What is the HWIV System?

The Health and Welfare Impacted Varieties System (HWIV) was developed in 2023 by the Management Comittee and Rachie's Ratirement Home founder Grover Greenfield. This system was developed in order to ensure the club does not reward the breeding of animals who suffer negative health and/or welfare impacts due to the genetics required to produce them.

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For a full explanatory document, please click here.

 

The system has three classifications within it:

• HWIV-I is the classification given to varieties that are of minimal concern.

• HWIV-II is the classification given to varieties that are of concern, but are readily available to the public.

• HWIV-III is the classification given to varieties that are of concern and are not yet readily available to the public.

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Essentially, a classification of HWIV-I means that we're keeping an eye on that colour, marking, or coat type, but that we aren't imposing any restrictions on what can be done with those animals, breeding or showing-wise. 

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HWIV-II is a colour, marking, or coat type that we know has negative impacts on health/welfare, but is readily available from pet shops, breeders, etc. We restrict HWIV-II animals to being shown only in the Pet section of the show, as they are not judged on their colour, markings, or coat type, and therefore are not rewarded for it. We want people to be able to show their HWIV-II animals because it is a good way for our judges to give feedback on the specific health/welfare conditions associated with a particular gene and allows us to provide education to pet owners. We require our approved breeders to include information about the associated health/welfare risks when posting about these animals on social media.

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HWIV-III is a colour, marking, or coat type that we know has negative impacts on health/welfare, but is not easily obtainable by the public. These animals may not be shown at QRF shows, or sold by our approved breeders. Anything under this classification is not to be posted about on social media by QRF approved breeders, as we do not want to increase awareness and, therefore, desire for these animals. New genes that we aren't yet sure of in regards to health/welfare impact are also placed in this classification and can be moved to HWIV-I with enough evidence that no risk is present. 

 

HWIV Classified Rodents

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Rats

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HWIV-I Rats

HWIV-I, our least restricted HWIV classification contains the following colours, markings, and coat types.

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1. White

2. Pail's Wedge

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HWIV-II Rats

HWIV-II, only allowed to be exhibited in the Pet section of the show. Approved breeders must include information about associated risks when posting on social media.

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1. Patchwork

2. Double Rex

3. Blue Dilutes

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HWIV-III Rats

HWIV-III may not be exhibited at QRF shows. May not be posted on social media or sold by approved breeders.

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1. Downunder

2. Dominant White Spotting (aka DWS or High White)

3. Manx

4. Chinchilla

5. Merle

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Mice

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HWIV-I Mice

HWIV-I, our least restricted HWIV classification contains the following colours, markings, and coat types.

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1. Patchwork

2. Fawn or brindle-based

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HWIV-II Mice

HWIV-II, only allowed to be exhibited in the Pet section of the show. Approved breeders must include information about associated risks when posting on social media.

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1. Pied

2. Manx

3. Hairless

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HWIV-III Mice

HWIV-III, may not be exhibited at QRF shows. May not be posted on social media or sold by approved breeders.

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1. None