Who are we?

SILVESTRE

Welcome to our website and I hope you find it helpful to you.

My name is Mrs Rachel Savage CIA Dip, and I am the creator of this website. I am married to Darryl and together we show our dogs. We own the affix Silvestre together but I breed the dogs solely in my name. Darryl is a builder/carpenter and works locally.

I will be the main one you talk too about a puppy unless I am busy or not well then you will speak to Darryl. We have social media account on instagram called @silvestre.showdogs and I also have TikTok which is @silvestreshowdogs.

We are what you call transparent breeders and what you see is what you get. I created the social media accounts so you can follow our dogs, how they live, and see how puppies are raised. I plan on making the social media accounts more interesting as time goes by.

This website is here to gives you lots of advice. I also have a hidden section which is available to owners, and Im setting up a new project which will benefit all puppy owners no matter where you buy your puppy from. We are seeing such a huge amount of breeders with adverts which may seem good, but owners are not getting the advice they need. Lots struggle. I want to be able to help more than just our owners.

We do not dock puppies tails, or have their dew claws removed, and the reason is we believe dogs are born with body parts for a reason. If a puppy catches its ear in its lifetime should I have them removed at birth? Of course not. So we do not believe in cutting tails off dogs either. Tails are expressionistic. We have friends who dock dogs and can recommend them. We will not be persuaded to cut tails off sorry, so please do not ask me.

We started in the dog breed Weimaraner, and they are a German Gundog. We classify them as HPR breeds just like Vizsla. HPR stands for Hunt point and retrieve. We applied for an affix with the Kennel club and I was granted this name. This was not our first attempt in name however, and I submitted 11 names which were all rejected. I had lost the will to live and was thinking of giving up on having a name, when Darryl came up with the name Silvestre. This name was accepted by Kennel club.

So how do you pronounce our affix. So many people say it wrong. Sil-vest-rah. Does it matter? No of course not.

So why have a kennel name ? When we name puppies we put this name in front, so it makes the name unique to us. We see it in show results. It makes it easier to get puppy names with the kennel club. Also everyone knows the affix Silvestre, as we have worked to keep our affix with a great reputation. Anyone knows in the Vizsla world us as breeders. Trainers know us, and we are known all over the world.

Below are three photos, old photos taken of us in the ring with our Weimaraner's a long time ago.

Old photos from the beginnings.

We are often asked do you own other animals? Yes we do, and I have lived with a variety of animals all my life. I have had horses, ducks, geese, chickens, cats. I showed cats and made up a few champions. Growing up we raised day old calves, lambs, and had a pet piglet.
our gardens are big, and mostly grass. We have paddocks where we can run our dogs. We have trail cameras around the paddocks and we know if anyone comes onto our property.

We currently have an older cat called Rizelle who is a black British short hair cat. She lives mainly out, but comes in sometimes. She is getting towards the end of her years, and I will buy another kitten when she goes as I love having a mouser around. We also have chickens which provide the dogs plenty of eggs for their diet.

I also keep tropical fish and have two tanks running. The dogs love watching the fish and it entertains them.

Over the years Ive trained and done a lot with animals. I love learning, and dogs is my favourite subject. I list below all the things ive done.

Now you may think I am. hard to get hold off. Do not get put off by this, as I will get to you. Firstly know Im busy with the dogs first thing in the morning and I am not back inside until 10.30am. So this is why I say TEXT me first as I do not always carry a phone on me. When I come in and see the text message I will text back. If it's just a number to ring I generally do not as I can be on the phone all day long. I limit the calls to 2 per day other wise I would have no time to look after the dogs.

You can whats app me, and I will reply. I will arrange a phone call by whats app or normal phone. I have no land line.

I only FaceTime by appointment, I do not accept video calls unannounced.

Text me FIRST ON 07584279384 if you are in another country then you'll need to arrange to call me by whats app. Just remember this is a family home, not work office. I do not do calls evenings, and why is that? I am exhausted, and use evenings to recuperate. I have a condition called Fibromyalgia which is similar to MS. I get good days and bad days, and on the bad days I can not talk, and can not see very well. But on the good days you would never know. It does not detract from me caring for puppies to the best of my ability. Because of my illness I am at home all the time. This means your puppy will get the best care ever as I am with them all the time.

