Questions to Ask Before you Buy a Vizsla

Buying a Vizsla is a long-term commitment and should be researched just like you would for any major purchase in your life. A good place to start is to contact your local Vizsla club, like the Rio Salado Vizsla Club. They will know about available dogs and the breeding climate of the area.

 

Be cautious Buying from an ad in the newspaper or from a pet store is often done on impulse. Try to avoid both scenarios. Most reputable breeders do not advertise and do not sell to pet stores.

 

Be patient If a reputable breeder in your area doesn’t have any puppies for sale now, ask when they will have some available. It’s best to buy local if possible so you have a mentor who will be supportive after you have paid for your puppy.

 

AKC registration is not a validation of quality, sound breeding, or healthy dogs. It is a registry body for purebred dogs. AKC does not regulate breeders or their practices.

 

AKC titles are not just for the wealthy, not just for breeders, or for snob appeal. An AKC title says that some one other than the dog’s owner felt this dog met the requirements of a specific competition. It also says that the owner is committed to the breed and to the perpetuation of the qualities of that breed.

 

Responsible breeders are truly guardians of the Vizsla breed.

 

Here are some questions that may help you determine if the person selling puppies is one who truly cares about the breed and the future of your puppy, or simply someone who has bred two dogs for some other reason. Breeder should also be selective of the buyer and may ask you questions. Some sample breeder questions are at the end.

 

This should be an interview process.

 

• How long have you been involved with the Vizsla breed?
• Why did you choose Vizslas?
• Who is your mentor?
• Do you breed other dogs besides Vizslas?

 

            Red Flags – New to breed; no mentor; no clear logical answer about choice of Vizsla; simultaneously breeds other types of dogs.

 

• Are you a member of the local or nearest Vizsla club?
• Are you a member of The Vizsla Club of America?
• Do you follow the Code of Ethics of your local club and The Vizsla Club of America?
• Are you a member of any other dog related clubs?
• Do you actively show, compete in obedience, or field activities?

 

            Red Flags – Not a member of any Vizsla club or any other dog related club; can not articulate the Code of Ethics of any dog club; does not compete with their Vizslas.

 

• Do you own both the sire (male) and dam (female)?
• Are both the sire and dam available for me to see?
• Can I have a print out of the pedigree for the sire and dam?
• What are the AKC registered names of the sire and dam?
• Do you know any other dogs in the pedigrees of the sire or dam?
• What are the ages of the sire and dam?
• Have they been bred before to each other or to other dogs?
• How old were they for their first breeding?

 

            Red Flags – Sire and/or dam not available for inspection; won’t give you pedigree of sire or dam; doesn’t know details about sire or dam, no photos of sire or dam; won’t give you contact info for owner of sire or dam; unfamiliar with any of the dogs in the pedigree; sire or dam are not AKC registered; sire or dam was under age two when bred for the first time or for this breeding.

 

• Do the Vizslas in your breeding program have any titles from AKC, Vizsla Club of America, or other dog related organizations?
• Will you help me work toward titles if I buy a puppy from you?

 

            Red Flags – No titles; says titles aren’t important; says they don’t have time to participate in competitions or that they are too costly; too busy to mentor you.

 

• Where do you whelp and raise the puppies?
• Can I see your facility?
• Do you have help?
• What do you do to socialize the puppies?

 

            Red Flags – Puppies are isolated from regular household activities; area is not clean nor well heated or cooled; area is cement with no access to grass or outside; refusal to allow you to see area; several litters at same time without help; no socialization plan; puppies are not handled daily by breeder or others.

 

• How many litters do you breed per year?
• How frequently do you breed the same dam?

 

            Red Flags – Puppies are always available, breeds same bitch continuously or breeds several bitches simultaneously; breeds every time dam comes in season.

 

• Why have you chosen to breed these two particular dogs?
• What is the goal of your breeding program?

 

            Red Flag – No clear purpose or goals; gives vague generalities about good personalities, most beautiful dogs ever seen; accidental breeding; wanted kids to experience the birthing process.

 

• What are the positive and negative characteristics of the Vizsla in general?
• Do you temper test and structure test your puppies?
• How do you decide to place your puppies?
• What are the strengths of your dogs?

 

            Red Flags – Vague generalities about Vizslas; doesn’t test puppies; no clear placement criteria; vague generalities that their dogs are good with people and kids.

 

• Do the sire and dam have DNA numbers?
• Have the sire and dam been OFA-certified free of hip displasia?
• Has the sire and dam been tested for congenital diseases and other health conditions?
• Can I see those health certificates?
• Does any of your breeding stock suffer from the following health issues?

 

Breeding stock can be X-rayed and certified clear from hip and elbow dysplasia (OFA); tested for Von Willebrand’s Disease (a blood disorder); have their eyes checked and certified clear of inherited eye disease (CERT); and be tested for thyroid disease. Other health issues that may affect Vizslas are lymphosarcoma, sebaceous adenitis, muscle diseases, and canine epilepsy.

 

            Red Flag – Doesn’t know about some of the health issues that affect Vizslas;  sire and dam are not OFA-certified or classified as Borderline, Mild, Moderate, or Severe dysplasic; refuses to show you health certificates; generally evasive on health issues.

 

Note:  The RSVC Code of Ethics states that our members agree to only breed dogs who have DNA numbers, are free from serious heredity defects, are over 2 years old, and have been OFA-certified as free from hip dysplasia.  Other health testing is optional.

 

• At what age to you place puppies?
• Will you allow my vet to examine the puppy before I buy?
• Do you require spay/neuter agreements on puppies you sell as “pets?”
• Can I see your sales contract?
• Do you sell to pet stores?

 

            Red Flags – Places puppies before 8 weeks; won’t agree to examination;  doesn’t require spay/neuter agreements; doesn’t have or won’t show you sales contract in advance; sells to pet shops.

 

• Are you available for follow-up help and advice in raising the puppy?
• Are you available for the life of the dog?
• Will you assist me if I can’t keep the dog at any point in the future?
• Can you give me references?

 

            Red Flags – lack of commitment to help in future with questions or assistance; refusal to give references.

 

QUESTIONS THE BREEDER MAY ASK YOU

 

Responsible breeders are very protective of their puppies. They want to make sure the prospective buyer has good intentions and is aware of the responsibility of Vizsla ownership.

 

• Where did you hear about Vizslas?
• Where did you hear about me as a breeder?
• Why have you decided on buying a Vizsla instead of another breed?
• Do you have prior experience with Vizslas or dogs in general?
• Are you interested in a puppy or adult dog?
• Have you ever raised a puppy?
• How many adults and children are in your home and what are their ages?
• Do you have other pets? What type?
• Tell me about your lifestyle – work, travel, and free time activities?
• What type of home will the puppy be living in?
• What type of yard do you have?
• How much exercise will you be able to give the puppy and later as an adult?
• Will the puppy be alone for extended periods of time?
• What gender do you prefer?
• What type of personality do you prefer – active, laid back, etc.
• Do you intend to spay or neuter your dog?
• Where will the puppy sleep and stay when you are away from home?
• Are you interested in getting involved in the Vizsla community to train and compete with your dog or do you just want a family pet?
• Do you intend to breed your dog in the future?
• If so, what are your breeding intentions?