PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH & AVOID PUPPY MILLS

Read the following on a good way to select a Reputable breeder

Go to dog shows and talk to the breeders of the breed you are interested in. Ask them for the names of the breeders that they would recommend. And ask them what genetic testing and medical certifications should be done for that breed. When you go to a breeder to buy a puppy ask these questions:

1. How many breeds of dogs do they breed. One is good, two is probably acceptable, no more.

2. How many dogs do they have. Ask how many litters they have every year. Ask how many puppies they sell and whether they sell any to petstores.

3. Ask if you can see the dogs - all the dogs - not just the puppies. Many puppymills have an area where they will bring the puppies to show to the public and do not want you to see how their dogs live.

4. Ask what kind of genetic testing they have done on the dogs. Ask what health certificates they have for the dogs.

5. Ask for the names of five people who have bought puppies from them and then call the references.

6. Ask if the puppies are sold on a contract and then ask to see the contract. Ask if there is a warranty. There should be one!

7. Ask whether the breeder will take back a dog regardless of the age if you are unable to take care of it. This is standard for a good breeder

8. Ask to see the pedigree and ask how many champions there are in the lineage.

9. Ask what they are trying to improve in their line with this breeding.  

10. Listen to whether the breeder asks you any questions. If the breeder doesn't care about the home that the puppy would be going to, then you don't want to buy from them.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, buy a dog in a petstore. Research establishes that 98% of the dogs in petstores come from what is considered to be puppymills. You are not saving that puppy, you are sentencing it's parents to lives of misery.

Types of questions to expect from breeders should include:

*Where you heard about Vizslas.

* Why you want a Vizsla, as opposed to another breed or a mixed breed.

* Prior experience with dogs/Vizslas, especially training them, and whether you've ever raised a puppy before and if so, what breed.

* How many people live in your home, especially children and their ages.

* About your lifestyle and how the dog will fit into it, especially during the next 2 years, and whether someone is home during the day.

* The particular characteristics you want in your puppy/dog, including personality and gender and why. * Other pets in the house.

* Whether you intend to spay/neuter or breed your dog.

* To describe where the puppy will live, sleep and stay when you are away.

* What kind of dwelling you live in, if you have a fenced yard and if not, where the dog will exercise.

* To describe the activity level/exercise requirements you have for your dog and how you plan to exercise your puppy.

* Whether you are interested in showing your dog, or co-owning with breeder until show qualities are or are not obvious.

* Your current veterinarian's name and phone no.