Firstly, I thank you for reading this as part of your research into the adoption of a Vizsla rescue or a puppy. And from the offset we must state we are not professional breeder’s; however, we are very responsible ones. Hopefully, this short Blog will answer some of your questions with a detailed description of what to expect when you enquire after a puppy from any responsible and verified Hungarian Vizsla breeder.
For us the first step before we agree to an adoption with anyone, we always ensure everyone fully understands the responsibility they are undertaking with a puppy or offer a recommendation to support anyone considering a rescue. Unfortunately, the first question we are asked the most when we receive an enquiry is, do we have any now and what is the cost? Important questions but I must be honest its very annoying. Responsible breeders plan their litters 18 months in advance and do have long waiting lists. Once this is explained amazingly 60%+ change their minds at that point. If we are serious about living with a Vizsla then those who are prepared to wait for the right dog are the ones we want to deal with.
Recently the demand for puppies has seen a 200% increase in calls and enquiries for puppies. What is more concerning for us is the extortionate cost some are now charging for an unregistered puppy today. (Registration within the kennel club of the breeder and the Stud dog owner gives you the purchaser confidence that you will have protection and recourse, if something is amiss which is very, very rare if registered).
The costs for the breeder are on average the same around the country and I can give you a broad-brush breakdown of what these costs are, included within the purchase price.
The Breeder will firstly have to consider the cost of the Stud dog owner, normally the stud owner will set the basic cost for each puppy and will either ask for first pick from the litter or the full selling price charged to any purchaser. A lot of work has already been undertaken to ensure the Dam or Sire is of sufficient quality and has a suitable temperament to warrant breeding from, either completing a HPR exam/competition or as been judged to the Breed Standard in three individual competitions.
The next milestone is the Dam or the Sire will have to have undertaken the following breed tests. This will provide a certificate which will be available beforehand for each purchaser, this comes at a cost for each litter. The basics are the BVA/KC Hip and elbow scheme and that the score is acceptable. Next, both Sire and Dam have had the full range health checks. This recommended by the kennel club, and will inc, full DNA screening, long hair, cerebellar ataxia testing and have a low inbreeding coefficient score. The breed average is currently is 4.7% but must be below 9%.
Once the above has been established the breeding can take place. Preparation for this will include travel, and the basic provision and set up of breeding pens and medical supplies for the birth. Addition and recommended is the Registration of the litter with the Kennel club and or within the assured breeder scheme, as well this will provide a document that identified the puppies full litter name and registration number. Advertising within Champ dogs and of course locally is additional.
When you are ready to pick up your puppy the breeder will supply you with a contract of purchase that you have seen beforehand. You will be provided with an information pack on the feeding and care of your puppy.
First Vaccinations, a full health check, worming, dewclaw removal and micro chipping will be carried out by the breeder in the first eight weeks. You will also receive sufficient food for 3 days, Kennel Club registration/transfer form, a 5 Generation Pedigree, future worming dates and four weeks insurance which will be activated by the breeder. We personally provide access to us 24/7 with either WhatsApp, email, telephone numbers for you to be able to contact us, with all those little questions you will need answering once you get home. We have updates and questions from all our puppy owners even today. Which we love.
Now for the cost, Our average litter of 6, we can account between £950.00 and £1,050.00 as the cost of breeding each puppy. What we have not factored in on the above, is if either the Dam or Sire are a Crufts or European Champion) and or a working champion then you will see this cost go up considerably. This also does not include the breeders time, spent in getting to the breeding stage, nor does it cover the eight weeks of consent care (24/7) of the Dam/puppies or even the loss of sleep for both of us in the birth and first weeks of life.
The average cost per puppy before the lockdown was £1200 to £1400, per puppy and I believe this fair and reasonable today. Anymore then that is up to you, the purchaser.
Still interested?
Whether you are first-time dog owners or have owned dogs before, it is important for a breeder, as we did, to ask you some important questions. This will establish as new potential owners; you have a good basic understanding of the needs of dogs in general. Such as the correct food, exercise, welfare, training, and health care they will need in every stage of life.
We will always ask you to write back to us in your own words why your family should be considered for being given the opportunity to adopt a puppy. The more detail you give the breeder in this letter of how you will care for and look after the new arrival the easier it will be for any breeder to establish exactly what someone’s personal situation is. This will lead the breeder to determine if you will be suitable owners, who will cope with the challenges you will face over the coming months. It might be worth your while completing this now yourself to see if your answers match what it is you are really looking for.
If I was looking again at a new litter then the following questions is what I would be looking for in any reply I received, the list is not exhaustive for you to consider in your response:
- The average lifespan of a dog (10-15 years), are you prepared to give a loving home for the rest of its life? Why do you want a dog? Are you aware of and prepared to assume the financial and physical responsibilities? Why have you chosen this breed?
