Who are we?
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When you have your heart set on having a puppy you may decide to try and find out about breeders. Some are quite transparent and others you can not find out anything. With everyone being so different I thought it would be nice to have a page on our website which can tell you a bit of information about us, how we started and where we are at today. I started up a website to be a show case for photographs so you can see how our dogs live, what we do with them. It makes us transparent, and open in the way we breed dogs.
My name is Rachel and Im married to Darryl. I applied to the Kennel club many years ago for the affix Silvestre and this was granted. It wasn't our first name attempt as you had to submit many and in fact 11 names were submitted and none accepted. I nearly gave up on the idea of a name. Then Darryl said to me what about Silvestre. So I submitted it and it was accepted. With thousands of breeders all having similar names it took me a while to get our name. Lots of people do not read it right. I pronounce it this way.
Sil-Vest-Ra.
This is a name we can put in front of every puppy name, and it makes it easier to choose puppy names, and we all know who each other are in the show world.
We gave our son Joshua an interest in our affix a few years ago. He can continue our affix if anything happened to us. We have 2 children, and our daughter has no interest in dogs only as pets.
Our puppies get cuddles every now and then by our young grandson.
We are often asked what other animals do you have, and we have a family cat. Plus a few chickens. The chickens seem to spend more time under cover these days than out. I'll be glad when I can release them again.
We have just over 4 acres of paddocks, gardens, and it's fenced in so the dogs can run around. We also have hidden cameras all over so we have security.
We started with the breed Weimaraner, it was a German gun dog which originated in the Weimar valley. Prized hunting dogs which took the world by storm due to their unique colour, and hunting ability. If you took me back to when we had Weimaraner's and asked me would I own another dog I would have said no way! I was smitten with that breed. They were a big dog and I began to realise something was wrong with my health when I couldnt show a dog of ours. I felt in so much pain it nearly killed me to handle him. I began to realise that I could not handle such a big dog. Darryl had shown them with me, but he had stopped. He concentrated on helping our kids pursue their hobbies which were always the same time as dog shows. So he stopped showing the dogs and I was struggling. I decided once I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia that I would go for a smaller breed of dog. I didnt get the right breed for a start and we had a Cocker spaniel. My Weimaraner I owned hated it with a passion, and my mother in law lost her cross breed dog and was wanting another dog so I gave her the Cocker spaniel. It was a match made in heaven because not only was the dog her world, it developed a sixth sense, and knew when my father in law was going to collapse. The little dog would go and stamp its feet beside him, and they knew he must lay down as with in half an hour he would collapse. This dog really was made to live with them. I had a few years where I did not own any dog but Weimaraner's, then I bumped into a friend at a show with a Vizsla. It was love at first sight.
My name is Rachel and Im married to Darryl. I applied to the Kennel club many years ago for the affix Silvestre and this was granted. It wasn't our first name attempt as you had to submit many and in fact 11 names were submitted and none accepted. I nearly gave up on the idea of a name. Then Darryl said to me what about Silvestre. So I submitted it and it was accepted. With thousands of breeders all having similar names it took me a while to get our name. Lots of people do not read it right. I pronounce it this way.
Sil-Vest-Ra.
This is a name we can put in front of every puppy name, and it makes it easier to choose puppy names, and we all know who each other are in the show world.
We gave our son Joshua an interest in our affix a few years ago. He can continue our affix if anything happened to us. We have 2 children, and our daughter has no interest in dogs only as pets.
Our puppies get cuddles every now and then by our young grandson.
We are often asked what other animals do you have, and we have a family cat. Plus a few chickens. The chickens seem to spend more time under cover these days than out. I'll be glad when I can release them again.
We have just over 4 acres of paddocks, gardens, and it's fenced in so the dogs can run around. We also have hidden cameras all over so we have security.