I do not work elsewhere. I know people do not realise how. important that is when caring for puppies. I am a qualified behaviourist as we are seeing since covid a huge amount of puppies with behavioural issues. This is because they are left to fend for themselves which causes bad behaviours. Breeders turn up for the evening and have no time for them. Its created a really big problem. Do not go to inexperienced breeders as your puppy will be at a dis-advantage for a start.

I do have work hours to protect my sanity!! Other wise im getting messages all times of the night. I turn my phone off and thats it. No more until the next day.

I am classified as a Hungarian Vizsla breed specialist and Im very pleased and proud to say I can award Challenge Certificates at Championship shows. A big thank you to all those who helped me over the years to complete the many years of training. I am proud to say I can give tickets, plus judge at Open shows the gun dog group. What ever breed you get to award CC in first is what you are classified as a specialist in. Even though we own other breeds of dogs.

I have been in the dog world now for many years, and we have learnt that the type of enquirer who is worth our time and who is not. You must send a message with some information about yourself. If you send the words "How much"!. or " I want your puppy"! Chances are I wont respond. But if you send me a nice message about yourself I will respond because you've told me a picture of your home life.

We do not see anyone who sends a message saying, I am in the area and want to visit. Or I am here this weekend I want to visit. You may think it's at the most convienet time for you. But actually you flag up as a potential puppy thief. Years ago we had thieves come on our property and they did not get the dogs. But the police gave me some excellent advice at the time. One of the most common ways thieves knick pups is by saying they are in the area and just want to drop in to see the dogs. So this is why you'll flag up.
I never see potential owners on my own, there is always someone else here with me.

We now have a garden room made for you to come and view the puppies. This stops traffic through out home. Again for safety. You may find some ways we do things little strange but it's all for a good reason. I have endless stories of problems we have encountered, from things being stolen in the house, to little respect for our property. The minority of cases unfortunately has now ruined it for the rest. So we keep things business like, even though we will make you very welcome.

BEGINNINGS
The first dog I brought I was 16 years of age and it was a cavalier King Charles spaniel I had saved up all my wages and brought him for £300. He came from a very well known breeder. I got married at 19 years of age and we then got a Weimaraner.
The Weimaraner was the beginnings of a love affair with dogs. The Weimaraner a German gun dog, which originated in the Weimar valley was a prized hunting dog. Which took the world by storm due to their unique silver grey colour, and hunting ability. If you asked me in my 20's would I own any other dog the answer would have been NEVER! I was smitten with them. But they are a big stubborn kind of breed, they are not easy to show. I came out of the show ring one day in so much pain and it nearly killed me to handle. I went to the doctors because I did not know what was happening to me, and I was diagnosed with another auto immune disease plus fibromyalgia. I began to realise my days of showing dogs in the ring was over. Then I decided I could have a smaller breed instead. I brought a cocker spaniel from a local breeder, and my Weimaraner hated it with a passion. So I ended up giving it to my mother in law who lost their dog. It turned out this was the best thing. I could have done because it would detect when my father in law was going to collapse and it would stamp its feet an hour before it happened. So he could get to safety before he passed out.
I was on another mission to find a dog. I bumped into Hilary Davis at a show and she had her Vizsla Ginger with her as well as a Weimaraner. I went and watched the vizsla being shown and I got very excited. I knew it was the breed for me. It took about 18 months of waiting but we ended up with Scarlett. Then a few years later the best dog Ive ever owned come into my life and his name was Chilli. He was half brother to Scarlett so they were Never mated together.

Being much smaller and lighter frame I had a dog again I could show on my own. I found our Vizsla so easy compared to the Weimaraner and it opened up a new world for me. They were biddable and wanted to please. Did not run as fast and would stand with ease and not pull me around. At that point I knew I had found the dog of a lifetime for me and Im sure I will still own one when im at the end of my life. Thats if my family can help me still. Because I adore this dog breed to bits. Over the years I continued to gain knowledge on breeding dogs, showing dogs, judging. Then I decided I wanted more. So I went to college and did a 3 year course on animal care and dog grooming. I passed NVQ2 and 3 which is 2 A levels in dog care and it covered diet, transportation, health and safety, hygiene with animals, cleanliness, handling dogs properly, behaviour, construction of dog breeds. Handling also cross breeds, and understanding how relationships with owners and their dogs, I also did a microchipping course, and since Ive done 2 first aid courses with dogs. I am always looking to improve my knowledge. I am now a behaviourist having learnt with TV personality Rob Alleyne. I began to realise this year how much I help people. I have this natural way of getting inside dogs heads. I also did Reiki training over the last year. so I use all my skills to help dogs and people. I do have to charge for my services now, so I only gives a small percentage of free advice.

