What is a Responsible Breeder?

Looking to bring a Vizsla puppy into your home?

The RMVC Breeder Referral program will refer inquiries to all RMVC Breeder/Members who have read the Club's Breeder Guidelines, are full voting members of the VCA, are in good standing with the RMVC and VCA, and have agreed to adhere to the Vizsla Club of America's Code of Ethics through each dues renewal. Our Breeder Referral Program is run by:

• Mel Reveles, info@rmvc.org
• Ginger Sammonds, 970.593.1711
• Judy Hetkowski

The Vizsla Club of America's breeder referral program is run by Florence Duggan.

Responsible breeders are not in it for the money--they breed the best to the best in hopes to improve the health, structure, temperament, and natural ability of the Vizsla breed.

Responsible breeders are truly guardians of the Vizsla breed.

Responsible breeders take good care of their dogs, providing:

• Plenty of love and affection
• A safe and comfortable home
• A good, nutritious diet
• Proper vet care including immunizations and parasite prevention/treatment
• Plenty of exercise
• Plenty of stimulation and socialization

Responsible breeders will take a dog of their breeding back under any circumstances, and regardless of the age/health of the dog.

Responsible breeders belong to (at minimum) their local breed club and/or kennel clubs as well as their national breed club. Our national club is the Vizsla Club of America.

Responsible breeders prove their breeding stock by putting titles on their dogs. Once a title has been awarded by the AKC it will be included in the dogs registered name. Ask to see a recent copy of the breeders AKC registration or pedigree. These titles include:

• Conformation (show) -- CH, BIS, BISS
• Hunt Tests -- JH, SH, MH
• Obedience -- CD, CDX, UD, UDX, OTCH
• Agility -- NA, NAJ, OA, OAJ, AX, AXJ, MX, MXJ, MACH
• Field Trial -- FC, AFC, DC
• Rally -- RN, RA, RE, RAE
• Tracking -- TD, TDX, VST, CT

Responsible breeders prove the health of their dogs by testing for congenital diseases and other health conditions. Ask to see copies of these health certificates (run the other direction if a breeder refuses to show you the actual certificates and insists their dogs are perfectly healthy). These tests include:

• Hip dysplasia -- OFA certification
• Von Willebrand's Disease -- health certificate
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), learn about CERF'ing at http://www.animaleyecare.net/diseases/cerf.htm -- health certificate
• OFA thyroid certification (if they do thyroid panels event better!) -- health certificatee

Responsible breeders take the temperament of the dogs they breed into account just as seriously as they take the health of the dogs.

Responsible breeders insist on placing a "limited" registration on their dogs that will not be shown or used for their breeding program. It becoming increasingly common for responsible breeders to insist on co-owning dogs they place as well.