We started with the breed Weimaraner, it was a German gun dog which originated in the Weimar valley. Prized hunting dogs which took the world by storm due to their unique colour, and hunting ability. If you took me back to when we had Weimaraner's and asked me would I own another dog I would have said no way! I was smitten with that breed. They were a big dog and I began to realise something was wrong with my health when I couldnt show a dog of ours. I felt in so much pain it nearly killed me to handle him. I began to realise that I could not handle such a big dog. Darryl had shown them with me, but he had stopped. He concentrated on helping our kids pursue their hobbies which were always the same time as dog shows. So he stopped showing the dogs and I was struggling. I decided once I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia that I would go for a smaller breed of dog. I didnt get the right breed for a start and we had a Cocker spaniel. My Weimaraner I owned hated it with a passion, and my mother in law lost her cross breed dog and was wanting another dog so I gave her the Cocker spaniel. It was a match made in heaven because not only was the dog her world, it developed a sixth sense, and knew when my father in law was going to collapse. The little dog would go and stamp its feet beside him, and they knew he must lay down as with in half an hour he would collapse. This dog really was made to live with them. I had a few years where I did not own any dog but Weimaraner's, then I bumped into a friend at a show with a Vizsla. It was love at first sight.
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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 and I am now about to embark on another course.
After owning a Vizsla I was at a champ show when a lady told me she had a litter of Pugs and had been let down on a girl puppy. I remember coming home and telling Darryl I had arranged to go and pick up the puppy. I had always wanted a Pug. This pug is now 13 3/4! She does not live with me now as my dogs are too rough with an elderly blind dog. She lives with family next door, but I still own her and see her on a regular basis. I really love Pugs, and I would always consider another but as a pet only and not to breed. I also one day I was walking in the forest and bumped into a French bulldog, and that set me on another path of owning one of those. Which I did ten years ago now. I adore Frenchies and I own 3. Darryl had always wanted to own a Bracco and I had said no they are too big and I could not handle them very easily. I gave in and five years ago we introduced our first. He came back to showing and he loves showing them. I only do it when he is in another ring. Nancy my chestnut and white shows better for me, so I do show her. She is also not a big Bracco. I have however had to come to the reality it's a breed I do not want to own lots of because simply the size of them and again I battle with fibromyalgia. Whilst darryl can show them we are okay, but if he does not then I would not show them. They are amazing as a breed, and I do love them to bits. Nancy is my girl through and through, so watches my face at all times as she wants to catch my attention. To me there is none better than her. She is just a superb Bracco. I probably wont own another now for many years, so I think what I have here is what I will stay with for the time being. I have to think that every dog I keep now I could be another 14 years before they die. I do not think I could look after the Bracco into my late 60's. So I need to be sensible. They are a young persons dog for sure. I know I should really look to have small breeds but I prefer larger breeds. I also prefer the gundog group.
I would say I am a true dog lover, because I love so many different breeds of dogs. I can name a few dogs I would never own but thats on one hand. I am a genuine dog lover, and I think this is what propelled me into judging as I knew I couldnt own all the dog breeds I love in my lifetime. But I can get my hands on them and judge them. So in my time I have judged a lot of different breeds, and I have studied them. Im too old now to own many more different breeds, but I can enjoy seeing owners handling them in the ring, and you can often find me and my friend just watching a breed we know nothing about. Talking about which one do we think its the winner in the class and why. It's a real passion and hobby. My whole life has been in and around dogs and I can not imagine life with out a dog,
Dogs I have lost are cremated and I have their ashes sitting on a shelf. I have said each dog will come with me when I die. I also have hearts, crystals, and wind chimes around the ashes. In 2024 I qualified as a Reiki healer and I found I could help dogs. Dogs do not lie, and there is no placebo effect in animals. So when I see the benefits of Reiki on my own dogs I feel so enlightened by it. Because dogs don't lie. I am now qualified to offer my services on others dogs. So get in touch if you are local and would like your pet to have some Reikei. It can help calm dogs who are anxious, and it can help dogs find peace. It can also help dogs that are poorly and it can boost them.
Ive always known that dogs seek me out from a crowd. I have an instant connection with a dog. Some dogs can communicate also and Im still learning about this aspect.
I am doing a behaviourist course and will be trained by one of the top behaviourists. But also training from a human phycologist, and dog welfare officer. I am delighted to say from June 2025 I will be able to help everyone with there dogs as well as help my own dogs.
