The Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America has adopted the following Code of Ethics to promote and foster the highest standards among breeders and owners; and to encourage cooperation in the improvement, advancement and protection of our breed. This Code of Ethics states the minimum responsibilities and practices that shall be maintained by all of the members of this organization. Members shall bear in mind that a Code of Ethics is more than a set of rules; it is a commitment to a high standard of practice in owning and breeding. All members of the WVCA shall abide by this Code of Ethics.
As a member of the Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America, I will:
- Agree to abide by and uphold the principals of the Constitution and By-Laws and this Code of Ethics of the Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America.
- Strive to establish a reputation of trust and honor among fellow club members and interested parties.
- Never engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of my dogs, or malign other breeders and owners by making false or misleading statements regarding their breeding practices or person.
- Display the highest quality of sportsmanship and keep in mind that the good of the breed comes before any personal benefits.
- Actively recognize my responsibility to protect the WV name and reputation and not allow my dogs to be ill mannered, roam unsupervised, become a public nuisance, or be relinquished to a public trust due to irresponsible ownership.
- Assist the novice buyer and/or owner in learning about the breed, by sharing my accumulated knowledge.
- Provide that all WV owned, or in my care, shall be given a proper, healthy environment, nutrition and care at all times. No member’s dog may be treated in an inhumane manner, subjected to cruel or unusual punishment, and/or mentally or physically abused. Nor may they be subjected to any conditions likely to eventuate in unnecessary danger to the animal’s health.
- Maintain the best possible standard of health and care of all WV dogs and puppies, making sure they are appropriately immunized and checked for parasites.
- Furnish with each dog or puppy transferred from my ownership:
- Complete health records including a health certificate stating that the dog in question is in good health.
- Care, feeding and grooming instructions.
- Adhere to ethical breeding practices, striving to achieve the maximum ideal of the breed. In my breeding program, keep alert for and work to control and/or eradicate inherited problems and conditions that are particular to the WHV and breed as closely as possible to the standard of the breed.
- Encourage spaying or neutering of animals not desirable for breeding.
- Will only produce a litter from any dog or bitch that has been certified clear of hip dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (done after the dog or bitch is 2 years of age or older) and/or received a Penn Hip score of .70 or better with no evidence of degenerative joint disease.
- Will only produce litters from any dog or bitch that has a current OFA-ERC or CERF number (CERF registration) and/or proof of current OFA-ERC or CERF eye exam from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation.
- Will not produce litters from bitches before the age of two or breed bitches after the age of eight and will have the option to produce litters from two breeding’s back to back but will not produce more than two litters without resting the bitch for one cycle. In no event may a bitch produce more than 6 litters in her lifetime.
- Not knowingly falsify any records, pedigrees or registrations.
- Take full responsibility for all dogs I have bred. If need be, I will take back any WV and provide for it until a new home can be found.
- Refuse to knowingly sell dogs to wholesalers, retailers, puppy mills, dog fighters or any other where there is reason to suspect that the WHV will not receive proper care or may be used in any way detrimental to the breed or the dog itself.Passed April 4, 2007, revised April 1, 2013