- Is everyone in the household agreeable to adopting to the Dog/Bitch, who is responsible for the dog’s care? Do you have the time to meet the demanding needs of the puppy/dog for feeding, training, and exercise? Have you had any pets before?
- Are there any children? If so, how old are they? How would they be instructed in the care of the dog? Does anyone in the household have allergies? Are you committed to the grooming and health maintenance?
- What is your attitude toward training and obedience? How often is someone at home? Will you have time to walk and play with the dog? Are you aware of the costs involved in veterinary care, buying quality dog food, boarding the dog when away, annual license fees, etc?
- What type of property do you live in? does it have the room inside and out, Are you planning to move in the near future?
Once completed and the breeders have reviewed your suitability, they will invite you to meet them in their home. This is important not just for the breeder but just as important for you to see both the Sire (If possible) and the Dam. This will determine your confidence as to the experience of the breeder and how the Dam is as a Mother, all before the breeder will agree to you being on the short list. If this is not offered, then I strongly suggest you walk away immediately.
When I was looking to adopt a dog, we discussed as a family what kind of breed could fit in and live with us. We listed all the points we would look for in a breed and if our commitment matched what we knew about the Vizsla breed.
We decided that a steady breed which could live calmly with the other members of our four-legged family was as important as the other requirements listed. For me this included the ability to hunt, point game and possibly retrieve all day long, as well as be something sane and sensible for my wife and the girls to handle. I also needed the breed to be a steady character able to accompany me when I was working on the very strict driven shoot days. I had spotted two dogs side by side at a horse 3 day event in Derbyshire around 14 years ago and when I approached the owners to ask what breed they are he said Hungarian Vizsla, and when he described how he worked them on the estate I was smitten. However he said if I was thinking about them they also came with a little warning, they are not for the first time shooting dog as they can be a little temperamental. How right he was, massive amount of research and experience with other gun dogs and a two-year search and wait, Darcy (Sukisighs China Princess) arrived, our first Hungarian Vizsla who fitted all the criteria nicely.
All the looking paid off as she is a kind and loving dog with a large personality, she is good with children and other dogs, although now fast approaching the end of her first decade a little grumpy at times.
As a result of the love and pleasure she gives each and every day, we now have added to our home a male called Porthos. We do travel across the UK, staying in hotels with family and friends, taking all our four-legged friends with us whenever possible. Both are a pleasure to own and watch, they are intelligent, quick to learn, amazingly loyal, enthusiastic, a proven gun dogs with an exceptional temperament. Owning a Hungarian Vizsla is a real pleasure, Lesa will tell you how a non-big breed dog owner copped and adapted to life with a Vizsla for the first time and survived.
Both D’Arcy and Porthos are full-time working dogs, but as a family dogs they have won the hearts of all the family, even those who had reservations on being in the same room as big dogs, have even been won over by their nature. In fact they are taken on weekends and holidays with all the individual families throughout the year They are a constant shadow to us all, a companion and a great comfort to Lesa when I am away..
Finally, my advice is
Before purchase, you should consider that a puppy or a rescue is a living thing, which may become a much-loved member of the family in a very short time and this may affect what you wish to do if the return becomes necessary.
You are strongly advised to read about the breed (Pleas see our updated blog on the 10 process steps when looking for a puppy) that you are aware of any possible diseases, genetic or otherwise, to which it is prone, and you should accept that, if such a disease develops later in life,
If you are intending to have your dog neutered, whether girl and boy, we advise you to discuss the appropriate timing with your veterinary surgeon. There have been problems noted regarding the spaying of bitches. There is the possibility of incontinence because of the spaying. You are advised to discuss this with your veterinary surgeon.
We strongly recommend that you provide insurance cover for any possible vet bills.
In the home
The Vizsla is an excellent house dog. Its natural suspicion of strangers means that it will let you know there is ‘someone out there’ when visitors call. They are bouncy and will want to say hello so spending some time one day asking lots of friends to knock on the door and come and say hello will pay dividends.
Children and puppies
These are just a few notes which you might find helpful when dealing with puppies and children.
Parents should always supervise the interaction between children and any dog, always regardless of breed – also watch what is happening when other people’s children arrive – they may not be used to a dog. This advice might also be helpful for people who do not have children in the house but may have at some time.
Hopefully they will help but I have put a link to some helpful websites at the bottom -any concerns and please speak to me at any time
http://www.dogsandpuppies.eo.uk/dog-advice-guides/puppies-children-and-dogs/ Some nice clear general do’s and don’ts
http://dogobedienceadvice.com/howstopuppyaggression.php. Good information on how to avoid this on this site -some good advice on puppy teething
http:Uwww.infopet.eo.uk/pages/0111.htm Some good info here especially on ‘play biting’ like the ‘raspberry’ idea!