Harlequin Pinscher Association Handbook

Guidelines - Recommendations - Protocols

The Harlequin Pinscher Association was created to give Harlequin PInscher Breeders the opportunity to register and track their genetics through an independent, privately owned & professionally run Harlie Registry.

HPA is a registry service only. We leave the business end of a transaction to the buyer and seller. HPA's goal is to provide seamless registration services to the many honest, ethical and moral Harlie breeders in the industry today.

Unfotunately HPA has banned breeders in the past and no doubt will do so in the future to protect the Harlequin Pinscher breed.

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1. Harlequin Pinscher Registration:

A. HPA provides seamless registration services for TRUE PUREBRED HPA Harlequin Pinschers.

B. HPA has the only seamless registration database for true Purebred Harlequin Pinschers.

2. Dual Registration Services:
A. HPA provides dual registration services for Miniature Pinschers to be used in an HPA Harlequin PInscher breeding program.

B. Miniature Pinschers from AKC are eligible for dual registration and eligibility will be decided on a case by case basis.

A few select others may be accepted based on Pedigree Submission and eligibility will be decided on a case by case basis.

ii. Due to great differences in registration polices we do not accept CKC - Continential Kennel Club or CPR - Certified Pet Registry animals as well as a number of others for dual registration.

C. Dual Registration Forms are available through HPA.

*The Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to accept or decline registrations without cause. All decisions by HPA are final.

HPA does not acept any so-called Harlequin Pinscher from

any other registry for dual registration.

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3. Database - Recorded Pedigrees:

Each animal registered with the Harlequin Pinscher Association will be recorded in the Pedigree Database.

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4. Documentation:

All required information must be submitted with the application to dual register a qualifed Miniature Pinscher with the Harlequin Pinscher Association.

Certificates of Registration are issued using information provided to the Harlequin Pinscher Association by its clients. Information utilized from certificates of other registries is accepted at face value and is intended for documentation only. Neither Harlequin Pinscher Association nor it's owners, officers, or agents accept liability nor shall they be answerable in damages for the issuance of any certificate based on inaccurate information furnished by the applicant. Harlequin Pinscher Association has no obligation or responsibility to independently investigate or determine whether the information provided in any application for registration or transfer is correct.

A. Transfer of Ownership:

Transfers can be submitted by either the buyer or seller.

Transfer of Ownership form should be completed, signed and dated by the seller.

The original Registration Certificate with a complete transfer and appropriate fees must be sent to Harlequin Pinscher Association.

B. Responsibility:

All contracts, agreements and verification are between buyer and seller other than those required by HPA. Harlequin Pinscher Association is a pedigree tracking and registry service only. Responsibility for documentation of each transaction, or procedure (*natural breeding, artificial insemination, semen transactions, etc.) and/or submission of required forms and payments remains with the parties involved. All agreements made are strictly between those parties. Harlequin Pinscher Association is not responsible for determining the validity of any claims or outcome of any grievances.

i. It is the Seller and/or Breeder Responsibility to transfer all Litter Papers/Canine Registration Applications over to the new owner of every puppy/dog they were issued for without additional charge or restrictions.
Sellers and/or Breeders are subject to Suspensions and/or Bans for charging extra for papers or procedures or restricting the use of papers.

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5. Identification: Microchip:

All animals are required to be permanently identified by the use of an inserted microchip.

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6. Naming of Animals:

The owner of an animal at the time of registration has the right to name it.

A. An acceptable name is required for registration.

ii. Certain words and/or phrases are not allowed for use in the naming of dogs. Included but not limited to - God, Champion, certain Curse Words, Obscenity, etc.

iii. Certain Kennel Names are not allowed to be used in the naming of a dog without the Kennel Owners Permission.

B. Names can consist up to 20 Letters, Numbers and/or spaces.

ii. Names consisting of 21 to 30 Letters, Numbers and/or spaces are accepted with an additional $25.00 fee.

iii. Papers submitted with over 20 characters without additional fee payment will not be issued.

Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to accept or decline any name submitted for registration. HPA furthermore reserves the right to name an animal submitted without an acceptable name, add to or remove words or numbers within a name.

Harlequin Pinscher Association is not liable or responsible for names used that others may lay claim to.

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7. OFFICIAL FORMS:

Forms for all HPA transactions are available for download on the company website or by contacting the registrar's office.

A. User Application:

All persons wishing to register litters with HPA will be given a "ID Number". The registrar will assign an individual "User" Number which is to be used on all paperwork submitted. The Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to accept or decline Users without cause.

B. Animal Registration Application:

This form is used when applying for a Certificate of Registration for an animal. The new owner's information is to be filled out in it's entirety whether being registered by the breeder or a new owner.

