<![CDATA[Silvestre Show Dogs

<![CDATA[Silvestre Show Dogs - Blog]]>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:55:27 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Behaviourist]]>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:39:02 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/behaviourist5992876Did you know that there is no qualification for behaviourists. But you learn through mentors and you can achieve diplomas after attending courses.

I was lucky that not only did I have a good starting teacher I was then lucky to be mentored by Sophia Taylor. She has taught me such a lot about dogs and how to correct behaviours.

I have a gift with animals, and I mean all animals, and ive had it since a child. You are either born naturally able to help, or you can be born to be a big bully and this is where some of these trainers end up at.

We have a problem thats happening in the UK. People are setting up being behaviourists because they can, and yet they have zero training to give you. Harsh methods being used.

I found out yesterday two different organisations and both have made me feel sick to the core. Both deals with all dogs but especially Vizsla. One is taking on rescue dogs and shocking them. The other is taking on owners dogs and charging ridiculous money, and pushing dogs through pain to react. Neither is correct for our Vizsla. On social media some are fabulous at presenting themselves, and it all sounds fantastic. But what is really going on. I ask myself.? Be careful who you let handle your dog, and who you let push your dogs boundaries.

The lesson here is be very careful where you go for help.

I can do remote work for you by video calling. If you are in Norfolk and Suffolk area I can recommend 121 and training classes. But you can be now anywhere in the world and I can indeed help you with a lot of basics.

I am reasonable priced to help dogs and owners. Contact me now for help with your dog.
]]><![CDATA[Isoxazoline drugs]]>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:15:17 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/isoxazoline-drugsWHAT IS A ISOXAZOLINE DRUG?

For once I will give you Google Ai view on answering the questions so you can see by putting into Google yourself and then read the answers. But the answers are below. Then I will give you my take on it.

Isoxazolines (Google Ai), are a modern class of anti-parasitic veterinary drugs used to kill fleas, ticks, and mites on dogs and cats. Common brand-name products in this group include Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, and Credelio.
Let's look what they do? Google AI: They block specific nerve and muscle chloride channels (GABA and glutamate-gated) in insects and arachnids.

Reported issues: Again Google AI: Rare adverse reactions include muscle tremors, ataxia (loss of coordination), and seizures, even in pets with no history of neurological problems.

What does seizure mean? Another word for EPILEPSY

OKAY SO HERE IS MY VIEW NOW

I have been writing on my blog for some times the effects of these products listed above. Sadly the side effects are many, you can google them as I did above. Its Googles words not my own.

Drugs circulate in blood around the dogs body. It passes through the brain.

When any product lists neurological damage what does that mean for your dog? Inflammation in the brain and epilepsy. Thats it in a nutshell. We can skirt around and pretend it does not happen or exist.

Being a behaviourist we are seeing some sadly which effects behaviour because its effecting the brain. So we have to say to you stop these products. Im not sure in all honesty the side effects can be reversed as brain damage is brain damage.

But as new pet owners you're starting off on the right foot by buying a puppy from us because we can remind you of side effects of products.

Im asked all the time so why is the veterinary profession still selling them ? The answer is not all dogs react, and they may say it's a small percent that have a reaction. So in their opinion the dog that has it is bad luck. But if you own that dog who had the reaction bad luck just doesn't cut it.! It is upsetting.

Some vets try to blame breeders by saying it's epilepsy. Not addressing the cause of the fitting. Thats very sad.

Are some dog breeds more sensitive towards drugs than others? I used to think no. The evidence is out there that hundreds of breeds and cross breeds are having side effects. But I would always say the Vizsla, the Bracco are on the sensitive side. The Bracco probably more than the Vizsla. Is this something that can be changed? Not at all.

So where does it leave us with a new puppy and what to do?

Worm count do not treat.
Treat holistic.
For internal parasites use Grapefruit seed extract by higher nature. For external parasites try natural shampoo.
If you have a flea infestation treat with more mild product.
Consult a holistic vet if unsure.

Remember you have the right to refuse any product you're told to buy.

