Vizsla Club of America Coe of Ethics

Respect for the Vizsla
The vizsla is a distinctively different canine. It is a superior family dog as well as a true hunting companion, accepting the role of protector and friend and demanding the degree of respect and rank that distinguishes it clearly higher than that of a "dog."

After surviving countless wars and centuries of limited and selective breeding, the vizsla was re-bred from near extinction and combines the finest in beauty, character and hunting ability with a strong desire to please. He is lightweight and agile, running with effortless grace. Respect for this heritage demands that the breed should never be allowed to become less than the dog that still represents the National Dog of Hungary - a true "walking gentleman's shooting dog." The vizsla should remain true to type whether in the show ring, field or at home with the family, representing all physical characteristics which have distinguished him for centuries.

Membership of vizsla owners, breeders, and fanciers in the Vizsla Club of America (VCA) is needed to secure a group of truly dedicated people committed to maintaining the breed and assuring its proper management here in America. The vizsla deserves only good owners, trainers, and judges so that future generations may also enjoy the noble characteristics of this classy sporting dog.

The CODE OF ETHICS for breeders and owners of the vizsla was accepted by the VCA Board of Directors and the general membership on October 24, 1992; then expanded November 2005 by VCA BOD and approvedby the VCA Membership in October 2006.

CODE OF ETHICS

Sportsmanship
VCA members shall always conduct themselves in a manner which will reflect credit upon themselves, their vizslas and the sport of purebred dogs, regardless of the location or circumstance; protect and advance the development of the vizsla through continued improvement of soundness, stable temperament, natural hunting ability and conformation as set forth in the official Vizsla Standard.

Health
VCA members shall maintain the best possible standard of canine health, cleanliness and veterinary care in an atmosphere conducive to the stable development of their dogs.

Breeding
VCA members shall breed only with the intention of improving the breed by breeding only those vizslas who conform to the standard as recognized by the American Kennel Club and who exhibit soundness, stable temperament and natural hunting ability. Further, VCA members shall breed only those dogs who have a DNA number and are free of serious hereditary defects (including epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, Von Willebrands, entropian and cranial muscular atrophy), and are over two years of age and have been x-rayed and OFA-certified as free from hip dysplasia.

VCA members must exhibit a commitment to vizslas they have bred and sold by supporting rescue through involvement with any vizsla placed in rescue, produced by either dog or bitch that is member-owned or co-owned. Support may include but is not limited to financial, fostering and/or re-homing.

Sales ~ VCA members shall:
+ not breed, sell, consign puppies or adult dogs to pet shops or other commercial ventures such as lotteries or raffles
+ honestly evaluate the quality of the vizsla sold, fairly represent that evaluation and urge puppy purchasers to spay or neuter all pets which for any reason will not be used for breeding
+ not release puppies under seven weeks of age
+ furnish details on feeding, care, inoculations, pedigrees and written sales agreements
+ sell any puppy which will not be used for breeding on Limited Registration from AKC
+ screen all prospective buyers to assure that puppies have safe and loving homes
+ supply assistance and support to puppy buyers for the life of the dog
+ encourage owners to become involved in vizsla activities, the Vizsla Club of America and regional vizsla clubs

The breed's parent club, the Vizsla Club of America (VCA), in recognizing its responsibility in protecting the breed, has also adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution
The Officers and the Board of Directors of the Vizsla Club of America, Inc., in cognizance of the respective responsibilities to protect the breed and foster its development, do hereby condemn cross-breeding of pure bred vizslas and falsification of registration documents. All persons following the vizsla fancy are enjoined to subscribe to this ethic in the best interest of the breed.

Resolution
The Vizsla Club of America has resolved that all breeding stock is to be radiographed and that only those animals certified free of hip dysplasia are to be used for breeding purposes. Prospective breeders and puppy buyers are urged to inquire as to the OFA certification of both the sire and the dam prior to purchase. Breeders in the Stud Dog Listing/Breeders Directory must be VCA members. Instructions for OFA diagnosis may be obtained for a fee, from the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals, 2300 Nifong Boulevard, Columbia Missouri 65201-3826. FMI: 573/442.0418.

In keeping with this resolution, The Vizsla Club of America will not accept any ads, for any of its print or electronic communications or website, for any living, intact dog over the age of 24 months, or for any living, intact bitch over the age of 26 months without an OFA number.

For the purposes of these requirements, the advertising deadline date for the publication (print or electronic or website) in which the dog is to appear controls the question of the age.

This requirement includes any and all dogs mentioned in the ad including but not limited to: sires, dams, siblings and pedigrees.

Ads in any VCA print or electronic publication or website for any dog or bitch under these specified ages, must include the young dog's date of birth, his/her sire's and dam's names, and their OFA numbers issued at the time of breeding.

Regarding ads for puppy litters: the sire and dam must have had OFA numbers at the time of breeding and those OFA numbers must be included in the ad.

Regarding ads where frozen semen was used to produce a litter, or if a stud dog is advertising frozen semen availability, OFA numbers are required on all dogs.

Exceptions
Dogs mentioned in news articles, editorial material, local or national club reports.

The VCA recognizes that breeders may want to congratulate a dog he/she bred who has accomplished something special, but who has no OFA numbers nor any intention of being used as breeding stock. Breeders are encouraged to reinforce with their puppy buyers the importance of having these animals spayed or neutered. Once spayed or neutered, the OFA requirement is lifted.

Resolution
The Officers and Board of Directors of the Vizsla Club of America, in cognizance of the respective responsibilities to protect the breed and foster its development, do hereby condemn the breeding of dogs with serious genetic defects including: epilepsy, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), Von Willebrand's Disease, entropian and cranial muscular atrophy.

Disclaimers
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the website coordinator, the Vizsla Club of America, its officers, directors or members.

Dogs and kennels advertised in the Stud Dog Listing/Breeders Directory or elsewhere do not constitute an endorsement by the Vizsla Club of America. Persons using this directory must decide for themselves which dog breeder is most suitable for their purpose.

The Vizsla Club of America will have no responsibility or liability for any claim arising in connection with any alleged or actual violation of the VCA's Code of Ethics by advertisers in any VCA print or electronic publication or by other members of the VCA.

Though the VCA may publish registration numbers, ratings, listings, gradings or other identifying information provided by various other organizations, the VCA takes no responsibility for either their accuracy or the method from which they were derived.