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Vizslas: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Vizsla personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Vizsla, including these excerpts: "The AKC Standard calls the Vizsla "lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate, and sensitive." The good-natured Vizsla has also been called a "Velcro" dog because he is so tactile -- he attaches himself to people, preferably in their laps. Athletic, agile, and light on his feet, the Vizsla is a robust hunting dog who needs vigorous daily exercise and lots of personal attention. Too much confinement and too little companionship can lead to neurotic behaviors such as hyperactivity and destructiveness. Bored Vizslas are notorious chewers. Most Vizslas get along well with everyone, including strangers and other animals, but they do need a lot of early socialization to build confidence. Some Vizslas are excitable and/or easily startled in new situations. The Vizsla has the independent spirit of all pointing breeds, but responds to training more willingly than most and is a capable performer in advanced obedience competition. You may need to control his tendency to mouth your hands -- provide a box filled with toys so he can carry things around in his mouth." History This very old breed roamed the Hungarian plains with the nomadic Magyar tribes, hunting partridge and rabbits. Vizsla means "alert and responsive." Size 20-25 inches and 45-65 lbs

Vizslas What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em There are energetic Vizslas, and placid Vizslas. Hard-headed Vizslas, and sweet-natured Vizslas. Serious Vizslas, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Vizslas, and Vizslas who love everyone. If you acquire a Vizsla puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed... If you want a dog who... Is medium-sized, sleek-coated and tautly-muscled, a true athlete Is usually bred by very responsible breeders who produce dual-purpose (both show and field) and even triple-purpose (show, field, and obedience) dogs Is packed with energy and thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities Responds to training more willingly than most pointing breeds and is a capable performer in obedience competition Is gentle and sensitive, typically a "soft" dog Has been called a "velcro" dog: demonstrative and tactile and tending to attach himself physically to the members of his family, preferably in their laps Is usually congenial with everyone, including other animals A Vizsla may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Vigorous exercise requirements Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Timidity in some lines, or when not socialized enough A distractable mind of his own -- tends to ignore calls and commands when an interesting sight or scent catches his attention Shedding Slowness to housebreak Health problems A Vizsla may not be right for you. If I were considering a Vizsla... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Vizslas MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Vizslas are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking, or to get involved in hunting, or advanced obedience, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. Bounciness. Young Vizslas (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Vizsla puppies. The temptation to bounce is just too strong in many young Vizslas. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Vizslas need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Providing enough socialization. Vizslas need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with. Mind of their own. Vizslas are not Golden Retrievers. The best Vizslas are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own, can be stubborn, and are easily distracted by exciting sights, scents, and sounds. You must show them, through absolute consistency and great patience, that you mean what you say and that they must pay attention to you. To teach your Vizsla to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Vizsla Training Page discusses the program you need. Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, Vizslas shed more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Housebreaking. The pointing breeds can be a bit slow to pick this up. Expect several months of consistent crate training. Health problems. Seizures and epilepsy are major problems, along with hip and eye disorders, bleeding disorders, skin diseases, and cancer. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Vizsla Health Page. If you're considering an adult Vizsla... There are plenty of adult Vizslas who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. 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