All Silvestre puppies are treated here so will come to you parasite free. If you go to a vet and they persuade you to worm the dog on the table, you are over dosing your pet. You must stand up for your pet. Your given dates of worming from us and products we have used. When your puppy is 12 weeks of age you should worm count. Use Feclabs or worm count company.

We live in a sad world where toxins are every where we look. We need to be smart and make sure we educate ourselves before we get a puppy and then stand up for the rights of our puppy. ]]><![CDATA[Bournemouth champ show.]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:28:14 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/bournemouth-champ-show5475163WOW! is all I can say for Bournemouth champ show.

Went away exhausted and came back exhausted. But it was worth it.

Nova Vizsla was 3rd in puppy class. Crufts qualifying class.
Willow Vizsla 4th in Open call

Maeve Bracco 1st Puppy Class, Best Bitch, Best Opposite sex, Best of Breed, short listed in quality puppy group.

Nancy Bracco 1st Open class.

It was a hot day, too hot really for dogs unless your prepared as show folk are. We had a big sports umbrella which blocks out sunlight. We have a pop up tent for dogs which was covered in silver blankets. So they slept and no panting. They are shown under tents, and in the group we found shade and a breeze. Water is given all the time, and also we can pour it over their fur but we did not need to do it.
You just have to be sensible about what you're doing and be prepared.

I am grateful to judges who thought so highly of our dogs.

]]><![CDATA[Puppy Plans]]>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:54:24 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/puppy-plansWhen people ask me what I am doing months in advance I can never say for sure. Especially end of year. But now we have had some girls in season we really know now whats ahead for us.

Our beautiful Brandi had her puppies - smaller litter than seen on scan. Sadly these things happen and they are out of our control. But this means now instead of leaving Willow until her next season which could be a year from now, we are going to breed her. This gives us a small flow of income to keep the dogs until 2027. Yes dogs costs money and in fact thousands of pounds if you do things right. All the money earns goes back into our dog's welfare. Anyway here is a list of our plans now for the next few months.

Candy x Maverick due in two weeks time. (Vizsla) 8-9 seen on scan.

Willow x Maverick to be mated, and puppies due first week in October and ready to go first week in December.

2027

Nancy x Eddie puppies early 2027. BRACCO ITALIANO

Katie x Maverick to be mated next January with puppies due March. VIZSLA

Bailey x ? to be mated next March with puppies due May time. VIZSLA
Deciding on sire.

Birdie will have her final litter in 2027 but I am unsure when her season will fall as she goes yearly for seasons. VIZSLA

]]><![CDATA[Are your dogs friendly?]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:08:45 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/are-your-dogs-friendlyWe have several girls in season here, and when this happens we like to take the males out away from the girls so they can relax, enjoy the countryside and just chill out. Today we took out Indie aged 8 (9 next birthday), Maverick aged 5 ( 6 in November), Django aged 15 months.
All boys had a wonderful play in the ford, with children one end, with total recall on all boys. Then we went off through the Norfolk countryside.

They ran through water, through the fields, in the woodlands and boy did they need this. They needed it as much as I did.

I love taking the boys out as Ive got instant recall, good nature with all dogs they meet.

We met today a cocker spaniel, springer spaniel, 5 pugs, 1 disabled in a wheelchair, Labrador. Did not interfere with one dog.

We was walking back and the dogs were ahead little. We call them back when we can not see around the corner. They were just in front of us when I heard a voice behind us "ARE YOUR DOGS FRIENDLY"! I said yes they are. I grabbed Django's collar as he is the only dog being young who may of gone up to sniff the guy. Poor guy was scared of dogs. Two weeks ago bitten by a GSP male and it really bit him and drew blood. I said don't worry they are used to strangers and all got excellent temperaments. The silvestre crew soon brought him around as he was so scared he was going to get bitten and they just ignored him. Our dogs are raised to IGNORE strangers. Its a skill that I believe is necessary because NOT everyone likes dogs and this was on of those days. The boys did him some good as they did not jump up him, the stood and we all had a conversation. We let him get ahead of us in the end. I think what he went through was relevant and we should have respect for other people. We put the dogs on the lead until he got right ahead because a dog rushing up to someone could really upset someone. We need to have basic manners with dogs.

