UNITED HUNGARIAN WIRE-HAIRED VIZSLA ASSOCIATION
The U.S. National Parent Club *UKC provisional
Genetic Health
Although the first Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla came to the United States in the 1970's, it was only recently that they have began to gain in popularity. Due to this, little in the way of genetic health testing and statistics have been kept. The United Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla Association is dedicated to seeing that the Wire-Haired Vizsla does not take the genetic health path of many other rare breeds in the United States. We encourage all breeders to test their breeding stock and allow those results to be made public.
| "Reducing the stigma of genetic disease involves raising the level of conversation from gossip to constructive communication" |
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In the fall of 2007, the UHWVA obtained the inclusion of the Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla in to the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) database. By doing so we can better track and isolate genetic conditions that was effecting the Wirehaired Vizsla here in America. At this time the following tests are a required for a Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla (Wirehaired Vizsla) to obtain a CHIC number:
OFA Hips and CERF
It is important to note the below:
A dog having a CHIC # does not mean the dog tested clear/normal. CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health.
A dog not showing on the CHIC database does not mean it did not have the required testing it can mean the dog has not met the requirement for permanent id via tattoo or microchip.
CHIC DNA Repository
With the HWV being a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) breed they are now eligible to participate in the CHIC DNA Repository . The United Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla Association encourages all Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla owners from the US and aboard to please take part in this important research project.
Please see our CHIC DNA Repository page for further information
Note on Genetic Health Testing
Genetic health issues are seen in every breed of dog and the Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla (Wirehaired Vizsla) is no exception. Genetic screening tests (ex: OFA Hips, CERF, ect..) should be used by all breeders to identify and remove affected dogs from their breeding programs. By doing so you will help greatly reduce these incidences. Testing will not identify carriers, i.e., dogs that do not have a particular condition, but can still produce it, therefore pedigree research and openess is of great importance.
Where to test?
Genetic health clinics are common and held throughout America, for assistants in locating one please use the link below.
Hip Dysplasia
FACT: As of January 2008, 18.4% of Wire-Haired Vizslas who's hip x-rays were submitted to OFA were found to have hip dysplasia. This 18.4% places the Wirehaired Vizsla in the top 50 breeds for this condition.
The % of dysplastic Wirehaired Vizslas within the United States is alarming to most. This is a genetic condition that can and must be screened for prior to breeding to help bring this % down.
Related links:
Eye Issues
All Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla (Wirehaired Vizsla) breeding stock should be CERF'd yearly.
The below eye conditions have been seen in the Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla.
