Hi all
I've been waiting for the right time for my next pup for about 4 years (I have 3 labs but back then I still had 5 so had to wait!)
I really like the Hungarian vizsla (smooth) and I have been doing some re-search and looking around and I am 95% sure they are what I want.
I visited a lady this week with a heavily pregnant bitch, she organised some friends dogs to be there too so I could see different dogs and was  anxious to point out all the possible downsides of the breed! We had a hour or so's general chat about dogs and vizsla's and I've talked to her on the phone since but I'm just wondering if there's anything in particular I ought to be asking that I've forgotten?
The parents are both hip scored, the pups will be reared in the house. Sire is a good working dog and I've met the dam. The only thing I know I haven't asked yet is How Much! I'm assuming it will be about standard for the breed, but as that's an eye-watering amount I'm avoiding thinking about it just yet :-)
Trying not to get swept away with enthusiasm but I am getting quite excited at the though of my 1st puppy in 8 years!!!

Why did they choose that sire perhaps?  What was their main reason for breeding the bitch? 

Sounds like a good set up, I'm particularly pleased to see breeders telling potential buyers the downsides of a breed.

Keep a pen and paper handy and every time you think " I wonder if ?" pops into your head, write it down.

LOL   2 years before I knew we'd be ready for my first pup,  I started researching pedigrees etc.   So I was pretty clued up on asking questions re health, temperament etc,.    I only asked about price when I was writing the cheque!

Love that the breeder has been telling you the downsides -  it's what we've always done :-)   and what our breeder did too :-)

Temperament, temperament and temperament in this breed.  Talk to the breeder about what socialisation she does - and what can go wrong during the puppy stages...  You really want a good breeder to tell you what you can expect and what tactics to help avoid a nervous dog later in life.  

I have the wire-haired version and we've just started testing for HUU - check if they have this in smooths.  Epilepsy is still quite a big issue for them so I'd want to ask around - talk with other breeders too - to see if this is in the lines.  Allergies can be a big problem in both types of Vizsla so I'd expect the breeder to have made you aware and discussed this in depth if the dam or sire have showed signs of sensitivity.

What is the mating hoping to produce?  There isn't a huge split between showing and working but conformation should be a consideration for both.  In my view I think heads in this breed can be quite variable so have a look and see what the dam produced in other litters or do some research on the sire's progeny.  Look for good eye colour.  Do try and meet the sire too to see what he is like. Are hip scores ok back down the line?  Have any other progeny been scored?  The Vizsla Database is a great research tool.  If you see this breed in the ring nowadays you can really see the affect that Yogi had on them.  He was a prolific stud dog and changed the look of the breed in quite a short time.  The show ring is a excellent place to see what you like and to hear a wide range of views.

Good luck with your research and your puppy

BTW I'd expect to pay £800-£900 for a pup

[url=].http://www.gundogpedigrees.com/vizsla/modules/animal/welcome.php   [/url]

Oops - cheers hun I forgot to add it!!

Check this address tho as it has moved:   Vizsla Database

Why not consider a HV from  Vizslamentes rescue in Hungary.  The national dog is puppy farmed over there and there are some genuinely poor souls needing loving homes and unless you need a Vizsla KC registered for a particular reason then its worth a think?

A lovely breed, my friend has 6 , she shows and breeds....did your breeder make you aware of the health issues in the breed , Vizsla Myositis/POLYMYOSITIS being one, and epilepsy another,  contact Di Addicott ( I think, you will have to look her up )  who is compiling the data on myositis  and may be able to point you in the right direction, epilepsy seems to be another issue , and there seems to be a common ancestor popping up in pedigrees there.....

I can't remember the number of dogs now on the data base that has Myositis, but its to many, but at least now they are working to eradicate this horrible illness.

Don't be put off the breed by the above, they are lovely to live with,just  do your research and speak to the above. 

Thanks all, some interesting info there (especially the Vizsla database, loads of photos!).
I'd already looked around the breed club websites for info on health issues and I have been in contact with Di Addicott who seemed fairly happy with the pedigree I showed her a few weeks ago. I've also discounted a different breeder because I was concerned about the prominence of a particular kennel name that has had several with PM listed on the open database. It may well be an over reaction on my part but I don't know enough about it to know what is a reasonable level of risk to take and I'd sooner take the least possible! I haven't asked specifically about epilepsy, she is friends with the breeder she bought the bitch (dam) off so I am hopeful that she has a reasonable knowledge of her background and wouldn't have bred her if she wasn't happy as she plans to keep a pup.
Is there any list of dogs affected by epilepsy or is it something that is just 'known' by those already involved in the breed? 

