Raising puppies

Raising your puppy

Quality home reared puppies with love and adoration.

Raising your puppy

We take raising puppies very seriously with lots of thought to their development and social skills. Being experienced we know the stages of development and the correct handling they require, plus the introduction of sounds, new smells, new experiences. We are a firm believer of providing enrichment toys for the puppies, and I spare no expense, or time to achieve this.
Our puppies are given natural treats. Only the best will do.
Our whole family love animals, and a big help looking after the dogs. None of our puppies are every left alone and their are always adults supervision.
My breeding plans starts years before I produce your puppy. We start on a journey learning about bloodlines, meeting the stud dogs in question, watching them, talking to their owners. A good example is our Goose father, who I saw in Europe and in the UK. A dog bred in Australia who lives in Ireland but I got the chance to watch him. We do not just look online and think that dog will do, it has four legs, its ginger coloured, so lets mate.. It doesn't happen that way at all for us. We are studying breed lines years before.

Please do contact me to ask questions about our next litter. You can whats app me any time and I will reply, and arrange for a call back if required.
My mobile number is 07584279384

Our puppies are loved, kissed and cuddled on a daily basis.

ASSURED BREEDERS & 5 Star Council license
To breed and sell dogs in the UK and make £1000 you are required to have a breeding license, but guess what! hardly anyone has one. Thats the truth of the matter. They come up with fabulous excuses as why they do not need one. We are not like this, and we not only have a license, we are a Kennel club assured breeder. I also pay my taxes and do everything correctly. Even if cash in payment is taken it is recorded. Why you may ask? Because dogs costs thousands of pounds to keep to a high standard. So every penny we earn goes back into our dogs. It does not pay for an expensive holiday. In 2019 defra wanted breeders to be classified as business's and although I feel very far away from a business we still have hours of paper work to complete and make sure our breeding is at a high standard.
The highest standard breeder is awarded 5 stars.

TEMPERAMENT IS EVERYTHING!
Here at Silvestre we say temperament is everything, and the reason is we have to live with our dogs. We go on holiday taking our dogs, and they have to be of a fabulous temperament. Ive always said what's the point in having a champion if it has a temperament that is sharp. You are doing the breed no favours or yourself. Puppies are genetically stamped with experiences from the mother which starts at conception. If a mother dog is worried or abused it can have an effect on the offspring. This is why we do such extensive canine enrichment so that our adult dogs are happy, have no stress and they raise puppies in a loving environment.
Our dogs prove themselves in so many ways, not just the dogs we own but dogs we have sold, which have gone on to excel at search and rescue training, scent work training, agility, gun dog, fabulous pets.

K C PAPERS
I need to explain about Kennel club papers as you the buying public do not know. Their are 3 ways you can register your puppies.
1) Activity register - This is a register of any cross breed which would like to do Kennel club events like Scrufts, or activities. So when you see an advert with papers it could be activity and the dog could be a cross breed.
2) Normal registration- this is a pedigree register or should be. On this registration system you do not have to do health testing. There is no requirement, and you can register your puppies. Lots of mistakes have been made by breeders using this system. French bulldogs are prime examples as breeders have cross bred their pups to create new colours, which caused the breed to change. The Kennel club rely on good will and honesty that you have registered the litter properly.
3) Assured breeder scheme - There are required health tests which if the breeder did not do the KC will not register. Also breeders are inspected to make sure they are of a high standard.
Their are many many breeders who are not assured breeders and I do understand why they are not part of the scheme. But we do need to make a stand in distinguishing good breeders from bad. I am forever hopeful that by supporting the scheme it will bring the change that's needed.

HEALTH TESTING
Before we breed from any of our dogs they under go health testing. Each breed has required health tests. Required by the Kennel club assured breeder scheme. Remember if a breeder is not an assured breeder no health tests are required.

Some of our health tests you will not find on any online data base. For example we now do Australian Hip and elbow scoring and we retain these records. We also hold DNA tests in a large file which again you can not find online anywhere.

We feel as breeders that having the health tests done are so important because we are doing everything we can to produce a healthy puppy.

MATING
Mating two dogs together does not mean puppies these days, through lack of ovulation, poor fertility, semen quality, or choosing the wrong day to mate. Also animals are now being effected by environmental issues. We are now reading research which links chemicals in the environment with poor development of puppies. We are always learning.
It is not easy breeding pedigree dogs. It is very expensive to do so, if you do it right! Thats the key point, because anyone could cut corners.
The breeding dogs must be in peak condition and this comes through training, exercise, and diet.
If everything is right, and the mother is fertile we can expect puppies just 9 weeks after mating. 9 weeks goes by so quickly.
This has been why we have not made waiting lists years ahead. Because we knew that we would be letting people down as we didn't have another bitch pregnant coming along. No-one can look a year ahead and know what they are producing unless they are producing a lot of dogs. Do not promote over breeding of dogs.