We put our dogs on leads when we meet people or other dogs. This stops lots of issues which could occur.
]]><![CDATA[Who is our top dog?]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 14:58:45 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/who-is-our-top-dogTOP DOG AND TOP BITCH
I am asked all the time who our dog top is? This is a term which means who is the boss.

You will be surprised to learn it's two dogs. 1 male and 1 female. The female keeps the females in line and the male keeps the males in line.

Frooti the French bulldog is spayed 6 years of age and is defo the boss of all the girls. She is even the boss of our big Bracco Nancy. One look, one shoulder barge, one look and she brings the pack in line.

Indie the Vizsla is coming up to 9 years on his next birthday is the boss of the boys. He has NEVER had a fight. It's one look, maybe a paw placed sometimes, but mainly a look. He puts all the younger males in place. Even GERALT the biggest male has total respect and bows down to him. He is awesome. I dread the day he dies as I love this goof ball dog. He is great fun. He's a gentle dog which uses his energy to display whats needed.

Top dog and Top bitch of the Silvestre pack

]]><![CDATA[Vizsla puppies]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 14:01:31 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/vizsla-puppiesI have just read a post by someone on a Vizsla group. Nothing to do with our breeding as it's in America. But its an important point to bring forward what they were asking in there post.

I always feel I make the breed out to sound awful for a start. But the truth is they are awful. But when they suddenly get better we realise they are the best dog you could ever own. But they are more than hard work. They can push some people to the edge. I now run a whats app group for 4 weeks from collection. This is then stopped and you move to our Facebook group. This is because we know by then youll start to be getting the hang of things.

Do I believe a dog should have boundaries? YES!

All people who contact me for a puppy get told the same thing. It takes 2 -3 weeks to settle in, 3 weeks to really feel at home. 4 weeks before you start to see routines pay off. I tell everyone the first 3 weeks of owning this breed are the hardest. Everyone without question ignores me and thinks it will not apply to them. But it will do because it's a VIZSLA.

In that 2-3 weeks of settling in that does not mean TRAINED. That means just got used to its new home, just got used to you. ITS NOT crate trained or obedience trained or house trained. Little steps!

It takes 2000 reputations to learn a trick. Thats a lot and some dogs may take a lot more. So although you will make leaps in sitting, and giving paw and so on. You've got. long road ahead before it truly understands.

In fact I would go as much to say several months before its truly learnt what it can and can not do.

The poster said he had a 11 week old Vizsla puppy. He asked people not to be unkind to them and say they have brought the wrong dog for them. He said they took at year before they purchased. During that year they met with older Vizsla and went on a walk. They said they read everything they could online and in books. So he does not understand where he went wrong.

The puppy is mouthing hard. The puppy is zooming evenings and lunging at them. The puppy connects with skin and hurts. The puppy does not accept the crate and is screaming non stop. He was asking for help. Most people's reply is it just stops. But thats not exactly true. You have to put your boundaries in.

Allow a 9 week old puppy to lunge and bite you then it will still be doing it at 16 weeks and it really hurts.

Vizsla puppy
They are the hardest breed of puppy to own. Why? They are not like the adult dog. You can go visit hundreds of adults and it wont prepare you for the puppy. It's that simple. But can I say that as adults I find them the best dog in the world. I love mine to bits. I find MALES easier by a long shot than females. Even Darryl will tell you the same thing. When we finally give up breeding we will have all males around us no females. I love my females, do not get me wrong. But if I want an easier life I would have the male version.

The puppy is quite demanding. They are firstly scared so you probably might get a good night on the first night. They are bewildered so really behave. You will get a false sense of security on the first night. The second night they start to throw their tantrums. For the puppy a kind of self preservation happens. Their home has gone, the siblings gone, the mother gone, the human parents gone. Left in place is this new person. They will attach to you for safety and realise where food comes from. But they are a long way from being the best dog in the world.
They then start to look after themselves the best way possible, screaming for attention and to do what it wants when it wants.

