A quick reminder to our doggy family that with easter comes family visiting and lots of chocolate. It's easy to forget you have left chocolate on the side and your dog may pinch it. 

Chocolate contains Theobromine which is poisonous to dogs.  You can buy doggy chocolate from pet shops if you want your dog to have some. But honestly a good meaty bone is far better.  

What should you do if your dog has eaten chocolate? For a start contact your vet for advice.  They will know the weight of your dog against how much the dog has eaten and all dogs weigh different. 
If your dog is large and ate a small amount it will most likely be okay.  But contact your vet.
If your dog is small and ate a large amount it may not be okay.  Contact your vet.

Other foods which are around at Easter is Easter cakes, and fruit cakes.  Sultanas, raisins, should never be given to dogs as they are toxic and can cause kidney damage and failure.   So keep them in an air tight tub well away from your four legged friends. 

Ask family not to feed snacks to dogs unless you know what they are having.  Did you know grapes are toxic to dogs?

This time of year we also are gifted daffodils and did you know the bulb of the daffodils is toxic to dogs.  Hyacinths also the bulbs are toxic. 

If you have any concerns please contact your vet for advice. 

Wishing you all a lovely Easter and no trips to the vets of course. 

Rachel xx

We had the pleasure of judging some superb dogs at Saltburn canine society.  I have nearly finished Critiques and will be sending them off with in days to Our dogs and the canine society, and KC website. Im just double checking the pedigree names now to make sure I do not have any spelling mistakes. 

I had some superb examples of the breed come under me, particularly an American Cocker spaniel, Cavalier King Charles and a superb Pug puppy.  All which I could have taken home and owned. 
I just love Pugs with their out going and friendly personality.  In fact if you have young children there is no better breed to own than a Pug. They love kids.  We have two in our family in case you think I do not know the breed. I owned Pugs for over 14 years now. As pets, but once our girl goes we will look to replace her as Pugs are just fantastic in nature. Good fun and super loving. 

Darryl had also some lovely exhibits to go over.   Thank you to everyone who came under me.  My next judging appointment is for Vizsla, Bracco and I look forward to seeing my entries soon. 
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Adders are on the move and Im hearing that some dogs have been bitten already.  We usually say May time is the peak for Adders.  They come out of hibernation and lay on pathways or sand to heat themselves as they are cold blooded.  Curious dogs of course are over investigating.

Signs of an adder bites:

• Lethargy
• Two fang marks on dog.
• Swelling
• Collapse
• Panting/stress

What should you do. ?    Carry your dog to reduce circulation around the body of venom.  Contact your nearest veterinary surgeon.   For some dogs they have little effect and it's no worse than a bee sting, but for others its full blown huge swelling and oedema.  The oedema can get infected afterwards.   Your veterinary surgeon will advise you. 

In all the years I have bred Hungarian Vizsla I have seen a big change in how the public want to go about buying a pedigree dog.  Maybe it's just the age we live in. 

We get lovely people enquire and it's a pleasure to help them and then develop a relationship with them over the life of their dog where they can contact us about anything for advice.  We always say if you want to keep in touch then we love that. But if you do not we appreciate how busy life is and do not expect you to keep in contact.  Having birthday updates is a pleasure to read through. 

This is how an enquiry should go!
Hi, We are interested in a puppy from you.  I understand you have a litter, is it okay to do a phone call with you so we can chat and learn about the breed.  Put your name, address, and give suitable times for us to contact you.  You may of had the breed and you just want a short chat and thats fine.  But you may want more information and I am happy to give you as much information as possible to help you make the right decision that the breed is right for you.   Not everyone can cope with the HPR breed.  Even if price is the first thing you want to know, hold off until you have struck up some kind of conversation and then Im sure most breeders will then give you the price. It does not matter if you think you can or can not afford the price, and at least you have got some information to help give you the best opinions possible. 

You can ask if the breeder is licensed.  You can ask if the puppies are kennel club registered.  You can ask if the parents are health tested.   You can ask if the breeder has a website or social media.  You can ask are the parents pet dogs, or are they show dogs. You can even ask if there are references they can give you.  There are lots of questions you can ask. 
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But remember a breeder does not have to sell a puppy to you if they have any concerns.  Because they do not want the puppy to end up in a rescue centre.  So they may ask several questions to see if your suitable for the breed.