A big call for some patience please with getting hold of me.  This is the final few days before our Brandi litter goes off for new homes.  I have zero time for phone calls and zero time to give people as Im running around like a headless chicken.  Vizsla puppies are the most full on breed of dog you can possibly wish to own and in that final week we need some patience with our callers please.  Also ive just had a shock health diagnosis, which is why Ive been struggling more than before.  So please bear with me.  The good thing is I dedicate my life and soul to our babies.

Im now off to do some crate training with the Brandi litter babies.  Im not sure I can get a video of it, but I will try. Im not that great with modern technology.  I am better than I was.  But for sure it's nice to see a few videos. 

​Rachel 

With being so very busy I forgot to update that Django won best of breed at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Premier open show. Judge who does groups and very well known was super complimentary of our young dog.  

Dalton the Bracco won another JW point and is now just a point away from being a stud book number entry and qualified for crufts for life.  We are very proud of him.  Massive thanks to his dedicated owner Linda Forbes and handler, Ian Sladden. 


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Well today was a wrap on puppy visits, and what a pleasure it was seeing everyone. Thank you for visiting as it helps give us breeders a big picture of what your like, and what your looking for in a puppy.  We now also do video calls to help owners who do not want to travel lots of times.  Both is fine with us.  We try to really help where we can.  
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Thank you once again, and next time you go home with your baby. 

Rachel x

I sometimes think breeders do not. understand what the COI really is all about and how bringing in diverse amount of genes can actually bring you more health problems than if you line bred and knew what was coming.  A lesson many of us learnt is "Better the devil you know"!

Breeders have jumped on a band wagon about using COI as sales pitch with zero understanding of what they are going on about. Or how it can affect the offspring. 

So let's look at what it is all about.  

If you wanted a zero co efficiency go and buy yourself a COCKERPOO.  But even those can be closely bred with pedigree dogs either side.  

You see a pedigree is made up of ancestors.  Dad's ancestors and mums ancestors.

The Kennel club banned in-breeding ages ago.  In-breeding means mating fathers to daughters and mothers to sons.  So let's get this cleared up now, if you tried to register in bred puppies they would send you an e-mail to say you cannot do it.  You could appeal and yes they may let it through, but not automatically.  Thats the first thing you need to know. 

What is line breeding all about.  Its similar ancestors in a pedigree which creates the size in the breed standard, the head shape, the colour.  If your line is healthy you know nothings going to come out. So is it better to line breed ?

But we can not keep breeding with in lines, as you have to go out at some point.  So what is out crossing.

Out crossing is mum and dads ancestors are not similar.  But here's the crunch....Go back far enough in pedigree the COI gets higher, then higher again then higher again.  So why is that?  Because all pedigree dogs go back to the same dogs.  So thats the big turn on the head. 

So using it as a sales pitch you need to know it's a bad idea because if we go back into your pedigrees far enough your dogs will be related with similar ancestors.   Because thats what a pedigree dog is, they were created using dogs of similar type.

Is it better to use two out crossed dogs yet they both carry genes which are lethal ?  How do you know in fact that info, because these breeders do not know whats behind the dogs they are putting together.  Risky isn't it!  

We are not miracle workers, but breeders do try to produce as healthy as they can.  Or so Id like to think.  Im friends with many breeders all working towards healthy dogs. All got their own visions on how to do it.  I get voice messages all the time from friends and we talk about how to get the best dogs for the future.  We work out how to avoid health issues. No good breeder wants to produce ill dogs.  It's simply not what we do.  But if you do not know what you are doing you could.  But then even with out crossing you can.  You can add in 5 more health issues just like that! Poof its happened. 

I know I wont be doing this for ever.  I can see an end date now. But I am mentoring other breeders the knowledge passed down to me by breeders who are no longer here.  New tools are not always better tools.  

We work now with dna testing this helps tremendously with genetic diseases. But we still are missing key ones for our breeds which we badly need.  There is not a breeder I know who would not do them if they were available.  Striving for better all the time. For with every litter there is something different.   

I pride myself on producing beautiful head shapes in our puppies.  If we outcross too much we would loose this entirely.  Everyone's attracted to a Silvestre head.  So am I, and it's important to maintain this look.  I love to look at a dog and think WOW you are stunning.  I am also my own worst critic.  Because if I am not I'll never improve what I am doing here. 