The noise is quite surprising. How can it possibly be so loud. Why doesn't it stop. ?!! It does not stop because it has not got its own way.

No amount of crate training the breeder has done, training, or anything seems to work. Ive done it all, and still surprised that they can be completely different. Even dogs ive kept myself I go through same thing. The easiest time is when ive kept two from same litter and then re-homed one later. They settle in crate, they do not cry, they house train instantly. The companionship seems to really work with the breed. I am not saying have two, but I do recognise you cut out a lot of the tantrums they go through. We usually sell 1 puppy and say come back for a 2nd in a year. Train the one and then come back for the next. Would I sell 2 together? Only to the most experienced of homes.

Will it get better? Yes of course it does. This happens around 12 weeks plus. Unless you have done something silly like picked up a 10 week old puppy.

Ive heard some say the dog manipulates them. Behaviourists will tell you that is impossible. But this is a Vizsla puppy we are talking about and yes they can manipulate you to get what they want through constant screaming if they are crated or told to sleep in a pen. Because you will give in as you want to stop that noise, and they have won. So they do it always.

Puppies require 18-20 hours sleep a day but the Vizsla puppy is a dog on a Duracell battery and will not sleep all those hours. It will push you to your limits and then it will collapse somewhere on the floor and sleep.

Does it get better? YES! But it's not over night and it takes 4 weeks plus before you start to see differences, but it only gets better by your routines and your training. Other wise it's like a whirlwind of naughtiness.

Bred to be close to the handlers makes them not want to be shut away from. you. Shutting them away from you is against everything in its make up. Dogs have inherited traits and this is one of them. Youll hear people affectionately call them Velcro dogs. Its not velcro for nothing, this means your not going out of sight. So you have to train it to be left.

I wont forget when someone said to me they took a week off work, and on the following Monday wanted to go back to work. I thought that will never work. You may as well start off the way you mean to go on. Leaving the dog is teaching it to be left. They are not dogs for full time workers, not unless the dog can come with you. So they took puppy and a week later realised it was not working. No of course it wont be. It takes months.

I can not wave a magic wand for anyone and make it easier. The truth is you have a good month of a difficult time. But with your constant reminder of rules, constant training, constant No, & Yes and now you will see the dog starting to get the idea of things. Then one day youll sit down and sigh and say it's suddenly better. We can cope finally.

So what suddenly changes to make things better? To conclude?

Daily routine
Same dinner times
Same walk times
Same leaving times
Having a 1-2-1 trainer in.
Booking puppy classes before 16 weeks.
Keeping your puppy in training for 18 months.
Both couples in the family doing the same thing. Not one rule for one and a different rule for someone else. The same where the dog is concerned.
Having the puppy in your bedroom for at least 4 weeks before you move them out.
Not giving vaccines during the settling in stage. Reactions are common place and some more than others. Reactions can mean it affects the brain. You wont know whats real or a reaction if you have vaccinated. The immune system is still young and developing, to give a vaccine in the first four weeks means you could in fact do more damage. Vaccine later.

I can say that as a breed once you have got over the difficulties of puppy hood they become the best dog in the world.

]]><![CDATA[Bracco Puppy Gallery]]>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:31:28 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/bracco-puppy-galleryIve only just got around to updating our Bracco puppy Gallery.
The last litter we had was last October 25. I took lots of photos and have more to add yet. But I have updated the page. So if you scroll down you will see new photos.

This update shows you also how we raise our puppies. They have a room in the house, and can walk out into our hallway. They can go through the lounge and outside. They are a wonderful breed of dog and know so much very early on. They follow us like little lambs. Of all the breeds I have bred these have to be my favourite. Put a Vizsla on the floor and they scatter in every direction, Put a Bracco on the floor and they follow you like lambs. Intelligent and the know things as I always say. ha ha.