I also know that holistic remedies can have a far better effect in our dogs than conventional medicine. I believe there is a place for both. I have educated myself on many aspects of owning pets and their health. Some I can share with you.
We have online an information pages for our owners where I share with you lots of aspects of owning a dog. Lots of our owners have found this so valuable. I would love to write a book at some point and include lots of my files in a book. I think this would really benefit a lot of new owners of puppies across the board. I feel I am getting closer to writing a book.
After owning a Vizsla I was at a champ show when a lady told me she had a litter of Pugs and had been let down on a girl puppy. I remember coming home and telling Darryl I had arranged to go and pick up the puppy. I had always wanted a Pug. This pug is now 13 3/4! She does not live with me now as my dogs are too rough with an elderly blind dog. She lives with family next door, but I still own her and see her on a regular basis. I really love Pugs, and I would always consider another but as a pet only and not to breed. I also one day I was walking in the forest and bumped into a French bulldog, and that set me on another path of owning one of those. Which I did ten years ago now. I adore Frenchies and I own 3. Darryl had always wanted to own a Bracco and I had said no they are too big and I could not handle them very easily. I gave in and five years ago we introduced our first. He came back to showing and he loves showing them. I only do it when he is in another ring. Nancy my chestnut and white shows better for me, so I do show her. She is also not a big Bracco. I have however had to come to the reality it's a breed I do not want to own lots of because simply the size of them and again I battle with fibromyalgia. Whilst darryl can show them we are okay, but if he does not then I would not show them. They are amazing as a breed, and I do love them to bits. Nancy is my girl through and through, so watches my face at all times as she wants to catch my attention. To me there is none better than her. She is just a superb Bracco. I probably wont own another now for many years, so I think what I have here is what I will stay with for the time being. I have to think that every dog I keep now I could be another 14 years before they die. I do not think I could look after the Bracco into my late 60's. So I need to be sensible. They are a young persons dog for sure. I know I should really look to have small breeds but I prefer larger breeds. I also prefer the gundog group.
I would say I am a true dog lover, because I love so many different breeds of dogs. I can name a few dogs I would never own but thats on one hand. I am a genuine dog lover, and I think this is what propelled me into judging as I knew I couldnt own all the dog breeds I love in my lifetime. But I can get my hands on them and judge them. So in my time I have judged a lot of different breeds, and I have studied them. Im too old now to own many more different breeds, but I can enjoy seeing owners handling them in the ring, and you can often find me and my friend just watching a breed we know nothing about. Talking about which one do we think its the winner in the class and why. It's a real passion and hobby. My whole life has been in and around dogs and I can not imagine life with out a dog,
Dogs I have lost are cremated and I have their ashes sitting on a shelf. I have said each dog will come with me when I die. I also have hearts, crystals, and wind chimes around the ashes. In 2024 I qualified as a Reiki healer and I found I could help dogs. Dogs do not lie, and there is no placebo effect in animals. So when I see the benefits of Reiki on my own dogs I feel so enlightened by it. Because dogs don't lie. I am now qualified to offer my services on others dogs. So get in touch if you are local and would like your pet to have some Reikei. It can help calm dogs who are anxious, and it can help dogs find peace. It can also help dogs that are poorly and it can boost them.
Ive always known that dogs seek me out from a crowd. I have an instant connection with a dog. Some dogs can communicate also and Im still learning about this aspect.
I am doing a behaviourist course and will be trained by one of the top behaviourists. But also training from a human phycologist, and dog welfare officer. I am delighted to say from June 2025 I will be able to help everyone with there dogs as well as help my own dogs.
I also know that holistic remedies can have a far better effect in our dogs than conventional medicine. I believe there is a place for both. I have educated myself on many aspects of owning pets and their health. Some I can share with you.
We have online an information pages for our owners where I share with you lots of aspects of owning a dog. Lots of our owners have found this so valuable. I would love to write a book at some point and include lots of my files in a book. I think this would really benefit a lot of new owners of puppies across the board. I feel I am getting closer to writing a book.