It does seem that they potentially have a greater protective instinct thanks Labradors and can be wary so I am planning to do the most socialisation I possibly can, I live in a remote area which has caused issues with my other dogs so I am anxious to do better this time!

I have considered rescue but I just don't think it's for me. Partly because one of my current dogs is nervous and not good with strange dogs, I am confident with care I can introduce her to a pup but I just don't think I would dare march in with an older bitch, (I do want a bitch) when rescues will likely have issues of their own.
Also it seems to me to be a breed that possibly more than most potentially has all sorts of issues if badly bred or reared and I want to find the best litter I can, I'm just not brave enough to take that gamble with a rescue!

Thanks again everyone for all the help and advice :-)

> I haven't asked specifically about epilepsy, she is friends with the breeder she bought the bitch (dam) off so I am hopeful that she has a reasonable knowledge of her background and wouldn't have bred her if she wasn't happy as she plans to keep a pup.
>  Is there any list of dogs affected by epilepsy or is it something that is just 'known' by those already involved in the breed?

Epilepsy is a tricky subject as some people don't or won't talk about it if they have it in their lines.  It isn't safe to assume that all breeders are careful about epilepsy as some are prepared to take the risk but hopefully you will get a straight answer if you ask a direct question.  Talking to several breeders rather than just one, and asking around abut the breed in general might pin point some dogs to avoid but as usual you'll probably find out more once you have your pup!

I wouldn't say the breed is protective as such (that isn't their motivation) but they can be cautious with strangers and anxious if approached - like the wire-haired version they are often more comfortable to approach you, rather than the other way around.  That said if you are going to show, or go to ring craft that's often excellent socialisation :)

As above Epilepsy  is a tricky one, but it is becoming a problem in the breed, and although not backed up by any official data, their does seem to be a pattern emerging..  I would not describe this breed as a protective one, but like most breeds their can be an exception to the rule,  they can be nervous , depending on the lines,  but most they should be an outgoing friendly breed, some may prefer to come to you, but mostly they are happy chappies.

II did forget to say, I don't show but I compete in agility and the pup is my next agility dog  :-) . That's one reason I'm drawn to this litter, it's will be ready to come home around the end of june and will be nicely timed to come out and about to any shows with me at the end of the summer where it can meet hundreds of people and dogs. Plus I will join a weekly class if I can find one suitable, preferably agility-minded. and the light evenings will make it easier to organise some meet-ups with any friends dogs. All much harder when it's cold dark and wet outside!!

I will certainly ask more questions about health in general, it is a tricky one though as I am essentially relying on honesty when I ask about the lines health. unless I start tracking down all the relatives owners and quizzing them (which might be considered a bit rude out of the blue!)

> Epilepsy is a tricky subject as some people don't or won't talk about it if they have it in their lines.  I

Yes I know someone who had a litter of WHV and the boy she kept started fitting. the mum didn't fit and talking to the breeders and owners of the sire and and breeder of dam of the litter they all flatly denied that they had epilepsy in their lines. But it must have come from somewhere. The poor lad had to be PTS at just under 2 years old as he went into a fit and never came out of it. The owner was absolutely devastated

Unfortunately epilepsy is quite common in dogs as a species and is only considered a breed issue if the incidence is higher than in the general population, or there is an obvious family connection.  It can simply just appear out of the blue unfortunately, so no-one needs to be covering anything up.

Also it must be very difficult for any breeder to know for sure as dogs have litters and with the best will in the world every owner will not keep a breeder informed.

My first dog a BSD groenenedael of intervariety breeding.  Only after she was a year old did one of her siters develop epilepsy, so I had mine spayed.

A few years later we accidentally met up with the owner of the dams brother, and he was an epileptic, but they had never thought to let the breeder know, they were only just getting more interested in deeper involvement in showing and obedience, which is why they were at a show.  Had the breeder known of the sibling being epileptic, my litter would not have been bred, and they would not have an epileptic dog too.

My sisters HV (smooth) has epilepsy as do the rest of the litter.
Same dog also has elbow dysplasia  . Hips ok . Obviously not been bred from (spayed ASAP ) . Great worker though and a lovely dog.

they all flatly denied that they had epilepsy in their lines. But it must have come from somewhere.

Isn't it a bit like the chicken or the egg? Just because one dog has it doesn't HAVE to mean others in the same line have. One dog has to be the first.