Bringing in a new dog for people like ourselves starts years in advance, making connections, talking to those breeders, seeing the breeders.  We do not just pick dogs online and think it's all going to be fabulous.  

Health testing is important.  Keeping the COI with in reason. Outcrossing when you have too.  Line breeding when you can.   But you wont ever hear me brag about a low coi. Or 0 because it can open up a can of worms you wish you had not opened. Whats the point of a 0 coi when your dogs dying from cancer aged five.  But with a higher coi they are not dying. until old age. What would you do ?

So today I got the measuring stick out on my dog Django as he was always a dog that grew tall by 7 months and he looked bigger than some of the other puppies in the ring. So I did think maybe he was just over the breed standard.  But it goes to show you that unless you actually put the measuring stick on your dog you should not assume anything.  Django measures 62cm to withers. So Im rather pleased as he is with in breed standard height range.  He did dance on the spot and it came out first at 60cm. So after several attempts and a perfect stand and a perfect measure he is 62 cm.  So Im very pleased.  My first champion was in fact 63cm.  We always knew Chili was up to size. Then I had Tango who was on the right lower end of standard. The main thing is they are BREED STANDARD SIZES.  YAY

Another test has been available for Vizsla for little while and I am now plodding through all the dogs having them done.  

Results first for Willow as she is pregnant.   I am thrilled to tell you she is clear, and can not pass this to her offspring as she does not carry the gene for it.  So super thrilled as PRA is vile. 

I am going to next do Maverick, followed by others.   So watch this space.  

We go the extra mile because we care.  We go the extra mile because we want you as our puppy owners to have assurance.  We go the extra mile because we do not like to think of dogs we have bred with eye issues.  

Please also note I need to write an article on dry eye condition which has affected hundreds of dogs across the UK due to buckwheat in the diet.  I will get around to this. 

So what is it?  


PRA-prcd in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Testing, and What Owners Need to KnowProgressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, is a group of inherited eye diseases that gradually cause vision loss in dogs. One specific form is progressive rod-cone degeneration, commonly abbreviated PRA-prcd.
Although PRA-prcd is not painful, it can significantly affect a dog’s quality of life. The good news is that many dogs adapt remarkably well to gradual vision loss, especially when their environment and daily routine remain consistent. Genetic testing also allows responsible breeders to reduce the risk of producing affected puppies.

What Is PRA-prcd?PRA-prcd is an inherited degenerative disease affecting the retina—the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
The retina contains two main types of photoreceptor cells:

• Rods, which help with vision in dim light and at night
• Cones, which support daylight vision and color perception

In dogs with PRA-prcd, rod cells typically deteriorate first, followed by cone cells. As the disease progresses, the dog develops worsening night blindness and eventually loses much or all of its daytime vision.

PRA-prcd is caused by a mutation in the PRCD gene. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a dog generally must inherit two copies of the disease-associated variant—one from each parent—to be at risk of developing the condition.

Which Dog Breeds Can Develop PRA-prcd?
ANY dog breed can develop it. 

The PRA-prcd variant has been identified in many breeds and mixed-breed dogs. It is especially relevant in certain lines of:

• Labrador Retrievers
• Golden Retrievers
• American Cocker Spaniels
• English Cocker Spaniels
• Miniature and Toy Poodles
• Portuguese Water Dogs
• Australian Cattle Dogs
• Chinese Cresteds
• American Eskimo Dogs
• Finnish Lapphunds
• Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

This is not a complete list, and the presence of a breed-related risk does not mean every dog in that breed will develop PRA-prcd. Other forms of PRA can also occur, sometimes due to entirely different genetic mutations.
Signs and Symptoms of PRA-prcdPRA-prcd usually develops gradually. The age at which signs appear can vary considerably depending on the dog’s breed, genetics, and individual health.
Early signs may include:

• Reluctance to go outside or move around in dim light
• Hesitation on stairs or in unfamiliar areas
• Bumping into objects at night
• Difficulty finding toys in low light
• Increased dependence on familiar routes or people
• Dilated pupils or an unusual eye shine

As the disease advances, owners may notice:

• Poor vision during the day
• Bumping into furniture or walls
• Difficulty navigating unfamiliar environments
• Less interest in visually guided activities
• Cloudiness in the eyes caused by cataracts