HOW SOON DO WE KNOW IF THEY ARE PREGNANT?
We know if one of our girls are pregnant when they are five weeks into pregnancy. A female dog carries puppies for 9 weeks of age, and it always amazes me how they can carry puppies for just a mere 9 weeks and then born.
Photo right of an ultra sound on one mum. We do not always have an ultra sound done if we are confident mum is pregnant.
As scans are not very reliable on numbers of puppies.
We can not tell the sexes of the puppies when scanned. We do not know this until the day they are born.
Their is no magic number of males v females. Its just what ever comes out.
Mums have subtle changes and are often hungrier, slight chances occur up to 5 weeks. After 5 weeks is when the puppies start growing. This is the time we know our mums to be are pregnant.

BIRTH
It still fascinates me watching new life come into the world. Our girls are never left home alone and we do not expect them to go through this alone. We are there for reassurance and care. Keeping mum hydrated with drinks, and it gives them some confidence. Birth doesn't always go to plan, and the mum may require help. She may require the vet.
When puppies are born they are still growing and developing. Their eyes are sealed shut and so are ears. They can suckle, and their noses smell where mums boobies are. They need to be kept very warm, and quiet.
Our puppies are often born downstairs where I have access to make tea, coffee all night long. I have a camp bed I erect beside them. Also I have access to water, to wash my hands. I have many a photo where I look like death warmed up as I have not slept, and in my pjs in the whelping box.

GROWING UP
For the first two weeks they require a different type of care which is given by the mum. They do not enjoy being handled. Although every day each and everyone is handled, touched, and they start to learn that when the eyes open this human monster is the one thats been touching us. Mother dog is most important to the development of the puppies. Mother dog cleans them and stimulates them to urinate and poop. With out this stimulation the puppy would die. We have to watch and make sure she is doing it correctly, other wise we have to step in.
Its very rare to have to hand feed a Vizsla puppy.
They do not crave for human attention for the first two weeks as all they want is mum. The Vizsla grows rapidly, and by 3 weeks look like little puppies. Suddenly they start to enjoy being picked up by us, and we develop a close bond. By 4 weeks they are growing cuter by the day. Around 4 weeks we can introduce toys, and they can bite them, suck them and push them around with their noses. By week 5 they are ready to be viewed by the pawparents. They are stronger, and look like little puppies. You can meet mother dog and father dog if we have father dog. This is the most exciting of times for you. By week 6 they are running about outside on our patio and we take them into the gardens. They can play and amble about, interact with the other dogs and cats. It is at this point we can start to see characters develop.

HOME REARED
I can not imagine any other way to rear puppies as they require absolute all round supervision, but also because their social aspects are changing as they grow. Handling is important, and hearing of sounds. The fire work CD, babies crying, train stations noises, etc is all important. Puppies learn to live around us, and it teaches them manners as well.
The start in life gives them a blank canvas and when you collect the puppy you go into life with a puppy whose had the right start, and you can then build on experiences and have a well adjusted puppy in society.
I provide a lot of toys, treats, games for them to get used to new things. Sounds of the vacuum cleaner, TV, music, and in todays world hearing doorbells, vehicle noises, and our other animals. Cat, small dogs, chickens and turkeys. My mother meets all the puppies and she is 89 and my grandson who will be six soon also gets to have puppy cuddles if he visits. Our puppies are handled so much it makes them bomb proof.

VISITNG US
I am fully aware that Covid brought a lot of changes to us all.
Covid is on the rise as I know many medical professionals. They have told us that we should maintain social distancing still. We are going to maintain as little contact as possible with you. My mother is vulnerable and lives with us, so we will do all visits in our grooming parlour.
At the moment we are limiting the amount of people to just 2. We have hand sanitiser and please wear a mask. We will maintain social distancing.
When you visit I have a large file on the work top. Inside is pedigrees, and every single health test we have completed.
I also have a selection of treats available for you to purchase and leads and collars, plus snuffle mats.
Because of Covid we are doing no visits before puppies are born. To protect our family, and I also have 3 auto immune diseases which I would rather not contract Covid. But we welcome you and I am here on whats app all the time and I send videos and pictures each week to you. I really hope we make you feel part of the Silvestre family.