After owning Vizlsa I went to a champ show and a lady told me how she had been let down on a pug puppy. I had always admired the breed. I just came home and told darryl we were having a pug. He did not want her, but when we got her he melted and she won his heart in about 1 second flat. I began to realise I am not just one breed lover, I actually love dogs. So many dog breeds. But I couldn't own them all in my lifetime now. From there I brought a French bulldog who died in 2024 aged 10. But she left a wonderful legacy with me in her daughter Frooti. I adore French bulldogs as pets. I have no desire to be a big breeder of them. I may yet have another litter in the future but we know they cost us more money to breed than if we brought in a puppy. So my husband is keen for me to buy one over breeding them. I adore the breed and can not imagine life with out a frenchie. They do have a set of problems however which I will talk about on a page in our website on the breed. I just wont be a breeder having lots of them.

6 years ago we were showing in Belgium and we sat and watched Bracco italiano being shown. From there Darryl wanted one, I said to him that I couldnt show them as they were too big and they need to run fast so he would have to come back and show the dogs as he had given up. So he did come back and has enjoyed showing the bracco. He is now helping me with the Vizsla as im struggling to run.

I honestly love so many different dogs that I just cant own them all. We both sat watching ESS the other day and both said how much we loved them. Another breed we like. I am very content however showing and breeding Hungarian Vizsla and Bracco italiano. my other small dogs are just pets which are not shown or bred.

You may ask why show a dog? I suppose I was brought up as a farmers daughter, and I knew even back as a kid that you breed from the best and do not select the poorer ones for breeding. To have healthier stock. When I look at the quality of the dogs in the UK show ring, they far surpass those of the pet dogs you meet in the street.

You may not know how showing came about but it was back in 1859 when a group of men who loved their dogs met in a pub to select the best quality dogs. Your first kind of dog show. The term stockman came about because stockmen choose the best cattle, the best sheep and so on to produce good quality animals. So this term is still heard of in dogs today. It's about producing quality not quantity. Pet folk tend to just breed their dog because they think it's pretty even if it doesnt really meet the standards. We know after breeding for so many years that the bitch is the most important one in the pairing. You can go out to a champion stud dog but it does not mean your puppies will be champion stock. Far from it. You have to have a quality bitch to start with.
Some breeders try to be instagram famous these days. Although we have instagram we have no desire to be that popular and we really just use it as a show case for our pets. Our dogs are pets at the end of the day.

Breeding ethics
Now this varies from breeder to breeder. Where one breeder is totally against something, another will believe it's the right thing to do. Listen to what your breeder is saying to see if you feel they are the right fit for you.

Our bitches must be 2 at the time of having puppies. But no later than 4 for first litters.
Health and welfare is paramount.
Temperament is paramount.
Breeding selectively from the best breeding stock.
Dogs which fit the breed standard.
We will mix in working ability to our show line. To create dogs which can go onto do any job.
Our males must be fully health tested before having a litter.
We will not keep repeatedly having C sections from bitches.
We will raise puppies in the family home.
We will not do anything detrimental to their well being.
We will only breed from dogs who show the mental capacity to look after their young.
We will keep a clean environment.
The dogs are professionally groomed.
Our adult dogs are microchipped.
Our dogs are yearly health checked.
If a female has a litter and did not really enjoy it, we will retire them from breeding.
If we produce a health problem in a puppy. We will note it, talk to our vet or specialist. We will talk to professionals and decide if the bitch should be bred again. Sometimes it's a case of using a different outcrossed line . In some cases it means stopping abruptly the bloodline and starting again. No-one can predict health problems where their are no dna tests for.
If we produce something we think. you should be aware of then we contact you and give you the opportunity to have your deposit back.
We would not breed from any affected bitch. By affected this means she has the health problem herself. Showing signs, or on any medication.
If their is a new DNA test come out we will endeavour to do it if its a health issue that effects the breed we own.
We try to keep our prices in range but they will reflect the amount of health tests we have done on the parents.
We have a maximum capacity of dogs we can own which is based on the amount of care that can be given to each dog. We would not stupidly neglect a dog.
Our dogs must have a home life, to be able to express themselves. To go into the countryside and enjoy being a family pet.
We will not cross breed a Hungarian Vizsla, Bracco Italiano
One if not both will have been shown at shows. Sometimes girls are just home dogs because they are not that keen on the show experience.
We will use sometimes dogs that are not in the show ring, if they have strong merit in other areas. For example working dogs are not always show dogs.
Our dogs will be trained to be good members of society.