Some dogs develop cataracts as a secondary effect of retinal degeneration. Cataracts can make the eyes appear cloudy and may occasionally lead to painful complications, such as inflammation or glaucoma. A dog showing signs of eye discomfort should be examined promptly by a veterinarian.
Is PRA-prcd Painful?PRA-prcd itself is generally not painful. However, complications such as cataracts, inflammation, or glaucoma can cause discomfort.
Dogs may not always show obvious signs of eye pain, so changes such as squinting, redness, excessive tearing, rubbing at the eyes, or sudden worsening of vision should be evaluated by a veterinary professional.
How Is PRA-prcd Diagnosed?Diagnosis usually involves a combination of the dog’s history, an eye examination, and genetic testing.
Veterinary eye examinationA veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist may examine the retina for characteristic changes, including:

• Abnormal retinal pigmentation
• Narrowing of retinal blood vessels
• Changes to the optic nerve
• Increased reflection from the back of the eye

An instrument called an electroretinogram, or ERG, may be used to measure the electrical responses of the retina. This can help detect retinal dysfunction before changes are obvious during a routine examination.
DNA testingA DNA test can identify whether a dog has:

• Two normal copies of the tested gene variant
• One normal copy and one disease-associated copy
• Two copies of the disease-associated variant

It is important to understand that a DNA test for PRA-prcd detects a specific genetic variant. A clear result does not rule out every possible form of PRA or every inherited eye disease. Breeders should choose tests appropriate to the breed and bloodline and discuss results with a veterinarian, genetic testing laboratory, or breed health specialist.
Understanding PRA-prcd Genetic Test ResultsBecause PRA-prcd is usually autosomal recessive, test results are commonly described as follows:
ClearThe dog does not carry the tested PRA-prcd variant and is not expected to develop PRA-prcd caused by that variant or pass it to its puppies.
CarrierThe dog carries one copy of the variant but is generally not expected to develop PRA-prcd from that variant. A carrier can pass the variant to its puppies.
AffectedThe dog carries two copies of the variant and is at risk of developing PRA-prcd. Clinical signs and the age of onset may vary.
A carrier is not an unhealthy or undesirable dog. Responsible breeding programs can safely include carriers by mating them with clear dogs, followed by appropriate testing of offspring. Removing all carriers from a breeding population at once can unnecessarily reduce genetic diversity.
Is There a Cure for PRA-prcd?At present, there is no widely available cure that reverses the retinal degeneration caused by PRA-prcd. Treatment focuses on:

• Monitoring the eyes for cataracts and glaucoma
• Managing any inflammation or discomfort
• Keeping the home environment predictable
• Preventing falls and other injuries
• Helping the dog adjust to reduced vision

Many dogs with gradual vision loss continue to enjoy a good quality of life. Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing, and they often learn to navigate familiar spaces successfully.
Helping a Dog Adjust to Vision LossIf your dog is losing vision, a few practical changes can make a major difference:

• Keep furniture, food bowls, and beds in consistent locations.
• Use baby gates near stairs or other hazards.
• Block access to swimming pools and unsafe outdoor areas.
• Keep your dog on a leash in unfamiliar places.
• Use verbal cues before touching or approaching the dog.
• Avoid leaving objects in walkways.
• Consider textured mats or scent markers to identify important areas.
• Introduce changes gradually.
• Maintain a calm, predictable routine.

It is important not to assume that a blind or visually impaired dog cannot enjoy walks, play, training, or social interaction. Activities that use scent, hearing, and touch can be especially rewarding.
Breeding and Preventing PRA-prcdGenetic testing is one of the most effective tools for reducing PRA-prcd in future generations. Breeders should test potential breeding dogs before mating and interpret results carefully.
A common approach is to avoid breeding affected dogs and to pair carriers only with clear dogs when there is a sound reason to preserve valuable genetics. Puppies from carrier-to-clear matings should be tested or managed appropriately before being used for breeding.
DNA testing should be combined with regular eye examinations and a broader health program. A dog can test clear for PRA-prcd and still carry another inherited eye disease or develop an unrelated eye condition.
When Should You Contact a Veterinarian?Arrange a veterinary examination if your dog:

