HEALTH TESTING:

​ A responsible breeder is one who among other things does genetic health testing on their breeding dogs to ensure that they produce the healthiest puppies possible. Producing puppies means the risk of genetic health issues.  The type of testing will vary based on the individual breed. Many people do not think twice about spending thousands on veterinary care, training, and grooming, but will balk at the purchase price of the puppy. However, price does not necessarily mean that the puppy is well-bred or that genetic testing has been done. Potential puppy buyers need to look at the pedigree of their new puppy, ask questions, and see documentation on health and genetic testing that has been done on the parents.

 

By purchasing a responsibly bred puppy of known pedigree, you can determine if testing has been done for diseases for which they are at risk based on their breed. With genetic testing, you can avoid the diseases for which the dogs were tested. Genetic testing will not exclude all possible inherited and acquired diseases, but this is your best available option to increase the odds of having taken home a healthy puppy. Puppy buyers can know they are looking at puppies that have a reduced chance of inheriting breed-specific health problems when the parents show favorable health screening results. Thus saving money in the long run

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All of our dogs have been screened for at least hip dysplasia before being bred to ensure they are free and clear of OA.  We are currently using PENNHIP to screen our breeding stock for Hip Dysplasia. OFA, UC Davis, or Embark will be used for further testing. Each breed has various requirements for testing. You can check the dog’s pages to see their results!   

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Eye Certification (CAER)
Many eye diseases can be genetic. By doing screening the parents and their passing it helps to lessen the chance of the puppies having these diseases. 

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Hips- PENNHIP Evaluations

Canine Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. The breakdown in the joint will lead to pain with joint movement. AIS PennHIP testing is accurate in puppies as young as 16 weeks of age. It gives an estimate of the risk for painful osteoarthritis (OA) of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) later in life. With this information, preventive and palliative strategies can be recommended by the PennHIP-trained veterinarian. The PennHip radiograph series consists of 3 views: Hip-extended view (same as OFA view), compression view, and forced distraction view. Radiographs for submission to PennHip may only be taken by PennHip-trained and certified veterinarians. The Distraction Index (DI) as determined by the PennHIP method is the most reliable indicator of future hip osteoarthritis.

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Cardiac Evaluation 

By performing the cardiac evaluation on the parents it can lower the risk of congenital heart conditions that can be passed down to their puppies. Congenital heart conditions can include malformations of the heart, valves, or major blood vessels. 

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Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA)

Elbow Dyplasia can be both genetic or due to environmental factors. Causing discomfort to the pet. An x-ray is done to examine the elbow. Dogs are allowed to get this test done after the age of 2 years old. 

 

Thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis)

A disease caused by the thyroid gland that causes Hypothyroidism. It can also cause circulating thyroid hormones. Leading to obesity, poor coat, and skin problems. A complete thyroid panel performed by an approved Laboratory is how the test is done. 

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DNA (GSPS)

Von Willebrand disease type II (VWDII) is an inherited bleeding disorder affecting dogs. Dogs affected with VWDII have decreased levels and abnormal function of von Willebrand coagulation factor (vWf), which is an essential protein needed for normal blood clotting. Affected dogs generally have moderate to severe signs of a bleeding disorder. Affected dogs may bruise easily, have frequent nosebleeds, bleed from the mouth when juvenile teeth are lost, and experience prolonged bleeding after surgery or trauma. The bleeding may be severe enough to cause death. 

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Cone degeneration (German shorthaired pointer type) is an inherited eye disease affecting German shorthaired pointers. Affected dogs develop day blindness (blindness in bright light) and Photophobia (light sensitivity) between 8 to 12 weeks after birth due to the degeneration of cells in the eye called cone photoreceptors which are responsible for vision in bright light. 

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Breed Recommendations

VIZSLAS: HIPS, EYES, THYROID & CARDIAC

GSPS: HIPS, ELBOWS, EYES, CARDIAC & DNA

BRACCO: HIPS, ELBOWS, CARDIAC & EYES

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HUNT-TESTED PARENTS:

Ethical Breeders breed dogs to preserve the breed. Gundogs are built the way they are because of the job that they were bred to do. The standard is the blueprint of how our breed is meant to look act and function. It goes into detail on the structure, temperament, and purpose of the build.

To give the best build for hunting in the field. Breeders who strive to breed a dog that meets the standard are focusing on preserving the breed's characteristics. This is a dual purpose breed meaning that this breed should be able to go from the field to the show ring. Whether a breeder's focus is on showing, dog sports, hunting, or all of the above the breeder will always have the dual purpose mentality.  

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Irresponsible breeding practices can lead to serious health and behavior problems. Causing medical and behavioral issues that can lead to the dog ending up in the shelter system.  A responsible breeder will also always be willing to take the dog if the owner is no longer able to keep it. Just because a dog is purebred does not mean it is coming from a responsible breeder. Unethical breeders focus on making a profit off of their animals. A responsible breeder will make the health and well-being of all of their dogs their number one priority. Irresponsible breeders will skip health testing and skip out on proving their dogs in the field/Show/preformance. 

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All of our dogs are tested for hunting ability in AKC or NAVHDA tests. Many of our dogs also compete in other sports such as dock diving or fast cat.

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If someone is only looking for a pet, why should they consider buying a puppy from parents with a title?

 

After all, their pet will not need the drive or desire that a hunting dog should have; all they want is a good companion. So are titles on the parents all that important?

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Having a title shows that this particular dog is intelligent and trainable, and is capable of being trained reliably to an advanced level. It shows the dog has the desire to work with its handler, and the ability to learn new behavior. The dog that possesses these traits can pass them to its offspring. A dog that does not have these traits cannot! This is very important for the pet owner because a dog that has the genetic desire to learn and work with its handler is much easier to train!