We have produced dogs which have gone all over the world. Dubai, Bermuda, all over Europe, America, Costa Ricca, Bahamas. We generally do not export ourselves but these are dogs which have gone out with their owners.
We also have dogs which have gone to do jobs. For example Scent work, search and rescue, prison service sniffer dog, pat therapy dog, man trailing, field trials, working on the beating line, show, and of course best of all family pets. The majority of our dogs are family pets and some of the best dogs we have produced are sitting in front of your fireplace.

With a good reputation we get some of those breeders who lie and say they are breeding our dogs to sell their own. PLEASE NOTE it is only a silvestre if its come from our doors directly. Do not believe adverts which stage anything different. We are fiercely protective of the Silvestre bloodline. We are also aware that someone has an advert on champ dogs and their own website which makes its sound like they have dogs direct from us now. They do not. The dogs are completely unrelated to ours. If unsure ask us.

We own here an Irish show champion, Swiss, Belgium, international champion. We have shown a dog to achieve English show champion. We have bred endless stud book numbers. We have sold dogs to others who have made them into champions in Europe. The titles are just a small part of it for me, as the companionship means far more to me.

Remember I am not easy to get hold of, but you will get me. Use whats app or text to get me. I love speaking to everyone so do get in touch. I am happy to educate anyone about the dog breeds I own. They are truly a blessing in our lives and we do not take this for granted. Dogs are my everything, and I am never with out my lovely companions.
Rachel

Here is a little of our knowledge which others can learn from when starting out breeding. There are very few who are prepared to share years of knowledge with new breeders.

" When I came into breeding and showing dogs you learned by mentors. Mentors is a word given to someone prepared to share their knowledge with you. Not everyone wants to share what they have learnt. They feel it's too precious to pass on. But we are on this earth for a short time, and unless we share the dogs will suffer in the long run.".

Years ago dog breeders were called stockmen/women. Because you were doing a job to produce the best of the best. This is in fact how Crufts dog show came about. A group of enthusiasts would meet in a pub and take their best dogs in there, and talk about their dogs, and their breeding and how they would shape the future. Would someone have a male which matched their bitch and then improve on faults in the bitch or dog. Many drinks were had over talking about a hobby. This developed into a small show. This eventually birthed if you like CRUFTS dog show. Enthusiasts meeting and comparing dogs and choosing the best one. The thought was to only breed to the best. I saw a picture in the Kennel club building of a painting of men in a pub having a drink with their dogs. Fascinating history.

Breed standards were created to group dogs together into groups. Gun dogs, to toy breeds. Some dogs were all put in groups which are separated today. For example the Mastiff dogs and English bulldogs were in same group which was Molnar breeds. It is because they both did the same job, but the appearance of the dog was very different. But because they did the same job they were put in the same group. Groups have changed over the years. But these dogs were all judged according to their groups.

Many years ago I read an article which made a lot of sense to me, and one I learnt to be quite true. When you're looking at future breeding or show dogs you have to be critical. Being critical teaches you. Being critical is what produces the best puppies. A show champion may not necessarily be the best producer. This article went on to tell a story. Two brothers one a top winning show champion, and his brother who was not a show champion. The brother was unassuming, not over done in any way, no extreme features and just a sound dog. The show champion was flashy, look at me and although constructionally sound he was every part what judges looked for in a show champion. But when it came time for them to be bred, the show champion didn't produce many puppies, or puppies of top quality. Good quality yes as he was constructionally sound but he never produced any dogs like him. The brother, the unassuming dog constructionally sound was producing much better quality puppies. It proved that you do not discount a dog which is not a show dog. Now this scenario is different to people breeding just pets to pets. Pet breeders are not looking at dogs in the same way. They go on colour or cuteness. This does not improve the health, the construction or temperaments of dogs. Ive seen so many Vizsla today in the UK who are just poorest specimens you could wish to see. Yet being held at stud, cheap studs. They add nothing to the gene pool except more versions of themselves. Today we also see social media popular breeders who promote their dogs and again poorest of quality but it's now the world of social media. Instagram has bred a new type of breeder.