• Has difficulty seeing at night
• Bumps into objects
• Hesitates on stairs
• Develops cloudy eyes
• Squints or rubs its eyes
• Has red or watery eyes
• Experiences sudden vision loss
• Comes from a breed or family line known to carry PRA-prcd

Early assessment can help confirm the cause of vision changes and identify complications that may require treatment.
Final ThoughtsPRA-prcd is an inherited retinal disease that can gradually lead to blindness, but it does not necessarily prevent a dog from living a happy and active life. Early recognition, veterinary monitoring, environmental adjustments, and appropriate genetic testing can all help.
For breeders, DNA testing provides valuable information for making responsible mating decisions. For owners, understanding the condition can make it easier to support a dog as its vision changes.

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This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for advice from a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist.

Well Dalton did it again, winning best puppy in breed and best of breed at Bedford canine society. He is developing into a fine adult.  I love watching his journey and Im so very grateful to his owner Linda who loves him to pieces.  

Enrichment for Dogs and Puppies

Enrichment is an important part of keeping dogs and puppies happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. It involves providing activities that encourage natural behaviors such as sniffing, chewing, exploring, playing, problem-solving, and social interaction. Enrichment is not simply about tiring a dog out; it helps support their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Why Enrichment Matters
Dogs need more than food, shelter, and exercise. Without enough mental stimulation, they may become bored, frustrated, or anxious. This can lead to unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, chewing, or attention-seeking.
For puppies, enrichment also supports healthy development. New experiences can help them become confident and adaptable, while appropriate games and activities teach them how to think, make choices, and interact safely with the world around them.

Types of Enrichment
Scent Enrichment

A dog’s sense of smell is incredibly powerful, and sniffing is naturally calming and satisfying. You can provide scent enrichment by:

• Taking slow “sniff walks” rather than focusing only on distance
• Hiding treats around a room or garden
• Using snuffle mats
• Scattering part of your dog’s meal in the grass
• Introducing safe new scents, such as herbs or dog-friendly plants

Puppies may enjoy simple scent games, such as finding a treat beneath one of several lightweight cups.

Food Enrichment
Instead of serving every meal in a bowl, use food puzzles or interactive feeders. These encourage dogs to work for their food and can slow down fast eaters.
Examples include:

• Kong-style rubber toys
• Treat-dispensing balls
• Puzzle feeders
• Lick mats
• Frozen food toys
• Food hidden in cardboard boxes or paper bags

Always supervise your dog when introducing a new food toy, and make sure the materials are strong enough for their chewing habits.

Chewing

Chewing is a natural behavior that can help dogs relax and keep their mouths occupied. Puppies often chew more while teething, so providing suitable alternatives can help protect furniture and household items.
Choose age-appropriate chews and avoid items that are extremely hard, small enough to swallow, or likely to splinter. Supervise chewing and replace damaged toys regularly.

Training and Problem-Solving

Short training sessions are excellent mental enrichment. Dogs can learn basic cues such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it,” as well as fun tricks like turning in a circle, touching a hand, or putting toys away.
Training should be reward-based and kept enjoyable. Puppies often learn best through sessions lasting only a few minutes at a time. End while they are still interested and successful.

Play
Provides exercise, bonding, and emotional enrichment. Suitable activities include:

• Tug games
• Fetch
• Hide-and-seek
• Gentle chase games
• Toy-based training
• Playing with other friendly, well-matched dogs

Teach puppies to take breaks during play and avoid encouraging rough behavior such as biting hands or clothes. If play becomes too intense, calmly pause and redirect the puppy to a toy.
6. Social and Environmental EnrichmentSocialization means helping puppies have positive experiences with people, animals, places, sounds, surfaces, and handling. These experiences should be gradual and never overwhelming.

A puppy might safely encounter:

• Different types of flooring
• Car journeys
• Household sounds
• People wearing hats or carrying bags
• Gentle handling of paws, ears, and mouths
• Calm, vaccinated dogs
• New rooms and outdoor environments

The goal is not to expose a puppy to everything at once, but to build confidence through calm and positive experiences. Puppies should also be allowed plenty of rest, since too much stimulation can make them overtired.
Enrichment at HomeEnrichment does not need to be expensive. Simple activities can be highly effective:

• Hide treats in a towel and loosely roll it up
• Place kibble in a cardboard box filled with scrunched paper
• Create a safe obstacle course using cushions
• Let your dog explore a secure garden
• Rotate toys so they remain interesting
• Teach your dog to identify and retrieve named toys
• Offer a frozen lick mat on a warm day

Always remove tape, string, staples, and other unsafe materials from homemade activities.

