Breed Warden

Anke Masters, NATC Chief Breed Warden, is inspecting the first NATC, DTK-registered litter of wires bred by Lore Mahler

Many American and Canadian dachshund breeders are not familiar with the concept of Breeder Warden. In the DTK system the Breed Commission, the State Breed Wardens and Group/Section Breed Wardens are available to all members for advice in breed matters. They supervise the breeding and observance of the breeding regulations. Responsibilities of the Breed Warden are numerous:

1. Kennel inspections

The Breed Warden is authorized to inspect the kennel at anytime - even without notice - in order to advise the breeders and is obliged to watch out for the compliance with the breeding regulations. A kennel inspection must be conducted: after application for a kennel name (pre inspection), as a routine check with every litter inspection and In response to suspicion of irregularities.

2. Litter inspections

The litter inspection shall be conducted no earlier than 8 weeks and no later than 12 weeks of age and it consists of:

2a.  Inspection of the kennel

2b.  Examination of

  • kennel book - all litters are entered in accordance with the litter registration application and the location of the puppies with complete address and phone number of the buyers (at least from the previous litter)
  • pedigrees - in accordance with the litter registration application, age of the parent animals on the day of the mating, check of the tattoo number of the bitch, Formwert (rating), chest circumference, eye examination, litter spacing and the possession of breeding permission of the owner, if different than breeder - review possible special permit
  • kennel registration card - important with the first litter, later also acceptable in form of a copy
  • membership fees - have to be current
  • shot records of the puppies - primary immunizations of the puppies against SHLP

Puppies are tattooed for identification purposes

2c.  Evaluation of the litter. The bitch and puppies will be physically examined and observations will be noted concerning the following:

  • bitch - dietary and health condition, examination of teats, check for scars of cesarean section.
  • puppies - dietary and health condition, improperly healed naval, as well as eliminating faults; sick and undernourished puppies indicated by dull coat, bloated bellies, teary eyes and nasal discharge as well as puppies with external parasites and scaly skin are not allowed to be accepted. Readily recognizable faults in puppies: all faults of the tail, overshot or undershot mouth, wry mouth, missing canines or incisors, no testicle or only one testicle out.

2d.  Examination of the litter registration application

2e.  Tattooing of the puppies