Both Darryl and I are available to judge if anyone is looking for judges. We are also happy to steward at local open shows.
Why show dogs when anyone can breed a litter? I think the answer for me is yes anyone can breed any dog, but it does not mean that they should do. I have always had the opinion that if you're going to do something do it to the best of your ability. My knowledge on breeding now, is vast and I am now mentoring someone else. You see it takes years to learn the skill, the knowledge and to raise puppies in the best way. It really makes me cringe when I see some people raise Vizsla and they are doing it all wrong. But I know everyone starts somewhere. I see pups are not getting the adequate stimulation they need, and breeders just do so little to raise and sell sell sell. I know that the least you put in the more money you make, but its does not make it right.
There is more to having a litter, as we have to think about each stage of development, and meet their needs. If you breed right you actually do not make any money and you will be lucky to make ends meet.
When you show your dog you learn about selecting the dog which fits the breed standard. Showing came about back in the 1859 with a group of men meeting in a pub to select the best quality dog. The term stockman came about because true stockmen only chose the best bitch to breed from, in the hope to produce the best pups. It is still the same today however their is a current trend where it is not about the dogs quality and its about just churning out anything and charging the same money or more than show folk. Pet breeders price pups should be hugely under value of a show dog. But they are not. Because they think their pet dog quality is as good, when it's not. Human nature is all about getting as much money as possible. A vet recently said to me breeders like myself are vanishing, and it's a sad day for breeding dogs. We should try to breed the best specimens possible. It is not all about being instagram famous, because that does not make a good breeding dog.
There is more to having a litter, as we have to think about each stage of development, and meet their needs. If you breed right you actually do not make any money and you will be lucky to make ends meet.
When you show your dog you learn about selecting the dog which fits the breed standard. Showing came about back in the 1859 with a group of men meeting in a pub to select the best quality dog. The term stockman came about because true stockmen only chose the best bitch to breed from, in the hope to produce the best pups. It is still the same today however their is a current trend where it is not about the dogs quality and its about just churning out anything and charging the same money or more than show folk. Pet breeders price pups should be hugely under value of a show dog. But they are not. Because they think their pet dog quality is as good, when it's not. Human nature is all about getting as much money as possible. A vet recently said to me breeders like myself are vanishing, and it's a sad day for breeding dogs. We should try to breed the best specimens possible. It is not all about being instagram famous, because that does not make a good breeding dog.
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You will see the term where breeders claim to have breeding ethics. So what are breeding ethics? It simply means what someone believes is the right way to breed a dog. But in fact you also have a lot of personal judgement come into this. Because what I may think is the right way, someone else doesnt. A small example is we believe you should home raise a Vizsla, yet someone else believes raising them in a Kennel is the right way. It does not mean either of us are correct. But I can argue that the home raised dog will have more home skills than one raised in a kennel. But to me breeding ethics means you will raise your puppy to the best of your ability, you will health test mum and dad, and you will home the pups to the right families. I know several really good breeders who put their souls into their puppies and they are kennel raised. But as I say, for me I prefer to home raise.
You will even hear some breeders calling others puppy farmers. This term sends shivers down the spine because who wants to be associated with a puppy farmer. But the truth is some breeders are just mean and call others who actually do a good job this, to monopolise the market to sound better ha ha. A puppy farmer is someone who raises dogs in filth, and I mean those photos you see online where those poor dogs are kept in tiny crates in excrement, and they are sick and unhealthy. Taken away from the mother too young to sell. You wont see the mother of the pups as she may not even live at that premise.
So we should not call people puppy farmers when they clearly are not.
Another terminology is back yard breeder. This is a term used for breeders who are not doing it legally. They do not do a tax return on their income, and they are breeding with out a breeding license. Doing it out of the home with out doing it properly to earn money. So all I can say about this is you have to choose wisely, because if you do part with your money to breeders who should not be doing it, you are fuelling this trade of puppies. If you do your research and the breeder is transparent in what they do you can know in your heart you've done your part in choosing someone who is doing it properly.
