Is a VIZSLA really for you?
courtesy of the Tampa Bay Vizsla Club
Owning a Vizsla is both mentally and physically challenging. Those who work, professional, family, or domestic schedules or are overly busy should perhaps postpone the Vizsla decision. The decision by the uninitiated "first timer" should be made with thoughtfulness and care. It is not a breed for a dog novice. "It's a pretty dog," or as a puppy, "it's cute" are reasons often given by the beginner. Neither qualify. Bringing any new puppy in tot the household requires planning, attention, and time. The Vizsla will definitely demand all three in abundance!
The Vizsla buyer should make the selection from puppies bred by a reputable breeder. Breeders whose facilities and demeanor give the impression of puppy mill operations or back yard breeders should be avoided at all costs. Make a selection from a breeder whos scrupulous objectives are maintaining and improving the standards and characteristics of the breed. The breeding process should be done from carefully selected stock, much in the same tradition established centuries earlier by the Hungarian nobility. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES buy a puppy from a breeder who cannot give you the OFA numbers of the parents! We have made great strides in preventing hip dysplasia by using the OFA test. Some breeders do not care enough to do these tests before breeding. DO NOT except any excuses as to why they did not do these tests. There aren't any!
| 1. Vizslas have a short, sleek coat that requires minimal grooming. (But they DO shed)! |
| 2. They are very good at alerting you to anybody coming to the door. HOWEVER, THEY CAN BE LOUD AND ROWDY AND MUST BE TAUGHT NOT TO JUMP ON GUESTS OR 'MOUTH' THEM. BECAUSE THEY ARE SO VOCAL, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THEM TO BECOME RECREATIONAL BARKERS. |
| 3. They are generally very good with considerate children, and are naturally protective of them. |
| 4. They are excellent jogging and walking companions. THIS BREED MUST HAVE A LOT OF EXERCISE - after all, they were bred to be hunt all day long!! |
| 5. They are very curious and want to be part of whatever you are doing. They should be indoors when you are home, as they very much want to be a part of the family. If not allowed to be part of the family, they can become very destructive and develop numerous neurotic habits. |
| 6. Overall, they are a vigorous and long-lived dogs. Average life span is about 12 years - 14 years. |
| 8. They are very playful and will invent games to play with you. They do not lose their free spirit or love of life as they age. |
| 9. They are very sensitive to your moods and want to be touching you when they lie down. |
| 10. Most are good hunting companions. |
| 11. They love to retrieve and carry things. A WORD OF CAUTION: THIS INCLUDES YOUR SHOES, CLOTHES, AND THE CHILDREN'S TOYS. |
| 12. They love to go with you anytime, anyplace and anywhere. |
| 13. They are intelligent, easy to train, and want to please. However, they are very willful. |
| 1. Vizslas can be destructive and many are chewers until they reach maturity. Some are chewers their entire lives. |
| 2. They will eat anything - pantyhose, VCR tuners, sofas, pillows, sheetrock walls, eyeglasses, etc. They are also natural thieves and you must learn to keep things out of their reach. NO MORE FOOD LEFT OUT ON COUNTERSI Many of them are championship diggers. |
| 3. As a result of the above two traits, a crate or other safe place for confinement when not supervised is a MUST with this breed. |
| 4. They are too clever for their own good, and can be very stubborn and manipulative. They will try to get away with everything possible. |
| 5. They must have consistent discipline and positive (motivational) obedience training at an early age. Otherwise, both dog and owner will be miserable. |
| 6. They can be too rowdy for small children and the elderly. |
| 7. See GOOD POINTS 2 and 4 |
| 8. They are prone to hip dysplasla and other hereditary conditions. |
| 9.They were selectively bred to hunt anything with fur or feathers, and will harass squirrels, cats, birds, and anything else that can be interpreted as prey. The sometimes incessant barking at small animals annoys the neighbors. |