C. Dual Registration:

Use this form to transfer registered Miniature Pinschers from another acceptable dog registry. Copies of the dogs original registration certificate from the other registry must accompany the application as well as a Complete 4 Generation (*dog, parents, grandparents and great grandparents) Pedigree complete with Names, Colors and Registration Numbers.

Appropriate fees must accompany the documents.

Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to accept or decline any dog submitted for dual registration without cause.

D. Litter Registration Application:

Use this form to register an eligible HPA litter produced from 2 HPA registered animals.

Appropriate fees must accompany the document.

Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to accept or decline any litter registration submission without cause.

E. Transfer Application:

Transfers can be found on the back of the Registration Certificate on new Registration Certificates or a bill of sale may be submitted with older forms which do not have transfers on back of Certificates.

Appropriate CURRENT fees must be included with submission.

Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to accept or refuse any transfer submitted.

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8. DNA Recommendations:

Harlequin Pinscher Association has recommendations in place to help with the health of dogs in the database and to secure an accurate pedigree tracking service.

A. DNA Genetic Testing:

Harlequin Pinscher Association recommends every Dam and Sire used to request litter papers to be tested and found 'clear' of MPS VI, PLL and Cystinuria and DM.

Acceptable DNA Genetic Testing Results are recommended to be on file before any litter papers are issued.

B. DNA Profile & Parentage Verification:

All Sires and Dams used for breeding are recommended to have an acceptable DNA profile on file & all Animals resulting from 2 HPA Parents are recommended to have Parentage Verification on file to be used for Parental Verification of a Pup if requested.

i. Animals found not to be from 1 or either parent submitted will have it's Certificate of Registration cancelled until which time accurate parentage can be proven.

ii. It is the BREEDERS responsibility to make Parentage Verification available to all pups they produce and which are being used for Breeding Purposes.

iii. Breeders with habitual Parentage Verification issues may be suspended or banned.

8AA: Testing has shown DM - Degenerative Myelopathy to be

a wide spread issue in both Min Pins and Harlies.

N.1 - Clear Genetic Test Recommendations are MPS VI, PLL, Cystinuria and DM..

AAA. Tested "CLEAR" Parents can only produce CLEAR offspring - our ultimate goal.

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9. Breed Standards:
Harlequin Pinscher Association will establish breed standards for both the Harlequin Pinscher and Miniature Pinscher. These Standards will be used to judge the breeding quality of the individual breed.
Any animal having a disqualifying fault is not eligible for registration. Any animal registered with a disqualifying fault will have it's Certificate of Registration cancelled/revoked.

10. Breeding Requirements:

Effective January 1, 2022

Breeding Requirements have been found to be needed to curb the over-breeding of animals by those seeking monetary rewards.

A. Age:

1. Both Male and Female Animals must have reached mental maturity prior to breeding.

2. Females over the age of 7 years must be Vet Certified as to health and deemed healthy to breed no more than 10 days PRIOR to breeding.

3. Males over the age of 7 must be Vet Certified as to health and deemed healthy for breeding annually.
A. Vet Certified Documents will be required to be submitted to HPA.

C. Bad Breeding Practices:

Over breeding of both Males and Females will be considered Bad Breeding Practices

1. Those found to not be adhering to the HPA Breeding Requirements may have their Registration Privileges Suspended and/or Banned as deemed necessary by HPA at their sole discretion on a case-by-case basis.

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11 Dog Shows: Hosted - Sanctioned

A. Hosted Dog Shows:

Harlequin Pinscher Association will host dog shows as they see fit based on interest, time, money and available location.

B. Sponsored/Sanctioned Dog Show:
Harlequin Pinscher Association is open to Sanctioning an HPA Dog Show for HPA Harlequin Pinschers.
All request for Sanctioned Dog Shows will be reviewed and a decision made on a case by case basis. Harlequin Pinscher Association reserves the right to approve or decline any request without cause.

A minimum of 25 paid Entries are required to qualify as a Show.

Any show where less than 25 Pre-Paid Entry dogs show up for participation will result in Point Participation but no awards.

Code of Ethics

HARLEQUIN PINSCHER ASSOCIATION
Code of Ethics & Procedure Standards
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CODE OF ETHICS POLICY STATEMENT
The Harlequin Pinscher Association, hereby known as the HPA, maintains certain policies to guide the approved breeders of the HPA with respect to standards of conduct expected in areas where improper acts and/or behavior could damage the reputation of both it’s Users and/or the Association itself.

The purpose of this Policy is to affirm, in a comprehensive statement, required standards of conduct and practices with respect to breeding, sales, care of animals, registration, Users and the use of the HPA (*Harlequin Pinscher Association) name.