]]><![CDATA[After puppy care]]>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 19:09:55 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/after-puppy-careI offer after puppy care in helping you through the first 4 weeks of the puppies life. This is because these are the hardest times until you are in training classes.
I tell everyone the importance of training, and with the HPR breeds 6 weeks course is not enough. You must keep the Vizsla and the Bracco Italiano in training until at least 1 year if not 2 years. My good friend a dog trainer always says it must be 2 years, and I can see why. The more structure you give your dogs during growing, and the brains still learning, the better the dog is.
I learnt myself over the years the people who continue with training really do not contact me again, this is because they have a good relationship with their dogs. The people who do no training are the ones who the chances of not wanting the dog by six months are much higher.

This is the reason we do not like selling to anyone who is not prepared to give their dogs a lot of training. But it does not stop with training classes as you have to teach the dog to earn rewards, to not demand your attention, and to be a good member of society.

If your life is busy and you're just squeezing the dog in, dont buy a Vizsla. They are a demanding breed which can not be left for hours at a time. Those that take these dogs on who will leave the dogs have dog walkers coming in to the house, 2-3 times whilst they are out. Sitting with pups doing training and you all need medals for taking everything we say on board. If you are picking the good points of what I am saying and pushing the other points to the back, dont get a Vizsla.

Going back to our puppies. We set up now a whats app group and add everyone who's having a puppy from that litter to the group. Also your partners if you ask. This runs for four weeks, then it closes. You then get the opportunity to join our Facebook group. You have to find me first on Facebook. Rachel Savage, and then I add you to the group.
During the four weeks you can contact me privately on whats app for any advice. I call it behavioural advice but in all honesty puppies do not go away with behaviour problems. Because all puppies do the same thing, and it's all normal behaviour. When it steps into behaviour is when a dog realises it is the boss, it can run rings around you, and then I can give you little tips how to over come them.

I know breeders who have young puppies returned, and it's not the puppy's fault. I now run a puppy academy and Im branching new ideas at the moment to help owners. It's gradually coming together in my mind how to go forward.

My friends call me an expert in the HPR breed and yes I suppose being in the breed over 30 years qualifies me to say I am. I hope everyone can take something from what I say and make it work with their puppies. All puppies are different and all have individual characters. The dogs we own are a privilege and we should really make it work to the best of our ability.

So welcome to those of you who are about to join us in our new puppy adventures with Brandi litter coming up soon followed by Candy litter.

We may then take a break from Vizsla litters until next year. But we are undecided yet. As these puppies wont leave until October that we have coming up, which takes us into the end of the year and I really like December clear of HPR puppies. As we have lots to do.

Regards Rachel
]]><![CDATA[ELKS Open show]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:27:16 GMThttps://www.silvestrehungarianvizsla.com/blog/elks-open-showWe popped along to a little open show close to us, and darryl did another days stewarding which is required for judging. In fact I think he may of completed his stewarding now. I have to go through all the paper work for him.

At the show we were extremely proud as in the puppy group at the end of the day TWO silvestres presented in group and TWO GOT IN THE GROUP!!!! Thats not often you see this. It's quite an achievement to see two different breeds both pulled out in a group to be best puppies in show.

First was Dalton and in his breed class he won:
1st puppy class. Best puppy in breed, then Puppy group 1.

His sister Maeve was also in puppy class and was 3rd behind him. I then took her home and she had a fabulous time.

Nova was presented in the Vizsla breed ring, and was 1st Puppy, Best puppy, then she went into the group and was 4th in group.

So what does all this mean you may ask if you have never done it before.

The best puppy of each breed goes against each other later in the day, and it's called the Group ring.
So best Labrador, best retriever, best cocker and so on. It's a big group. The best in show judge then goes over each one, and pulls out 1st to 4th, and the rest go home. The first place then goes against another category. So the first in Gundog group which was Dalton, went against then the best toy group, best utility group and so on. He did not get pulled out at this stage, but what an awesome day and it's a high achievement to say we bred the best Gundog puppy in show today.

Nova was group 4, so she was 4th best Gundog puppy in the show. This was Novas last puppy show. Because she is going to be 1 years old in August. She then goes into Junior classes.

Roxa was present and got RBOB in Vizsla. She looked absolutely love.

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