You will even hear some breeders calling others puppy farmers. This term sends shivers down the spine because who wants to be associated with a puppy farmer. But the truth is some breeders are just mean and call others who actually do a good job this, to monopolise the market to sound better ha ha. A puppy farmer is someone who raises dogs in filth, and I mean those photos you see online where those poor dogs are kept in tiny crates in excrement, and they are sick and unhealthy. Taken away from the mother too young to sell. You wont see the mother of the pups as she may not even live at that premise.
So we should not call people puppy farmers when they clearly are not.
Another terminology is back yard breeder. This is a term used for breeders who are not doing it legally. They do not do a tax return on their income, and they are breeding with out a breeding license. Doing it out of the home with out doing it properly to earn money. So all I can say about this is you have to choose wisely, because if you do part with your money to breeders who should not be doing it, you are fuelling this trade of puppies. If you do your research and the breeder is transparent in what they do you can know in your heart you've done your part in choosing someone who is doing it properly.
Our breeding ethics are we believe the parents must be health tested as a priority.
We do not believe dogs should be in a kennel 24/7 and we believe they should have a happy home life. With lots of exercise and enrichment. Do we have kennels? Yes we do, and we use these for when our girls are in season and we need to split males away from females. If we did not do this we would have puppies on the bitches every season. Which would be cruel. So we. use our kennels for good reasons. But the moment they are out of season they come back into the family home again.
We do not breed from a dog just because we can. If we do not feel the dog meets the grade to be a good breeding dog, we will find the dog a lovely pet home to enjoy its life as a family pet. We will run on puppies and then find homes later. Because not all dogs should be breeding dogs, or showing dogs. Not all of them like it.
By law a dog should not be bred before the age of 18 months, but with our breeds it is more beneficial to wait until 2 years. Some will mature much earlier than others. Ive got some girls here I did not breed until 3. A good breeder can assess their dog and only breed from them if they think they are mentally ready for it. Dogs can be like humans, and not everyone wants a kid, and some not until they are older. We have to look at their welfare.
We breed mainly Hungarian Vizsla, and we have a yearly litter of Bracco italiano.
You will see we own French bulldogs also, and they are my pets. I have the occasional litter when I want to keep another. As a breed I adore them, but breeding them is very hard work. They are a work in progress for me also as Im improving them on every breeding, and at the moment I am so happy with Kiki who is the result of 3 generations. I do not show them, mainly because we go to gun dog days only and to go to two shows in two days would be too much for me to do. So whilst I can show the Vizsla I will do, and then when the day comes I can not run, I will swap and do the French.
We will never breed whats popular or current. Our breeding program is based on breeding dogs that I find appealing and healthy as can possibly be. In all the years ive been breeding we have seen dog breeds change, especially with popular studs. Some Vizsla now look like giraffes. With very long legs. This comes from inexperienced breeders not understanding whats behind the parents of the pups.
We do not believe dogs should be in a kennel 24/7 and we believe they should have a happy home life. With lots of exercise and enrichment. Do we have kennels? Yes we do, and we use these for when our girls are in season and we need to split males away from females. If we did not do this we would have puppies on the bitches every season. Which would be cruel. So we. use our kennels for good reasons. But the moment they are out of season they come back into the family home again.
We do not breed from a dog just because we can. If we do not feel the dog meets the grade to be a good breeding dog, we will find the dog a lovely pet home to enjoy its life as a family pet. We will run on puppies and then find homes later. Because not all dogs should be breeding dogs, or showing dogs. Not all of them like it.
By law a dog should not be bred before the age of 18 months, but with our breeds it is more beneficial to wait until 2 years. Some will mature much earlier than others. Ive got some girls here I did not breed until 3. A good breeder can assess their dog and only breed from them if they think they are mentally ready for it. Dogs can be like humans, and not everyone wants a kid, and some not until they are older. We have to look at their welfare.
We breed mainly Hungarian Vizsla, and we have a yearly litter of Bracco italiano.
