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The Czechoslovakian Vlcak Society of America Code of Ethics 


 

Section 1: Purpose

The Code of Ethics outlines the responsibilities and expectations of Czechoslovakian Vlcak (CSV) owners, potential owners, breeders, and potential breeders whose foremost aim should be the health and welfare of their dogs and the preservation of the breed.  

By becoming a member of the Czechoslovakian Vlcak Society of America (CSVSA) you are agreeing to follow the Code of Ethics as outlined here. Failure to comply with the intent of this Code shall be handled in the same manner as a specific violation.

 

The Code of Ethics is published to the club's website and available to all. 

 

Section 2: Conduct

  1. CSVSA members shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reflects credit upon themselves, the breed, and the CSVSA regardless of location or circumstances. 

  2. Members shall present an accurate image of the Czechoslovakian Vlcak to the public and make no misleading or false claims about the breed. Members bear responsibility for the truth and accuracy of the information they share. 

  3. Members shall make every effort to educate all new owners or interested parties by being both instructive and constructive in their comments. 

  4. Members shall demonstrate at all times tolerance, kindness, and a willingness to work together for the welfare and benefit of the breed and club both in actions and words. 

  5. Members shall refrain from making misleading or untruthful statements about other members, breeders, dogs, or their practices. 

  6. Members shall maintain a high standard of health, cleanliness, safety, and care of their dogs. Dogs shall not be kept in a manner that poses a risk to their health or safety.

  7. Dog owners must comply with all city, county, and state laws and regulations concerning their dogs, including but not limited to: rabies vaccinations, humane laws, nuisance, breed bans, dangerous dog laws, and leash laws. 

  8. Members shall accept any majority vote of the club as the wishes of the club. 

 

Section 3: CSVSA Required Health Testing Outlined 

     1. Hip Dysplasia (OFA or PennHIP) 

          a. OFA performed at 24 months of age or older

          b. PennHip performed at 16 weeks of age or older

          c. Foreign FCI-member country Hip Dysplasia screening

     2. Elbow Dysplasia (OFA) 

          a. OFA performed at 24 months of age or older

     3. Degenerative Myelopathy (through an OFA accepted laboratory)

     4. Pituitary Dwarfism (through an OFA accepted laboratory) 

     5. Dentition (by a licensed veterinarian) 

     6. Auscultation Cardiac Evaluation (by a licensed Cardiologist, test results are valid for one year)

     7. Eye Examination (by a licensed Ophthalmologist, test results are valid for one year)

*CHIC numbers generate automatically within 1 to 2 weeks after all the required test results have been registered with the OFA. 


 

Section 4: Breeding

  1. Members who choose to breed shall breed only after a careful study of the breed standard, the basic principles of genetics, and pedigrees of (at minimum) the pair in question, as well as the dogs themselves.

  2. Dogs and bitches must have all of the above listed health clearances prior to being used for breeding. All results must be posted publicly on OFA and a link to their OFA page emailed to the CSVSA.                                a. This applies to both dogs and bitches which reside within and outside of the U.S. and are being used for natural, fresh semen, or frozen semen breeding.                                                                                                  b. Dogs and bitches that reside outside of the U.S. must complete all health tests required by the CSVSA and results disclosed to the CSVSA via email prior to breeding. (csvsocietyofamerica@gmail.com)

  3. Only dogs with passing health scores shall be bred and shall be bred in this manner

        a. Hip Dysplasia ratings: Excellent (A1), Good (A2), Fair (B1), and Borderline (B2)                                                                  i. Excellent to Excellent                                                                                                                                                             ii. ​Excellent to Good                                                                                                                                                                  iii. Good to Good                                                                                                                                                                        iv. Fair to Excellent

            v. Borderline to Excellent

           vi. Penn-Hip results in the top 50% of Czechoslovakian Vlcaks, with no Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) found. 

  1. Elbow Dysplasia rating Normal (0-0)

  2. Dentition rating Full Dentition

  3. Eyes rating Normal, or with Breeder Option code.

  4. Degenerative Myelopathy                                                                                                                                                    a. Clear to clear                                                                                                                                                                    b. Clear to carrier

  5. Pituitary Dwarfism                                                                                                                                                    a.          a. Clear to Clear                                                                                                                                                    a.            b. Clear to Carrier

  6. Cardiac Evaluation rating Normal

  7. Dogs and bitches used for breeding must have DNA on file with an ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics) compliant laboratory if imported. (examples: UCDavis,Orivet, or Laboklin/Labogen Germany. All dogs born and registered in the USA with FSS recordation - AKC profile is sufficient. 

  8. Members shall breed with the goal of preserving the breed standard, including breeding dogs/bitches that have stable temperaments and no disqualifying faults as outlined in the UKC & FCI Czechoslovakian Vlcak Breed Standard.

  9. Breeders shall use care and restraint in close line-breeding and/or inbreeding, and to utilize out-crossing frequently in order to encourage genetic diversity within the Czechoslovakian Vlcak population within the U.S.

  10. Breeders shall refrain from further use of any dog/bitch that has produced serious defects detrimental to the animal’s well being, affecting normal functions or impairment of vital functions, and produces like results with a different mating partner.

  11. One should use restraint in their breeding program to avoid contributing to overpopulation and maintaining genetic diversity. Bitches should have no more than six (6) litters in their lifetime and a stud dog should not be bred more than eight (8) times. Anyone wishing to have more than this number of litter shall submit their intentions to the Board of Directors as outlined under Section 7: Exceptions. 