A breeders actions under this Policy are significant indications of the individual’s judgement and competence. As such, those actions constitute an important element in the evaluation of the breeders acceptance to remain a User, in good standing, with the HPA.

Correspondingly, disregard of the principles (*failure to follow) of this Policy will be grounds for appropriate and immediate disciplinary action as seen fit by the HPA Directors.

The HPA will conduct it’s business honestly and ethically. The HPA will constantly strive to adhere to high standards and ethical business practices.

Employees of the HPA shall not buy or sell securities of a Competitor Company.

Employees or past Employees of the HPA shall not provide any Competitor Company with any information in relation to the HPA, it’s Database or it Users.

PROHIBITION OF IMPROPER PAYMENTS

The HPA expects all breeders to use only legitimate methods of receiving and/or making payments.
Unethical actions which result in unfavorable outcomes when dealing with others in either receiving and/or making of payments is prohibited.

The HPA does not dictate the method of which a person may receive and/or make payments other than to dictate the highly unethical procedure of charging a buyer a PERCENTAGE FEE when allowing certain methods of payments. A Percentage fee and/or upcharge is not an accepted policy as set by the HPA.

No User of the HPA or affiliated Company acting on the HPA’s behalf shall, in violation of any applicable law, offer or make directly or indirectly through any other person or firm any payment of anything of value (*money, animal, gift or otherwise) to:

* any person or firm employed by or acting for or on behalf of the HPA or one of it’s User, for the purpose of inducing or rewarding any favorable action by the HPA, a Judge or one of it’s Users.
* any governmental official, Animal Rights Association, Rescue or Humane Society, for the purpose of inducing punishment to a fellow User which would reward favorable benefits to a User.

In utilizing consultants, agents, sales representatives or others, the HPA and it’s Users will employ only reputable, qualified individuals or firms under compensation agreements, which are reasonable in relation to the services performed. Consultants, agents or representatives retained in relation to the provision of goods or services must agree to comply with all laws, regulations and HPA policies governing acceptable conduct.

The provisions of this section are not intended to apply to ordinary and reasonable business transactions not of substantial value, not in violation of law.

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

The HPA will not make any contribution to any political party or to any candidate for political office out of respect to it’s Users which consist of a variety of Political Parties.
REPORTS & REVIEWS

Any employee, User, Buyer or affiliate who is requested to make, authorize or agree to any offer or payment which is or may be, contrary to this Policy will promptly report such information to the HPA.
Upon HPA acquiring information (*for example, newspaper reports, website content, reports from Users, or statements of individuals involved) that gives the HPA reason to believe that a Employee, Affiliate, User, or other person or firm engaged in conduct forbidden by this policy, the HPA will take appropriate action in a timely manner.

STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is the objective of the HPA:

* to comply with all laws of the United States
* to hold Employees, Affiiates, Users and others personally and strictly accountable for their actions.

* to allow HPA membership and/or Registration to only those ethical Harlequin Pinscher Breeders and/or Harlequin Pinscher Owners with register-able HPA Harlequin Pinschers who register their Harlequin Pinschers with HPA, ACR and APR and NO OTHER REGISTRY.
* to allow Inclusion of Harlequin Pinschers for breeding purposes to only those Harlequin Pinschers genetically tested and found to be clear of MPS VI, PLL and Cystinuria.

* to allow inclusion of Harlequn Pinschers for breeding purposes to only those Harlequin Pinscher Sires and Dams which have a DNA profile on file with HPA for parentage I.D. purposes.
* to allow inclusion of only Harlequin Pinschers into the HPA database which have been micro-chipped and for which the microchip number is included on paperwork.
* to put in place acceptable procedure standards for Employees, Affiliates, Users and breeders at large.

Discussion and Exchange of Information With Competitors

Communication with a competitor on subjects as to which an understanding with the the competitor would be illegal is strictly forbidden.

No User, Employee or Affiliate shall discuss or give access to any HPA Registrations, Pedigrees or other protected information for any reason to any Competitor of the HPA.

Participation in Trade Associations and Other Meetings with Competitors

A. No employee, HPA Judge or HPA User shall attend or remain present :

1. at any surreptitious meeting of competitors;

2. at any meeting where there is a discussion by competitors of any subject which is in reference to or believed to be in reference to the HPA.

3. at any informal meeting of competitor Companies and/or Users or Individuals of a trade association held for the purpose of discussing business matters without observing the formal procedural requirements established by trade associations and the Roberts Rules of Order for business meetings.

B. Any Employee, HPA Judge, and/or HPA User planning to attend or participate in any Competitors Functions, for any reason, should receive prior approval from HPA.

C. Any Employee, HPA Judge and/or HPA User found to of engaged in a Competitors Meeting, furnished Registration Information or Pedigrees found in the HPA database, or engaged in any type of discussions with Competitors in regards to the Harlequin Pinscher will be subject to immediate suspension and/or life-time ban from the HPA as well as legal repercussions.

