Thursday, September 15, 2011

Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation 2008 Health Survey

Below is a link of health information regarding the Vizsla breed.
  More information then you would think possible.




The 2008 Vizsla Health Survey was sponsored and funded by private donations to the Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation, Inc. The purpose of this health survey was to scientifically research what the real current health issues are in the Vizsla breed. This survey focused on current health issues and other questions regarding current Vizsla health and research. Therefore only purebred Vizslas born from 1992 until present participated in the survey.

The use of a strictly anonymous on-line format had several major advantages over previous mailbased surveys. Because there was no way to trace any survey respondent, information bias was minimized. Because anyone with access to a computer could participate in the survey, people responded from around the world and a larger number of respondents were reached. Allowing the West Chester Statistics Institute, a research organization not connected to the Vizsla Club of America in any way, to collect and analyze the data also insured accurate and unbiased reporting of
the results. The health survey went on-line on January 21, 2008, and stayed active until December 15, 2008. A total of 2,505 surveys were collected and analyzed.

The survey marks an important beginning in establishing a starting point to spot future trends in Vizsla health issues. Future health surveys will be used to help track increases and decreases in Vizsla health and disease incidence. A major goal of this project is to assist Vizsla breeders by identifying what the most significant health issues are for the breed. Identifying significant Vizsla health problems and concerns will inform and educate breeders hence allowing breeders to make better breeding decisions.

The results will also assist veterinarians and researchers in caring for, treating, and establishing research protocols for Vizslas. The survey will help to better inform the public and future Vizsla owners and puppy buyers of what health issues they may possibly encounter when purchasing or adopting a Vizsla.

The Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation, Inc. also sponsors canine and Vizsla specific health and research grants and studies. Knowing what Vizsla health issues are the most significant and urgent will help the Foundation focus funding where it is needed the most.

In addition to summarizing prevalence of disorders affecting the breed, statistical hypothesis testing was conducted. All hypotheses were formulated a priori by consultation between Lynda Ruffini, representing the Vizsla Club of America, and the West Chester Statistics Institute.

All research data was collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed by West Chester Statistics Institute (WCSI). The West Chester Statistics Institute provides statistical support, analysis, and education on projects for the academic community and for business, industry, and other research institutions. WCSI is a non-profit organization, committed to providing hands-on, supervised educational opportunities for current West Chester University students in the Applied Statistics Graduate Program. The WCSI group employs 5 Ph.D. statisticians. WCSI provides expertise in study design, data management, statistical programming, and statistical analysis. For more information about WCSI, please visit their website at:

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