One of the biggest heart aches for a responsible
breeder is to find that one of his/her puppies has ended up in
rescue by acts of neglect, abuse or abandonment. Or worse—that
it or its offspring was confiscated by authorities from a puppy
mill.
The breeder/buyer interview is the first step in
helping to prevent this scenario. Clear language in a contract
between the breeder and the puppy buyer is very important. The
contract will be invaluable in laying a solid foundation of cooperation
between the new owner and breeder.
When prospective buyers contact a breeder they will
be asked such questions as: “Is this dog registered with AKC?”
or “Is it pedigreed?” The terminology the prospective buyers use
will help the breeder determine their previous experiences with
registered dogs. Not all uneducated in the terms of purebred dogs
will be hopeless; but it will be necessary to determine if they
are willing to be educated.
Questions by buyers:
How long have you been a breeder or had Vizslas?
What other breeds?
How many litters have you had?
Where were the puppies placed?
What accomplishments or problems?
What do you wish to accomplish with this litter?
Do you belong to any recognized Vizsla club or other dog related
organization?
In what events do your dogs perform?
Do you use your dogs for personal hunting, field trials or hunting
tests.
What advanced hunting titles?
Do you use a buyers contract?
What are the terms?
Do you use limited registration for pet buyers?
Will you be able to help me with education and training or with
any problems concerning health or temperament should they arise?
Will I be able to visit with the pups several times before they
are ready for their homes?
Will I choose a pup myself or do you determine which would be
the best pup for my family, lifestyle and purpose?
How is the temperament and health of the parents and litter?
Do you temperament test at 49 days?
Have the puppies been properly socialized and introduced to children
and noises?
Do the parents or siblings of parents have any health problems?
Are the parents OFA certified clear of hip dysphasia? Elbow? Thyroid?
CERF for eye diseases?
What other health tests have been conducted? What were the results?
Will the entire litter be OFA screened for hips, thyroid, eyes
and other possible health problems? (Even if there have been no
outward signs of health concerns?) If not, why not?
Breeders Questions:
Who referred you to me?
Why do you want a Vizsla?
Have you ever owned one before or known anyone who has?
How have you researched the Vizsla breed and its characteristics?
What other breeds have you had?
Are they currently living and how long did they live?
Must you have a puppy or would you consider an older Vizsla? Male
or female?
What experience do you have in caring for a pup? Crate training,
housebreaking, teeth, nails?
How do you plan to use your Vizsla? Show, hunting, breeding, obedience,
or pet etc.?
How much time can you and/or your family give to a Vizsla for
exercise, training and attention?
Who will be in charge of most of the care and training of your
Vizsla?
Are you willing to go to puppy and basic obedience training classes?
Where will your Vizsla sleep, stay while you are out to work or
other activities?
Will he/she be included in any family activities?
What type of home and yard do you have?
Is the yard fenced?
Will your Vizsla be unsupervised outside at any time?
Do you have extensive landscaping?
Are you prepared to dog-proof it or have it possibly destroyed?
Are there children in your family? What are their ages?
Have the children ever been around other dogs?
How did they play and treat with the dog ?
What are their reactions and when approached by a strange or very
active dog?
I place puppies only with a contract to assure
you of the lifelong commitment I have to my puppies and
the breed. Are you willing to sign and abide by the contract
as written to assure me that you will take utmost care for this
Vizsla pup?
Will you be able to provide a safe and loving home
atmosphere and care for the pup’s medical needs?
Give inoculations and heartworm preventatives for the life of
the pup?
Would you be willing to send the pup back to me
should you decide later that the pup is not wanted or you cannot
care for it any longer?
As each breeder meets and interviews each possible
puppy buyer, he/she will find that other questions may need to
be asked according to the circumstances of that person’s personality
and lifestyle. Many times the person recommending your pups to
the person calling will have known them or talked to them personally
- not just have given out your name. Regardless, it is in the
best interest of the puppy and the breed that you ask these questions
yourself.
Occasionally the “right” person doesn’t get a puppy
from you, but you never want the “wrong” person to ever get a
puppy from anyone.
Everwhen Vizslas
Breeding for sound health, temperament, proper conformation, field
talent and versatility.
