Can anyone recommend a breeder for my first working/hunting utility dog (pup). Breeds considered include GSP or Vizsla which will be trained for Deer, Duck and Quail?

I am in Melbourne and willing to travel as far as NSW and SA to view and purchase a good pup.

thanks,

check out the classifieds in the aussie hunting journals. or do a google search...

RobZ is the fella to talk to mate. He's got a nice little GSP bitch. Perhaps he could point you in the direction of his breeder.

Spartan,
Go to dogzonline and check the breeder section ... then ring and do your back ground work. Ask for references to hunting contacts and dont be scared of 'show breeders' when you can be provided with contacts that hunt with their dogs. Often the dogs not good enough for the show ring and breeding end up as either pets or hunting dogs. Be tough ... ask the breeders about hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye issues and whether they are testing for abnormalities. No breeder is ever clear of 'skeletons in the closet' and you want to know what they are, the best will tell you, some wont. The breeder I buy my Brittany's of for example has shown me every hip score done including those that failed. If you want quality, be prepared to pay for quality. For both Vislas and GSPs ... you wont have to travel far to find some of the top quality dogs in Victoria.
Cheers...
Con

Good points Con. Also check with your own vet about the hip scores. I believe they changed the method of scoring but I can't remember how it goes.

Bakes,
I have made some progress via Robz. I'll follow up with the Hip Scores thing as well.

Con,
yeah, I will need to be more proactive with the elitist breeders. Thanks for the advice. After all if I am paying good $$$'s I should get good honest advice and the appropriate disclosure.

I have tried looking at the online stuff. Hearing of a particular lineage would be most reassuring.

thanks again fella's
Spartan

Take a look at Pointgold kennels http://www.pointgoldkennels.com/GSP_Hall_of_Fame.html if your interested in a GSP from hunting stock.

I would steer away from any show-centric GSP breeder (there are a lot of them) and look out for ads in Feathers and Fur for hunting breeders who regularly trial their dogs

Your outta luck here. My GWP X import lab's went like hot cakes

The pup I hung onto is already a killing machine, the count is four of the cooks chickens so far. Bugger.