Constitution
The UDC’s Constitution states the purposes of the club in this fashion:
To preserve and protect the Doberman Pinscher and its heritage as a working dog, doing everything possible to perfect its natural qualities
- to maintain open dialogue with all clubs sharing similar objectives, national and international, while insuring the autonomy of the United Doberman Club
- to advance the interests of the breed by educating members about working ability, conformation, temperament, health, breeding, training and maintenance of the Total Doberman, sound in mind and body
- to maintain a supplemental registry for Doberman Pinschers, recording all earned degrees and titles from recognized and acceptable organizations
- to conduct events that promote the Doberman as a working breed, and to record and issue titles
- to encourage participation in a variety of activities for which the Doberman is suited
- to publish an official publication promoting the objectives of the club.
The complete constitution and bylaws that govern the conduct of the UDC and its membership can be found in chapter two of the administration manual. In addition to the constitution and bylaws, the administration manual also contains important information about the UDC judges program, the UDC registry, the UDC Search and Rescue puppy program, as well as the proper rules and procedures to follow in order to hold sanctioned UDC events.
The UDC serves as a center for the dissemination of information about the Doberman through sponsorship or educational programs, seminars, temperament testing programs, breed surveys and genetic testing. The UDC maintains a supplemental registry which records information about a dog’s parentage, working and conformation titles earned, the results of UDC breed surveys and fit for breeding tests, temperament tests and the results of health testing. UDC issues pedigrees containing this information. UDC members monitor legislation affecting dogs and dog ownership and, where appropriate, takes public positions on that legislation. Through its official publication, UDC Focus, information about the activities of the UDC and its various committees as well as the results of trials and tests, information about upcoming events, and educational and advertising materials are provided to the membership. The UDC also operates an E-Mail List for UDC members and guests to discuss UDC and Doberman – related matters.
UDC Code of Ethics
- Abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Doberman Club and the rules of the American Working Dog Federation.
- Keep accurate breeding records, registration papers, and pedigrees.
- All service and sales arrangements shall be mutually agreed upon, stated in writing, and signed by all parties involved.
- All advertising shall be honest and not in any way misrepresentative, fraudulent, or misleading.
- Support and conduct only ethical trade practices.
- Maintain the best possible standards of canine health, cleanliness, and care.
- Encourage the x-raying and hip certification of Dobermans for hip dysplasia and the testing of Dobermans for other common health disorders.
- All dogs offered at stud shall not be bred prior to one (1) year of age and shall be in good health and free from communicable diseases and disqualifying genetic faults (as defined by the UDC’s conformation standard). Any bitch accepted for stud service must be at least 18 months of age, in good health, free from communicable diseases and disqualifying genetic faults.
- No bitch shall be bred prior to 18 months of age and should be in good health and free of communicable diseases and disqualifying faults. Bitches should be used for breeding only as often as is consistent with good health and sound medical practices as determined by the UDC member and his or her veterinarian.
- No stud dog will be knowingly bred to any bitch whose owner is directly or indirectly involved with any puppy broker, puppy mill, pet shop, litter lot sales or any other commercial enterprises whose business is involved in like activities.
- No bitch will be bred for commercial reasons only. All bitches will be bred with the intention of that particular breeding improving the breed.
- No Dobermans will be knowingly sold to puppy brokers, pet shops, or puppy mills nor agents thereof.
- Honestly evaluate the quality of all Dobermans sold and fairly represent that evaluation.
- Furnish records to each buyer of current vaccinations and wormings, pedigree, and registration or transfer documents, unless written agreement is made at time of sale that papers be withheld.
- All members shall conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the sport of purebred dogs and Dobermans in particular.