Does anyone know any good breeders of Vizslas? Would be good to get a dog from hunting rather than show stock - so any recommendations?

Cheers!

JB
Found this add in the current feathers and fur magazine.

Gamecall Hungarian Vizsla-
02 64934412
www.gamecall.com.au

For more breeders you could try your states K9 accociation or Field and Game Australia- 03 57990960

jimbob,
Why is a dog from hunting rather than show lines necessarily a preference? The Vizsla is a breed that hasn't been split ... its still very much a dual purpose dog. Consider this ... hunting lines will often be cheaper than Show lines ... why??
Visit as many kennels as you can, ask for references to current and past hunting owners and do you research thoroughly. Also consider why you want the dog ... a hunting companion is much easier to find and train for than say a field trialling companion.
Cheers...
Con

Con. Show lines don't always perform as well in their intended fields as working lines. Show people tend to breed for looks only and not working ability. The RAAF found this out the hard way when it bought some Belgium Malinious pups to trial. They bought from show stock not working stock and it was a failure.
Vizsla's in Australia may be different but if I was after a hunting dog I would go with a working line as well.

Bakes,
I get where your coming from ... but don't disregard the breeders doing their best to maintain both working ability and conformation. The instincts run deep in many gundogs and with the right triggers many will make suitable field companions. Personally I like to see both Show and Field titles in a dog's pedigree.
Now dont quote me ... but I believe in the early to mid 80's Prof Rolf Beilhartz of Melb Uni put out papers on the heritability of various traits. He was working with the Guide Dog Assoc. to assist them with a breeding program. Hunting ability I seem to remember was fairly low in the heritability stakes. No doubt the old "genes vs environment" arguement.
Cheers...
Con

Thanks for the comments. I got in touch with Agnes Pali, who agreed fully with you Con -they look good and can hunt with a dual bloodline. I was just afraid of getting a dog that wanted to be groomed and then run through some hoops rather than get busy around here.

I must admit the price for a pup was shock - new .22/500 / .204 or new dog? Dilemmas!

jimbob,
Great to hear. Go visit the kennels, do it a few times and you'll start to realise that the purchase price is DIRT CHEAP compared to what the serious breeders put into the dogs and your "after sale" support. Ask lots of questions and make sure your 100% clear on the health guarantees etc... plus what screening of genetic disorders is happening. Have you ordered a pup? Male or female??
Cheers...
Con

Have not ordered a pup yet, tho' will do so soon. By preference a bitch, tho' I couldn't tell you why ... will no doubt post photos when the pup arrives ...

Why bother with a visla get a good bird dog like an english setter or an english pointer.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Mike H.:
Why bother with a visla get a good bird dog like an english setter or an english pointer.

Its debatable ... but Utility dogs are perhaps better siuted to Australian tastes. We're more "rough shooters" using the English terminolgy where our dogs are used on both feather and fur as the situation requires.
Cheers...
Con

Con makes a good point Dr. Mike H. Round here we have a quail season, briefly, when most of the quail have moved on. So a dog that's just for birds would be a waste for me.

For the most part I'm after utility dog, given that most of my hunting is an after work stroll with the shotgun after a few rabbits, or a fox if I put one up. That's the joy of living smack bang in the middle of the wheatbelt. Many might say that's a waste of a good dog, but it's just where I live ...