Michelle Porfido-DeLucia & Rhapsody Vizslas

My love affair with Vizslas began back in 2001, when I was 12 years old, and unknowingly met a puppy and breeder that made me realize I wanted nothing more than to be immersed and consumed in the Vizsla breed. I've dedicated my career as a Researcher, and nearly all my free time to the preservation and purposeful breeding of my most beloved accomplishment, my breeding program known as Rhapsody Vizslas. For twenty years, I have made it my mission to produce versatile examples of the breed, that can participate and excel across a multitude of venues from field trials and conformation, to agility and service work. Above all else, and most importantly, Rhapsody-bred dogs thrive as well-adjusted family members. 

 

I'm an active member of the Vizsla Club of America, a VCA Welfare Foundation board member, as well as the AKC Delegate and board member of the Vizsla Club of the Carolinas. I have personally shown nearly all of my Champion and Grand Champion dogs to their respective wins, which include Best of Breed at the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 44 Best in Specialty Show wins, over 75 Group Placements and Group wins, and several other titles and notable accolades. I take great pride in being involved in the lives of my puppies, and being able to handle them for their owners is the icing on the cake. All of our personal dogs and those that are considered for our breeding program are held to the highest standard of health testing, requiring scores for OFA Hips, PennHip, CERF, Thyroid, and most recently we have added OFA Cardiac testing. Having a firm understanding of the genetic predisposition in our dogs, coupled with our sound temperaments, allows us the ability to make the best-informed decisions for our breeding program.

 

 

Through the years of my involvement in the breed, I have been lucky to make some special friendships with my adoring puppy families. It is through these relationships, and of course with their undying trust and respect, that I have the privilege of incorporating their dogs into the Rhapsody program. My husband and I only have a few Vizslas we share our home with in Central NC, and thus we are indebted to our fabulous homes and friends that allow us to selectively breed their dogs in order to perpetuate our Rhapsody legacy.