply for a kennel name. This is normally done at the same time you upgrade your dog for breeding by completing the Kennel Name Application form available from our website http://www.wssdca.org.au/members/forms/kennel-registration-form/
A female White Swiss Shepherd must not be bred from before the bitch’s second (2nd) heat/season or before the age of eighteen (18) months – whichever is later.
Breeding Guidelines
When choosing a mate for breeding the following Club Bylaws must be complied with:
GENETIC RESULTS USED TO DETERMINE A SUITABLE MATING:
Clear x Clear Preferred.
Clear x Carrier: Allowable, the breeder is to provide new owners with details of parent’s status and information on this condition.
“NOT ALLOWED”
Clear x Affected: NOT ALLOWED
Carrier x Carrier: NOT ALLOWED
Carrier x Affected NOT ALLOWED
Affected x Affected NOT ALLOWED
Both the sire and dam must be upgraded for breeding and all relevant x-rays and genetic tests have been completed and recorded with the Club prior to being mated.
Breeders are to make themselves familiar with the current Rules/Bylaws of the WSSDCA and adhere to them. Failure to do so could result in breach litters (where no pedigree certificates are issued); and owners will receive fines and/or suspension as a registered breeder from the Club.
Registrar Assistance
The Club’s Registrar can be used to check if your chosen sire or dam has been upgraded for breeding and assist with checking the co-efficient of inbreeding, e.g. how closely the dogs are related. The Registrar can also check genetic test results of potential sires/dams, or assist to find an upgraded dog who may not be listed on our website.
The Registrar is also available for any questions in regard to the breeding process and if they cannot assist, can help to find someone close to you (a current registered Breeder) that is able to help guide you through the process.
Litter Registration
Once you your female has her puppies and they have been sold, complete the online litter registration form from the club website and have the stud owner complete the online stud service form. If puppies have not been sold by 12 weeks, submit forms with “sale pending” to avoid late fee penalties and once sold, send new owner’s details to the Club.
When you register your litter, you will need to have had the puppies microchipped. Please double check the microchip number is correct as it can cause a delay in the registration papers being issued.
Single Dog Registration
NEW BLOODLINES NOT ON WSSDCA REGISTRY.
When a White Swiss Shepherd dog is from a new bloodline (where the club does not hold any pedigree information) it will only be considered to be placed on the White Swiss Shepherd Dog Club of Australia registry if said dog/bitch already holds a written pedigree from a registry known and acceptable to the White Swiss Shepherd Dog Club Inc. committee at time of submission.