WE CHOOSE YOUR PUPPY
When living with a litter 24/7 we begin to know their personalities.
If you wish to show your dog tell us before we choose the puppies, Tell us if you wish to work your dog as we can assess if it has a natural aptitude to picking up game.
I need to know key points about you and your family so I can try and place the right puppy.
I have been told time and time again that people are glad they didn't have to choose, as its a lot of responsibility to get it right. But also matching puppies to the right owner with the right energies.
We choose at about 6 and 1/2 weeks of age. This is the right time to choose the right dog for you and your family. I do send photos of your dog.
I guess we are one of the lucky breeders who do not have sickly puppies, and all our dogs are fit and healthy. The sizes all are maintained the same and no-one gets a bad dog.

PICTURES
I send photos and videos by whats app, whilst the puppy is growing up.
I believe this is a nice touch to feel bonded to your puppies.
I love taking photos, but please note any pictures I take and send to you are mine, and can not be posted on social media, can not be sold on in any format.
I try sending photos weekly, sometimes I run over the week because Ive been busy and not had chance to take photos.

LAST FEW WEEKS WITH US
Our Vizsla, Bracco are fast developing breeds of dogs, and are ready to leave at 8 weeks of age. This ensures you are going to start the social skills the pup requires in life. I personally would never want a 9 week old Vizsla puppy as I feel I've lost some important early stages of bonding. If someone can not pick up a puppy on the date we say then we will tell you to wait for a future litter. Ive seen it before and from experience I can tell you that your puppy will have less problems if taken at 8 weeks. Everyone assumes it can not happen to them, and no breeder knows what they are talking about. But with the Vizsla in particular they need to be in a family home by 8 weeks.
I provide a whole variety of toys. Puzzle toys such as snuffle mats, Kongs which release small natural biscuits. Balls, cuddly toys, paddling pool. Fabric toys, to plastic toys. Lick mats and most importantly natural treats. The more you can give the pups the happier they are.
We do not send out nervous pups, quite the opposite.

MICRO CHIPPED
By law all puppies should be microchipped at 8 weeks before sale. We use the data base Animal tracker as this is the only data base I could find that did a free transfer of ownership. By giving you the transfer code on pick up you can register an account and put in the code, and the dog is legally yours. It is also a database which is easy to navigate around. I have a few dogs with other data bases from other breeders and their websites are awful to work out. I like something easy peasy.
I will scan your puppy in front of you before you take the puppy home so that you can see where the micro chip is.
By law a puppy should be registered first to the breeder, then to the new owner. If a breeder has not done this correctly then they do not understand the laws of the UK. I am fully qualified to microchip not just my dogs but other peoples too. Having trained with a veterinary surgeon to complete my training on microchipping. I had to do two dogs and a cat in front of the vet before they would sign me off as competent.

VETS VISIT
Personally I think this is one of the most important things that we do. Because their are a lot of breeders who sell dogs with out a health check first.
We have your puppy health checked a few days before leaving. Our vet is thorough, and will not say a dog is healthy if it is not. I microchip the puppies around 5-6 weeks of age, so he can scan the micro chip and write a letter for each puppy.
What would happen if the vet picked up something? We would ring you if we had designated a dog for you, and you are then given our vets telephone number if you wish to talk to him. We are extremely honest in what we do.

DIET
Do not worry about what you need to feed your dog. I will send you a diet sheet by email when I send your receipt for deposit paid.
This will tell you times to feed your puppy and what type of food.
On the hidden pages you will find diet info which you can read. Their is a long list of food companies names for you to choose from.
Remember you need a balanced diet and when feeding raw you want a ratio of 80/10/10
Puppies thrive on raw weaning food. They also grow slower than kibble fed dogs which is ideal for joints. But we know that dogs need a varied diet so they get all the adequate vitamins, minerals, amino acids and nutrients they could possibly require. We do not just stick to one food group. My puppies are given for example minced mackerel, cubed beef heart, spinach, apple, and so on. Lets make their life fun.

OUTSIDE FREEDOM
We are one of the rare breeders who has extensive outside space. My father brought the original house with land and passed it to me when he died. This is the ideal home for adult dogs and puppies. It is a huge responbiltiy looking after this amount of grassed areas, fencing etc. We have cameras everywhere, and our phones bling when you walk a step onto our property.
Puppies must have access to the outside as soon as they can. They need sunshine. This is something people do not talk about. Good old vitamin D is essential to animal health as well as humans. They develop muscle, and can walk properly. I have seen myself one breeder who kept their puppies in a small pen daily. Their was no muscle tone, it walked funny, plus it was scared to death of walking on grass. I find it a great shame that puppies are not given access to grass. Puppies need the explore which is part of life.
Our puppies will of stood on every type of surface possible. Shingle, concrete, porcelain, grass, soil, wood chips. They will play outside with toys ideal for them.