Finding the Right BalanceEvery dog is different.

Some dogs enjoy challenging puzzles, while others prefer sniffing, chewing, or gentle interaction. Watch your dog’s body language. Signs of enjoyment may include relaxed movements, focused attention, and willingly returning to the activity. Signs of stress or frustration may include hiding, pacing, barking, trembling, or repeatedly abandoning the task.

Enrichment should be adapted to a dog’s age, breed, health, personality, and physical ability. Puppies need frequent naps and should not be pushed into excessive exercise, especially high-impact activities while their bones and joints are developing.

Conclusion
Enrichment is a simple but powerful way to improve a dog’s quality of life. By providing opportunities to sniff, chew, play, learn, explore, and rest, owners can help dogs and puppies become healthier, more confident, and better able to cope with everyday life. The most effective enrichment is safe, varied, and enjoyable for the individual dog.
​Rachel xx

I do not do waiting lists 2 years ahead of what we are doing. I have been asked recently if someone can get on the waiting list now for in two years. 
The reason is I think it's impractical to know what we are doing in 2 years.  Also prices may change over that period. Let's face it everything keeps going up and up and up in price, and this has a knock on effect in breeding dogs. 

I appreciate you want to know and you want to know the breeder is going to let you have one in two years. But I just ethically cant do it that far in advance.

Also the mum you like the look of the most could be retired.  Sometimes we have just 1 litter with a girl, another may have 2, and another 3.  Rarely 4.  But we take each dog on merit and how much they enjoyed the litter. Or did it take too much out of them having the puppies.  Some dogs are born mothers and some dogs are not.  Being as ethical as we can to each dogs needs we have to make decisions.  This may not be what you want to hear.  I remember the other year someone begged me for a puppy from one bitch only. Id retired her. 

What you need to do is about 2-3 months before your ready is to then contact me.  Only then can I do a form and know whats ahead of me. 

Also I do not have the time to spend an hour on the phone now for two years time, as I will also forget what you have told me. My time is very previous these days, and I do a lot of work in the day and I then have to prioritise it for those who want one from litters soon. 

Sorry that I can not be more helpful for two years time.   Im sure when the time is right and you get back in touch I will be able to help you that year. 

​Rachel 

Ive just read online this very long post by a wire haired vizsla owner asking questions. 
The questions are not unusual as I see these on Vizsla posts online.  So let me clear this up from a behaviour point of view. 

The question is " My dog seems disinterested in other dogs it meets, and it does not really want to play, he walks on and ignores other dogs, what am I doing wrong?"  

The answer in a nutshell is " You are doing nothing wrong, and in fact from a behaviour point of view it's wonderful your dog is not interfering with other dogs."

A good dog is a dog thats so well rounded it does not feel the need to interfere with other dogs.  The ones that interfere are the ones who get bitten in the end, or then go reactive because at some point another dogs got sick of them, given a nip and then they they get a bit aggressive with other dogs.  So the truth is if your dog walks on, if your dog keeps out the way, fabulous.

Dogs in large groups are disasters waiting to happen and this is because this is HUMAN ideology on what dogs need.  Dogs do not need tons of friends.  Dogs do enjoy one or two dogs, and things more low key.  But if you think walking dogs in large group of dogs is doing your dog good, think again. You're either thinking like a human, or you're being conned out of money into getting your dog in groups and some organisations need shutting down.  Dogs do not live in packs of 50 dogs. We have domesticated these animals to a degree.  Even the wolf pack would have a hierarchy of animals, and ones who would be shunned out.  Our dogs do not get this chance today as we have domesticated them.  Many do not know how to interact with other dogs, but the good dog is the one which is not a pest.  The good dog is not a dog which is going to get attacked by another. 

So if your that owner on Facebook asking these questions, just know your dogs a good dog.  You're a good owner as you've taught your dog manners also.  Be proud of the fact, do not look at all these online videos of dogs running amok with each other then ending up with a spat at the end.  

​R x