ADOPT A VIZSLA
Support Vizsla Rescue http://www.vrescuefund.org/
Unfortunately some people end up with Vizsla's that should have never had one to begin with. Often these Vizsla's come to us abused, or neglected. Others due to death, divorce or other circumstances have to give theirs up. This is where our local breed rescue comes into play. These Vizsla's are in various foster homes looking for a permanent home. Once you contact your local rescue chair, they will probably ask you to fill out this questionnaire:
To send this questionnaire to me, copy it by holding down you left mouse button and highlighting the text. Then click the right mouse button and choose copy. Open a new e-mail up and place your curser in the blank space. Right click again and choose paste. You can now fill in the questions and e-mail the completed form to me at: vizsla50@bellsouth.net
QUESTIONNAIRE
PROSPECTIVE RESCUE VIZSLA OWNERS
NAME:
PHONE #:
MAILING ADDRESS:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
BEST TIME TO REACH TO REACH YOU:
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT VIZSLA RESCUE?:
WHY DO YOU WANT A RESCUE VIZSLA?:
DO YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN BUYING A PUPPY FROM A BREEDER?:
HAVE YOU OWNED A VIZSLA BEFORE (EXPLAIN)?:
DO YOU HAVE A VIZSLA NOW? DESCRIBE:
SEX WANTED: M: F: EITHER: AGE WANTED:
OTHER QUALITIES YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN A RESCUE VIZSLA:
WHERE WILL THE DOG LIVE INSIDE/OUTSIDE, EXPLAIN?:
DO YOU HAVE A FENCED-IN YARD?: HOW HIGH IS THE FENCE?:
CHILDREN IN HOME?: Ages:
OTHER ADULTS IN HOME?: ARE THEY IN ACCORD WITH
OWNING A VIZSLA?:
OTHER BREEDS OF DOGS IN HOME? (AGE, SEX, ALTERED?):
CATS?: OTHER PETS?:
WILL THE VIZSLA BE LEFT ALONE MUCH?:
EXPLAIN
VIZSLAS ARE HIGH-ENERGY DOGS. HOW WILL YOU SEE THAT YOUR
VIZSLA GETS EXERCISE?:
DO YOU OWN YOUR HOME OR RENT? OWN: RENT:
IF YOU RENT, DO YOU HAVE PERMISSION FROM YOUR LANDLORD TO
OWN A DOG?:
SOMETIMES VIZSLAS COMING THROUGH RESCUE DISPLAY BEHAVIOR
WHICH IS NOT CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE SUCH AS FEAR, AGGRESSION,
POOR HOUSEBREAKING, OVERLY CLINGING OR DISTANT. THIS IS USUALLY
BECAUSE OF LACK OF PROPER SOCIALIZATION OR TRAINING IN THE FORMER
HOUSEHOLD. WHAT KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE CAN YOU BRING TO THE
VIZSLA TO PROVIDE TRAINING, UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE TO PROMOTE
A STABLE LIFE FOR THE VIZSLA?:
OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW:
CHARACTERISTICS OF A VIZSLA
What
you need to know before you adopt a Vizsla:
If you're looking for a dog that is affectionate, energetic, sensitive, and demanding of your time and energy, a Vizsla is the right dog for you.
History: The Vizsla breed originated in Hungary as a sporting dog owned by the aristocracy. The Hungarian aristocrats who hunted with their
Vizslas always brought them in before the fire after the hunt. Present-day Vizslas must have gotten wind of this history because Vizslas require a home
where they can be indoors with their family. They do not make good kennel dogs.
Velcro Dogs: Vizsla owners have given the breed the nickname "Velcro Dog" because of the Vizsla's need to cling to its owners and be with them at all times. Your Vizsla will follow you from room to room as you change activities around the house, settling down on a comfortably soft surface--like a couch or soft chair or--in a pinch-- a dog bed. If you don't close the bathroom door tightly you will surely have company in
there, too.
People Lovers: Vizslas who have been properly socialized adore people. Most of them love to lick your face, if allowed, and most will give a "Vizsla
hug" around your neck while doing so. Like most breeds, Vizslas are good with children, cats, and other dogs if they have been introduced to them
early on. The breed standard for Vizslas says that they must be "demonstrably
affectionate". This means that Vizslas in the show ring, especially the younger ones, will frequently try to lick the hands or face of the
judge.
Not Good Loners: The down side to all this love and affection is that Vizslas hate to be alone, and many are prone to separation anxiety. If
you have long working hours and feel that you MUST have a Vizsla, at least provide a companion dog so that those long hours of being alone won't be spent in destruction of property, barking, or jumping fences to go
looking for you. It also helps if you give your Vizsla a good run BEFORE you leave for work. An exercised Vizsla with chewing toys and a comfortable bed
will usually settle down after you leave.
Hunters/Prey Chasers: Vizslas were selectively bred for hunting, and their good eyesight, sensitive nose, and energetic enthusiasm in the field
make them an excellent hunting companion. This same instinct means they will chase anything with fur and feathers that they consider prey.
Acquainting them with the family cat, therefore, needs to be done at an early age.
Need Exercise: Be sure that your Vizsla gets lots of exercise (a good run every day) and lots of extra play (ball retrieving is a favorite),
attention and love from your family. An unexercised Vizsla left to its own devices can become destructive.
Coat: Vizslas have a beautiful short-haired russet coat which sheds very little. When you pat them on top of the head, it feels like velvet.
Not only is this short coat attractive, but it's also practical. Vizslas are the original "wash-and-wear" dog.
Is a Vizsla the right breed for you? The answer is "yes" if : You like constant companionship.
If you like your own space, forget it. You're willing to commit to exercising your Vizsla on a daily basis.
This doesn't mean a walk around the block. It means a good run every day to wear off your dog's energy. A properly exercised Vizsla will then settle
down and be a "couch potato". You like to involve your dog in ALL your activities.
The Vizsla will not be left alone for long periods of time. You like a dog to be inside with you where it can be a part of the
family. You give your dog obedience training. Puppy classes, as soon as your Vizsla has received all of its puppy shots, are definitely advised. Be sure that your obedience instructor
understands that Vizslas require "soft" discipline. They want to please and will try hard to make you happy. Some of the heavy-handed choke-collar
jerking that might work well with a more insensitive breed will simply turn your Vizsla off and make it not want to try.
For older Vizslas who have just been adopted, I always advise obedience classes. It creates a bond between you and your new Vizsla and firmly establishes you as
"top dog". The socialization of the class situation is also good for Vizslas who are starting out life
afresh. Some of the Vizslas we receive into Rescue are given up because
their owners didn't teach them when they were puppies how to walk on leash, come when called, and not jump on people . Once a Vizsla has matured into a powerful, energetic one-year-old, these training landmarks become
increasingly important. A 9-weeks-old puppy who jumps up to try to lick
you is charming. A 50-65 lb. adult Vizsla who jumps up on you can knock you
over.
To summarize: If you like a dog who sticks to you like Velcro, demands that it be given exercise, loves you intensely, and takes over your life completely, a Vizsla is the right dog for you.
You can find your
local
contact person here 
Or ...contact the VCA National Rescue Chairman:
Steve Shlyen - 134 Mt. Airy Rd., Pipersville PA 18947 (610) 294-8020 E-mail : rheing@epix.net
If you live in Florida, you can contact me and I will forward your completed questionnaire to our rescue chairperson. E-mail me at: Vizsla50@bellsouth.net
Click on the medallion for the Vizsla Club of America web site.