HIDDEN FILES
What are the hidden files? I have written pages of information with regards to rearing your puppy. My knowledge that I have gained from living with dogs for 52 years of my life is shared with you. I am told I should write a book. In fact this is something I am now considering doing. If you have a problem with your dog you can look it up on the hidden files and get an answer.
Their is a password for these pages, which changes every single litter. So if you are an owner from a dog years ago and can not get in, email me or whats app me and I will send the password over. Passwords should be changed regular to stop hackers getting at private information.

PICK UP
We do not keep puppies longer than 8 weeks of age as it is detrimental to their development. Some breeds it really does not matter if the breeder kept them a week or two longer. But the HPR breed and especially Vizsla you will miss the most important stages of their life. Dogs develop in stages, and we even know the week you may contact us with a question later on. Its not clever its just a pattern we see with all the HPR breeds. 8 weeks they are actually in a nervous stage, so better to be early 8 weeks than later. Years ago puppies were allowed to leave at 6 weeks, and although I would say this is too early, we knew that 7 weeks was spot on. But along came defra and put the Vizsla in the same box as a toy breed of dog, and came up with the magic number 8.
This bonding stage is important, as it helps your dog get to understand you, be your dog. It will follow you and develop trust with you. We must be on the ball though and teach routine, and training must come in at 8 weeks. The first thing you will teach your puppy is recall. So name first. A puppy left with siblings will develop bad behavioural problems. They start to inwardly fight with each other. The puppy who is being bullied can carry this nervous disposition into adult hood. The puppy who was dominant and won each time will take that into adult hood too. Its a spiral of behaviour you just don't want. We know if you collect a puppy at 8 weeks we probably wont hear from you again with behavioural issues so long as you have build on the good foundation we have given you, and have gone to training classes before 16 weeks.

PICK UP
Is short and sweet so you can get home in day light and start the puppy's learning about its new home. When you visit me at 5 weeks you can ask me absolutely anything you want too. Also you can contact me by whats app afterwards. But we try to make pick up short and sweet so you can get home. Many people travel 8 hours or more for a puppy. We know you want to get home quickly. A puppy settles in much better if its in your home by mid afternoon, rather than evening, especially winter times. This day is the first of many where your dogs life becomes as important as yours. You will fit in with the needs of your new baby. If you can not then don't buy a dog as its going to be like this for the next 10-14 years.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Check out HERE
The page called Recommendations has been written by owners of our puppies, from their point of view.
This is very kind and we appreciate it. It is now difficult to put you in direct contact with people, as under data protection we can no longer do this. Things have changed drastically with the law on animals. But if you go to Instagram you will find plenty of happy dog owners on there, who comment on our posts.
We now have again a facebook group. Contact me to be added to the group.
Pictured right is Vicky Grylls with Lani. You can find her two silvestre dogs on instagram as Spice the search and rescue dog, and lani.

VACCINES
To learn more about vaccines and wormers you need to go to our page
"ALL THINGS NATURALLY"!

I will tell everyone, that you have the choice to vaccinate your puppy if you want too. But we will not subject young puppies to vaccine when it could cause a vaccine reaction. But do not take my word for it, start researching yourself the effects of vaccines in our pets today. U tube have some talks on by Dr Ronald Schultz and Dr Karen Becker, I would advise you to listen to these. I can also explain at length when I see you.
My puppies are vaccinated at 16 weeks of age, when mothers immunity has worn off and the vaccine will then do its job which is to give antibodies to our pets against Parvo virus, Distemper, Hepatitis. Lepto 2 vaccine is a yearly vaccine. Because it is not as effective in time.
Sadly dogs are dying every week of the year from vaccine damage. Start learning now about it.

Above Rodney enjoying playing in the water at 8 weeks of age. We provide paddling pools for our dogs

KENNEL CLUB DOCUMENTS
When our puppies are a week old I submit to the Kennel club details of the litter. In 2018 we always had documents by the time puppies had left. Then came along Covid19. The workers went home, a new website was launched and everything went haywire. This has caused huge delays and complications on all sides. We have to make you aware that you most likely will not get documents in time to pick up your puppy. Even though we have paid for them. I can show you the receipt paid to the KC, and I can show you the names ive chosen with the Kennel club and then its a long wait. I do chase the KC up often, but I do not seem to get the reply I want. For example a litter registered July we still have no documents October 25th. But I have been in touch today and they are looking into it, yet again.