  12. The age and conditions of the bitch shall be given consideration before she is bred. A breeder shall not breed a bitch over 9 years of age.

  13.   Dogs being offered as stud shall offer a signed written agreement and stud service shall be refused to any bitch not meeting the requirements outlined in this Code of Ethics.

 

Section 5: Sales

  1. Breeder(s) recognize that they have a lifetime responsibility for puppies produced within their breeding program. 

  2. Breeder(s) recognize the inherent obligation to provide a stable environment that protects each puppy’s physical and emotional well being. 

  3. All litters shall be microchipped and registered prior to leaving the Breeder’s home. Puppies shall not leave the Breeder's home prior to 8 weeks of age. 

  4. All puppies sold or placed shall be done so with a signed contract in which Breeder(s) and Purchaser(s) agree that puppy/dog shall be returned to Breeder(s) if for any reason the Purchaser(s) is unable or unwilling to keep puppy/dog for any reason. Any provisions for refunds or reimbursement of expenses shall be handled in the contract between both parties.

  5.  Unless required to do so by law, no puppy or adult dog bred (or owned) by a CSVSA member shall be disposed of in an animal shelter or pound or knowingly be allowed to remain in the care of a rescue organization.

  6. CSVSA members shall refuse sale of a puppy/dog to any person residing in a state, county, or city where owning a CSV is unlawful. It is a Breeder’s responsibility to check laws and ordinances for potential owner(s) area of residence. 

  7. No puppy/dog shall be sold to wholesalers/dealers and retailers (pet stores). A dealer/wholesaler is defined as a person who regularly buys puppies with the intent of selling them for profit. 

    1. Further, members agree that they will not provide stud service to an individual who is known to have sold puppies to the above. 

    2. It is also agreed that dogs will not be donated for raffle purposes or sold to any home if there is reason to believe that the dog would not be properly cared for or would be used for improper purposes.

  8. Breeders shall demonstrate honesty and fairness in dealing with the general public, other breeders, and purchasers of dogs. They shall make no false or misleading statements about the quality of their breeding stock or litters produced. 

  9. Breeders shall adhere to all federal, state, and local laws in regards to selling animals. 

 

Section 6: Membership will not be granted to:

  1. Any person convicted of abuse, maltreatment, or neglect on any animal

  2. Any person convicted of dogfighting or being involved with dog fighting

  3. Any person who has been expelled from another dog breed club due to a Code of Ethics violation, if the applicant feels that the violation was not substantiated they can appeal to the Board to have the matter looked into. 

  4. Any person known to intentionally or has the intent to breed CSV crosses

  5. A member is to be immediately expelled from the club if evidence of the things listed in this section come to light after a person has become a member.







 

Section 7: Exceptions

  1. It is recognized that the need for exceptions to this Code of Ethics may arise from time to time. Any member with a possible ethical problem may, at his/her request, have that problem reviewed by the Board (or board designated committee) for its recommendations. 

  2. Furthermore, the Board of Directors may, upon sufficient evidence and under certain conditions where the good of the breed is protected, waive any of the foregoing provisions with a majority vote.

  3. In instances where exceptions to the Code of Ethics are granted, a letter of transparency shall be written by a designated Board Member detailing the situation and reason for granting the exception. This letter shall be distributed to the club member’s via email or mail and filed with the Secretary.

 

Section 8: Violations

  1. It is the responsibility of each member to make an inquiry concerning suspected violations of this Code. Should such a violation appear to exist, the Secretary should be notified immediately in writing. (csvsocietyofamerica@gmail.com)

    1. The CSVSA President shall be notified by the Secretary as soon as a written Code of Ethics violation is received.

    2. The President at the time of receipt of a complaint, shall notify the Board members through email or the Board’s designated social media account.

    3. The President shall appoint a Board Member to investigate the complaint. The Board shall be given a chance to object to the appointed Board Member at that time. 

    4. After a preliminary investigation (not to exceed 14 days), including direct correspondence with both the complainant and the accused, the investigators will make a written report of the investigation to the President, who will in turn notify the remaining Board Members of the course and outcome of the preliminary investigation.

    5. If it is determined by a majority vote of the Board that the complaint has merit, 

      1. If a first time minor violation: the accused may be directed by mail or email, to comply with the directive of the Board to right the violation without a hearing. Documentation of this will be sent to the Secretary for filing and published in the following quarterly newsletter.  

      2. If there are multiple violations or a violation is determined by the Board to be of a serious character, the matter will be turned over to the Board of Directors for disciplinary procedures as set out in the Constitution and By-laws of the CSVSA. 

  2. Any member who disagrees with any action taken under this section has the right to appeal that action to the full Board of Directors FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION.

  3. If a club approved breeder voluntarily removes themselves from the CSVSA approved breeder list and membership (for example, due to an accidental breeding which would violate any portion of the CSVSA’s Code of Ethics), they understand they must wait a minimum of two (2) years to apply for membership and a minimum of three (3) years to apply to be a club approved breeder. 

  4. The co-owner of a dog/bitch who does not reside with them will not be held accountable if said dog/bitch is used against the owner’s wishes in a manner that is in violation of the Code of Ethics. 

  5. Board members may not take an active part in CoE violation(s) decisions which personally affect them. If a conflict exists, it is the responsibility of the Board Member to notify the President immediately.  


 

I understand that changes to this document may occur and it is my responsibility to remain apprised of any changes.

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