PROCEDURE STANDARDS:

The HPA has set in place the highest procedure standards in the industry for it’s Employees, Affiliates and Users for both the way they conduct business and for the matter in which they treat their animals.

A. All animals in Employee, Affiliate or Users possession shall:

1. Be fed an adequate amount of food daily.

2. Have 24/7 access to an acceptable clean source of water.

3. Be housed appropriately for their Environment.

4. Be housed in a clean environment.

5. Have appropriate Medical Attention and/or Vaccinations as needed and/or required.

B. All Harlequin Pinschers in HPA Users possession shall:

1. Be registered with HPA and/or ACR and/or APR. (*NO OTHER REGISTRY AFFILIATION)

2. All Harlequin Pinschers being used for breeding be "Clear" Genetics Tested for MPS VI, PLL and Cystinuria and results made known to buyers in addition to results be on file with HPA.

3. All Harlequin Pinscher Sires being used for breeding have a DNA profile on file with HPA.

4. All Harlequin Pinscher dams registering a litter have a DNA profile on file with HPA.

C. No Employee, Affiliate or User is to release any Harlequin Pinscher to any Animal Rescue, Humane Society or Placement Service other than the approved Established Rescue set up by the ACR known as “Time Counts Rescue”.

D. No User is to charge a Percentage or Up-charge Fee for any method of payment they accept. Fees are considered to be a cost of doing business and are not to be imposed upon the buyer.

E. All Users are to treat buyers in a fair manner:

1. Provide ALL buyers with HPA Registration Papers at time of Puppy Possession change. (*ALL HPA papers issued are FULL registration).

A Sellers may place limits of sale based on a signed contract. It is however the responsibility of the Seller to enforce the contract. HPA does not enforce Contract between Buyer and Seller. All HPA Certificates are issued as 'unrestricted' registration.

F. Users are to NEVER advertise a litter as HPA register-able without having ALREADY applied for Litter Papers on said Pup.

G. ALL Users shall:

1. Guarantee the known Tested Genetic Health of Pups/Dogs they sell/place.
2. Give a minimum guarantee of 72 hours on pups health for Parvo and Distemper.
3. Be willing to take back any animal they’ve sold/placed which would not compromise the health or well being of their current animals. Compensation is not required.
4. Ship/Deliver all healthy animals within a reasonable amount of time but no more than 4 weeks after full payment has been received by buyer or no later than 10 weeks of age for those pups spoken for and paid for in full prior to 8 weeks of age unless an agreement has been reached by both Buyer and Seller.

5. Replace puppies or Refund Money as agreed upon by contract in a timely manner.
6. Register their Harlequin Pinschers only with HPA or ACR. Use of any other competitive registry will be reason for suspension and/or life-time ban of User.
7. Guard their Registration Papers and Pedigrees so as to protect them from being included in a competitive registry database.

8. Use and accept only appropriate, acceptable and legal methods of payment in association with ACR, HPA, and their puppy buyers.

9. Respond to the given Registry in a respectful manner and supply requested paperwork within the time period requested. Failure to do so may result in suspension or ban.

10. Not have been convicted of an Animal Abuse or Neglect Charge by law enforcement.

11. Not knowingly support a Unethical breeder or one of reasonably unacceptable reputation.

H. HPA shall:

1. Process all paperwork in a timely manner,

2. Enforce all rules, policies and standards to the best of their ability.

3. Investigate all complaints and take appropriate action.

While HPA may step in to assist buyers and/or sellers from time to time it is not the Policy of any of the registries to do so. HPA, ACR Policy is to advise the Seller to make “WISE CHOICES” when purchasing. THE HPA, ACR have some of the strongest policies in place of any Registry in which to regulate the Moral and Ethical Character of their Users/Breeders.
The HPA, ACR will take every action necessary to protect the Harlequin Pinscher Breed, The Harlequin Pinscher Database and the reputation of the Harlequin Pinscher.

Eligibility to use HPA Registration Services

January 18, 2022 Any individual with HPA registered dogs may use HPA Registration Services as long as they are using HPA as their sole Registry for Harlequin Pinschers and do not support/promote using any other Registry/Club/Association in regards to Harlequin Pinschers. .HPA breeders are expected to take pride in the efforts HPA and the loyal ethical HPA breeders have taken over the years to develop a healthy breed through Pride and Dedication. Supporting breeders (*banned or not) who use other so-called Harlequin Registry Services is not in the best interest of the breed. Individuals found to be supporting other Registries/Clubs/Associations or breeders using these other Registries/Clubs/Associations are subject to having HPA Registration Privileges removed.