Not all our dogs will enter the show ring. Some may not really like it and I am one of those people who only put the best stock forward. I only put dogs in the ring who enjoy it. But all dogs must meet the standard and be of quality and must bring something to the table.

Our next generation take two years of growing, will they be the next best Silvestre show dog, or will they be the next best producer. Or will they not make the grade at all. If they do not make the grade at all we find a good pet home who will love them to bits. It does not make them any the less of a great dog. It's just we look at dogs in a different way to you.

So here are the next Generation. Not being bred from in 2026. We take 2 years before we will add them to our breeding program and sometimes it can be 3. Yes ive had mis matings where dogs are nearly 2 and ive had a litter. By law a dog must be 18 months before it has a litter. This is just the UK rules. Some countries breeds from 1 years of age and have no age limit. Gradually countries are following suit, but it will take time before they are all at the same place.

We choose our dogs around 7 weeks of age, but a lot can happen after. It is a bit like predicting how your children will grow up and develop. It's hard to predict. We look for key constructional parts to a dog.

As these young dogs come into our breeding team, we will of retired our older girls. Then new youngsters are kept to develop.

When you come to a show home not only are we looking at health in the breed, but we are keeping the best of the best. I often find it amusing that pet owners think their poor quality puppies should be priced the same. This is money making off something you know nothing about. All dogs should not be priced the same. It's like walking into a Ferrari shop to a basic car auction. They are worlds apart and thats how you need to look at show homes compared to pet homes. Because we raise in the family home but we have the knowledge behind.

As I remember more I will add it in. I have a terrible memory of what happened years ago.
Achievements
Passed Breed Assessment day for Hungarian Vizsla, bracco Italiano, French bulldog, Wire haired Vizsla.
Passed Hands on Assessment Hungarian Vizsla
Passed Seminars Kennel club
A 3 and can award CC's in Hungarian Vizsla.
Mentoring now for Bracco italiano and French bulldog.
Qualified to Microchip animals. 2017
Behavioural Diploma Cia Dip
Animal care and Dog grooming NVQ 2 & 3
Health seminar French bulldog and Hungarian Vizsla at Dick Whites Referrals Newmarket.
Evening with Sarah Fisher Behaviourist
First aid course in dogs

Dogs qualified for Crufts 2026
Silvestre Plumb Hollow
Silvestre Fire and Desire
Silvestre Blow me a kiss
Silvestre Fortune N'Glory
Roughshoot Quantum Theory at Silvestre.

We have bred many stud book entries.

Champions past and present
SH.CH.Bitcon Skymaster with Silvestre Sh.Cm. (English show champion)
INT.CH.Karaszy Falco Peregrinnus at Silvestre
SWISS.BEL.INT.CH.Silvestre Fortune N'Glory
Not owned by us:
Silvestre Romulus Czech Champion
Silvestre last Tango at Silberliss owned by Melissa Finch. Lux Champ, Dutch champ, Belgium Champ.
INT.CH.BEL.CH. Silvestre Ace

Dogs sitting on Tickets.
Silvestre Whoo Hoo 1 CAC, 1 CACIB, G3 Franche 2023
Silvestre Fire and Desire 1 CAC 1 CACIB Belgium 2025.
Roughshoot Quantum Theory at Silvestre 1 Belgium CAC, CACIB 1 French CAC, CACIB.

Dogs sitting on reserve tickets
Roughshoot Exhibitionist at Silvestre 1 RCC
SH.CH.Bitcon Spymaster with Silvestre SH.CM had 5 RCC
Silvestre Blow me a Kiss 1 RCAC, 1 RCACIB
Silvestre Fire and Desire 1 RCAC, 1 RCAIB Beligum

Stud dog progeny: I honestly forget but theirs several various offspring who have got titles in Europe, and in the UK CC and RCC. Proud of you all. I will remember and get your details down here.

Memberships
French bulldog club member
GoDT Member
Jo Rosie Academy member.