If sending by mail, scroll to bottom of form and hit "Print Form."
Please return completed application and a check payabale to OHCA to:

Donna Slavin

1914 Britt Drive

Snellville GA 30078

THE OTTERHOUND CLUB OF AMERICA, Inc. opposes the sale of puppies to pet stores or whole-litter sales. Anyone selling puppies in this manner, or those who comtemplate doing so, should not apply for the OHCA Membership.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES (Yearly, January 1st to December 31st)

Per American Kennel Club rules, non-US residents may enjoy all Club privileges except voting and office holding.

"The Voice" is the official Club publication available to all Members.
It is published bimonthly and sent via email as a printable PDF.

New members must be endorsed by two (2) current members of the Otterhound Club of America.  If you do not have sponsors for your membership, please contact OHCA Secretary at secretary@otterhound.org .

OTTERHOUND CLUB OF AMERICA, Inc.
CONSTITUTION

Section 1.The name of the Club shall be: The Otterhound Club of America, Inc.

Section 2.The objects of this Club shall be:

     a) to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of pure-bred  Otterhounds and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.

     b) to encourage the organization of independent local specialty clubs in those localities where there are sufficient fanciers of the breed to meet the requirements of the American Kennel Club.

     c) to urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Otterhounds shall be judged.

     d) to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience trials, and tracking tests under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.

     e) to conduct sanctioned matches, specialty shows, obedience trials and tracking tests under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.

Section 3.The club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

Section 4.The members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objects.

OTTERHOUND CLUB OF AMERICA, Inc.

CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

Article I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Code of Conduct shall be to maintain at all times a standard of excellence in ownership, breeding, sales and exhibition of Otterhounds. All OHCA members have an obligation to protect the best interests of the breed by conducting themselves in a manner designated to reflect credit on themselves, their hounds, and the OHCA. Blatant and serious infractions of the Code could lead to disciplinary actions by the Board of the OHCA.

Article II. RECORDS: All members of the OHCA shall know and follow the AKC rules regarding record keeping and registration, sales, and transfer of dogs. Members will agree to register every dog or bitch used for breeding and maintain accurate records as per AKC requirements.

Article III. BREEDING:
   A.* Breeders agree to:
        1. Breed only with the intention of improving the breed and finding suitable homes for the resulting puppies;
        2. Choose only healthy, mature and mentally sound parents of good qualities according to the approved AKC standard;
        3. Know inherited problems of their stock and the breed and work to control and eliminate those problems;
        4. X-ray all breeding stock for canine hip dysplasia and submit x-rays to OFA, Penn-Hip or any other professional panel for evaluation and make such evaluations public;
        5. Submit blood for genetic testing for Thromboplastic Thrombasthenia (Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia) at the approved lab. If both parents have been tested clear and both parents and offspring have been DNA profiled, this test does not need to be submitted.
        6. Submit blood from the sire and dam for the epilepsy study at the University of Missouri and submit blood from the litter of puppies before they are placed in new homes, or require puppy buyers to submit blood to the epilepsy study by their 1st birthday;                                                                      7. Be open and frank with buyers, and those involved in breedings, about the health background of their hounds, including hip status, Glanzmann's test, blood tests, thyroid tests, seizures, allergies, or any other problems.

   B. Stud owners agree to:
        1. Ascertain that the owner of the bitch to be bred is well prepared to whelp and care for a litter and is willing to adhere to the standards presented in this code.
        2. Refuse stud service to bitches that do not meet the criteria in this article of the Code.
        3. Take an interest in seeing that the resulting puppies are placed in secure homes and be willing to help if offspring needs to be re-homed.

* For the purpose of this Code of Ethics, "Breeders" refers to both the owner(s) of the stud dog and owner(s) of the brood bitch.

Article IV. ADVERTISING: Oral and written advertising should be factual and clear, not allude to situations or features that may not be factual, or be worded so as to attract undesirable buyers.

Article V. SALES:
   A. Sellers will refuse to sell to wholesalers and retailers, or to sell or buy in litter lots, or to participate in the raffles
of puppies. To do so could result in loss of OHCA membership. Breeders participating in these practices will not
be recommended.
   B. Sellers agree to:
        1. Not sell puppies before eight weeks of age.
        2. Provide the buyer, at the time of purchase, feeding instructions, a complete health record of the puppy, a
suggested schedule of further inoculations and de-wormings, instructions to take the puppy to the buyer's veterinarian, and grooming, care and training tips.
        3. Provide the buyer, at the time of purchase, an AKC registration application and a bill of sales stating all terms of purchase, including whether the puppy is sold as a show prospect or pet. (Use of AKC limited registration is encouraged for dogs with defects. Such defect may be noted in writing.)
        4. Encourage their puppy buyers to join the OHCA and make themselves available in the future to answer
buyer's questions concerning the dog's development and well-being.
        5. Either take back or make every effort to assist in the placing of a puppy that needs to be re-homed.

Article VI. CONTRACTS: Contracts should adhere to the principles set forth in this Code and should be signed by all parties, each having a copy and each fully understanding the terms at the time of signing.

Article VII. SPORTSMANSHIP: OHCA Members agree to:
   A. Conduct themselves at all times in a manner which will reflect credit upon them and the Otterhound breed, both in their actions and their conversations, whatever the venue.
   B. Treat and speak of others as they would hope to be treated and thought of themselves. 

By submitting this form and a valid payment I/We agree that:

I/We will abide by the Constution and Bylaws, and the Code of Ethical Conduct of the Otterhound Club of America, Inc. if my/our Membership Application is accepted.