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A title demonstrates that the breeder does more than just breed their dogs. They are engaged with and involved in other activities besides breeding their dogs over and over.

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A  title shows that the breeder has had the opportunity to compare their dogs with other representatives of the breed and to compare them against a set, objective test (that was designed with the pointing breed in mind). Such as AKC hunt tests, field trails, or NAVHDA tests.

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A title shows that the dog has left the breeder’s property, and been exposed to everyday situations beyond the small world of the breeder’s home. The title shows that this dog has been through the stress of training and trialing in an environment much different from its comfortable home, and the dog has handled it successfully

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A  title shows, in part, that the dog has the proper working temperament of a GSP or Vizsla. 

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Training and titling a dog thoroughly inform the breeder so that they can make good breeding decisions.

 

They now know without a doubt who and what their dogs are and have proven it through the training and titling process.  They know where their dog needs to be complemented, and what needs to be corrected for future breeding.

 

Which breeder would you rather get a puppy from one who has thoroughly informed themselves on and proven what their dogs are like through training and titling them or one who “knows” what their dogs are like at home only, and who decides that this is good enough for breeding, without any objective proof or test?

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Read more here on I don't want a show or hunting dog: I just want a pet

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PUPPY HEALTH CARE:

Puppies will come with the first set of vaccines before leaving our home.

Each puppy will be kept UTD on a vet-grade deworming schedule to ensure they are parasite-free throughout their development. We will also cover proper deworming protocols, provide flea preventives so they go home flea-free, and have had at least one vet check with our vet before leaving. An Exam from a licensed vet. Health certificate, Vaccine record, Deworming record, and a Fecal. The vet checks the heart, lungs, eyes, hernias, testicles, etc. Puppies will not leave until 8 weeks of age. 

 

 

Early Rearing

Responsible breeders will help the puppies be successful from the beginning, by exposing them to new things and early training. Nosam Kennels is proud to offer Puppy culture-raised puppies! Puppy Culture represents a gold standard in puppy rearing and early socialization. Puppy Culture is a program used by Breeders and Puppy owners, all over the world to improve the lives of their puppies and to limit behavioral issues by helping puppies cope with and move past things that would otherwise cause issues as adults. Please check out our PC page for more information!    

We believe that dog obedience training is an important part of a puppy's development so that our puppies know what is expected and how to behave appropriately. With proper training, new puppies can become great Canine companions who are a joy to have around the house and in the field or show ring. We believe in helping our puppies reach their full potential to become superior hunting or family companions. Puppies are exposed to a variety of sounds, surfaces, and activities designed to socialize and instill confidence and instinct. In addition to being given lots of attention, they are handled by us and socialize with our pack daily.  Not only is this an important part of early socialization to humans and other animals, but it is also essential in helping the puppies form positive associations later in life.  While we cannot guarantee a pup will show a desire to hunt when it matures, what you can expect in a pup from us is a well-socialized, healthy puppy who has been introduced to the outside world. 

 

 

PUPPY CARE DOCUMENTS  ​

We will provide reading material with each developmental update to help better prepare you for your puppy. This includes feeding and nutrition information, training tips, breed tips, puppy checklists, and more on our puppy owner website!  Puppies will be sold with a written sales contract with a strict return agreement if buyers cannot keep their puppy. 

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LIFETIME SUPPORT 

We believe a strong relationship between a breeder and the buyer is of utmost importance for the lifetime well-being of the puppies we produce. We are looking for extended family members not just "customers". By purchasing one of our puppies we believe you become an important link to helping us better the Vizsla & GSP breeds for future generations by providing important feedback for us to breed puppies who are an improvement of the breed.

Join our growing community on Facebook of Nosam Families. Plan meet-ups with litter mates, share photos of your puppy, and ask for training/care help from us directly and other experienced homes.

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OBJECTIVES

​Breed only to improve the breed, use sire and dam of appropriate qualities for each breed's standard and soundness in health, structure, and temperament. Promote and breed to produce hunting dogs that strongly represent what the breeds are intended to be, a hunting breed.

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We will not sell, or consign puppies or adult dogs to pet shops or brokers

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Nosam puppies are sold with limited non-breeding registration until proven breeding quality (health tested/ titled) and evaluated.

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Nosam Kennels screens all prospective buyers to ensure that puppies have safe and loving homes. We do this by requiring everyone interested in a puppy to complete a puppy application and go through our screening process. We do NOT sell to people who plan to chain their dog in the yard, leave them outside apart from their family, or have not properly educated themselves on the needs of the breed. 

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At Nosam we encourage owners to become involved in activities with our breeds. Such as but not limited to (hunting, performance events, dog shows, dock diving, obedience, agility, etc.) 

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At Nosam we do not mix breed the breeds we have chosen to work with you will find that we raise only purebred Braccos, GSPs, & and Vizsla's. 

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We are members of the

German Shorthaired Pointer Club Of America

North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association,

Central Ohio Pointing Breeds Club, 

the Appalachian Valley NAVDHA Chapter. 

​KPBA (Kentuckiania Pointing Breeds Association) 

Three Rivers NAVHDA

 

 

 

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AKC BREEDER OF MERIT 

AKC honors responsible breeders who have gone above and beyond on health issues, temperament, and genetic screening, as well as the individual care and placement of puppies in responsible homes. To give breeders a way to prove their dedication to preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized puppies. AKC considers them the most conscientious and most committed breeders. Nosam is proud to be an AKC breeder of Merit for Vizslas & GSPs. Our goal is to earn it on our Braccos as well.​

We take AKC breeder education courses yearly to ensure we are always learning, improving, and committed to educating ourselves on proper breeding practices. We also compete in AKC performance events when we are able.