You will see we own French bulldogs also, and they are my pets. I have the occasional litter when I want to keep another. As a breed I adore them, but breeding them is very hard work. They are a work in progress for me also as Im improving them on every breeding, and at the moment I am so happy with Kiki who is the result of 3 generations. I do not show them, mainly because we go to gun dog days only and to go to two shows in two days would be too much for me to do. So whilst I can show the Vizsla I will do, and then when the day comes I can not run, I will swap and do the French.
We will never breed whats popular or current. Our breeding program is based on breeding dogs that I find appealing and healthy as can possibly be. In all the years ive been breeding we have seen dog breeds change, especially with popular studs. Some Vizsla now look like giraffes. With very long legs. This comes from inexperienced breeders not understanding whats behind the parents of the pups.
We train all our dogs, they are show trained. We also obedience train our dogs so they are good valued members of our family. There is nothing worse than an untrained dog. We know that if we neglect their social skills they wont be as good as we want them to be. Temperament is everything to us.
Owners have taken dogs from us and have done a huge variety of activities. The majority are pet dogs, but they are also working dogs, field trial, agility, show, man trailing, scent, search and rescue, blood tracking, beating line.
We have had dogs taken from us and shown and became champions in other countries. Some of the countries we know about are German champion, Lux champion, Belgium champion, International champions, Veteran champions.
Our stud dogs have also produced champions in many countries. But as I always say Im as proud of the dog laying in front of the fire just as much as the one whose won loads. We are happy to know the dogs we have produced are loved and living in wonderful homes.
Just be careful because we are aware there are some breeders who have stolen our photos to advertise puppies that do not exist. It is only a Silvestre if it comes direct from our doors. There is someone in the UK who has used my name to sell puppies. She may of used to have our dogs but doesn't now. I have only recently found out she has used my name. But selling pups as if Im connected to her bloodline and I am not. Do not get fooled into thinking you are buying a Silvestre. As I said it has to come from our doors. I am only mentoring one lady at the moment called Diane Priestly and I do recommend her puppies. She is expecting a litter in March 25. If you are patient you will always get. puppy from us. So it is best just to keep in touch with us rather than seeking a puppy from someone else who may not be ethical. Or we can give you names of breeders we do recommend and there are many who we believe to be ethical good breeders in the Uk who show dogs. We only recommend breeders who are licensed, and doing things correctly. But please do not ring me up and expect me to dish dirt on other breeders as it wont happen. I have better things to do. You have to do your own homework. As I said if you can wait I promise the wait will be worth it, and you will eventually get one from us. Sometimes you do have to wait to get a good dog.
Owners have taken dogs from us and have done a huge variety of activities. The majority are pet dogs, but they are also working dogs, field trial, agility, show, man trailing, scent, search and rescue, blood tracking, beating line.
We have had dogs taken from us and shown and became champions in other countries. Some of the countries we know about are German champion, Lux champion, Belgium champion, International champions, Veteran champions.
Our stud dogs have also produced champions in many countries. But as I always say Im as proud of the dog laying in front of the fire just as much as the one whose won loads. We are happy to know the dogs we have produced are loved and living in wonderful homes.
Just be careful because we are aware there are some breeders who have stolen our photos to advertise puppies that do not exist. It is only a Silvestre if it comes direct from our doors. There is someone in the UK who has used my name to sell puppies. She may of used to have our dogs but doesn't now. I have only recently found out she has used my name. But selling pups as if Im connected to her bloodline and I am not. Do not get fooled into thinking you are buying a Silvestre. As I said it has to come from our doors. I am only mentoring one lady at the moment called Diane Priestly and I do recommend her puppies. She is expecting a litter in March 25. If you are patient you will always get. puppy from us. So it is best just to keep in touch with us rather than seeking a puppy from someone else who may not be ethical. Or we can give you names of breeders we do recommend and there are many who we believe to be ethical good breeders in the Uk who show dogs. We only recommend breeders who are licensed, and doing things correctly. But please do not ring me up and expect me to dish dirt on other breeders as it wont happen. I have better things to do. You have to do your own homework. As I said if you can wait I promise the wait will be worth it, and you will eventually get one from us. Sometimes you do have to wait to get a good dog.
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